Bio
Stephen Quake is the Lee Otterson Professor of Bioengineering and Professor of Applied Physics at Stanford University and is co-President of the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub. He received a B.S. in Physics and M.S. in Mathematics from Stanford University in 1991 and a doctorate in Theoretical Physics from the University of Oxford in 1994. Quake has invented many measurement tools for biology, including new DNA sequencing technologies that have enabled rapid analysis of the human genome and microfluidic automation that allows scientists to efficiently isolate individual cells and decipher their genetic code. Quake is also well known for inventing new diagnostic tools, including the first non-invasive prenatal test for Down syndrome and other aneuploidies. His test is rapidly replacing risky invasive approaches such as amniocentesis, and millions of women each year now benefit from this approach. His innovations have helped to radically accelerate the pace of biology and have made medicine safer by replacing invasive biopsies with simple blood tests.
Academic Appointments
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Professor, Bioengineering
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Professor, Applied Physics
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Professor (By courtesy), Physics
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Member, Bio-X
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Member, Cardiovascular Institute
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Member, Stanford Cancer Institute
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Member, Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute
Administrative Appointments
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Member, Stanford Diabetes Research Center (2018 - Present)
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Co-President, Chan Zuckerberg Biohub (2016 - Present)
Honors & Awards
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Max Delbruck Prize in Biological Physics, American Physical Society (2016)
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Raymond and Beverly Sackler Prize for Convergence Research, National Academy of Sciences (2016)
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Gabbay Prize for Biotechnology and Medicine, . (2015)
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Elected Member, American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2014)
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Elected Member, National Academy of Inventors (2013)
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Elected Member, National Academy of Sciences (2013)
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Elected Member, National Academy of Engineering (2013)
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Inventor of the Year, Silicon Valley Intellectual Property Law Association (2013)
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Nakasone Prize of the Human Frontiers of Science Program, . (2013)
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Elected Member, Institute of Medicine (now National Academy of Medicine) (2012)
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Lemelson-MIT Prize for outstanding mid-career inventors, . (2012)
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Promega Biotechnology Research Award, American Society of Microbiology (2011)
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Raymond and Beverly Sackler International Prize in Biophysics, . (2011)
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Elected Fellow, The American Physical Society (2010)
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Pioneer of Miniaturization, Royal Society of Chemistry Publishing (2010)
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Pioneer of Miniaturization Award, The Royal Society of Chemistry (2010)
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Elected Fellow, The American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) (2007)
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Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute (2007)
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National Institute of Health Director's Pioneer Award Fellow, American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (2007)
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NIH Director's Pioneer Award, NIH (2004)
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100 Young Innovators that will create the future, MIT Tech Review Magazine (2002)
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Participant, NAS Symposium for Frontiers in Science (1999, 2000)
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Packard Fellow, Packard Foundation (1999)
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Career Award, NSF (1997)
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R29 "FIRST" Award, NIH (1997)
Professional Education
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Ph.D., University of Oxford, Physics (1994)
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M.S., Stanford University, Mathematics (1991)
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B.S., Stanford University, Physics (1991)