U of U scientist wins prestigious Pew award, $240k

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - A University of Utah scientist is one of 22 people nationwide named a 2012 Pew Scholar in the Biomedical Sciences.
   
The Pew Charitable Trust announced Thursday that assistant professor of human genetics Nels Elde received the honor. It includes $240,000 for him to pursue his research.
   
Elde studies the evolutionary conflicts that arise between animal cells and pathogens.
   
He describes it as a cross between evolutionary and cell biology, and says it could eventually identify new ways to treat malaria, HIV and AIDS.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)