M-TRAM program is the first Stanford graduate program that specifically focuses on translation of medical research into actionable changes in therapeutics and diagnostics of human disease and is the first program of this kind on the West Coast. Our program fills is competitive to similar programs at other leading universities that already have translational research programs. Both Harvard and UPenn admit external and internal candidates, however eligibility is restricted to professionals holding and MD or PhD degrees. However, M-TRAM admits not only graduate degree-holding professionals, but also recent college graduates and co-term medical students. Our program is also unique in offering a one-year curriculum, as opposed to others’ two-year programs, making it more attractive to individuals who are unable to enroll in two-year programs. 

Unlike many other Master’s degree programs based on didactic teaching, M-TRAM students engage in experiential learning with formal research training experience (TRIP capstone mentored research project), as well as hands-on training in translational research technology and therapeutic development, the opportunity to gain experience working with a biotechnology company and a research laboratory, and clinical experiences (for non-physicians) and research experiences (for physicians).   

Stanford is an exceptional environment to train in medical translation because of our world-class expertise in medical science and bioengineering, with specific expertise in immunology, oncology, vaccines, radiology/imaging, and cardiovascular disease. Moreover, the way Stanford melds exceptional clinical and research programs in medicine, business, and technology has no peer in higher education in this country. Research across the University breaks new ground almost daily in terms of cutting-edge research technologies, innovations, and clinical applications, with health care serving as an amazing translational opportunity for these advances.  

Are you interested in translating scientific discoveries and clinical applications into practical solutions that improve and save lives? Whether you are a physician who wants to make connections between patient care and basic science research, or a research professional, or you recently graduated from college and plan to apply to medical or graduate school: M-TRAM will help you extend your knowledge and connections and provide you with the essential tools to build an exciting career in the rapidly growing field of translational medicine. If you have specific question related to your candidacy, please reach out to mtramstudies@stanford.edu.

In addition to successfully completing the required core courses, students must complete the following before graduation:

• Clinical rotation (quarter long, 3 hrs per week)
• Capstone project (TRIP) - throughout the program
• Capstone presentations - at the end of Fall, Winter and Spring quarters.
• Poster presentation - at the September Annual Symposium following completion of classes.

The M-TRAM degree program is one year in length, i.e., four quarters. It begins in September (fall quarter) and ends in August (summer quarter). For more information about the curriculum, click here.

M-TRAM is a fulltime program. Approximately 14 hours per week are required for in-classroom learning, and additional 5-10 hours per week are devoted to independent research capstone project (TRIP) and rotations.

Each student will pursue a capstone project (TRIP), an experiment in translational research, that requires 5-10 hours per week from the 2nd through 4th quarters. The project gives each student the opportunity to test a hypothesis, develop an experimental plan, interpret results, and understand the future research plan. Upon completion, the student gives a short presentation to the leadership committee and other students and writes a report. 

1. Areas of focus: Capstones will focus on early clinical translation (T0-T1), with a focus on therapeutics and diagnostics involving M-TRAM faculty areas of strength: drug therapy and delivery, vaccines, immune measurements and therapy, and gene measurements and therapy. 

    

2. Initiating a project: Project ideas can be student initiated, suggested by the approximately 30 faculty advisors who are part of M-TRAM, or arise from experiential learning (Industry and Clinical), but must be approved by the M-TRAM leadership committee. By the end of the 1st quarter, students will write a two-page capstone project proposal, outlining their project idea, including hypothesis and research aims, and will designate a capstone committee composed of four individuals: M-TRAM Director, M-TRAM Co-Director, capstone primary advisor faculty mentor, and a technology advisor. 

    

3. Progress: The progress of each capstone project will be supported and monitored by the capstone committee. The committee will review the proposal and offer guidance for the TRIP project continuation. Students will continue meeting with their capstone primary advisor and technology advisor throughout quarters 2 and 3 (winter and spring) to discuss progress.    

    

4. Completion: Upon completion of the project, students will present their final results as an oral presentation and a written report. They will formally present their final results at the student research showcase in the 4th quarter (summer). In addition to the talk, students will also be required to prepare a final written report summarizing their project’s aims, hypothesis, methods, results, and conclusions. For additional details, please see the answer to the next question. 

The program will monitor and ensure consistency of the quality of student capstone projects through reviews by M-TRAM directors, a capstone committee, a primary advisor, and external advisors as described below:  

1. Students propose potential capstone projects, which are then reviewed and approved by the program directors, who will participate in all student progress meetings to ensure consistency of the quality of the capstones across the program. The capstone committee will emphasize a commitment to learning, personal responsibilities of the student, definition of the project, effective problem-solving, professional development, and ethical judgment.

