Moises Velasquez-Manoff is science writer with a particular interest in the microbiome. His work has been in published in science journals, such as Nature, as well in the popular press, such as the New York Times and Scientific America. As a sufferer of both allergies and an autoimmune condition, Moises has explored the aetiology of immune dysfunction, which is on the increase in the Western world. His investigation included experimenting with infecting himself with parasites in attempt to modulate his immune system. As a result of his research, Moises has published the book “Epidemic of absence: a new way of understanding allergies and autoimmunity”.