he Pew Charitable Trusts and the University of California at San Francisco (UCSF) announced that 20 exceptional researchers have been selected as 2008 Pew Scholars in the Biomedical Sciences, including HSCI Principal Faculty Member Richard Gregory, PhD. Scholars receive a $240,000 award over four years to help support their research, as well as gain inclusion into a unique community of scientists that encourages collaboration and exchange of ideas. The program is funded by Pew through a grant to UCSF.

“Pew’s Program in the Biomedical Sciences is designed to enable scientists to take calculated risks, expand their research and follow unanticipated leads,” said Rebecca W. Rimel, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Pew Charitable Trusts. “Pew is honored to invest in these brilliant minds, and to provide financial and professional support as they pursue their pioneering breakthroughs.”

Launched in 1985, The Pew Scholars Program in the Biomedical Sciences supports early to midcareer scientists and has invested more than $100 million to fund over 400 scholars.

The Pew Scholars selection process is rigorously competitive, as all applicants are highly talented researchers in their fields. Applicants must be nominated by an invited institution and must demonstrate excellence and innovation in their research. This year, 149 institutions were invited to nominate a candidate in basic biomedical research, and 117 eligible nominations were received. The scholars are selected by a distinguished national advisory committee, chaired by Dr. Torsten N. Wiesel, president emeritus of Rockefeller University and a 1981 Nobel laureate.