Stanford University

In the “Research Matters” series, we visit labs across campus to hear directly from Stanford scientists about what they’re working on, how it could advance human health and well-being, and why universities are critical players in the nation’s innovation ecosystem. The following are the researchers’ own words, edited and condensed for clarity.In my lab, curiosity drives discovery. We’re using fundamental mechanics principles to drive the development of novel devices for…

In briefli]:su-m-0">Kelp forests around the world will be exposed to more frequent and intense marine heatwaves in the coming decades because of climate change.Marine heatwaves have already diminished kelp forests and caused kelp-eating sea urchin populations to boom off the California coast.Protecting marine predators like spiny lobsters and California sheephead can help kelp recover by keeping sea urchins in check.Marine heatwaves that seemed extreme just a decade ago will become…

A study by the Stanford Prevention Policy Modeling Lab (PPML) finds that almost 30% of privately insured individuals in the United States, or nearly 40 million people, use at least one of the free preventive health services guaranteed under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).But those services are now under threat by an ongoing legal challenge.On April 21, the Supreme Court will hear arguments in Kennedy v. Braidwood Management Inc. to decide whether to…

In the “Research Matters” series, we visit labs across campus to hear directly from Stanford scientists about what they’re working on, how it could advance human health and well-being, and why universities are critical players in the nation’s innovation ecosystem. The following are the researcher’s own words, edited and condensed for clarity.My lab develops technologies to make drugs work better. We design new additives that improve the formulation, stability, and…

The Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology (KIPAC) invites community members of all ages to the KIPAC + Friends Community Day on Saturday, April 19, from 1 to 5 p.m. This year’s event will be bigger and better than ever, thanks to involvement from KIPAC scientists and colleagues from across the Stanford science and engineering communities.“So many of us in KIPAC were inspired to study science because of a…

Prescribed burns literally fight fire with more fire. Often referred to as a “beneficial fire,” they target areas at risk for wildfires and burn away material that could otherwise fuel a future blaze.However, all fires, whether accidental or planned, produce smoke that can cause health and respiratory issues, especially in nearby communities. Burning fires release harmful chemicals, like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), that are carcinogenic – PAHs can cause cancer,…

President Jonathan Levin elaborated on the principles guiding the university’s approach to ongoing federal policy challenges and announced the launch of a committee to explore expanding the size of the undergraduate class during Thursday’s Faculty Senate meeting.The Faculty Senate adjourned to executive session following the president’s remarks and discussion.Opening remarks on university principlesExpansion of the undergraduate class"},"imageData":null}">p]:su-m-0 [&>p]:!su-mb-0 [&>p]:su-text-16 md:[&>p]:!su-text-19 last-of-type:[&>p]:!su-mb-0 su-p-20 md:su-p-36" readability="9.9642857142857">Texts of President Levin’s remarksIn addressing the…

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a common hereditary disease, which results in shortened lifespans and symptoms that can make daily life an intense struggle. It is a multi-organ disease caused by a mutation in a gene that controls how salt and water are transported across cells lining many of the cavities of our body, including the lungs, intestines, pancreas, and reproductive organs. Due to mutations in the CFTR gene, people with…

Stanford University economist Matthew Gentzkow will become the next faculty director of Stanford Impact Labs (SIL), a university-wide accelerator housed in the School of Humanities and Sciences (H&S) that invests in teams of scholars and practitioners co-creating solutions to society’s most pressing problems.“Stanford Impact Labs has shown how the university can support social science research that takes ideas from the seminar room out into the world,” said Stanford President Jonathan…

Two former Stanford trustees, Jeffrey S. Raikes, ’80, and Mindy Basham Rogers, ’84, MBA ’88, are this year’s recipients of the Gold Spike Award, Stanford’s highest annual honor for volunteer service. President Jonathan Levin conferred the awards on March 29 at a dinner held on campus. The Gold Spike Award is presented by Stanford Associates, an honorary organization of Stanford alumni who have demonstrated significant and long-standing volunteer service to the…

In briefli]:su-m-0">Improved tools and processes are in the works to ease logistics for Stanford travelers.The new Stanford Travel program offers more flexible booking options.The Stanford Travel Connect portal lets users sync airline accounts and book travel directly.A new visitor travel reimbursement process reduces payment processing time.New technology and streamlined administrative procedures are making travel – from field research in remote areas to collaborations in specialized labs – and the related…

This year during spring break, junior Yana Kim and some of her classmates traveled to Miami. Not for the sunny Florida beaches, but to learn how the city is planning for the impacts of climate change.“We studied the effects of rising sea levels on the communities in Miami, and specifically how that’s going to affect the city’s land use and planning and residents’ access to affordable housing,” she said.Kim is…

