Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute
Showing 101-150 of 658 Results
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Stanley N. Cohen, MD
Kwoh-Ting Li Professor in the School of Medicine, Professor of Genetics and of Medicine
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsWe study mechanisms that affect the expression and decay of normal and abnormal mRNAs, and also RNA-related mechanisms that regulate microbial antibiotic resistance. A small bioinformatics team within our lab has developed knowledge based systems to aid in investigations of genes.
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Todd Coleman
Associate Professor of Bioengineering and, by courtesy, of Electrical Engineering
BioTodd P. Coleman is a Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute Faculty Scholar and an Associate Professor in the Department of Bioengineering, and by courtesy, Electrical Engineering at Stanford University. He received B.S. degrees in electrical engineering (summa cum laude), as well as computer engineering (summa cum laude) from the University of Michigan (Go Blue). He received M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from MIT in electrical engineering and computer science. He did postdoctoral studies at MIT and Mass General Hospital in quantitative neuroscience. He previously was a faculty member in the Departments of Electrical & Computer Engineering and Bioengineering at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and the University of California, San Diego, respectively. Dr. Coleman’s research is very multi-disciplinary, using tools from applied probability, physiology, and bioelectronics. Examples include, for instance, optimal transport methods in high-dimensional uncertainty quantification and developing technologies and algorithms to monitor and modulate physiology of the nervous systems in the brain and visceral organs. He has served as a Principal Investigator on grants from the NSF, NIH, Department of Defense, and multiple private foundations. Dr. Coleman is an inventor on 10 granted US patents. He has been selected as a Gilbreth Lecturer for the National Academy of Engineering, a TEDMED speaker, and a Fellow of IEEE as well as the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering. He recently served as Chair of the National Academies Standing Committee on Biotechnology Capabilities and National Security Needs. He is currently a deputy director of the Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute at Stanford University.
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Steven Hartley Collins
Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering and, by courtesy, of Bioengineering
BioSteve Collins is an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Stanford University, where he teaches courses on design and robotics and directs the Stanford Biomechatronics Laboratory. His primary focus is to speed and systematize the design and prescription of prostheses and exoskeletons using versatile device emulator hardware and human-in-the-loop optimization algorithms (Zhang et al. 2017, Science). Another interest is efficient autonomous devices, such as highly energy-efficient walking robots (Collins et al. 2005, Science) and exoskeletons that use no energy yet reduce the metabolic energy cost of human walking (Collins et al. 2015, Nature).
Prof. Collins received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering in 2002 from Cornell University, where he performed undergraduate research on passive dynamic walking robots. He received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering in 2008 from the University of Michigan, where he performed research on the dynamics and control of human walking. He performed postdoctoral research on humanoid robots at T. U. Delft in the Netherlands. He was a professor of Mechanical Engineering and Robotics at Carnegie Mellon University for seven years. In 2017, he joined the faculty of Mechanical Engineering at Stanford University.
Prof. Collins is a member of the Scientific Board of Dynamic Walking and the Editorial Board of Science Robotics. He has received the Young Scientist Award from the American Society of Biomechanics, the Best Medical Devices Paper from the International Conference on Robotics and Automation, and the student-voted Professor of the Year in his department. -
Le Cong
Associate Professor of Pathology (Pathology Research) and of Genetics
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsOur lab develops gene-editing technologies like novel CRISPR systems and large gene insertion techniques for gene and cell therapy. We also leverage these gene-editing tools for single-cell functional screening to probe mechanisms of cancer, immunological, and aging-associated diseases. To accelerate our work, we integrate AI and machine learning to design and evolve therapeutic RNAs/proteins, and build AI-XR co-scientists like LabOS that bridge AI computation and biomedical experimentation.
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Christos E. Constantinou
Associate Professor of Urology, Emeritus
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsMy main recent interest is the application of Biomedical Engineering approaches for the clinical visualization and characterization of the static and dynamic properties of pelvic floor function. This extends to ultrasound Imaging and image processing, construction of computer models and biomechanics analysis of pelvic floor function. It is envisioned that these considerations are important constituents of the clinical evaluation of patients with lower urinary tract dysfunction and urodynamics.
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Simon Conti
Clinical Associate Professor, Urology
BioI am a founding member of the Stanford Urolithiasis Project, where we have studied population health datasets to examine surgical outcomes and environmental risk factors in urinary stone disease. Our current focus includes socioeconomic and ethnic disparities in kidney stone disease, water quality and stone disease, pregnancy in kidney stone disease and geographical variations in kidney stones incidence and metabolic kidney stone work up.
