2009 AIBS Media Award( Chip Rowe a senior editor of Playboy...)

Chip Rowe, a senior editor of Playboy magazine, has won the 2009 Media Award of the American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS), given to a journalist for outstanding reporting on biological research in either print or broadcast journalism. Rowe's story, "Sexual Male: The Hard Facts," is part 5 of a 6-part series in the magazine on scientists' findings during the past decade relating to male and female sexual development. This segment of the series appeared in the November 2008 issue of Playboy. In addition to being a contributor to the magazine, Rowe is the Playboy Advisor, responding each month to more than 500 letters and emails from readers about sexuality, health, dating, relationships, and other topics of interest. He is the author of Dear Playboy Advisor: Questions from Men and Women to the Advice Column of Playboy Magazine.

An honorable mention was awarded to Martin Enserink, contributing correspondent to Science magazine, for his article titled "Tough Lessons from Golden Rice," which appeared on 25 April 2008. The article details how opposition to genetically modified crops has delayed cultivation of a form of rice that could prevent infant blindness.

AIBS encourages communication of biology to the general public and aims to foster a better understanding of how biological research is relevant to society as a whole. The AIBS Media Award was established in 1995 to recognize excellence in reporting on topics pertaining to biological sciences. Entries are judged on the basis of clarity of purpose, originality of subject, reporting and writing skills, and appeal to the general public.

This year's judging panel comprised two scientists and two journalists. The panel commented: "In 'Sexual Male: The Hard Facts,' Chip Rowe tackled a topic of keen human interest with rare verve and wit, cramming in a remarkable amount of sciencefrom biochemistry and evolution to psycholo
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