Born to a Parsi family from Karachi (Pakistan), American citizen, Nergis Mavalvala, has been conferred the prestigious ‘Great Immigrants Award’ by the Carnegie Corporation of New York. Bestowed upon only thirty-eight from the millions of immigrants, the ‘Great Immigrants Award’ is given in recognition of naturalised citizens who strengthen America with their contributions. Nergis Mavalvala is an astrophysicist and a professor at the globally renowned MIT. She has the distinction of being one among the team of eagled-eyed scientists, who discovered ripples in the fabric of space and time, called Gravitational Waves.

“Our annual tribute to Great Immigrants demonstrates the richness of talent, skills, and achievements that immigrants from around the world bring to every sphere of American society. This campaign reminds us of the debt the United States owes to generations of immigrants who become citizens and contribute to the progress of this country. Today, we celebrate and thank them,” said Vartan Gregorian, President, Carnegie Corporation, New York.

Established in 2006, the Carnegie Corporation annually honours the contributions of naturalised citizens. The recipients represent over 30 different countries of origin, a wide range of personal immigration stories, and a high-level of professional leadership across eclectic fields.