The board of trustees of the W. Eugene Smith Memorial Fund announced that San Francisco-based photographer has been awarded the prestigious 2010 W. Eugene Smith Grant for Humanistic Photography.

Padilla won for her essay "The Julie Project," an in-depth look at AIDS, poverty and drugs in America. The project earned her a $30,000 grant to continue her work. Her essay was chosen out of 182 entries from 32 countries.

The Smith grant is presented annually to a photographer whose past work or proposed project best displays the concern and dedicated compassion of the photography industry.