Awards

2021

Finalist - Pulitzer Prize, with Helen Branswell and Andrew Joseph, "for their prescient, expert and accessible coverage of the emergence of COVID-19, sounding the alarm on the potential spread and potency of the virus."

2019

AAAS-Kavli Award for science journalism; online category

2017

Victor Cohn Prize for Excellence in Medical Science Reporting. Given by the Council for the Advancement of Science Writing, this science reporting career achievement award honors a writer whose work stands out "for reasons of uncommon clarity, accuracy, breadth of coverage, enterprise, originality, insight and narrative power."

2009

The American Statistical Association's Excellence in Statistical Reporting Award for 'her whole body of work, especially for untangling numbers, probabilities, and statistics to enable public understanding of current science issues.'

Finalist: National Magazine Awards, for Public Interest, for We Fought Cancer and Cancer Won

First Place Award: New York Association of Black Journalists, for How Your Brain Looks at Race

Genesis Award for Outstanding Written Word: The Humane Society of the United States, for The Extinction Trade

2008

Specialized Writing - Finalist, Science, Technology, Medical or Environmental Reporting: Deadline Club, New York City Chapter, Society of Professional Journalists, for The Truth about Denial

2007

Global Media Award of Excellence, for Best Environmental Reporting: The Population Institute, for The Truth About Denial

Genesis Award: Humane Society of the United States, for Cry of the Wild: Gorilla Warfare

2005

Clarion Award, Magazine Article, Weekly, Best Non-Opinion Newspaper Column: The Association for Women in Communication, for Science Journal

Public Understanding of Science Award: The Exploratorium, San Francisco, for lifetime achievement

Excellence in Journalism: The American Aging Association, for Coverage of Research on Alzheimer's Disease

2004

Clarion Award, Magazine Article, Weekly, Best Non-Opinion Newspaper Column: The Association for Women in Communication, for Science Journal

Honorary degree, Doctor of Humane Letters: University of North Carolina/Asheville, "For Contributions to Public Understanding of Science"

2003

Best Spot News Reporting: Print Deadline Club, New York City Chapter, Society of Professional Journalists, for The Sleazy Side of Skating

2002

Front Page Award: Best Column/Editorial, Newspaper Newswomen’s Club of New York, for Even Thoughts Can Turn Genes On and Off

NAMI Outstanding Media Award: National Association for Mental Illness, for The Mystery of Schizophrenia

2000

Front Page Award: Newswomen’s Club of New York

Best Feature Reporting: Magazine Deadline Club, New York City Chapter, Society of Professional Journalists

1999

PASS Award: National Council on Crime and Delinquency, for The Secret Life of Teens

Best Feature Reporting: Magazine Deadline Club, New York City Chapter, Society of Professional Journalists

1998

Wilbur Award, Magazines, National: Religion Communicators Council, for Science Finds God

1997

Distinguished Achievement Award: Educational Press Association of America, for Your Child's Brain

Clarion Award, Magazine Article: The Association for Women in Communication, for Your Child's Brain

1995

Honorable Mention, Consumer Journalism: National Press Club, for Phytochemicals

First Place, Food News Reporting: Association of Food Journalists, for Phytochemicals

1994

Distinguished Achievement Award: Educational Press Association of America, for The Puzzle of Genius

Genesis Award, Commendation, Periodical: The Ark Trust, for Loved to Death

1993

Vincent Downing Award for Excellence in Medical Communication: American Medical Writers Association, Metro NY Chapter

Premier Award for Space Coverage: Aviation/Space Writers Association, for ET Phone Us and The Science of Doom

Global Award for Media Excellence, Best Team Reporting Effort: The Population Institute

1992

Outstanding Achievement in Media: American Society on Aging

Journalism Award Magazines, Eastern Chapter Aviation/Space Writers Association, for Heavens!

Award for Excellence, Feature Writing: Magazine Deadline Club, New York City Chapter, Society of Professional Journalists

1991

Distinguished Achievement Award: Educational Press Association of America, for How to Teach Our Kids