ITT Award for Excellence in Student Water Journalism

2008 U.S. Judging Panel

Dennis Dimick, National Geographic

Dennis Dimick is the executive editor of National Geographic magazine, covering the environment. He began with the publication in 1990 as the assistant director of illustrations/photography and was promoted to senior editor in April 2003. Dennis served as the photo editor for several National Geographic Society books, including a book on the Endangered Species Act called "The Company We Keep" in 1996. A September 2004 magazine project he proposed and oversaw on global climate change called "Signs From Earth" received a citation this year from the Overseas Press Club for best environmental coverage, and has been nominated by the Society of Environmental Journalists for best explanatory journalism. He has won several Pictures of the Year Awards including First Place Magazine Picture Editing Portfolio in 1995, 1996, and Third Place Magazine Picture Editing Portfolio in 2003.

Miguel Llanos, MSNBC.com

Miguel Llanos handles many of the top, breaking stories that appear on the Web site. He also specializes in environment issues. An MSNBC.com writer/editor since its launch in 1996, he previously was special projects editor at the Seattle Times and a correspondent in Argentina for The Times of London and other publications. He has a master’s degree in international journalism from the University of Southern California, and a bachelor’s in economics and Latin American Studies from the University of California, Berkeley. He is based in Redmond, Washington.

Melissa H Jackson, Water Environment & Technology

Jackson is the editor and covers the environment and wildlife for Water Environment & Technology. Water Environment & Technology serves local, state and federal governments which are involved in watershed, water treatment plants, and wastewater treatment. Editorial content focuses on the technical aspects of water concerns and the applications of water technology.

Ivan Oransky, Scientific American

Oransky is the Online Managing Editor for Scientific American, a monthly publication written for leaders in business and technology and delivering the latest developments in biotechnology and information science, as well as important research and development news across a broad range of fields. Ivan was previously the Online Editorial Director for The Scientist.