# Molecular Biophysics Training Program at Stanford

> **NIH NIH T32** · STANFORD UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $659,231

## Abstract

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 develop...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10899751
- **Project number:** 5T32GM136568-04
- **Recipient organization:** STANFORD UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** KERWYN C. HUANG
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $659,231
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-07-01 → 2026-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10899751

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10899751, Molecular Biophysics Training Program at Stanford (5T32GM136568-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10899751. Licensed CC0.

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