Choosing MCP

We study complex physiological processes at a detailed cellular and molecular level, looking at the specific mechanisms and structures that enable functional activity—how we think, feel, breathe.  Check out our faculty interests to see the wide variety of research the Department engages in—everything from structural biology, immune mechanisms, neuroscience and cellular biology.  Our faculty use approaches drawn from all fields of science, including biochemistry, biophysics, electrophysiology, advanced imaging, crystallography, structure, and computation.

Stanford's Department of Molecular & Cellular Physiology is centered in the Beckman Center for Molecular and Genetic Medicine, a modern research facility outfitted with state-of-the-art laboratories and equipment.  Our faculty have played founding roles in the creation of state-of-the-art research service centers such as the Cell Sciences Imaging Facility (CSIF). All of these facilities are housed adjacent to the Department’s labs.

MCP has three Nobel Laureates and five current members of the National Academy of Sciences in our Department, and three Howard Hughes Medical Investigators.   Our faculty has won numerous awards for their research and teaching, including the 2011 and 2014 School of Medicine Teacher of the Year Award, as determined by the graduate student body

Our program is a five year program with flexiblilty.  We support our students' learning and success through lots of 1:1 mentorship, seminars and journal clubs at both the lab and department levels, and a formal graduate program oversight.   Your graduate program mentor will help you identify rotations that meet your individual interests and professional goals.  Our Department has the most flexible set of core requirements in the Stanford Biosciences program and we work with you to ensure your success each step of the way.

Our program is committed to fostering a diverse community in which all individuals are welcomed, respected, and supported to achieve their full potential. While race and ethnicity are commonly cited in relation to diversity, we recognize that there are many different aspects to your identity, including culture, socioeconomic and educational background, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, physical ability, life experiences, hobbies, and interests. We value diversity because we believe that interaction with people with unique backgrounds and life experiences allows us to reach a greater level of innovation in education, research, and clinical care.

The department is known for a cooperative and collegial environment that encourages the frequent and informal communications that are so vital for gaining insight amid the fast-paced challenges of modern research. Students and postdocs participate in the department's annual scientific retreat, attended by all department members.