Nels C. Elde, Ph. D.

Associate Professor

Benning Presidential Chair

University of Utah

Nels Elde is Associate Professor and H.A. & Edna Benning Presidential Endowed Chair in the Department of Human Genetics at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. Research in the Elde lab explores the influence of microbes on the evolution of humans, with a focus on diversity among the immune systems of many species. The work involves virology, microbiology, and cell biology for gaining a new understanding of the interactions between disease-causing microscopic creatures and their hosts. Nels was named a Pew Scholar in the Biomedical Sciences, Burroughs Wellcome Fund Investigator, and Kavli Foundation Fellow. Research in the Elde lab has been highlighted in the New York Times, The Atlantic, Wired Magazine, and The Smithsonian. When not in the lab, Nels can be found exploring the outdoors, gardening, or supervising pets.