Jared Lipworth Honored for Advancing Science Comms
Jared Lipworth, Emmy Award-winning filmmaker and head of HHMI Tangled Bank Studios, was recently recognized by The New York Academy of Sciences (the Academy) for outstanding contributions to science.
Published May 8, 2025
By Nick Fetty
Digital Content Manager
Creating scientific programming that engages general audiences is an art form. One skilled practitioner of that art form is Jared Lipworth, head of HHMI Tangled Bank Studios, who was recently recognized for his accomplishments with The New York Academy of Sciences 2025 Communicating Science Award.
Lipworth was presented with the award at the Academy’s recent Spring Soirée, hosted at the University Club of New York. He was recognized for his career-long efforts to demystify science and help audiences understand and appreciate how it shapes the world.
“Tangled Bank Studios continues to lead impact beyond the screen with innovative outreach in education spaces to reach the next generation,” said Amy Entelis, Executive Vice President of Talent, CNN Originals, and Creative Development at CNN Worldwide, during the award ceremony at the Soirée. “We are living in a time of heightened scrutiny and antagonism towards science, and the work that [Jared does] to increase trust is important now more than ever.”
A Career in Science Communication
HHMI Tangled Bank Studios is a mission-driven impact studio dedicated to using the power of visual storytelling and innovative outreach to inspire curiosity about science and our natural world. It is part of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Recent films on critical science topics include Race for the Vaccine, Ending HIV in America, and The Battle to Beat Malaria. In his role as head of the studio, Lipworth oversees documentary production and distribution, as well as public engagement and educational outreach. He guides the studio’s mission, strategy, and editorial focus, using captivating content to make scientific discovery engaging and relatable for general audiences.
Previously, Lipworth headed up specials for National Geographic Studios, where he produced science films for worldwide audiences on topics ranging from paleontology and paleoanthropology to biology, ecology and natural history.
Prior to that he served as director of science programming for WNET, the New York PBS affiliate. There, he oversaw such projects as Naturally Obsessed: The Making of a Scientist, Innovation: Life Inspired, Big Ideas and the forensic history series Secrets of the Dead.
Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, Lipworth holds a bachelor’s degree in business from Cornell University and a master’s degree in broadcast journalism from New York University. In addition to winning Emmy Awards for his work on The Mysterious Human Heart, DNA, and The Serengeti Rules, he won the AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Award for Wild Hope, and for The Human Sparkwith Alan Alda. (Alda was the first recipient of the Academy’s Communicating Science Award and has been featured on the Academy’s blog for his work in science communications.)
The Power of Storytelling
An accomplished science communicator with more than 250 film projects to his name, Lipworth was appreciative of the Academy’s formal recognition of his work advancing public appreciation of science.
“My sense of admiration, and intimidation, and curiosity has driven my career in science communication. I’ve always had an interest in science and a desire to understand it, even though I wasn’t an expert. And eventually a desire to make others, especially nonscientists, as curious and inspired as I am. I’ve found that the best way to do that is through the power of storytelling,” Lipworth said when accepting the award. “Not only does the science community need to continue doing great work, but you need to think of science communication as a critical component of the work you do. Engage with us as much as possible so that together, we can build a more scientifically literate and enthusiastic public.”
