Molecular Biophysics Training Program at Stanford

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Abstract The mission of the Stanford Biophysics Program is to develop students with strong, interdisciplinary, quantitative approaches to meaningful biological problems, while establishing a rigorous atmosphere of inclusion, diversity, and high research conduct and ethics. To meet these goals, trainees participate in coursework, mentored primary research, and other activities designed to enhance their training; together these opportunities prepare graduates for the next step in their careers as part of the STEM workforce. The Program requires graduate-level coursework in physical and biological sciences, participation in seminar series and the retreat, and the development of a high level of proficiency in independent research. Faculty in this interdepartmental predoctoral training program come from 21 departments in the Schools of Humanities and Sciences, Medicine, Engineering, and the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory. Student training and research centers on the application of physical and chemical principles and methods to biological problems, as well as the development of new methods. The quantitative relationship between molecular properties and higher-level cell/tissue properties is an increasing focus of the Program, as are emerging areas of quantitative cell and organ biology. Overall, this training program capitalizes on student backgrounds and interests in the physical sciences while fostering creative, collaborative, highly skilled approaches that span biological scales. Trainees are appointed upon admission to Stanford for up to 2 years; the 12 requested slots will generate class sizes of 8-10 through university and externally funded fellowships. There are currently 59 students in the Program (18.6% URMs), most with undergraduate backgrounds in physical science, biochemistry, or engineering. Importantly, our recent efforts have led to diversification of the backgrounds of students in the Biophysics Program through partnerships with a minority-serving institution (UC Merced) and summer research programs that recruit URM students to Stanford. To maximize trainee retention, first-year advising by the Program Director and annual meetings with each student’s thesis committee ensure that a balanced academic program is tailored to the background of each student and that an acceptable level of performance is maintained. Required IDP meetings with the advisor ensure career development and RCR/R&R instruction; the latter is also provided through required coursework including a Statistics class and a variety of elective offerings. Students are heavily involved in program activities, establishing a cohesive community; the Program benefits from high levels of University support and engagement. The fundamental and applied research carried out by our trainees is the cornerstone for developing drugs targeted to specific molecules, for understanding the relationships between environmental stimuli and cell and tissue behavior, and for developing new methods for detecting and treating diseases including cancer and neurological pathlogies.