Science Writer Awarded AIP Cultural Prize

COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND, 5 January 2007 — Marcia Bartusiak, veteran science writer and a visiting professor at MIT, joins venerable physicists in receiving the American Institute of Physics’ Gemant Award. The Gemant Award annually recognizes the accomplishments of a person who has made significant contributions to cultural, artistic, or humanistic dimension of physics.

Ms. Bartusiak is the author of numerous popular books on astronomy and cosmology, including ‘Einstein’s Unfinished Symphony,’ ‘Thursday’s Universe,’ ‘Through A Universe Darkly’ and most recently, ‘Archives of the Universe.’

The citation for her award reads, ‘The Andrew W. Gemant Award is presented to Marcia Bartusiak for a body of work that has won high praise from critics, scientists, and general audiences alike. Her books have been widely read, translated into four languages and have been especially successful in transmitting physics and astronomy to the public. Her reputation for detail and accuracy coupled with her clear writing and thorough understanding of the science and personalities behind the topic has made her an eloquent spokesman for what is important in science. ‘

Bartusiak will receive her award on Sunday, January 7, at this year’s American Association of Physics Teachers and American Astronomical Association joint meeting, held in Seattle, Washington. She will deliver a public lecture there and receive a $5,000 cash award. She will also designate an academic institution to receive a grant of $3,000 to further the public communication of physics.

Bartisiak was honored in 1982 with the AIP’s science writing award, the first woman to win the prize. She is a visiting professor with the Graduate Program in Science Writing at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. More biographical details can be found on her website http://www.marciabartusiak.com/marcia_bartusiak.htm .

The award is made possible by a bequest of Andrew Gemant to the American Institute of Physics. The awardee is named by the AIP Governing Board during the annual spring meeting based on the recommendation of an outside Selection Committee appointed by the Institute’s Board Chairman.

Headquartered in College Park, Maryland, the American Institute of Physics is a not-for-profit membership corporation chartered in New York State in 1931 for the purpose of promoting the advancement and diffusion of the knowledge of physics and its application to human welfare.