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Ximena Corso Díaz
Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsWe are interested in unraveling the roles of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) and regulatory RNAs in retinal development and homeostasis.
RNA-binding proteins mediate functional integration of transcriptional and post-transcriptional machineries influencing various aspects of gene expression and RNA metabolism. Several RBPs have cell-type enriched expression patterns in the retina or cause blinding diseases, however their role in retinal development and function is poorly understood. We have identified several RBPs that interact with the photoreceptor-specific transcription factor NRL and are likely involved in development and homeostasis of this retinal cell-type. We are pursuing the following lines of research:
1) RBPs in retinal development and degeneration. We will study the role of RBPs in regulating retinal development and maintaining homeostasis. We will focus on RBPs enriched in the retina, their interactions with retinal transcription factors like NRL, and their relevance to retinal diseases.
2) RBPs in R-loop regulation in the retina. R-loops are triple-stranded structures created when RNA anneals to one of the strands of the DNA duplex. R-loops have many regulatory roles during gene expression and their dysregulation can be detrimental to genome integrity. We observed that R-loops are dynamic during retinal development and identified key R-loop-associated RBPs that are enriched in rod photoreceptors and that interact with the transcription factor NRL. We will study the role of R-loops and their regulatory RBPs in retinal development and homeostasis.
3) Chromatin-associated regulatory RNAs through the retina lifespan. Chromatin-associated RNAs contribute to the dynamic regulation of gene expression, chromatin structure, and genome organization, playing essential roles in various biological processes, including development, differentiation, and disease. We will study how regulatory RNAs, together with their cognate RBPs, influence expression programs and chromatin dynamics through the retina lifespan. -
Graham Creasey
Paralyzed Veterans of America Professor of Spinal Cord Injury Medicine, Emeritus
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsNeural prostheses to stimulate and record from the peripheral and central nervous system, thereby directly connecting nervous systems with electronic systems
Neural prostheses for control of bladder, bowel and sexual function after spinal cord injury -
Bianxiao Cui
Job and Gertrud Tamaki Professor of Chemistry
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsOur objective is to develop new biophysical methods to advance current understandings of cellular machinery in the complicated environment of living cells. Currently, we are focusing on four research areas: (1) Membrane curvature at the nano-bio interface; (2) Nanoelectrode arrays (NEAs) for scalable intracellular electrophysiology; (3) Electrochromic optical recording (ECORE) for neuroscience; and (4) Optical control of neurotrophin receptor tyrosine kinases.
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Yi Cui
Fortinet Founders Professor, Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, of Energy Science and Engineering, of Photon Science, Senior Fellow at Woods, at Precourt and Professor, by courtesy, of Chemistry
BioCui studies fundamentals and applications of nanomaterials and develops tools for their understanding. Research Interests: nanotechnology, batteries, electrocatalysis, wearables, 2D materials, environmental technology (water, air, soil), cryogenic electron microscopy.
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Mark Cutkosky
Fletcher Jones Professor in the School of Engineering
BioCutkosky applies analyses, simulations, and experiments to the design and control of robotic hands, tactile sensors, and devices for human/computer interaction. In manufacturing, his work focuses on design tools for rapid prototyping.
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Meg Cychosz
Assistant Professor of Linguistics
BioDr. Cychosz investigates how infants and children develop speech and language, including children who are d/Deaf or hard-of-hearing and multilingual learners. Her research bridges linguistics, cognitive science, developmental psychology, and electrical engineering to understand fundamental questions about language acquisition. Her interdisciplinary approach combines fieldwork with computational methods, using deep learning and automatic speech recognition tools to analyze naturalistic speech recordings from children's daily lives. She is particularly interested in how children's processing limitations might influence the structure of the world's languages, how sensory experiences like hearing loss affect language processing in early childhood, and how technological innovations can make language research more accessible and representative. Dr. Cychosz directs the Speech and Cognitive Development Lab and collaborates with clinical partners in audiology and speech-language pathology to ensure her research has translational impact to support children's language development.
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Jeremy Dahl
Professor of Radiology (Pediatric Radiology)
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsMy current research encompasses ultrasonic beamforming and image reconstruction methods, with application areas in improving ultrasound image quality in difficult-to-image patients and ultrasound molecular imaging of cancer. My lab also employs beamforming concepts to enhance other areas of ultrasound research.
