Although in-person classes have been suspended in compliance with “shelter-in-place” orders, The Program in Human Biology team continues to operate in a virtual format and is available via email, phone, and social media.

Health and safety updates will be posted to Stanford University's health alerts page as they unfold.

Best wishes for everyone's continued good health and safety!

Latest university information about COVID-19

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, Faculty and Friends,

I hope that you are all healthy and well - and that your families and friends are too.

We find ourselves in an unprecedented situation. This pandemic presents challenges in many forms for students and faculty alike and a great deal is being asked of all of you. Our intention as a program is to be flexible and responsive to student and faculty needs in this time of uncertainty.

Although we will need to continue hosting classes online through the end of the academic year, we are committed to continuing to provide an exceptional interdisciplinary education and experience to our students. Our instructors and staff have been working together tirelessly to reformat spring classes and assessments to ensure their continued effectiveness and collaborative spirit.

I know how difficult and worrying the current situation is. The uncertainty with regard to duration and long-term effects of the pandemic are anxiety-provoking. But please know this: the HumBio community is here for you. Our community is made up of so many strong, compassionate, and smart individuals who have risen to the occasion and are continuing to do incredible things to make the world a better place. Many of our alumni for example, are on the frontlines fighting this pandemic.

As we navigate this complex and ever-changing landscape, our team is available to help you! If you have any ideas with regard to: optimizing online instruction/learning; community-building for our students and/or instructors; uplifting approaches to celebrating our students; or anything else, please send them to Katherine Preston, Jessy Frydenberg, and me.

In addition to our Facebook and Instagram accounts, we have also created a Twitter account to build and maintain widespread communication with and support for our community. We invite you all to join us on these platforms, start a dialogue, or share what you are up to. You can also feel free to follow my newly revived Twitter account (@LianneKurina) and my brand new blog (liannekurina.blog), created to keep in touch with our awesome Human Biology students, now dispersed far and wide.

As always, please feel free to reach out to any member of the Human Biology team, myself included - we’re always happy to talk with you.

I am thinking of all and wishing you continued safety and good health.

Lianne Kurina, PhD
Bing Director, Program in Human Biology
Director, The Stanford Military Data Repository