    

2. Each student has a designated primary advisor who will be the key mentor responsible for supporting the student and optimizing their success.  

    

3. A capstone committee will monitor the progress and quality of each student’s capstone, including preparation, conduct, and completion. Each committee is composed of at least four individuals who offer expert advice and guidance on ways to improve the quality of the project: the capstone primary advisor (PA), technology advisor (faculty, physician, or staff scientist, such as the director of a scientific core), as well as the M-TRAM Director and Co-Director.  
   
   

4. The Capstone committee will oversee the development of the project, providing valuable input to the student concerning the quality of the work and the acceptance of the conclusions. While the committee members will oversee the developing project, they may also bring in a secondary specialist to identify new possibilities or improvements of the capstone project.  

Yes. The coursework is flexible, allowing students who are employed to work part time during the program’s duration. However we do expect students to prioritize M-TRAM and participate in classes and experiential learning.

First, you need to discuss your master’s studies time requirements with your employer and confirm that you will have the flexibility to attend courses and be involved in independent research. See the curriculum here.

M-TRAM curriculum. However, courses we have created are unique and promote mastery of a specific skillset, as well as networking among technology experts, Stanford faculty, and other professionals. Therefore, we strongly recommend taking all M-TRAM recommended courses.

M-TRAM is open to individuals from a variety of educational and professional backgrounds. We aim to have a student body that brings a diverse set of perspectives and experiences to the cohort.  

Minimum requirements are: 

• A Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university (or its international equivalent) 

• CV/resume outlining previous clinical and/or basic research experience 

• Undergraduate and and/or graduate transcripts 

• Three letters of reference  

• Statement of intent 

   

If you are a foreign national coming from a country where the primary language is not English, you must  take the TOEFL test to meet the university’s minimum requirements for English proficiency. 

Refer to the Eligibility page for details. 

Citizens and residents of all countries are eligible to apply for graduate study and matriculate at Stanford University, including those who are undocumented. (For more information about undocumented status, please see below.) 

The M-TRAM student profile is diverse, with MDs, PhDs, MBAs or recent college graduates represented in the cohort. Therefore, research and/or professional experience varies by individual. Some students have research experience but not clinical experience and others have only clinical experience. Some of our prospective students are biotech/pharma professionals. Others are academic research assistants, physicians, medical students or business, legal or medical professionals. 

For information on how to apply as an international student, see the Graduate Admissions page: 

Students with a STEM degree may be eligible to apply for STEM OPT extension (two-year extension of OPT, so a total of 36 months).  

Yes. If you have been granted DACA status, do not hold formal citizenship in any country, or are otherwise undocumented, you are eligible to apply for graduate study and matriculate at Stanford University. When prompted for your citizenship on the application, please select “Other” instead of a specific country. To explore resources for undocumented and DACAmented students at Stanford, visit the Undocumented at Stanford website. 

Yes.  Current Stanford employees are encouraged to apply. Please contact us at mtramstudies@stanford.edu for additional details about applying as a currently enrolled Stanford medical student. We do not accept co-terminal undergraduate students, with the exception of medical students taking a gap year to pursue an M-TRAM degree. Minimum eligibility requirement is the bachelor’s degree.

Yes, applicants need three recommendations from faculty or others qualified to evaluate your potential for graduate study. At least one evaluation and letter should be from a faculty member at the last school you attended as a full-time student (unless you have been out of school for more than five years). Substitutions for faculty recommendations may include work supervisors or others who can comment on your academic potential for graduate work. 

Please see the Graduate Admissions website for additional information about letters of recommendations. 

To promote fairness in the admissions process we are not able to provide feedback or answer questions regarding the strength of an application. 

Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to attend one of the many M-TRAM informational sessions available during the admissions season to gain further insight into the program and the competencies we look for in applicants.

You may update the following information on your status page after submitting your application: 

• Recommendations

• Materials

  • Resume/CV may be uploaded until the application deadline.

  • Statement of Purpose may be uploaded until the application deadline.

  • Additional Information may be uploaded any time before or after the deadline.

• Test Scores (if required/considered)

• Contact Information (email, phone, address)

The main application should be submitted by the deadline. We highly recommend you submit the entire packet by the deadline since our admissions committee starts to review applications immediately after the deadline closes. Incomplete applications are unlikely to be as strong as the complete ones.