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Peter Dahlberg
Assistant Professor of Photon Science and of Structural Biology
BioPeter Dahlberg received his undergraduate degree at McGill University in 2011 and his Ph.D. in biophysics from the University of Chicago in 2016. He then came to Stanford to work with W. E. Moerner and Wah Chiu to develop correlative light and electron microscopy methods. These methods give highly specific information on the machines that fill cells and make them work. In 2021 he was awarded SLAC’s Panofsky Fellowship to continue his work on correlative microscopy. In 2023 he transitioned to a Staff Scientist role at SLAC and then to assistant professor in 2024 in the departments of Photon Science and Structural Biology. See the group website below for more information.
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Hongjie Dai
The J.G. Jackson and C.J. Wood Professor of Chemistry, Emeritus
BioProfessor Dai’s research spans chemistry, physics, and materials and biomedical sciences, leading to materials with properties useful in electronics, energy storage and biomedicine. Recent developments include near-infrared-II fluorescence imaging, ultra-sensitive diagnostic assays, a fast-charging aluminum battery and inexpensive electrocatalysts that split water into oxygen and hydrogen fuels.
Born in 1966 in Shaoyang, China, Hongjie Dai began his formal studies in physics at Tsinghua U. (B.S. 1989) and applied sciences at Columbia U. (M.S. 1991). He obtained his Ph.D. from Harvard U and performed postdoctoral research with Dr. Richard Smalley. He joined the Stanford faculty in 1997, and in 2007 was named Jackson–Wood Professor of Chemistry. Among many awards, he has been recognized with the ACS Pure Chemistry Award, APS McGroddy Prize for New Materials, Julius Springer Prize for Applied Physics and Materials Research Society Mid-Career Award. He has been elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, National Academy of Sciences (NAS), National Academy of Medicine (NAM) and Foreign Member of Chinese Academy of Sciences.
The Dai Laboratory has advanced the synthesis and basic understanding of carbon nanomaterials and applications in nanoelectronics, nanomedicine, energy storage and electrocatalysis.
Nanomaterials
The Dai Lab pioneered some of the now-widespread uses of chemical vapor deposition for carbon nanotube (CNT) growth, including vertically aligned nanotubes and patterned growth of single-walled CNTs on wafer substrates, facilitating fundamental studies of their intrinsic properties. The group developed the synthesis of graphene nanoribbons, and of nanocrystals and nanoparticles on CNTs and graphene with controlled degrees of oxidation, producing a class of strongly coupled hybrid materials with advanced properties for electrochemistry, electrocatalysis and photocatalysis. The lab’s synthesis of a novel plasmonic gold film has enhanced near-infrared fluorescence up to 100-fold, enabling ultra-sensitive assays of disease biomarkers.
Nanoscale Physics and Electronics
High quality nanotubes from his group’s synthesis are widely used to investigate the electrical, mechanical, optical, electro-mechanical and thermal properties of quasi-one-dimensional systems. Lab members have studied ballistic electron transport in nanotubes and demonstrated nanotube-based nanosensors, Pd ohmic contacts and ballistic field effect transistors with integrated high-kappa dielectrics.
Nanomedicine and NIR-II Imaging
Advancing biological research with CNTs and nano-graphene, group members have developed π–π stacking non-covalent functionalization chemistry, molecular cellular delivery (drugs, proteins and siRNA), in vivo anti-cancer drug delivery and in vivo photothermal ablation of cancer. Using nanotubes as novel contrast agents, lab collaborations have developed in vitro and in vivo Raman, photoacoustic and fluorescence imaging. Lab members have exploited the physics of reduced light scattering in the near-infrared-II (1000-1700nm) window and pioneered NIR-II fluorescence imaging to increase tissue penetration depth in vivo. Video-rate NIR-II imaging can measure blood flow in single vessels in real time. The lab has developed novel NIR-II fluorescence agents, including CNTs, quantum dots, conjugated polymers and small organic dyes with promise for clinical translation.
Electrocatalysis and Batteries
The Dai group’s nanocarbon–inorganic particle hybrid materials have opened new directions in energy research. Advances include electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction and water splitting catalysts including NiFe layered-double-hydroxide for oxygen evolution. Recently, the group also demonstrated an aluminum ion battery with graphite cathodes and ionic liquid electrolytes, a substantial breakthrough in battery science. -
Heike Daldrup-Link
Professor of Radiology (General Radiology) and, by courtesy, of Pediatrics (Hematology/Oncology)
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsAs a physician-scientist involved in the care of pediatric patients and developing novel pediatric molecular imaging technologies, my goal is to link the fields of nanotechnology and medical imaging towards more efficient diagnoses and image-guided therapies. Our research team develops novel imaging techniques for improved cancer diagnosis, for image-guided-drug delivery and for in vivo monitoring of cell therapies in children and young adults.
