NEW YORK-APRIL 7: THE VILCEK FOUNDATION Awards Dinner & Presentation of 2010 VILCEK PRIZES on Wednesday, April 7, 2010 at The Mandarin Oriental Hotel, 36th Floor, 80 Columbus Circle, New York City, NY. Jan Vilcek and Marica Vilcek and the directors of the Vilcek Foundation presented the 2010 Vilcek Prizes at the foundation's annual awards dinner. Presentation of the 2010 Prizes was made by Nobel Laureate Dr. David Baltimore, President, Emeritus, California Institute of Technology and Dana Cowin, Editor-in-Chief, Food & Wine Magazine. 2010 Prize Recipients were: Biomedical Science Prizewinner: Dr. Alexander Varshavsky, California Institute of Technology. │ Vilcek Arts Prize for the Culinary Arts: Chef Jose Andres │ Biomedical Science for Creative Promise: Dr. Harmit Malik, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center │ Culinary Arts for Creative Promise,Sous Chef Varin Keokitvon. 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." Dr. Alexander Varshavsky, whose research has elucidated the process of protein degradation, was honored for his contribution to the “ubiquitin system”; his research has made a significant impact on the study of birth defects, cancer, and immune disorders such as HIV. Jose Andres was recognized for his perseverance, prowess and unwaivering dedication in introducing Spanish culture to American cuisine. VILCEK FOUNDATION: Through the Vilcek Foundation Prizes and other programs, the Vilcek Foundation honors foreign-born scholars and artists living in the United States who have made outstanding contributions to society. Each Vilcek Prize includes an award of $50,000. The Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise includes an award of $25,000. The Vilcek Foundation is located in a historically restored carriage house on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Dr. Jan Vilcek is a renowned microbiologist at NYU Langone Medical Center and his wife Marica is an art historian, formerly at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Through royalties he earned from the discovery of an antibody used as the basis for the development of Remicade, Dr Vilcek donated what is believed to be the largest give ever made by an active faculty member to a medical institution of $100,000,000. He and Marica established the Foundation as a way to give back to the country that welcomed them in the early 60's and has been their home since, and to help others like them achieve success in the biomedical sciences, the arts, and society. Previous prize winners include Mike Nichols and Christo and Jean-Claude Christos. For more information please visit http://www.vilcek.org. Vilcek Foundation is devoted to increasing public awareness of the contribution of immigrants to the biomedical sciences and the arts in the United States..PHOTO CREDIT:Copyright ©Manhattan Society.com 2010 by Christopher D.M. London | tel: Private |e-mail: ChrisLondon@manhattansociety.com