About me

Hello. My name is Tom Musselman. I am a freelance copyeditor and proofreader specializing in the earth sciences. I am a native English speaker raised in Los Angeles. I have a BS in geology and an MS in geochemistry.

As a Master's student I studied isotope and trace-element geochemistry in igneous rocks. After college I managed research labs in two university geology departments. I trained grad students, post-docs, and visiting researchers on methods of rock dissolution, chemical separations, and instrumental analysis using thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). I later worked as a Field Service Engineer installing and repairing TIMS instruments worldwide.

I got my start in proofreading and copyediting a few years ago when my wife asked me to edit her PhD dissertation in structural geology and tectonics. I have been asked to edit documents ever since.

I have been a freelance copyeditor and proofreader since 2015. I edit journal articles and other documents written by native and non-native English speakers. A repeat client is the Bulletin of the Mexican Geological Society. I am especially familiar with common errors made by native Spanish speakers.

In addition to copyediting, I teach five online classes per year in science writing. See Classes for details.