A glimpse into the Program in Human Biology at Stanford University

Director's Message

Dear Human Biology Alumni, Students, and Friends,

I hope that this newsletter finds you all well!

We’re now midway into the winter quarter and I know that all of the students are very hard at work looking ahead to midterms. Whether you're a new student of ours in the second unit of the Core (you’ve got this!), a junior or senior continuing your HumBio studies, an alumni or supporter connecting or reconnecting with the program, or a faculty or staff member busy teaching and keeping HumBio afloat, your presence enriches our community.

Here's to another year filled with growth, discovery, and inspiration!

Lianne Kurina

Bing Director of the Program in Human Biology

Community News

Gathering of a group of people at a Bright Pink event

Allison Kurian '95 and Colleague Receive $3.5 Million Donation for PROACT Program

Congratulations to HumBio alumna Dr. Allison Kurian ‘95 and her colleague Dr. Jennifer Caswell-Jin who received a $3.5 million donation to support the Preventive Risk Outreach And Cascade Testing (PROACT) program. The mission of this online program is “to lower the burden of cancer for individuals and their families by improving family cascade genetic testing.” Individuals receive personalized cancer genetic risk information which can be shared with other family members who may have a hereditary risk of getting cancer.

Kurian is a professor of medicine (oncology) and of epidemiology and population health at Stanford Medicine.

Image credit: Bright Pink

Headshots of Angelina Chan and Alina Wilson

Two HumBio Recent Graduates Named Marshall Scholars

Congratulations to HumBio Class of 2024 alumnae Angelina Chan and Alina Wilson, who were named recipients of the 2025 Marshall Scholarship. The scholarship supports American students pursuing graduate studies in the United Kingdom.

After completing her MS in Biology at Stanford, Chan will pursue a PhD at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology at the University of Cambridge. Wilson will pursue an MSc degree in the control of infectious diseases at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and a Master of Public Policy degree at the University of Oxford.

Image credit: Office of Global Scholarships

Class Spotlight

Beyond the Buzzwords: Sports Nutrition's Take on Evidence-Based Nutrition

Did you know that your performance in the gym, on the court, or in the field could hinge as much on your pre-workout snack as on your training? For students enrolled in Dr. Rachele Pojednic’s HumBio 132, Sports Nutrition, this is just the beginning of what they uncover about the intricate relationship between nutrition practices and physical performance. From mastering the basics of macronutrients to understanding how food fuels muscle recovery, students drill down into the science, moving beyond the buzzwords and fad diets. Read more.

Alumni Spotlight

Katie smiles on a boat with a camera in her hands

Image credit: Rebecca Albright

Translating the Tides: Katie Jewett's Journey in Ocean Science and Storytelling

From boat decks to the Stanford campus, Katie Jewett has charted a path through the worlds of marine science and communication. A 2011 graduate of the Human Biology program, Jewett’s love for the ocean and passion for storytelling have driven her to connect the work of scientists with global audiences, translating complex data into compelling stories. As the Associate Director for Ocean Communications at the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, she now works at the intersection of science, policy, and public engagement, championing ocean sustainability, and helping shape how we understand the natural world. Read more.

Learn from the Experts

Human Biology’s committed faculty come from across the School of Humanities and Sciences and the Medical School. Our faculty have long been at the forefront of groundbreaking research, innovation, and creativity. Expand your knowledge, build on your HumBio degree, and learn from these leading scholars from the comfort of your own home in these recorded presentations, panels, and seminars. You never know what you might discover!

Jamie Zeitzer: On Circadian Rhythms

In this podcast, Zeitzer discusses the science of circadian rhythms and how they impact our health, from sleep patterns to cognitive performance, highlighting the challenges of sleep deprivation in teenagers. He also dives into the Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNX) at Stanford, an immersive two-week clinical neuroscience program that offers high school students hands-on experience in this field.

Dr. Jamie Zeitzer is a professor (research) of psychiatry and behavioral sciences (sleep medicine). He co-teaches HumBio 161, The Neurobiology of Sleep, alongside Dr. Craig Heller and Dr. Philippe Mourrain. He also serves on the HumBio awards committee.

Sara Singer: How Technology Can Improve Medical Care

In this episode of Stanford’s The Future of Everything podcast, Singer explores how technology can improve the coordination of care in complex healthcare systems and reflects on the future of integrated healthcare. She discusses the challenges and potential solutions for making healthcare more efficient, effective, and seamless for patients.

Dr. Sara Singer is a professor of health policy, of medicine (primary care and population health), and by courtesy, of organizational behavior at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. In HumBio, she advises and mentors students.

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