Stanford University

John Donahoe Named Jaquish & Kenninger Director of Athletics Stanford University President Jon Levin has appointed John Donahoe as Stanford’s next Jaquish & Kenninger Director and Chair of Athletics. He will begin at Stanford on Sept. 8.

John Donahoe, an alumnus of Stanford’s Graduate School of Business and former CEO of Nike, has been appointed as the next Jaquish & Kenninger Director and Chair of Athletics. He will begin his tenure on Sept. 8.

New study shows how biomass changed over 500 million years The findings strengthen evidence that conserving biodiversity is critical to the health of people and the planet.

While scientists have long known that biodiversity increased over geological time, this is the first study to calculate long-term trends in the total abundance of life. The findings strengthen evidence that conserving biodiversity is critical to the health of people and the planet.

‘You can literally lose who you are’ Scientists in the lab of chemical engineer Monther Abu-Remaileh are uncovering the cellular functions that go awry in degenerative brain disorders and identifying therapies that could treat them.

Scientists in the lab of chemical engineer Monther Abu-Remaileh are uncovering the cellular functions that go awry in degenerative brain disorders and identifying therapies that could treat them.

As heart attack deaths decline, chronic heart disease is on the rise Since 1970, heart attack deaths have fallen by nearly 90%, driven by advances in treatment and public health efforts. But research also reveals a rise in deaths from other heart conditions.

Since 1970, heart attack deaths have fallen by nearly 90%, driven by advances in treatment and public health efforts. But research also reveals a rise in deaths from other heart conditions.

Intro robotics students build AI-powered robot dogs from scratch In CS 123, students bring together artificial intelligence and engineering fundamentals to design and upgrade “Pupper,” a walking quadruped robot.

In CS 123, students bring together artificial intelligence and engineering fundamentals to design and upgrade “Pupper,” a walking quadruped robot. 🤖

Stanford biochemist Lingyin Li is studying a tumor-fighting “miracle molecule” that could one day inform therapies for cancer, as well as autoimmune, neurodegenerative, and age-related diseases: stanford.io/3I5xqfx

What the science says about sunscreen We asked Stanford Medicine dermatologists to clarify the facts about sunscreen products.

Sunscreen is one of the most widely recommended and commonly misunderstood products in medicine. Stanford dermatologists help clarify the facts.

The bold bet that built a telescope Two decades ago, Stanford and SLAC took a gamble on an unproven telescope design that had no funding, no home, and no official backing. Now, with first images in hand and full operations on the horizo...

Two decades ago, Stanford and SLAC took a gamble on an unproven telescope design that had no funding, no home, and no official backing. Now, with first images in hand and full operations on the horizon, that bet is on the verge of paying off.

‘It really is the holy grail of curative medicine’ Stanford bioengineer Mark Skylar-Scott is on a “science fiction” quest to 3D print human hearts and other organs on demand, using cells from a patient’s own body.

Stanford bioengineer Mark Skylar-Scott is on a “science fiction” quest to 3D print human hearts and other organs on demand, using cells from a patient’s own body. #ResearchMatters

Stanford celebrates its largest graduating class ever at Commencement 2025 More than 21,000 attendees filled Stanford Stadium for a celebration featuring Wacky Walk, student performances, academic and service awards, and an address by Olympic champion Katie Ledecky.

At this morning’s 134th Commencement ceremony, Stanford celebrated its largest graduating class in school history, awarding 2,140 bachelor’s degrees, 2,655 master’s degrees, and 1,010 doctoral degrees.

Congratulations, #Stanford2025! 🌲❤️

Meet Diego Kagurabadza, #Stanford2025 🎓

The ASSU president’s experience at Stanford has been defined by service and community. He graduates with degrees in American studies and political science with plans to attend law school: stanford.io/4e2dEgN

‘The current strategy for dealing with drug resistance is like Whac-A-Mole’ Chemical engineer Brian Hie is using machine learning to predict how diseases will evolve and develop drugs that can treat them even as they change.

Chemical engineer Brian Hie is using machine learning to predict how diseases will evolve and develop drugs that can treat them even as they change.

Meet Lucy Duckworth, #Stanford2025 🎓

The co-founder of the student-run On Call Café graduates this month with a bachelor’s degree in design and a passion for making things that bring people together: stanford.io/43NLvp4

Study reveals surprising link between tree cover and mosquito-borne disease risk New research shows that protecting trees can limit harmful mosquito species and lower the risk of disease transmission.