As Americans waited to see what economic policies would be enacted in the new presidential term, the Hoover Prosperity Program hosted a timely conference on the pressing challenges facing the US economy. The panel discussion on “How Should the US Economy Adapt to the AI Boom?” was of particular import to the Silicon Valley audience, bringing together distinguished scholars from across Hoover and Stanford University: Jonathan Levin, president of Stanford…

In the “Research Matters” series, we visit labs across campus to hear directly from Stanford scientists about what they’re working on, how it could advance human health and well-being, and why universities are critical players in the nation’s innovation ecosystem. The following are the researchers’ own words, edited and condensed for clarity.Chronic organ failure is a major cause of death – around 500,000 people are diagnosed with heart failure every…

Stanford Law School’s Deborah L. Rhode Center on the Legal Profession and Legal Design Lab released a groundbreaking diagnostic report today that outlines a blueprint for creating more innovative, modern, and accessible courts. This report marks a significant milestone in the unique partnership established in January 2024 between the Superior Court of Los Angeles County (the Court – SCLAC) and Stanford Law School. Created in collaboration with court leadership, frontline…

When the late Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, ’50, LLB ’52, was a Stanford student focused on a law career, her parents were more concerned about her marriage prospects. Businesswoman, politician, and Stanford undergraduate alum Carly Fiorina, ’76, followed in her father’s footsteps and enrolled in law school, but dropped out when she discovered she was more interested in business. “Both followed their interests rather than the expectations of their…

After about 20 years of scant growth, U.S. electricity demand is expected to grow about 15-20% in the next decade and double by 2050, according to the Department of Energy. In light of these predictions, more than 80 U.S. energy experts met at Stanford in February to discuss how to avoid the U.S. electricity grid being overwhelmed by rising demand. This meeting, which was organized by the Stanford Doerr School of…

Exhibition invites a closer look at the design element that ‘cuts to the core of what it means to be human’ | Stanford Report Skip to content

Second Nature: Photography in the Age of the Anthropocene at the Cantor Arts Center is the first major exhibition of contemporary photography to examine our current era through the framing of the Anthropocene – a period defined by human impact on the global climate significant enough to signify the dawn of a new geologic and historic age.On view through Aug. 3, this expansive, global exhibition brings together the work of…

Dear Stanford Community,As we begin the quarter, we look ahead to the joys of spring on the Stanford campus, with its warmth and energy. We also have a sharp focus on the federal policy issues challenging the university, and we want to share a few principles that are guiding our approach.First, we are committed to the university’s fundamental mission of research and education in our decisions, policies, and financial priorities.…

Nearly 300 Stanford PhD students and postdocs gathered on campus earlier this month for an all-day exploration of life after academia – specifically, what non-faculty careers others have forged in industries including the arts, AI, data science, and more.Now celebrating its 10th year, the PhD Pathways program launched in 2016 to help doctoral students and postdocs learn about career options beyond academia, bringing industry leaders and Stanford PhD alums to…

A decade of research into Latino entrepreneurs paints a picture of an innovative and resilient group of business owners who are a key driver of the U.S. economy.“Latino entrepreneurs are an important contributor to the growth of the U.S. entrepreneurial ecosystem,” says George Foster, a professor of accounting and management at Stanford Graduate School of Business and faculty director of the Stanford Latino Entrepreneurship Initiative, which has just published the…

Artificial intelligence can improve intravenous nutrition for premature babies, a Stanford Medicine study has shown. The study, which published March 25 in Nature Medicine, is among the first to demonstrate how an AI algorithm can enable doctors to make better clinical decisions for sick newborns.The algorithm uses information in preemies’ electronic medical records to predict which nutrients they need and in what quantities. The AI tool was trained on data…

Among the 200,000 items in Stanford’s Special Collections, a few were made for the limelight. There’s a seminal work by Copernicus, who proposed that the Earth revolves around the sun, that is valued at $2.5 million; a handwritten draft of Cannery Row, by John Steinbeck, Class of 1923; a receipt for grain from the year 2056 BCE, carved into a piece of hardened clay the size of a postage stamp.But…

In a ceremony on March 18, Stanford honored three collaborations and a faculty member for their work connecting university research and teaching with local needs. The university’s Community Partnership Awards, which are coordinated by the Office of Community Engagement, recognize collaborations between Stanford and Bay Area organizations that help improve the region’s well-being. The 2025 honorees include:Ayudando Latinos a Soñar and the Stanford Immigrant Child Health Program, which focuses on community…

In a winter quarter course, Stanford undergraduates learned another way to disagree: by learning why people hold the positions they do.Approaching difference through curiosity was at the center of an optional, peer-led discussion seminar for undergraduates enrolled in Democracy and Disagreement, the popular course taught by Debra Satz, the Vernon R. and Lysbeth Warren Anderson Dean of the School of Humanities and Sciences (H&S), and Paul Brest, professor emeritus (active)…

