PRESS RELEASE FROM NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP
3 December 2009
For Immediate release
Scientific American appoints Mariette DiChristina Editor–in-Chief
Scientific American, the leading science magazine, today announces Mariette DiChristina as its new Editor-in-Chief. DiChristina becomes the eighth Editor-in-Chief in the 164-year history of the magazine, and the first woman to assume the role. In her role, DiChristina oversees the print and online editions of Scientific American and Scientific American Mind, as well as all newsstand special editions.
Mariette DiChristina is based in the Scientific American offices in New York City and takes up her position with immediate effect, reporting directly to Nature Publishing Group Managing Director Steven Inchcoombe. Announcing her appointment, Inchcoombe said “I am delighted to confirm Mariette as Editor-in-Chief of Scientific American. Mariette has always performed strongly and has been doing an especially great job over the last six months. She was the natural choice to lead Scientific American's editorial team and I look forward to working together with her to develop Scientific American to increase its impact and its value to its readers across all media."
DiChristina has been Acting Editor-in-Chief of Scientific American since June 2009, when outgoing Editor-in-Chief John Rennie left the publication to pursue new opportunities. A science journalist for more than 20 years, DiChristina first came to Scientific American in 2001 as its executive editor, a position she held until her current appointment. DiChristina also served as the editor of Scientific American Mind, a publication she launched, and started. Prior to joining Scientific American, DiChristina spent nearly 14 years at Popular Science in positions culminating as executive editor. DiChristina is the current president (in 2009 and 2010) of the 2,500-member National Association of Science Writers.
“Scientific American, at nearly 165, is as vital as ever as the world’s premier source for advances in science and technology and how they shape our world. It is a privilege to help shepherd Scientific American's future,” said DiChristina.
Described by The Chronicle of Higher Education as “probably the [United States’] most venerable source of science news written for a general audience”, Scientific American delivers authoritative and thought-provoking content to more than 3 million readers worldwide. Founded in 1845, Scientific American has over its history published articles by more than 140 Nobel laureate authors including Albert Einstein, Francis Crick, Stanley Prusiner and Richard Axel. Scientific American became part of Nature Publishing Group (NPG) in 2009, after many years as a sister Holtzbrinck organization.
DiChristina’s predecessor John Rennie was quick to congratulate her on her appointment: “Having worked side-by-side with Mariette for eight years, and having watched the great job she's done in recent months, I am more sure than ever that no one could be a better editor-in-chief for Scientific American. Mariette is a dynamic, brilliant editor and manager, and she will do terrifically well leading Scientific American forward and helping it thrive.” Rennie serves as a Contributing Editor for Scientific American, and continues to edit and consult on features and news for the magazine.
Full Biography for Mariette Di Christina:
Mariette DiChristina oversees Scientific American, ScientificAmerican.com, Scientific American Mind and all newsstand special editions. A science journalist for more than 20 years, she first came to Scientific American in 2001 as its executive editor. She is also the president (in 2009 and 2010) of the 2,500-member National Association of Science Writers. She has been an adjunct professor in the graduate Science, Health and Environmental Reporting program at New York University for the past few years. DiChristina is a frequent lecturer and has appeared at the 92nd Street Y in New York, Yale University and New York University among many others.
Previously, she spent nearly 14 years at Popular Science in positions culminating as executive editor. Her work in writing and overseeing articles about space topics helped garner that magazine the Space Foundation's 2001 Douglas S. Morrow Public Outreach Award. In spring 2005 she was Science Writer in Residence at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Her chapter on science editing appears in the second edition of A Field Guide for Science Writers. She is former chair of Science Writers in New York (2001 to 2004) and a member of the American Society of Magazine Editors and the Society of Environmental Journalists. Recently, DiChristina was honored by New York's Italian Heritage and Culture Committee in their October 2009 celebration of Galileo's contributions to science.
Photographs are available on request.
Contacts for interviews, photographs and more information:
Ruth Francis Head of Press, Nature Publishing Group
Tel: +44 20 7843 4562; E-mail: [email protected]
Grace Baynes Corporate Public Relations, Nature Publishing Group
Tel: +44 20 7014 4063 [email protected]
Rachel Scheer Corporate Public Relations Associate, Nature Publishing Group
Tel: +1 212 451 8569; E-mail: [email protected]
About Nature Publishing Group (NPG):
Nature Publishing Group (NPG) is a publisher of high impact scientific and medical information in print and online. NPG publishes journals, online databases and services across the life, physical, chemical and applied sciences and clinical medicine.
Focusing on the needs of scientists, Nature (founded in 1869) is the leading weekly, international scientific journal. In addition, for this audience, NPG publishes a range of Nature research journals and Nature Reviews journals, plus a range of prestigious academic journals including society-owned publications. Online, nature.com provides over 5 million visitors per month with access to NPG publications and online databases and services, including Nature News and NatureJobs plus access to Nature Network and Nature Education’s Scitable.com.
Scientific American is at the heart of NPG’s newly-formed consumer media division, meeting the needs of the general public. Founded in 1845, Scientific American is the oldest continuously published magazine in the US and the leading authoritative publication for science in the general media. Together with scientificamerican.com and 16 local language editions around the world it reaches over 3 million consumers and scientists. Other titles include Scientific American Mind and Spektrum der Wissenschaft in Germany.
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