News
June 14, 2007
For Immediate Release
Contact: George Goodno | (202) 457-0654
The
Foundation for Biomedical Research Announces Winners of the
2006-2007
Michael E. DeBakey Journalism Awards
Washington, DC – The Foundation for Biomedical
Research (FBR) today announced the winners of the 2006-2007
Michael E. DeBakey Journalism Awards. According to
FBR’s president, Frankie L. Trull, “This prestigious
awards program was established to bring American journalists
and scientists together to inspire exceptional, outstanding,
and ongoing news coverage of biomedical research that requires
animal models.”
The recipients of the Sixth Annual DeBakey Awards are:
Print - Large Market: Carrie Peyton Dahlberg,
a staff writer at The Sacramento Bee, for “UCD Hopes
to Build Better Mouse-Gene Model.” Peyton Dahlberg’s
insightful report investigates promising research involving
gene-altered “knock-out” mice that are improving
disease research efforts. Through this report, Peyton Dahlberg
presents a complex issue in a manner easily understandable
by a wide audience.
Print - Small Market: Sara Burnett, a reporter
with the Rocky Mountain News for “Cures and Controversy.”
Burnett’s well-balanced article presents the debate
surrounding the use of animal models in medical research at
Colorado’s major universities. Readers of the article
are provided a clear understanding of various procedures and
studies that are benefiting from research involving animal
models.
Television: Robert Bazell (Correspondent)
and Jane Derenowski (Producer) of NBC News for “Treatment
for Canines with Cancer Raises Hopes.” Bazell’s
TV news report chronicles the development of a vaccine being
used to treat melanoma in dogs. This drug has demonstrated
such promising results that doctors are now testing its effectiveness
in combating skin cancer in humans.
Special Feature Series: David Cyranoski,
a correspondent for Nature, for “Primates in the Frame.”
Cyranoski’s outstanding report is part of a four-piece
feature series tackling the public debate surrounding animal
research. Primate researchers have long faced violent protests
over their work. But in some countries, regulatory obstacles
are taking a greater toll. Cyranoski meets European scientists
who feel that bureaucratic pressures are closing their labs.
Trull said, “Judging for this awards process was conducted
by a panel of independent and distinguished academics representing
the University of Illinois at Chicago, Stanford University
and The Ohio State University.” The awards, which include
a cash prize and a heart-shaped trophy, will be presented
on Thursday, June 14, 2007 in Washington, D.C.
Dr. DeBakey, the chancellor emeritus of Baylor College of
Medicine, is world renowned for his contributions as a premier
heart surgeon, medical inventor, scholar, teacher, and international
medical statesman. DeBakey, the father of modern cardiovascular
surgery, is the recipient of 57 honorary degrees and the Presidential
Medal of Freedom with Distinction. He is the recipient of
the prestigious Lasker Award for Research, the National Medal
of Science, the Eleanor Roosevelt Humanities Award, the AMA
Distinguished Service Award, and the United Nation’s
Lifetime Achievement Award, among others. He has been named
“A Living Legend” by the Library of Congress and
has been inducted into the Health Care Hall of Fame. Recently,
Dr. DeBakey was nominated for the Congressional Gold Medal,
Congress’ highest civilian honor.
FBR is the nation’s oldest and largest organization
devoted to promoting public understanding, respect, and support
for the humane and responsible use of animals in medical and
scientific research. For more information on FBR, please visit
its Web site at www.fbresearch.org.
###
|