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Gary Darmstadt
Sue Alvarez Professor of Neonatal and Developmental Medicine and Professor (Teaching), by courtesy, of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsI have extensive experience in the development of global health innovations and in working to test and scale-up health interventions. At Stanford University, I am playing a leading role in developing global women and children’s health research and educational programs, including the establishment of a Global Center for Gender Equality at Stanford University. My research focuses on advancing child health and development in low resource settings and advancing gender equality and health globally, and includes several applications of artificial intelligence. Before joining Stanford, I was Senior Fellow at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), where I led the development of initiatives to address gender inequalities and empower women and girls. Prior to this role, I served as the BMGF Director of Family Health, leading strategy development and implementation across maternal, newborn and child health, nutrition, and family planning. In this role, I was responsible for investments ranging from scientific discovery to intervention development and delivery of interventions at scale. I worked closely with the Discovery team to shape discovery and development investments and was a co-founder of the Saving Lives at Birth Development Grand Challenge, the Putting Women and Girls at the Center of Development Grand Challenge, and the Healthy Birth, Growth and Development initiative. Based on these experiences, I understand how to identify knowledge gaps and generate evidence of impact for new interventions, and how to utilize evidence to influence the policy dialogue leading to programmatic adoption and scale-up of interventions in low income settings. As Director of Family Health, I also co-led the development and implementation of the BMGF global health strategy for India, which cuts across multiple health and development sectors. Before joining BMGF, I was Associate Professor and Founding Director of the International Center for Advancing Neonatal Health in the Department of International Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. I led the development of newborn health research, including numerous facility- and community-based maternal and child health research trials. Before joining Johns Hopkins, I was Senior Research Advisor for the $50M Saving Newborn Lives program of Save the Children-US, where I led the development and implementation of the global research strategy for newborn health and survival.
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Rhiju Das
Professor of Biochemistry
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsOur lab seeks an agile and predictive understanding of how nucleic acids and proteins code for information processing in living systems. We develop new computational & chemical tools to enable the precise modeling, regulation, and design of RNA and RNA/protein machines.
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Laura M.K. Dassama
Assistant Professor of Chemistry and of Microbiology and Immunology
BioLaura Dassama is a chemical biologist who uses principles from chemistry and physics to understand complex biological phenomena. Her group’s primary goal is to use detailed understanding of the factors that enable interactions between biological molecules to provide insights that allow functional control of those molecules. Her research projects aim to 1) discover the drivers of biomolecular interactions and 2) leverage that information to modulate disease relevant proteins.
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Reinhold Dauskardt
Ruth G. and William K. Bowes Professor in the School of Engineering
BioDauskardt and his group have worked extensively on integrating new materials into emerging technologies including thin-film structures for nanoscience and energy technologies, high-performance composite and laminates for aerospace, and on biomaterials and soft tissues in bioengineering. His group has pioneered methods for characterizing adhesion and cohesion of thin films used extensively in device technologies. His research on wound healing has concentrated on establishing a biomechanics framework to quantify the mechanical stresses and biologic responses in healing wounds and define how the mechanical environment affects scar formation. Experimental studies are complimented with a range of multiscale computational capabilities. His research includes interaction with researchers nationally and internationally in academia, industry, and clinical practice.
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Jenna Davis
Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, of Environmental Social Sciences and Higgins-Magid Senior Fellow at the Woods Institute
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsProfessor Davis’ research and teaching deals broadly with the role that water plays in promoting public health and economic development, with particular emphasis on low- and middle-income countries. Her group conducts applied research that utilizes theory and analytical methods from public and environmental health, engineering, microeconomics, and planning. They have conducted field research in more than 20 countries, most recently including Zambia, Bangladesh, and Kenya.
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Mark M. Davis
Burt and Marion Avery Family Professor
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsMolecular mechanisms of lymphocyte recognition and differentiation; Systems immunology and human immunology; vaccination and infection.
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John W. Day, MD, PhD
Professor of Neurology and Neurological Sciences (Adult Neurology), of Pediatrics (Genetics) and, by courtesy, of Pathology
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsOur Neuromuscular Division coordinates a comprehensive effort to conquer peripheral nerve and muscle disorders, including the muscular dystrophies, motor neuron disorders, neuromuscular junction abnormalities, and peripheral neuropathies. With patients and families foremost in mind, we have had success defining and combating these diseases, with research focused on identifying genetic causes, developing novel treatment, and maximizing patient function by optimizing current management.