New research shows that protecting trees can limit harmful mosquito species and lower the risk of disease transmission. The findings can inform land use decisions and preservation strategies in rural areas, according to the researchers.

Five things to do in virtual reality – and five to avoid A review of experimental research reveals how VR is best used and why it’s struggled to become a megahit with consumers.

A review of experimental research reveals how VR is best used and why it’s struggled to become a megahit with consumers.

Meet Khoi Young, #Stanford2025 🎓

Raised in Maryland, Young discovered a passion for business and gymnastics at a young age. He graduates from Stanford with a BS in design and three NCAA gymnastics championships: stanford.io/4kC5FJi

Meet Angeline Yu, #Stanford2025 🎓

An equestrian and community health advocate who grew up in the Seattle suburbs, Yu graduates in June with a degree in science, technology, and society and her sights set on medical school: stanford.io/4kCkY4M

AI tool reveals how companies respond to economic threats SIEPR’s Antonio Coppola and Matteo Maggiori have developed an interactive tool that tracks how companies around the globe are reacting to tariffs and other economic pressures.

SIEPR’s Antonio Coppola and Matteo Maggiori have developed an interactive tool that tracks how companies around the globe are reacting to tariffs and other economic pressures.

Stanford neuro-oncologist Michelle Monje is pursuing a cure for a deadly pediatric brain cancer – and reshaping our understanding of how cancer and brain development intersect: stanford.io/3ZoFkWP

Targeting cells’ ‘trash-sorting’ systems could unlock new treatments for neurodegenerative disease By preserving a lipid critical to cellular cleanup, researchers improved a severe neurodegenerative condition in both cells and mice – a finding that could have widespread applications in medicine.

For neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, treatment options are scant. New research identifies a promising access point to therapeutics.

‘For many people, waiting is not an option’ Stanford bioengineer Stanley Qi is developing advanced gene-editing tools to treat life-threatening diseases and slow the onset of neurological aging.

“Research is like a chemical reaction – it takes time to reach completion. If we ever slow down in training the next generation of scientists, we risk falling behind other competitors in the world – even if we have the better solution.” #ResearchMatters

9 Federally Funded Scientific Breakthroughs That Changed Everything

“Basic research is the pacemaker of technological progress.”

Google had its start at Stanford, funded by a federal grant to help build digital libraries. Read about nine other life-altering advances that government investment made possible. 👇

Timeline - 100 Years of Impact Explore the timeline of the School of Engineering's 100 years of impact, featuring fundamental work in science and transformational breakthroughs.

In the 10 decades since its founding, the School of Engineering has produced fundamental advances in science and transformational breakthroughs that have changed lives and shaped society. Look back at the last 100 years 👇

Old Union on a sunny day.

May 14-15 is Stanford’s inaugural Day of Giving. Explore opportunities to engage: stanford.io/4kcp57e

Stanford microbiologists Justin and Erica Sonnenburg are working to understand the complex microbial community that resides within the human gut and its potential for helping people live healthier, longer lives: stanford.io/3GTpGfP

Course helps students put pluralism into practice In Citizenship in the 21st Century, Stanford undergraduates broadened their perspective by engaging across political differences.

In “Citizenship in the 21st Century," Stanford undergraduates broadened their perspective by engaging across political differences.

Missed school is an overlooked consequence of tropical cyclones New research finds that tropical cyclones reduce years of schooling for children in low- and middle-income countries, underscoring the need to address the educational impacts of climate change.

New research finds that tropical cyclones reduce years of schooling for children in low- and middle-income countries, underscoring the need to address the educational impacts of climate change.

‘Re-Thinking Food’ symposium launches interdisciplinary effort to reimagine global food systems A new initiative led by Stanford Bio-X unites all seven Stanford schools to integrate research, education, and innovation for a healthier, more sustainable food future.

A new Stanford initiative seeks to harness the full power of science, data, and design to build a food system that’s equitable, sustainable, and health-promoting.

‘Step by step, we’ve made a huge amount of progress’ Molecular biologist Luis de Lecea is mapping the brain circuits that control sleep so we can manipulate them for a better night’s rest.

Molecular biologist Luis de Lecea is mapping the brain circuits that control sleep so we can manipulate them for a better night’s rest.

Measles may be making a comeback in the U.S., Stanford Medicine-led study finds If immunization rates drop further, measles and other wiped-out diseases – such as rubella and polio – could become endemic to the U.S. again, according to new modeling run by researchers.

If immunization rates drop further, measles and other wiped-out diseases – such as rubella and polio – could become endemic to the U.S. again, according to new modeling run by Stanford researchers.