Moffett, Shannon 1972-

PERSONAL:

Born 1972. Education: New York University, B.A.; studying medicine at Stanford University.

ADDRESSES: Agent—Marianne Merola, Brandt and Hochman Literary Agents, 1501 Broadway, New York, NY 10036. E-mail—[email protected].

CAREER:

Medical student and author.

AWARDS, HONORS:

Two Stanford Arts and Humanities Medical Scholars grants.

WRITINGS:

The Three-Pound Enigma: The Human Brain and the Quest to Unlock Its Mysteries, Algonquin Books (Chapel Hill, NC), 2006.

SIDELIGHTS:

While studying at the Stanford University School of Medicine, Shannon Moffett became intrigued by the mysteries of the brain, so much so, in fact, that she took some time away from school to research and write a book on the subject. The result, The Three-Pound Enigma: The Human Brain and the Quest to Unlock Its Mysteries, offers profiles of several scientists and others interested in the brain and human consciousness. While Moffett does not provide any definitive answers on how the physiology of the brain is related to consciousness and personality, she does give an "educational, behind-the-scenes glimpse" at the frontiers of neuroscience, according to a Science News contributor. For example, Moffett writes about magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) research and what it is revealing about the workings of memory. Another scientist is studying dreams and how people might actually use them to practice certain skills, while Moffett also writes about a Zen monk and his thoughts on the differences between mind and brain. A Publishers Weekly critic reported that The Three-Pound Enigma offers the reader "no new insights" and that the text can at times be overly technical; nevertheless, the reviewer especially appreciated the "fascinating interludes tracing the development of the brain from embryonic state to death."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Publishers Weekly, December 5, 2005, review of The Three-Pound Enigma: The Human Brain and the Quest to Unlock Its Mysteries, p. 48.

Science News, January 21, 2006, review of The Three-Pound Enigma, p. 47.

Washington Post Book World, February 26, 2006, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, "Gray Anatomies: Can Neuroscience Really Explain Our Deepest Thoughts and Emotions?," review of The Three-Pound Enigma, p. 2.

ONLINE

MSNBC.com,http://www.msnbc.com/ (July 29, 2006), Tracy Edmonson, "No Brainer," review of The Three-Pound Enigma.

Shannon Moffett Home Page,http://www.shannonmoffett.com (July 29, 2006).

USA Weekend Online,http://www.usaweekend.com/ (January 15, 2006), Kathleen Conroy, "Brain Power: A Med Student Plugs In," interview with Shannon Moffett.

U.S. News Online,http://www.usnews.com/ (January 14, 2006), Josh Fischman, "On the Bookshelf: Thinking about Thinking," interview with Shannon Moffett.