San Diego State University has announced a $2.5 million gift from real estate developer and philanthropist Conrad Prebys to endow a faculty position in biomedical research.

The Conrad Prebys Chair in Bio-Medical Research will be held by an expert in the area of viromics — the study  of viral genomes — an area of research excellence at the university. Among other things, viromics takes a cross-disciplinary approach to the study of bacteriophages and their potential for medical usage.

The new faculty member will work closely with the Prebys Bio-Medical Research Scholars — recipients of scholarships supported by a $20 million gift made by Prebys to the university in February 2014. That gift, the largest ever to San Diego State, also will be used to provide scholarships for veterans, former foster care youth, and students who are studying the arts, interested in entrepreneurship, and participating in leadership and honors programs.

"It gives me great joy, especially at this time of year, to give to the education program at San Diego State University," said Prebys.