Rebecca Costa

Monterey, California – September 7, 2014 – George Keremedjiev, Director of the American Computer & Robotics Museum, announced that this year's recipient of the Edward O. Wilson Biodiversity Technology Pioneer Award is American sociobiologist and author, Rebecca D. Costa. Costa is being honored for exemplary writing and public outreach regarding human evolution and sociobiology. The awards ceremony will take place on October 1, 2014, in Bozeman, Montana, in conjunction with Montana State University.

Previous distinguished recipients include: Sir Alex Jeffreys, for the invention of DNA fingerprinting, the basis of modern DNA evidence; Nobel Peace Prize winner, Steve Running, for seminal scientific work in climatology and global warming; Dr. Lynn Margulis for the theory of Symbiogenesis; Dr. Frans de Waal for seminal contributions to the understanding of cognition, empathy and morality in primates; Dr. Jim Lotimer for pioneering modern fish & wildlife monitoring systems and biotelemetry technology; John Kress, Peter Belhumeur and David Jacobs for Leafsnap, the first mobile app for plant identification.

Edward O. Wilson, Pellegrino University Research Professor at Harvard University, Pulitzer Prize winner, and acknowledged "Father of Biodiversity," will present several awards named, in his honor, by The American Computer & Robotics Museum and Montana State University.

According to George Keremedjiev, "It is with much respect and admiration that the American Computer & Robotics Museum presents the 2014 Edward O. Wilson Biodiversity Technology Pioneer Award to Ms. Rebecca Costa. Both as an accomplished author and through her weekly radio news program, she is one of the most effective proponents of biodiversity awareness in the public arena today. Ms. Costa consistently and unwaveringly maintains a clarity of purpose
about the role of human evolution and sociobiology in humanity's search for a peaceful coexistence with nature."

Upon receiving the news of the award, Costa remarked, "Since 1973, no one has had more influence on my work, or my purpose, than Edward Wilson. For me, there is no greater honor than to receive an award given in his name. When I look over the achievements of previous recipients, I can't help but feel humbled. My work is just beginning ...and it's acknowledgements - such as the award - which allow it to continue. "