Scientific American’s editor named writer in residence

Mariette DiChristina, the executive editor of Scientific American, will visit the university as the spring 2005 Science Writer in Residence.

A veteran science journalist, DiChristina was named executive editor of Scientific American in 2001. Previously, she served for 14 years as executive editor of Popular Science, where her writing and editing of space topics was honored when the Space Foundation awarded Popular Science the 2001 Douglas S. Morrow Public Outreach Award.

In addition to her work as an editor, DiChristina worked as a reporter for the Gannett Westchester Newspapers. She is also the former chair of the board of Science Writers in New York, and is currently a board member of the National Association of Science Writers.

As a science writer in residence, DiChristina will visit the UW–Madison campus the week of April 25. She will deliver a free public lecture, “When Scientists Write for the Public: Tales From Scientific American,” at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, April 26, in the Memorial Union. Check TITU for a room number.

DiChristina’s talk will provide examples of the pressures, threats and interests scientists experience when exposed to the literal “interface between science and journalism,” and will include anecdotes of things that happen as scientists seek to author articles for major consumer publications.

The Science Writer in Residence Program, now in its nineteenth year, was established with the help of the Brittingham Trust and continues with support from the UW Foundation. Past visiting writers include many of the nation’s leading science writers, including three writers whose work subsequently earned them the Pulitzer Prize.

The UW–Madison Science Writer in Residence Program is sponsored by the School of Journalism and Mass Communication and University Communications.