Profile of Dan Littman, winner of the 2016 Vilcek Prize in Biomedical Science.

The 2016 Vilcek Prize in Biomedical Science has been awarded to Dan Littman, Professor of Molecular Immunology at New York University’s Skirball Institute. The aim of the Vilcek Prizes, awarded each year since 2006, is to recognize the significant contributions of immigrant professionals to biomedical science in the United States and to help raise public awareness of the important role played by foreign-born scientists in sustaining the nation’s leading role in the international scientific enterprise. The Vilcek Prize includes an award of $100,000 and recognizes contributions made by immigrant scientists at the pinnacle of their careers. Since 2009, the Vilcek Foundation has also awarded Prizes for Creative Promise in Biomedical Science to a younger generation of foreign-born scientists; candidates for this prize must be 38 years of age or younger at the time of selection. Currently, the Foundation bestows three annual Prizes for Creative Promise in Biomedical Science, each accompanied by a $50,000 award. All told, 11 scientists have been awarded Vilcek Prizes and 12 have been honored with Prizes for Creative Promise in Biomedical Science through 2015. The Vilcek Foundation Prizes are among the few laurels earmarked to reinforce the crucial role of immigrant scientists in sustaining the scientific leadership of the United States on the world stage. Another unique aspect of the prizes are the accompanying prizes awarded to outstanding foreignborn artists working in the United States. Throughout history, transformative science and flourishing arts have borne witness to the greatness of civilizations and nations across the world. The Vilcek Foundation Prizes serve as a shining testament to the rich contribution of immigrants to science and arts in the United States.