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Vinicio de Jesus Perez MD
Associate Dean of Stanford MD Admissions and Professor of Medicine (PACCM)
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsMy research focuses on the molecular and cellular mechanisms that drive pulmonary vascular disease, particularly pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). I study how endothelial dysfunction, impaired vascular repair, pericyte abnormalities, inflammation, and metabolic dysregulation contribute to pulmonary vascular remodeling and right ventricular failure. Through the integration of human tissue studies, advanced Omics technologies, and translational animal models, my work aims to identify novel th
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Charles DeBattista
Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (General Psychiatry and Psychology - Adult)
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsTreatment resistant depression.
Novel biological interventions in the treatment of mental illness.
Anti-glucocorticoid drugs in the treatment of mood disorders.
Augmentation strategies in the treatment of depression. -
Thomas Dee
Barnett Family Professor, Professor of Education, Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution and at the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research
BioThomas S. Dee, Ph.D., is the Barnett Family Professor at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Education (GSE), the Robert and Marion Oster Fellow at the Hoover Institution, and a Senior Fellow at the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research (SIEPR). He is also a Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) and the Faculty Director of the John W. Gardner Center for Youth and Their Communities. His research focuses largely on the use of quantitative methods to inform contemporary issues of public policy and practice. In 2024, he received the Peter H. Rossi Award for Contributions to the Theory or Practice of Program Evaluation from the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management (APPAM) and the Outstanding Public Communication of Education Research Award from the American Educational Research Association (AERA).
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Seena Dehkharghani MD FAHA
Clinical Professor, Radiology
BioMy research spans human, animal, and phantom studies of cerebral perfusion and metabolism, emphasizing thermometry and
neuroenergetics. My investigations into ischemic thermometry were twice recognized with the Foundation of the ASNR Scholar Award in Neuroradiology Research and subsequently by a R01 awarded by the NIBIB. My group has developed novel computational models for cerebral hemodynamics (dynamic BOLD-CVR) and first-of-kind hyperportable microwave stroke detection tools using deep learning. I have obtained formal certification (Mathworks, Google) in machine learning and data analytics and remain engaged in self-learning in AI/ML methodologies. I have also been a post-graduate student through the Stanford University School of Engineering SCPD program in Computer Science, again with a focus in artificial intelligence through the Stanford University School of Engineering, with core competencies including machine learning, Bayesian Networks, Markov Decision Processes, and Deep Learning.
I formerly served as Director of Stroke and Cerebrovacular Imaging Programs at Emory University and New York University, leading basic, translational, and clinical cerebrovascular imaging programs in collaboration with academic and industry partners worldwide. I returned to Stanford in Feb 2025 as Professor and Associate Chair of Informatics, and as Affiliate Faculty of the Wu Tsai Neuroscience Institute, Stanford Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) Center, Center for Digital Health (CDH), and
Human-Centered AI (HAI) Institute.
Ongoing projects that I would like to highlight include:
1R01EB034820-01 (NIBIB).
Previously, I was funded in an application to the Google AI Social Impact Challenge for the development of portable ultra-wideband microwave imaging instrumentation (patents issued), work for which I was selected to the NIH-NIBIB c3i Concept to Clinic: Commercializing Innovation Program.
Presently, we have proposed to develop realistic computational models of ischemic stroke and bridge a heretofore unattempted multiscale and
multiphysics view of neuroenergetic disturbance in the ischemic brain. The merger of a state of the art in silico neurobiological canvas
with more than a decade of insights from rigorous experimental neuroscience and biophysical modeling points us to disturbed
thermoregulation/dysthermia at the critical intersection of cerebral perfusion, metabolism, viability, and hence neuroenergetic balance.
Cerebral dysthermia will be formalized in a radical departure from the historically perfusion-centered frame of reference in
cerebrovascular ischemia, the latter having shown unfit to capture fully the adaptive, dynamic metabolic changes that subserve the
ischemic brain. We leverage the pathoanatomic realism of our complete multiscale vascular, flow, and perfusion model tuned to direct
measures of cerebral perfusion, oximetry, and thermography across hemodynamics states in individuals subjected to hemodynamics
provocation, linking two procedures developed by my lab: time-resolved BOLD cerebrovascular reactivity with acetazolamide and the
brain thermal response (BTR). This work represents a new direction of cerebrovascular and
neurometabolic research enabled by traditionally unattainable biomarker ensembles based in non-invasive, spatiotemporally-resolved
brain thermography. -
Karl Deisseroth
D. H. Chen Professor, Professor of Bioengineering and of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsKarl Deisseroth's laboratory created and developed optogenetics, hydrogel-tissue chemistry (beginning with CLARITY), and a broad range of enabling methods. He also has employed his technologies to discover the neural cell types and connections that cause adaptive and maladaptive behaviors.
