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Black Tie International:
The Vilcek Foundation's
Fifth Annual Awards Presentation |
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Vilcek
Foundation Names Recipients of 2010 Annual
Prizes
Celebrating Immigrant Achievement in
Biomedical Science and Arts
Biomedical
Pioneer Alexander Varshavsky and Culinary
Innovator José Andrés Honored for Lifetime
Achievement; Harmit Malik and Varin
Keokitvon Recognized for Demonstrating
Creative Promise
Wednesday, April 7,
2010
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New York,
NY – The Vilcek Foundation is pleased to
announce the 2010 winners of its annual
prizes for biomedical science and the arts.
The Vilcek Prize for Biomedical Science is
awarded to prominent Russian-born biochemist
Dr. Alexander Varshavsky, whose research on
the ubiquitin system has elevated the
understanding of key cellular processes; he
is currently the Howard and Glen Laurie
Smits Professor of Cell Biology at the
California Institute of Technology. The
Vilcek Prize for the Arts, this year
bestowed in the field of culinary arts, is
awarded to celebrated Spanish-born chef and
culinary pioneer José Andrés, credited with
bringing Spanish culture to the forefront of
American cuisine while pushing the
boundaries of food as both a sensory
experience and vital component of
well-being. The prizes consist of $50,000
and a unique award sculpture created by
noted designer Stefan Sagmeister to reflect
the winners’ personal journeys as
immigrants.
The Vilcek Prizes epitomize the mission of
the Vilcek Foundation, which was formed by
Jan and Marica Vilcek to honor the
contributions of foreign-born individuals in
the United States. “Immigration is central
to the spirit of our country and has played
a major role in securing America’s
leadership position in the world,” said Dr.
Jan T. Vilcek, President of the Foundation.
“Our prizewinners are excellent examples of
how immigrants continue to fuel innovation
and enrich our society.”
The accomplishments of Dr. Varshavsky and
Chef Andrés reverberate beyond national and
cultural boundaries. Dr. Varshavsky’s
research on the ubiquitin system led
to the discovery of its fundamentally
important biological functions in living
cells, demonstrating that the regulated
protein degradation underlies major
physiological processes. Dr. Varshavsky’s
groundbreaking work has wide implications
for research on the causes of birth defects,
cancer, neurodegenerative syndromes, and
immune disorders. Dr. Varshavsky’s prize
will be presented by Nobel Laureate Dr.
David Baltimore, whose co-discovery, with
Howard Temin, of the reverse transcriptase
created the essential framework for
understanding the nature of viruses such as
HIV.
Deemed a “food philosopher” by NPR and
dubbed “Mr. Spain” by the culinary vanguard,
Chef Andrés’s emphasis on the link between
culture and cuisine reflects the Vilcek
Foundation’s values of enriching American
society through the infusion of immigrant
culture and talent. Chef Andrés is the
founder of ThinkFoodGroup, which operates
groundbreaking restaurants such as Jaleo
and minibar by josé andrés in
Washington D.C., and The Bazaar in
Los Angeles. As the Host and Producer of
Made in Spain, the PBS food and travel
series, Chef Andrés brought the various
regions of his beloved homeland to American
culture. Chef Andrés has also championed
the role of chefs in the national discussion
on hunger and nutrition issues. Dana Cowin,
Editor-in-Chief of Food & Wine
magazine, will present his award.
The prizewinners were selected by panels of
experts after months of research and
deliberation. The biomedical jury includes
noted scientists from prestigious
institutions such as the New York University
School of Medicine, the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, and the Memorial
Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, and former
Vilcek Prize winners such as Joan Massagué,
Rudolf Jaenisch and Inder Verma. The
culinary arts jury is comprised of prominent
culinary experts including Ruth Reichl,
former Editor-in-Chief of Gourmet
magazine; Dan Barber, Executive Chef and
co-owner of Blue Hill and Blue
Hill at Stone Barns; and Susan Ungaro,
President of the James Beard Foundation.
The Foundation also recognizes the
accomplishments of younger immigrants who
have achieved notable success with the
Vilcek Prizes for Creative Promise. Dr.
Harmit Malik, originally from India and
currently an Associate Member at the
Seattle-based Fred Hutchinson Cancer
Research Center, will receive the Vilcek
Prize for Creative Promise in Biomedical
Science for his research on the co-evolution
of humans and diseases. The Vilcek Prize
for Creative Promise in the Arts is awarded
to Laos-born pastry-chef Varin Keokitvon; a
Chef Instructor for the Seattle-based
FareStart, he trains homeless and struggling
individuals for careers in the culinary
arts. In addition, four finalists from each
category will be honored. Dr. Malik and
Chef Keokitvon will each receive a $25,000
cash prize, and the finalists will each
receive a cash award of $5,000 each.
The Foundation’s fifth annual awards
presentation dinner will be held at the
Mandarin Oriental in New York City on
Wednesday, April 7, 2010.
By Invitation Only!
The Vilcek
Foundation aims to raise public awareness of
the contributions of immigrants to the
sciences, arts, and culture in the United
States. The Foundation was established in
2000 by Jan and Marica Vilcek, immigrants
from the former Czechoslovakia. The mission
of the Foundation was inspired by the
couple’s respective careers in biomedical
science and art history, as well as their
personal experiences and appreciation for
the opportunities offered them as newcomers
to the United States. In addition to
awarding annual prizes in the biomedical
sciences and the arts, the Vilcek Foundation
showcases the work of immigrant artists,
filmmakers, and others, at its headquarters
at 167 East 73rd Street, New York City.
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To list an upcoming event please contact
joyce@blacktiemagazine.com |
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