Areas of focus: Capstone projects should focus on therapeutics and/or diagnostics involving drug therapy and delivery, vaccines, immune measurements and therapy, or gene measurements and therapy, and can include a range of translational research activities from early-stage clinical translation (T0/T1) to preclinical optimization and validation (T2) to clinical validation and integration (T3) to implementation and dissemination in real-world settings (T4). The program is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate the complex and dynamic landscape of biomedical innovation and translation.

The capstone research project typically takes place within Stanford faculty research labs. However, working professionals (students who are already employed at local drug or biotech companies) have the option to conduct their capstone within their respective companies, benefiting from industry and academic mentorship.

Initiating a project:

Before officially starting M-TRAM studies in the Fall, students engage in in-depth discussions with the M-TRAM leadership team regarding their interests, career aspirations, and potential project concepts (between May to September. Through mutual agreement between the student and M-TRAM, efforts are made to identify and assign the most suitable capstone advisor based on alignment of interests and expertise.  

During the fall quarter, students dedicate time to engaging in thorough discussions with their advisors regarding potential research project ideas. They delve into in-depth reading and exploration of various concepts, aiming to refine and solidify their understanding of their potential projects. This period serves as a crucial phase for students to narrow down their focus and lay the groundwork for their capstone proposals.

By the end of the first quarter, students are required to present their capstone project proposal to the M-TRAM directors and other students in the program.

The proposal and capstone advisor must be approved by the M-TRAM Directors prior to the onset of the project.
 

Goals of the capstone project:  
The capstone project serves as a bridge between scientific innovation and real-world application, providing students with a hands-on experience in navigating the journey from idea conception to patient delivery. It's essentially an exercise in contextualizing scientific ideas within the broader landscape of healthcare, understanding where it fits in, and devising a strategic development plan for a therapeutic/diagnostic.

Throughout the capstone, students learn how to translate scientific concepts into actionable plans that address unmet medical needs and improve patient outcomes. This involves conducting thorough research to identify the clinical relevance and market potential of their ideas, as well as understanding the regulatory and commercial considerations involved in bringing them to fruition.By engaging in the capstone project, students gain valuable skills in strategic planning, market analysis, and stakeholder communication. They learn how to formulate a development plan that outlines the pathway from concept to commercialization, including key milestones, resource requirements, and risk management strategies.

Overall, the capstone project provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the process of biomedical innovation, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to drive meaningful change in healthcare.
 

Capstone Committee: At the end of the first quarter, students designate a Capstone faculty advisor, and a technology advisor (this could be scientific mentor, such as a core director or a postdoctoral project mentor).
 

Project timeline and progress: The student, M-TRAM directors and the Capstone advisors agree on a proposed timeline for completion. The Committee will review the proposal and offer guidance and monitoring throughout the project. During quarters two through four (Winter, Spring, Summer), students will meet regularly with their capstone advisors to discuss their progress. At the end of each quarter, student will present their progress to the M-TRAM directors and other students.
 

Capstone completion: Upon completion of the project, students will formally present their final results at the student research showcase in the beginning of September following their graduation. In addition to the poster, students will be required to present their capstone progress at the end of each quarter (December, March and May).