The Vilcek Foundation proudly celebrates two decades of recognizing the immigrants and individuals whose work advances the arts and sciences. Fourteen outstanding prizewinners are being honored this year for their achievements in biomedical research, fashion, and art history. The 2026 Vilcek Foundation Prize recipients represent 12 countries reflecting the diversity and global talent that continues to enrich American society.

Since 2006, the Vilcek Foundation Prizes have celebrated immigrant contributions that propel innovation in the United States while championing excellence in creative and scientific disciplines more broadly. Over the past 20 years, the foundation has awarded nearly $10 million to individuals whose work, ideas, and bravery have shaped our world.

“From uncovering new biological pathways for treating diseases to creating new biobased, sustainable textiles, immigrants in the U.S. are developing innovative solutions to some of the world’s most pressing problems,” says Rick Kinsel, president of the Vilcek Foundation. “The Vilcek Prizes not only recognize outstanding immigrant achievements in the arts, biomedical science, and art history, but are investments in the future of American progress as well.”

The 2026 Vilcek Foundation Prizes recognize Biomedical Science, Fashion & Culture, Fashion & Design, and Art History.

Meet the 2026 Vilcek Foundation Prizewinners

• Karolin Luger (b. Austria) 
• Tanya Meléndez-Escalante (b. Mexico) 
• Peter Do (b. Vietnam)
• Matthew Bogdanos (b. United States)
• Takashi Akera (b. Japan)
• Aashish Manglik (b. India)
• Berna Sozen (b. Turkey)
• Diego Bendezu (b. Peru)
• Jalan and Jibril Durimel (b. France)
• Natalie Nudell (b. Canada to European and Middle-Eastern parents)
• Jacques Agbobly (b. Togo)
• Marcelo Gutierrez (b. Colombia)
• Uyen Tran (b. Vietnam)

Vilcek Prize in Biomedical Science

Karolin Luger

Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute; Distinguished Professor, Jennie Smoley Caruthers Endowed Chair of Biochemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder

Born in Austria

Karolin Luger receives the Vilcek Prize in Biomedical Science for her career dedication to the study of nucleosomes including the capture of an image of chromatin, resulting in drug treatments for diseases like cancer.

Vilcek Prize in Fashion & Culture

Tanya Meléndez-Escalante

Senior Curator of Education and Public Programs at The Museum at FIT; Board Member at SoHarlem: Cultural Industries Incubator

Born in Mexico

Tanya Meléndez-Escalante receives the Vilcek Prize in Fashion & Culture for her design of meaningful exhibitions and programs revealing the diversity of talent from across Latin America through her work as an arts administrator and fashion curator.

Vilcek Prize in Fashion & Design

Peter Do

Creative director of PETER DO

Born in Vietnam

Peter Do receives the Vilcek Prize in Fashion & Design for his ability to create unique and versatile clothing designs for everyday life without sacrificing durability or comfort.

Marica Vilcek Prize in Art History

Matthew Bogdanos

Assistant district attorney

Born in the United States

Colonel Matthew Bogdanos receives the 2026 Marica Vilcek Prize in Art History for his lifelong dedication to recover looted antiquities and his work to safeguard cultural artifacts.

Vilcek Prizes for Creative Promise in Biomedical Science

Takashi Akera

Lab Chief, Stadtman Tenure-Track Investigator at the National Institutes of Health

Born in Japan

Takashi Akera receives the Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise in Biomedical Science for his creative approach to investigating selfish DNA, an anomaly resulting in biased inheritance of genes that can lead to fertility issues and genetic disorders.

Aashish Manglik

Associate Professor, Departments of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Anesthesia at the University of California, San Francisco

Born in India

Aashish Manglik receives the 2026 Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise in Biomedical Science for uncovering the conformational complexity of G protein–coupled receptors, fundamentally reshaping scientists’ understanding of cellular signaling.

Berna Sozen

Assistant Professor, Department of Genetics at Yale School of Medicine

Born in Turkey

Berna Sozen is awarded the Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise in Biomedical Science for pioneering innovative experimental models to advance understanding of human development and for championing inclusive research environments.

Vilcek Prizes for Creative Promise in Fashion & Culture

Diego Bendezu

Fashion Photographer

Born in Peru

Diego Bendezu is awarded the Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise in Fashion & Culture for his powerful visual storytelling centering Latin American and immigrant narratives, and his rapidly ascending influence reshaping how the fashion industry sees beauty.

Jalan and Jibril Durimel

Photographers

Born in France

Jalan and Jibril Durimel are awarded the Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise in Fashion & Culture in recognition of their ability to present fashion as part of a broader, evocative exploration of fictitious storytelling, color, and light.

Natalie Nudell

Adjunct Assistant Professor, History of Art Department, Fashion Institute of Technology–State University of New York (FIT-SUNY); Director and Principal Investigator, Fashion Calendar Research Database, FIT-SUNY; Associate Editor, Fashion Studies Journal; Founding Board Member, Fashion Studies Alliance; Owner/Principal, Periphery Projects LLC

Born in Canada to European and Middle-Eastern parents

Natalie Nudell is awarded the Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise in Fashion & Culture for her writing, research, and database development that preserves the holistic history of fashion in the United States.

Vilcek Prizes for Creative Promise in Fashion & Design

Jacques Agbobly

Founder & Creative Director, Agbobly; Part-Time Lecturer, Parsons School of Design

Born in Togo

Jacques Agbobly is awarded the Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise in Fashion & Design for centering Afropolitan identity, Black multiplicity, and diasporic memory.

Marcelo Gutierrez

Makeup Artist; Creative Director

Born in Colombia

Marcelo Gutierrez is awarded the Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise in Fashion & Design for redefining beauty standards in the industry through his subversive and culturally grounded makeup artistry.

Uyen Tran

Founder of TômTex Inc.

Born in Vietnam

Uyen Tran is awarded the Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise in Fashion & Design for her determination and leadership to develop sustainable products that support the health of people and the planet without sacrificing quality.