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Scott L. Delp, Ph.D.
Director, Wu Tsai Human Performance Alliance at Stanford, James H. Clark Professor in the School of Engineering, Professor of Bioengineering and of Mechanical Engineering
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsExperimental and computational approaches to study human movement. Development of biomechanical models to analyze muscle function, study movement abnormalities, design medical products, and guide surgery. Imaging and health technology development. Discovering the principles of peak performance to advance human health. Human performance research. Wearable technologies, video motion capture, and machine learning to enable large-scale analysis.
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Utkan Demirci
Professor of Radiology (Diagnostic Sciences Laboratory) and, by courtesy, of Electrical Engineering
BioDr. Utkan Demirci, UofM’99, Stanford’01’05’05, is a Professor of Radiology (with tenure) and of Electrical Engineering (by courtesy) at the Canary Center at Stanford for Cancer Early Detection, Stanford University School of Medicine, where he leads a productive researcher group. Utkan is a tenured professor at Stanford University School of Medicine. Prior to joining Stanford in 2014, he held the position of Associate Professor at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital-Harvard Medical School and also served at the Harvard-MIT Health Sciences and Technology division. Over the past decade, his research group has focused on the early detection of cancer and has made significant contributions to the development of microfluidic platforms for sorting rare cells and exosomes and point-of-care bio-sensing technologies.
Dr. Demirci leads a productive and impactful research group focused on addressing problems from the clinic with innovations including cell sorter for IVF, optical technologies for detecting viruses, portable point of care technologies for diagnostics in global health, smart robots in vivo, extracellular vesicle based early detection approaches for cancer. He is an elected fellow of the American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering and The Academy for Radiology & Biomedical Imaging Research Distinguished Investigator.
He has published over 250 peer-reviewed articles, 300 abstracts and proceedings, 24 book chapters and editorials, and 7 edited books. He also serves on the editorial board of various journals. He is a serial academic entrepreneur and co-founded multiple successful companies. His patents are translated into broadly used biomedical products. Dr. Demirci's pioneering work in microfluidics and cell sorting has resulted in CE certified and FDA approved devices used in over 500,000 clinical cases serving patients globally. -
Huiqiong Deng, MD, PhD
Clinical Associate Professor, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
BioDr. Huiqiong Deng is a clinical associate professor of psychiatry. In addition to a medical degree, she earned a PhD, with a major in rehabilitation science and a minor in neuroscience. Specializing in the treatment of alcohol/substance addiction, interventional and cultural psychiatry, her goal is to help each patient along the journey to achieve optimal health and quality of life.
As the co-author of more than a dozen scholarly articles, Dr. Deng’s work has appeared in Psychiatry Research, Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, American Journal on Addictions, Brain Stimulation, and other publications.
Dr. Deng has won numerous honors and awards such as the National Institute on Drug Abuse Young Investigator Travel Award, the Ruth Fox Scholarship from the American Society of Addiction Medicine, and College on the Problems of Drug Dependence Travel Award for Early Career Investigators. In addition, she was selected to attend the Annual American Psychiatry Association Research Colloquium for Junior Investigators. Since she joined faculty at Stanford, Dr. Deng has received research grant support by the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Innovator Grant Program. -
Atman Desai, MD
Clinical Professor, Neurosurgery
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsThe Stanford Spine Artificial Intelligence Laboratory develops data-driven technologies to improve diagnosis, surgical planning, and outcomes in spine care. Our research spans predictive modeling, computational imaging, spinal oncology, digital surgery, and real-world functional assessment using wearables. By integrating clinical, imaging, and functional data at scale, we aim to deliver clinically meaningful, patient-centered innovations for complex spinal disease.
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Manisha Desai (She/Her/Hers)
Kim and Ping Li Professor, Professor (Research) of Medicine (Computational Medicine - QSU), of Biomedical Data Science and, by courtesy, of Epidemiology and Population Health
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsDr. Desai is the Director of the Quantitative Sciences Unit. She is interested in the application of biostatistical methods to all areas of medicine including oncology, nephrology, and endocrinology. She works on methods for the analysis of epidemiologic studies, clinical trials, and studies with missing observations.