During his 15-year career as a player in the NBA, Steve Kerr’s greatest performances occurred when he was enjoying the game. “I always played my best when I was having fun and I was loving the sport,” he told former Stanford women’s basketball coach Tara VanDerveer last Tuesday in Kissick Auditorium.The discussion was part of the final class in VanDerveer’s winter quarter Continuing Studies course Basketball: A Masterclass, which covered…

At an event hosted by the Stanford Emeriti/ae Community, President Jon Levin and his father, Yale President Emeritus Rick Levin, discussed the continued role of emeriti/ae faculty in university life, technology, and generational shifts in student communities.While much of the conversation, moderated by Iris Litt, chair of the Emeriti Council and professor emerita of pediatrics, focused on emeriti/ae concerns, they also touched on other aspects of campus life as well,…

Stanford’s Research, Action, and Impact through Strategic Engagement (RAISE) fellows spend the greater part of three years fostering and building deep connections with communities, both locally and abroad. That work, completed over the course of the three-year fellowship, is supported through tuition, a stipend, and funding to support the partnership of a community-based organization.As the first of Stanford’s RAISE fellows cohort complete their projects this year, feedback from their community…

Ben Jealous was born into the Sierra Club. His parents were members of the organization’s Ventana chapter in central California and he grew up with the coastal redwoods as his playground. He organized his first protest – to stop the clear-cutting of an old-growth redwood forest – as a teenager. But today’s organization is not the Sierra Club of his youth, Jealous told students, staff, faculty, and community members at…

As the planet warms, Antarctica’s ice sheet is melting and contributing to sea-level rise around the globe. Antarctica holds enough frozen water to raise global sea levels by 190 feet, so precisely predicting how it will move and melt now and in the future is vital for protecting coastal areas. But most climate models struggle to accurately simulate the movement of Antarctic ice due to sparse data and the complexity…

A bite of food is about more than calories. Food production involves energy, water, and other resources and is shaped by economics, policies, and international relations. What we eat affects our health, expresses our cultures, and shapes communities."}">svg]:su-mt-3 md:[&>svg]:su--mt-2 lg:[&>svg]:su-mt-4 [&>svg]:su-w-41 [&>svg]:su-h-43 md:[&>svg]:su-w-[97px] md:[&>svg]:su-h-[102px] su-mr-8 lg:su-mr-19">A bite of food is about more than calories. Food production involves energy, water, and other resources and is shaped by economics, policies, and international…

Life may not have begun with a dramatic lightning strike into the ocean but from many smaller “microlightning” exchanges among water droplets from crashing waterfalls or breaking waves. New research from Stanford University shows that water sprayed into a mixture of gases thought to be present in Earth’s early atmosphere can lead to the formation of organic molecules with carbon-nitrogen bonds, including uracil, one of the components of DNA and RNA. The…

When you think about your favorite teacher, you probably don’t remember what grades they gave you – you remember how they made you feel. Maybe they got you excited about a book or a science experiment, showed you care during a hard time, or gave you a piece of advice that stuck.A new book from Isabelle Hau, executive director of the Stanford Accelerator for Learning, explores the science behind why…

Anita had never failed to pay her rent before. But when she lost her job, she fell behind. Her landlord gave her three days to pay up or face eviction. Anita quickly found a new job and secured rental assistance, but by then, the landlord had already filed an eviction case. Under California law, that meant she had no legal right to stay in her home, even though she now…

Kenneth Goodson, professor of mechanical engineering and senior associate dean for research and faculty affairs in the School of Engineering, has been named Stanford’s vice provost for graduate education and postdoctoral affairs, Provost Jenny Martinez announced. His tenure begins April 1. “I’m thrilled that Ken has agreed to be the next vice provost for graduate education and postdoctoral affairs. Ken is an example of an excellent mentor who truly cares about…

Stanford will increase scholarship totals and introduce a revenue-sharing model that will provide direct benefits to student-athletes, the latest move by the university in response to a college athletics landscape that has seen seismic shifts in the last few years. These actions follow from the expected settlement of litigation against the NCAA and college athletics conferences, known as the “House case.”  The settlement, which is expected to receive final court approval…

Name the businesses leading the artificial intelligence arms race and it’s likely that Google, Nvidia, OpenAI, and Anthropic, among others, come to mind. What do these four companies have in common? Their founders are Stanford alumni.Jonathan Levin, the president of Stanford and a senior fellow at the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research (SIEPR), made this point during the kickoff session at the 2025 SIEPR Economic Summit – but not…

About 15 years ago, Glenn Carroll and Jesper Sørensen began teaching a mandatory course for first-year MBA students called Critical Analytical Thinking. “It was not a particularly popular course,” Carroll recalls. “These are kids that just came to business school, it’s their first quarter, and rather than learning about business, they’re learning about logic.”Carroll and Sørensen, professors of organizational behavior at Stanford Graduate School of Business, looked for ways to…