Ananda Prasad, M.D., Ph.D., WSU distinguished professor of medicine, has been invited to collaborate with the National Institutes of Health's Fogarty International Center on a review for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation on zinc as it relates to human health and the prevention and treatment of infectious disease.The review is intended to address the existing literature to answer some fundamental questions on the therapeutic uses of zinc.

Growth retardation, immune dysfunction and cognitive impairment of some of the major effects of zinc deficiency, which is a problem widely prevalent in the developing world and may affect nearly 2 billion people.

"I am personally very pleased because this is not only a recognition of my contributions, but also confirmation that the field of zinc has finally been recognized for its global importance in human health," Dr. Prasad said. "I am very hopeful that with the support of the Gates Foundation, I may be able to contribute towards the resolution of the zinc deficiency problem."