Vilcek Prizes Honor Immigrants in Theatre and Biomedical Science

February 2, 2016

Blanka Zizka and Dan R. Littman receive $100,000 Vilcek Prizes

Winners of Vilcek Prizes for Creative Promise receive $50,000 awards

The Vilcek Prizes, presented annually to immigrants who have made outstanding contributions to their fields, are this year awarded in biomedical science and theatre. Onstage and off, immigrants make many important contributions to American society, and we applaud the eight foreign-born prizewinners whose groundbreaking work has shaped the way we think about ourselves and the world—from discovering crucial aspects of the mechanisms behind HIV pathogenesis to using theatre as a space to tell marginalized stories.

We are pleased to introduce the winners of the 2016 Vilcek Prizes!

VILCEK PRIZE IN BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE

Dan R. Littman
Professor of Molecular Immunology, NYU School of Medicine

Born in Romania

For a wealth of insights on HIV pathogenesis, the specificity of the human immune response, and the interplay of the immune system with the human microbiome.

VILCEK PRIZE IN THEATRE

Blanka Zizka
Artistic Director, The Wilma Theater

Born in the former Czechoslovakia

For leadership that established Philadelphia’s Wilma Theater as an institution of national significance, and for a singular artistic vision and acclaimed direction of contemporary theatre.

VILCEK PRIZE FOR CREATIVE PROMISE IN BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE

Fernando Camargo
Associate Professor of Stem Cell & Regenerative Biology, Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Stem Cell Institute

Born in Peru

For unraveling the mechanism of blood cell production and uncovering crucial cellular signaling processes implicated in cancer treatment and regenerative medicine.

Roberta Capp
Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine

Born in Brazil

For exposing systemic barriers to health care access in the United States, and for exploring innovative, equitable models for delivering medical care.

Houra Merrikh
Assistant Professor of Microbiology, University of Washington School of Medicine

Born in Iran

For demonstrating how conflicts between life-sustaining cellular machines involved in genome duplication and gene expression can accelerate evolution.

VILCEK PRIZE FOR CREATIVE PROMISE IN THEATRE

Sarah Benson
Artistic Director, Soho Repertory Theatre

Born in the United Kingdom

For directing and producing new works in immersive stagings that have made New York’s Soho Rep into a leading destination for contemporary drama.

Desdemona Chiang
Stage Director and Co-Founder, Azeotrope

Born in Taiwan

For daring interpretations of new plays and classics, and for the establishment of Azeotrope, a theatre company with a focus on marginalized populations.

Yi Zhao
Lighting Designer

Born in China

For innovative lighting designs that transform space and time in productions at national theatres and experimental venues alike.

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The Vilcek Foundation was established in 2000 by Jan and Marica Vilcek, immigrants from the former Czechoslovakia. The mission of the foundation, to honor the contributions of immigrants to the United States and to foster appreciation of the arts and sciences, 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 they received as newcomers to this country. The foundation awards annual prizes to immigrant biomedical scientists and artists, and sponsors cultural programs such as the Hawaii International Film Festival.
To learn more about the Vilcek Foundation, please visit Vilcek.org.