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Jun Ding
Professor of Neurosurgery and of Neurology and Neurological Sciences
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsNeural circuits of movement control in health and movement disorders
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Jennifer Dionne
Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, Senior Fellow at the Precourt Institute for Energy and Professor, by courtesy, of Radiology (Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford)
BioJennifer (Jen) Dionne is a Professor of Materials Science and Engineering and, by courtesy, of Radiology at Stanford. She is also a Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Investigator, deputy director of Q-NEXT (a DOE National Quantum Initiative), and co-founder of Pumpkinseed, a company developing quantum sensors to understand and optimize the immune system. From 2020-2023, Jen served as Stanford’s Inaugural Vice Provost of Shared Facilities, raising capital to modernize instrumentation, fund experiential education, foster staff development, and support new and existing users of the shared facilities. Jen received her B.S. degrees in Physics and Systems Science and Mathematics from Washington University in St. Louis, her Ph. D. in Applied Physics at the California Institute of Technology in 2009, and her postdoctoral training in Chemistry at Berkeley. As a pioneer of nanophotonics, she is passionate about developing methods to observe and control chemical and biological processes as they unfold with nanometer scale resolution, emphasizing critical challenges in global health and sustainability. Her research has developed culture-free methods to detect pathogens and their antibiotic susceptibility; amplification-free methods to detect and sequence nucleic acids and proteins; and new methods to image light-driven chemical reactions with atomic-scale resolution. Jen’s work has been featured in NPR, the Economist, Science, and Nature, and recognized with the NSF Alan T. Waterman Award, a NIH Director’s New Innovator Award, a Moore Inventor Fellowship, and the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers. She was also featured on Oprah’s list of “50 Things that will make you say ‘Wow’!”. She also perceives outreach as a critical component of her role and frequently collaborates with visual and performing artists to convey the beauty of science to the broader public.
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Scott Dixon
Professor of Biology
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsMy lab is interested in the relationship between cell death and metabolism. Using techniques drawn from many disciplines my laboratory is investigating how perturbation of intracellular metabolic networks can result in novel forms of cell death, such as ferroptosis. We are interested in applying this knowledge to find new ways to treat diseases characterized by insufficient (e.g. cancer) or excessive (e.g. neurodegeneration) cell death.
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Diana Do, MD
Professor of Ophthalmology
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsDr. Do's research focuses on collaborative clinical trials to investigate novel treatments for retinal vascular diseases and ocular inflammation. She performs research to develop state of the art therapies for age-related macular degeneration, diabetic eye disease, retinal vein occlusion, retinal inflammation, and retinal detachment.
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Robert Dodd, MD, PhD
Associate Professor of Neurosurgery, of Radiology and, by courtesy, of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery (OHNS)
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsDr. Dodd is involved in clinical trials using endovascular coils that have a fiber coating that help heal aneurysms of the neck and can prevent an aneurysm from reforming. He uses minimally invasive endoscopic techniques to treat brain tumors.
Dodd's research interests are in cerebral blood vessel reactivity and stroke. -
Sebastian Doniach
Professor of Applied Physics and of Physics, Emeritus
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsStudy of changes in conformation of proteins and RNA using x-ray scattering
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Les Dorfman, MD
Professor of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Emeritus
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsClinical electrophysiology of the peripheral and central nervous systems, including nerve conduction velocity; electromyography (EMG); and visual, auditory and somatosensory evoked potentials. Multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis and treatment. Neurological education.
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Anthony G. Doufas, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine (MSD)
On Leave from 2026-09-01 To 2026-09-30Current Research and Scholarly InterestsMy research focuses on the relationship between sleep abnormalities and pain behavior and opioid pharmacology in the postoperative, as well as chronic pain setting. More specifically, I am interested in delineating the effect of the different components of sleep-diosordered breathing, like nocturnal recurrent hypoxemia and sleep fragmentation on pain behavior in the acute and/or chronic care setting.
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Ron Dror
Cheriton Family Professor and Professor, by courtesy, of Structural Biology and of Molecular & Cellular Physiology
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsMy lab’s research focuses on computational biology, with an emphasis on 3D molecular structure. We combine two approaches: (1) Bottom-up: given the basic physics governing atomic interactions, use simulations to predict molecular behavior; (2) Top-down: given experimental data, use machine learning to predict molecular structures and properties. We collaborate closely with experimentalists and apply our methods to the discovery of safer, more effective drugs.
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David Drover
Professor of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine (MSD), Emeritus
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsField of clinical pharmacology. This involves analysis of what the body does to a drug (pharmacokinetics) and how exactly a specific drug affects the body (pharmacodynamics). His research starts at the level of new drug development with detailed analysis of the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of a medication.
