About Us

The Program in Human Biology is an interschool, interdepartmental, undergraduate major. The program's mission is to provide an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the human being from biological, behavioral, social, and cultural perspectives.

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Capstone

The Human Biology Capstone gives students a chance to reflect upon their undergraduate career alongside their broader interests and values.

Watch the Capstone Overview video

Science Communication

Because Human Biology is an interdisciplinary program with an emphasis on both empirical inquiry and applied knowledge, excellent communication skills are critical to majors.

Watch Dr Preston

Data Literacy

Data in the social and biological sciences are used to make observations and judgments regarding patterns of human behavior and function. These data are sometimes imperfect or incomplete, but are used nevertheless to make decisions and policies.

Watch Professor Kurina

Scientific Literacy

Human Biology students learn to critically evaluate evidence in support of claims and write for a range of audiences, from peer-reviewed research journals to more popular science journalism.

Watch Shay Brawn

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Director's Message

Dear HumBio Students,

HumBio has been full of renewed energy this past year, with the debut of its B.S. option and Capstone experiences. Alumni career workshops are back by popular demand, and count toward your Capstone requirement. Watch for invitations to these workshops throughout the year. Your predecessors who have “been there” are a great resource for you. Come take full advantage. Another resource for you, new this year, is a funding option for your Capstone Synthesis Project, via our Bingham Fund. Please reach out to me if you have project in mind that could be brought to life with a financial boost. And, don't forget to stop by the HumBio Hub and meet our Student Advisors.

As for me, this is my sixth year directing Human Biology. You will find me all over the campus, inside and outside Building 20, in the Quad, and even sometimes the Core. I'm a HumBio product myself, class of '84, with my area of concentration (“depth” then) "Social Aspects of Child Development." I did a stint as head TA for the B-side of the Core before leaving Stanford in 1985 for UCSF, Johns Hopkins, and Penn. I've been back on the Farm since 1997, in the medical school where I practice pediatric neurology and oncology, and I bring much of that work to life in my winter quarter class, Human Biology 154C, "Cancer Epidemiology.” (check that out!).

I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible. Please email me pfisher@stanford.edu any time you want to connect.
To great things ahead!

Paul Graham Fisher, MD
The Bing Director, Human Biology
The Dunlevie Family University Fellow in Undergraduate Education
The Beirne Family Professor of Pediatric Neuro-Oncology