New York, NY, March 4, 2010 – 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 magazineBlue Hill and Blue Hill at Stone Barns