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Shaul Druckmann
Associate Professor of Neurobiology, of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and, by courtesy, of Electrical Engineering
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsOur research goal is to understand how dynamics in neuronal circuits relate and constrain the representation of information and computations upon it. We adopt three synergistic strategies: First, we analyze neural circuit population recordings to better understand the relation between neural dynamics and behavior, Second, we theoretically explore the types of dynamics that could be associated with particular network computations. Third, we analyze the structural properties of neural circuits.
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Justin Du Bois
Henry Dreyfus Professor of Chemistry and Professor, by courtesy, of Chemical and Systems Biology
BioThe Du Bois lab is heavily invested in exploring voltage-gated ion channel function and physiology and the underlying role of specific channels in human pathologies, particularly nociception, epilepsy, and neurodevelopmental disorders. With expertise in chemical synthesis, we have access to a collection of exceptional natural products—tetrodotoxin, saxitoxin, gonyautoxin, batrachotoxin, veratridine, antillatoxin, to name a few—that act as selective modulators of sodium ion channels (NaVs). In addition, we have developed novel molecules as inhibitors and agonists of specific voltage-gated chloride (ClCs) and calcium (CaVs) channel isoforms. As a lab, we are uniquely positioned to advance high-precision chemical tools to interrogate underlying biochemical mechanisms of electrogenesis. Our work in this arena is guided by a number of questions related to the basic functioning of voltage-gated channels in neuronal cells and glia that include: 1) what is the rate at which channels are being made and degraded and is the rate of channel turnover context dependent (i.e., is protein turnover affected by increased neuronal activity, nerve cell damage, etc.); 2) to what extent is channel expression and cellular distribution affected by external factors (pH, inflammatory modulators, injury); 3) how do post-translational protein modifications influence channel function and how are such modifications altered in response to external factors; 4) how do neighboring glia influence channel expression and ion gating. Answers to these types of questions will provide a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms by which neuronal cells and tissue respond to external stimuli, stress, and injury. We benefit from the strong interest of others in our work and multiple collaborators at Stanford and at other institutions.
Ion channel function and physiology. We wish to understand the role of individual subtypes of voltage-gated sodium, chloride, and calcium channels in neuronal signaling and how structural changes (i.e., point mutations, post-translational modifications, partner proteins) alter channel function. Our interests include the design, development, and application of chemogenetic technologies for targeting individual channel subtypes and allosteric modulators of select channel isoforms. Our work aims to inform efforts in translational research, as voltage-gated ion channel dysregulation and malfunction underlie a wide range of human diseases and disorders.
Natural products synthesis. We are interested in developing efficient and flexible synthetic routes to natural products that serve as ‘lead’ compounds for advancing high precision pharmacological tools. Most of the targets we are interested in obtaining are not available in sufficient quantities from natural sources, thus necessitating de novo preparation. To streamline the assembly process of these complex molecules, we are challenged to develop, in parallel, new tactics and chemical methods that facilitate C–C, C–N, and C–O bond formation.
Toxin ‘sponge’ proteins. A longstanding collaboration with the Minor lab at UCSF has focused on understanding how certain organisms that ingest dietary toxins such as saxitoxin, tetrodotoxin, and batrachotoxin survive their poisonous effects. This work has resulted in the elucidation of the structures of novel paralytic shellfish-binding proteins (so-called saxiphilins) and the toxin ‘binding code’. Studies are ongoing to integrate saxiphilins into a diagnostic device for measuring toxin concentrations in shellfish and to advance an engineered toxin-binding protein as a countermeasure for paralytic shellfish poisoning. -
Alfredo Dubra, PhD
Professor of Ophthalmology
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsOur lab seeks to help the early diagnosing and monitoring progression of ocular, vascular, neurodegenerative and systemic diseases through novel non-invasive optical ophthalmic imaging. We pursue this goal through a multidisciplinary approach that integrates optics, computer science, vision science, electrical engineering and other engineering disciplines.
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Laramie Duncan
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (Major Laboratories and Clinical Translational Neurosciences Incubator)
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsOur work is at the intersection of statistical genetics, psychiatry, and neuroscience. We use massive datasets and primarily computational approaches to identify mechanisms contributing to mental health problems like schizophrenia and depression. The overall goal of the lab is to discover fundamental information about psychiatric disorders, and ultimately to build more effective approaches to classification, prevention, and treatment.
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Alexander Dunn
Professor of Chemical Engineering
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsMy lab is deeply interested in uncovering the physical principles that underlie the construction of complex, multicellular animal life.
