The Master of Science in Translational Research and Applied Medicine

Dean Felsher is professor of oncology and pathology in the Department of Medicine and director of the Translational Research and Applied Medicine (TRAM) Center, which promotes the translation of novel research discoveries from the laboratory to the clinic. Dr. Felsher is internationally regarded for his basic and translational medical research in oncology, therapeutics, and diagnostics.

George Tidmarsh is adjunct professor of pediatrics and board member of the Lucille Packard Foundation for Children's Health. Involved with the department of pediatrics in various capacities since 1988, he has successfully pioneered the development of multiple therapeutic agents from discovery through to full regulatory approval, including DOXIL for the treatment of solid tumors, BEXXAR for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and GIAPREZA for refractory shock, among others.

Gary M. Shaw, DrPH, is the NICU Nurses Endowed Professor of Pediatrics, Associate Department Chair (for clinical research) in Pediatrics and (by courtesy) also Professor of Epidemiology, and Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology at Stanford University. He has 35 years of experience leading and directing research programs, in collaboration with myriad scientists, that have investigated sociodemographic and biologic factors for the etiologies of various reproductive and pediatric outcomes such as human birth defects, and preterm birth. His efforts have led to the publication of more than 550 scientific papers. He has been the principal investigator or co-investigator on >60 government (R01s, U01s, P01s) or foundation grants. His scientific discoveries of most significance have targeted nutritional etiologies of specific birth defects and focused on genetic susceptibilities to exogenous exposures as risks of health outcomes. In these scientific efforts he has collected and utilized big data sets, built large biologic repositories, pioneered the research use of newborn bloodspots, and developed and coordinated interdisciplinary/transdisciplinary teams. He considers teaching and mentoring trainees to be one of his greatest privileges. Over the years, he has mentored the research trajectories of dozens of individuals at varying places in their research training. He serves on several scientific editorial boards and is an elected member of numerous professional societies. He also serves as the faculty lead for the Stanford Maternal & Child Health Research Institute’s Drug and Device Development (D3) Training Program, where he established the educational structure necessary to formalize a collaborative effort with pharmaceutical and medical device companies to train residents, clinical fellows, and early career faculty in industry’s approach to medical product development. He currently serves as Co-PI of the March of Dimes Prematurity Research Center at Stanford University and the PI of the California Center (U01) that investigates the risk and preventive factors for human birth defects.

Dr. Joanna Liliental joined Stanford in 2003 and is currently the Executive Director of the M-TRAM graduate program. Dr. Liliental completed her Ph.D. at UCLA and postdoctoral training at Stanford University in the laboratory of Dr. Stanley Cohen. In addition to directing M-TRAM, Dr. Liliental is a senior research scientist and associate director of the TRAM, a program she built together with Dr. Felsher, and has mentored and trained over 500 students, fellows, and faculty. She is also the founding director of the Translational Applications Service Center (TASC), a Stanford Medicine resource center that provides shared access to clinical research technologies, and trains and mentors investigators in translational medicine projects. 

Laura has worked in higher education for 12 years, the majority of that time at Stanford University, where she managed the process of creating and the renewal of degree programs at the registrar’s office, and in the Graduate Admissions office, as an Associate Director and interim Director. In addition to ensuring compliance of academic policies related to program review, she also advised on the exceptions to graduate and undergraduate policies, as well and managed several subcommittees. She has spearheaded the successful roll-out of online process for major non-matriculated programs, has updated policy on transcript submissions, led review of exceptions to admissions policies, vetted international and domestic credentials for admissions, and successfully updated online archiving processes.  

Laura was former Vice President of Professional Development for PACRAO, and was chair of AACRAO’s Women’s Caucus. She has written and presented on several topics related to women’s issues, such as bias, women inequity during the pandemic, diversity, and leadership. Laura is also an official facilitator for the Google initiative #IamRemarkable, which supports the promoting of achievements of underrepresented communities.  

Before her involvement in higher education, Laura worked in publishing as an arts/photo editor, specializing in rights and permissions. She has worked with authors, photographers, art directors and museums all over the world.