Tuesday, September 27, 2005

Rick Weiss, a reporter on the National staff of The Washington Post, has been awarded the 2005 Victor Cohn Prize for Excellence in Medical Science Reporting.

The award organization said Weiss was recognized for "extraordinary coverage of the life sciences, from the lab bench to the halls of Congress. "

The announcement of the award praised Weiss for "particularly distinguished" reporting on genetics and molecular biology, with attention not only to science but also to the associated social, political and ethical ramifications.

The announcement also noted the extent of his journalistic output, which it said amounted to more than 100 bylined stories in The Post each year.

Created by the Council for the Advancement of Science Writing, the prize has been presented five times before and carries a $3,000 award. It is named for the late Victor Cohn, a medical reporter for The Post and other media organizations during a 50-year career.

Weiss, 51, joined The Post in 1993 and previously worked for Science News. He has a biology degree from Cornell University and has worked as a medical technologist.