Stanford University Human Biology Program

Home
United States
Stanford, CA
Stanford University Human Biology Program

The program's mission is to provide an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the human being f

The Program in Human Biology is a dynamic interdisciplinary undergraduate program that approaches understanding the human being from biological, behavioral, social, and cultural perspectives. Human Biology was one of the first interdepartmental majors to be offered at Stanford, and it now boasts over 8,000 alumni working across a diverse array of fields. Human Biology provides students with a broa

d, comprehensive, and rigorous introduction to the biological and behavioral sciences and their interrelationships through a sequence of common core courses. Students explore how this knowledge, in conjunction with studies in other disciplines, can be applied to formulate and evaluate health, environmental, and other policies and practices that influence human welfare. Each student then builds upon this foundation by crafting an individualized course of study that draws on courses from across the university to reflect their personal academic interests. Human Biology also promotes student research through the Research Exploration (HB-REX), honors thesis, and Senior Synthesis programs. Networking and career mentoring workshops with the program’s diverse alumni is also offered year-round. The Program offers both a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science degree option, as well as a minor and an honors program. Our students are extraordinary, often involved in numerous groups, teams, and research on campus and beyond. The program is honored to be the major of choice for many professional athletes and prestigious award-winning students including Fulbright and Knight-Hennessy Scholars.

08/21/2026

Happy Friday from the Main Quad! 😊✨🌴
📸: Andrew Brodhead

08/20/2026

"Human Biology was never meant to stay in one lane. In class, we move from cells to society, from neuroscience to policy, from human performance to global health. And over time, you start to see something change.

What once looked like a small problem... isn't actually small at all. It's a system: biology, policy, and environment all interacting at once. And you begin to realize, you can't solve a problem unless you understand the bigger picture it lives inside."

- Avanti Ramraj '26, Human Biology Diploma Ceremont 2026

08/19/2026

From biology to sociology to health policy and more, HumBio offers students a rich opportunity to explore the human experience from multiple perspectives! 💚🌾

08/18/2026

Highlights from our 2026 HumBio Awards Ceremony back in June ✨
Kelly was awarded the Barbara and Sandy Dornbusch Award for Excellence in Research in Human Biology Relating to Families and Children for her honors thesis on an incurable cancer that affects children and young adults 👏

08/17/2026

✨ Highlights from our 2026 HumBio Awards Ceremony back in June ✨

Maya was awarded the Oral Communication Program Award for Excellence in Honors Thesis Presentation for her honors thesis, “Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 2 Variants Within Africans/African American Genetic Ancestry Reduce Acetaldehyde Metabolism.” 👏

08/16/2026

Stanford Reunion Homecoming is just around the corner! Reconnect with the many alumni, faculty, students, and staff who make up the incredible HumBio community.

Join us on October 16 for our co-hosted CWOQ with SAA featuring Dr. Christopher Gardner, Dr. Anna Grummon, and Dr. Rachele Pojednic, and at our annual Reunion Open House!

CWOQ: Friday, October 16 from 3:15-4:15pm (location to be announced)
Join us for a dynamic CWOQ conversations with renowned nutrition scientist Dr. Christopher Gardner on his new book, Food Sense: What to Eat and Why. Drawing on decades of research, Gardner cuts through nutrition noise - highlighting the Big Four and Solid Six - and offers flexible, enjoyable ways to eat more plants and fewer processed foods. He'll be joined by Dr. Anna Grummon '11, a behavioral scientist and Director of the Stanford Food Policy program, and Dr. Rachel Pojednic, Adjunct Lecturer in Human Biology and Chief Science Officer at Restore. Together, these three leaders bring science, policy, and behavior-change perspectives to everyday food choices. Expect myth-busting, evidence-based insights - and practical tips you can use immediately.

Reunion Open House: Friday, October 16 from 4:30-6:00pm in Building 20 (Main Quad)
This will be a time to catch up with friends over light refreshments, talk to students about their research posters, and explore the HumBio building.

Learn more and RSVP now at the link in our bio or on our website! 🔗

08/13/2026

"You cannot change human behavior without the consent of those who are behaving. You cannot make an impact in vast social systems without buy-in at every level. And you cannot, and should not have to, be an island unto yourself. You will need allies, family and friends. You will thrive if you have a community. You have started to build that here. [...] I hope you feel genuine pride for one another and what you have accomplished together. In the years ahead, you will lean into this team. Cultivate your community. Show the world that you are stronger together - and invite them to join you in your cause."

- Dr. Victoria Parikh, Faculty Farewell Speaker, Human Biology Diploma Ceremony 2026

08/12/2026

Why do we love HumBio? Because of the amazing community that makes it feel like home and become our chosen family ❤️🤝

08/11/2026

Just a few days to go! 🎉

Our 2026 HB-REx Research Symposium is almost here!

📅 Friday, August 14
🕛 12:00–3:30 PM
📍 Fisher Conference Center, Stanford Alumni Center

Registration is now closed, and we’re looking forward to a full house! We can’t wait to gather with our community for an afternoon of learning, connection, and discovery.

We’ll kick things off with lunch and our inaugural Faculty Keynote, “Advancing Food is Medicine Research with Patients, Partners and Policy Makers,” presented by Dr. Lisa Goldman Rosas. Then, we’ll celebrate the incredible HB-REx students and the research they’ve been working on all summer. 🔬🎓

Swipe through for the full afternoon schedule, and get ready to join us as we celebrate our students and their research!

See you Friday! 🥳

07/14/2026

In HumBio, no two courses of study are the same. Students have the opportunity to tailor their studies and classes to their interests and passions! 🤸🩺🌎🩻🔬⚖

Address

Stanford, CA
94305

Website

https://humanbiology.stanford.edu/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Stanford University Human Biology Program posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The School

Send a message to Stanford University Human Biology Program:

Want your school to be the top-listed School/college in Stanford?