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Thien Crisanto

Undergraduate Advising Director, Academic Advising Operations

BioThiên Crisanto (pronounced Tee-en Chris-on-tow) serves as an Undergraduate Advising Director in the Academic Advising Office (VPUE). She brings a unique blend of scientific expertise, creative industry experience, and deep student advocacy to her role. Before joining Academic Advising, she supported students as an Academic Coach at Stanford’s Center for Teaching and Learning.

Thiên earned her Ph.D. in Plant Biology from UC Berkeley, where she conducted research in microalgal photosynthesis, bioenergetics, and molecular genetics. As an undergraduate, she transferred to Cal Poly Humboldt and majored in Cellular and Molecular Biology with a minor in Botany. There, she researched photosynthetic sea slugs, macroalgae, marine-based solutions for climate change, and bioengineering. Her academic journey began with an A.A. in Merchandise Product Development from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, followed by several years of experience as a designer, costumer, and visual merchandiser.

Her commitment to student success and educational equity began at Cal Poly Humboldt, where she served as a peer mentor, and continued through multiple roles at UC Berkeley—including facilitating internships and conferences, peer advising, and participating in student government. This foundation has evolved into a career centered on supporting retention, resilience, and identity development among students. Over the years, she has helped students successfully secure internships, gain admission to Ph.D. and medical school programs, and launch meaningful careers.

In addition to academic advising, Thiên is especially passionate about supporting Stanford students who are navigating anxiety around high achievement, exploring their identities—as womxn, queer students, students of color, and first-generation/low-income (FLI) students—and facing academic challenges, particularly in rigorous STEM fields. Having taken a nontraditional path herself, she is deeply committed to normalizing the diverse experiences students bring to college and lowering barriers to opportunities that may feel out of reach.

Outside of work, Thiên can be found enjoying her many hobbies, which include paddling along the California coast, camping with her animals, composing music, practicing yoga, long-distance roller skating, or sewing whimsical costumes. A Southern California native, she has lived in four different regions of the state—her favorite being the far Northern Coast. She dedicates her volunteer time to ocean-health initiatives and to making surfing more accessible to people of color, queer communities, and womxn. Thiên is mixed-race and conversational in Vietnamese.

Past Affiliations
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory – Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging Division
Marine Scholars Program
Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation