H&S Leadership Circle Annual Report - Fall 2023

H&S Leadership Circle Annual Report

Fall 2023

School of Humanities & Sciences

A MESSAGE FROM Dean Debra Satz

Dear Leadership Circle donor,

Thank you for your dedication to the School of Humanities and Sciences (H&S) as a Leadership Circle donor to the H&S Graduate Fund for Education.

An H&S education prepares the next generation of citizens, researchers, leaders, and teachers to address the significant challenges facing our world. This is why graduate student funding is one of my top priorities as dean.

Your generous support enables our students to push the boundaries of their fields, to take intellectual risks with high payoffs, and to deepen our understanding of the world around us. Research universities like Stanford create new knowledge that can improve human life and our graduate students play a key role in that mission.

The following FY23 Leadership Circle impact report shines a light on a collection of current H&S graduate students. These talented scholars work alongside a much larger cohort of PhD and master’s students representing 23 departments and 28 interdisciplinary programs.

I hope you enjoy reading about the important role your gift plays in our graduate students’ efforts to discover novel paths of inquiry and study, driven by the desire to make the world a better place for all.

I am grateful for your Leadership Circle support, and I wish you much joy in the coming year.

Sincerely,

Debra Satz

Vernon R. and Lysbeth Warren Anderson Dean of the School of Humanities and Sciences

Marta Sutton Weeks Professor of Ethics in Society Professor of Philosophy and, by courtesy, Political Science

How Your Support Strengthens the School of Humanities and Sciences (H&S)

More than 2,300 graduate students are enrolled in H&S, and most are pursuing doctorates. More doctoral students graduate from Stanford than any other private, nonprofit U.S. university.

Leadership Circle donors make a tangible difference for H&S graduate students representing a broad cross section of disciplines—from the arts and humanities to the social and natural sciences. While their fields may vary, they are united by the desire to understand, interpret, and address humankind’s most pressing concerns.

Our students benefit from a rigorous, collaborative environment that fosters critical thinking, creativity, and scholarly excellence. Guided by celebrated faculty, they engage in cutting-edge research, tackling pressing challenges, and contributing to the advancement of their fields.

The following student spotlights showcase some of the diverse and groundbreaking research being conducted by our graduate student body, all thanks to the support of generous donors like you. Your gifts make a profound difference by supporting exceptional academics, critical research and training, and personal and educational development opportunities.

In short, H&S graduate students are lifted up by your generosity and, for that, we are deeply thankful.

54%

$570,229

54% of total fund is Leadership Circle donors: $306,619

445 master’s-level students

NATURAL SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY

Kate Lagerstrom

We know that every gift amplifies the voices of students working to make changes in the systems that support communities across our country, and beyond. In that spirit, we are pleased to share the work of PhD candidate in biology, Kate Lagerstrom.

Kate studies the presence and prevalence of antibiotic resistances and pathogenic strains of E. coli recovered from wild animal fecal samples, focusing on the wildlife communities of Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve. She is working to shed light on potential transmission routes and rates of evolution of the bacterial species and co-evolution of the species with its vertebrate host.

At Stanford, she has gained knowledge in areas she had never considered before, like bioinformatics and coding. Both have expanded the potential applications of her research beyond our campus community. They are also invaluable skills she can use to make greater impact in her future professional career.

Ultimately, Kate hopes to shed light on potential transmission routes that would aid source tracing in contamination outbreaks in our food distribution systems.

“I love the Stanford community, cherish the opportunity to work with and learn from the incredible minds surrounding me, and am so grateful to be a part of what goes on here. I know my time at Stanford will enable me to make a positive impact on society and will serve me well in my future career. This is all thanks to donors that support my research and educational endeavors.”

“I love the Stanford community, cherish the opportunity to work with and learn from the incredible minds surrounding me, and am so grateful to be a part of what goes on here. I know my time at Stanford will enable me to make a positive impact on society…This is all thanks to donors that support my research and educational endeavors.”

NATURAL SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY

Lauren Lubeck Graduate students instill our H&S faculty-led research teams with new ideas and fresh perspectives, all while inspiring their undergraduate peers as teaching assistants and mentors.

And many, like second year biology PhD Lauren Lubeck, are already making their mark on and off campus in leadership roles and community outreach positions.

“Leveraging my Stanford research and study, I’m involved in the ‘Book-aBiologist’ program that matches K-12 classrooms with graduate students to show school-aged children what it is like to be a scientist. I love getting feedback from the students about what they connected with. For example, one student said they never knew that a career in research can allow for so much travel!

I’ve also served on my department’s Committee for Graduate Student Interview Days, where I organized Zoom student lightning talks, student panels, and mentor/mentee pairs. And last quarter, I planned a team retreat highlighting student and faculty talks.

“I’m fortunate to be surrounded by a supportive community of Stanford scientists who have guided my efforts to influence change on campus and in the communities around me. I am growing as a scholar and leader thanks to the generosity of our H&S donor community.”

I’m fortunate to be surrounded by a supportive community of Stanford scientists who have guided my efforts to influence change on campus and in the communities around me. I am growing as a scholar and leader thanks to the generosity of our H&S donor community.”

NATURAL SCIENCES

Justin Myles

Justin is a Physics department PhD working in the field of cosmology. In his work, he uses telescopes in Hawai’i, Chile, and Arizona to study the distribution of galaxies in space. The distribution of galaxies in space provides clues to the rules governing the Universe, enabling scientists to test cosmological models using observations like those identified in Justin’s research.

“Stanford provides an educational environment where the role of computation is front and center. Developing a research program at Stanford often involves developing expertise in the latest aspects of computational sciences. I think my time at Stanford has given me skills in this field which will be valuable regardless of where my career goes next.”

Beyond the margins of his lab, Justin is motivated by the social and ecological impact of his studies. “I hope my work can be a part of the stories we tell about nature to inspire people. The night sky is a part of nature that has been key to understanding our place in the world since time immemorial. On a more practical note, this work helps develop children’s interest in STEM fields, which is key to socioeconomic opportunity. This work also involves developing new technologies, for example in sensors and cameras, that have uses beyond astronomy.

“My donor funds gave me freedom to pursue collaboration with teams around the globe. The result was completing publications I would not have been able to work on with more limited funding.”

Donor funding has played a crucial role in Justin’s research journey, enabling him to dive into the mysteries of the cosmos through access to advanced telescopes and collaboration with experts in his field.

My donor funds gave me freedom to pursue collaboration with teams around the globe. The result was completing publications I would not have been able

SOCIAL SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS

Andrés Rodríguez

Andrés Rodríguez is a fourth year H&S economics PhD student researching decentralization policies in developing countries, specifically in sub-Saharan Africa. At Stanford, Andrés has benefited from faculty mentorship, on and off campus research opportunities, and the freedom to focus on his work provided by the H&S donor community.

“At Stanford, I’ve gained an understanding of what it means to be in an environment where people can do high caliber research. Thanks to the graduate assistance funds, I am learning so much at this amazing institution and advancing my career as a scholar devoted to helping others.”

Andrés’ research interests took root on a West Africa trip where he worked with a faculty mentor to help identify methods of improving the caliber of elected officials. “I learned that as academics we can indeed influence policy and help governments design better systems for people to work, learn, and even engage in political debate. The trip helped me realize that I wanted to conduct research where I work closely with people from developing countries.”

“At Stanford, I’ve gained an understanding of what it means to be in an environment where people can do high caliber research. Thanks to the graduate assistance funds, I am learning so much at this amazing institution and advancing my career as a scholar devoted to helping others.”

Andrés’ current work focuses on how people living in sub-Saharan Africa engage with their local leaders to fund public services or small infrastructure projects. Ultimately, Andrés’ aim is to leverage the knowledge his research generates to improve how governments implement decentralization policies in ways that improve people’s lives and relationship with the state.

“When I talk to family and friends back home in Bogotá, Colombia, I share how grateful I am for my life at Stanford. It’s a privilege to spend so much time thinking with the utmost rigor about the economic problems developing countries face. I chose this area of study to be able to give back, and Stanford

SOCIAL SCIENCES

Valentin

Valentin Figueroa is a PhD Candidate in Stanford’s Department of Political Science where he is working to advance our understanding of how to develop efficient and effective state bureaucracies through his research into the great political developments of society’s early modern history.

“As a native of Argentina, which has historically had many difficulties reforming its massive, often ineffective public administration, I have seen how politics can be a real barrier to administrative reforms. Effective states with the capacity to collect taxes, implement policy, and enforce the law are crucial for economic development and to maintain political order. How they were established in Europe, where they emerged between the middle ages and the nineteenth century, is a central puzzle in political science, sociology, and economic history. I hope my research provides evidence to inform debates on public administration reform.”

A strand of Valentin’s research at Stanford tackled the problem of political corruption, an area in which he was published in Comparative Political Studies. And, ultimately, his dissertation research about the modernization of state bureaucracies was published in the journal World Politics. Both are top-journals in his field.

“Getting the training that Stanford offers was crucial for me to accomplish my goal of becoming a leading scholar in political science…It is because of donor generosity that I was able to conduct research on these topics, which I believe are of first-order importance for political development. I will be forever grateful for this opportunity.”

“I was fortunate to have worked with an advisor who is a leader in my field, and who was invested in helping me discipline my ideas while encouraging me to think outside the box to come up with new solutions to old puzzles. Getting the training that Stanford offers was crucial for me to accomplish my goal of becoming a leading scholar in political science.

My academic pursuits at Stanford would not have been possible without donor

Figueroa

ARTS & HUMANITIES

DEPARTMENT OF RELIGIOUS STUDIES

Ralph Craig

“Stanford’s Department of Religious Studies was my dream. I wanted to be trained in a world-renowned program that would also give me the push and the freedom to think in new, creative directions. At Stanford, I am able to do both.”

Ralph Craig is a PhD candidate focusing on Buddhist Studies and American Religion, with concentrations in both South Asian Buddhism and American Buddhism. He is currently completing a dissertation on early medieval representations of Buddhist preaches in South Asia.

“From my first course at Stanford, Readings in Indian Buddhist Texts, to courses like Teaching Religious Studies, I have received mentorship and support by the highest caliber of scholars who teach with compassion and aplomb. Donor funds have enabled me to purchase the rare textual materials that form the primary locus of my research, travel to conferences in my field, and ultimately afford me time to take full advantage of Stanford’s wide array of resources.

Moreover, I am being trained as a scholar, as a teacher, and as a human being. It is an honor to work within this stellar academic community, and I am truly thankful for the opportunity.”

“I am being trained as a scholar, as a teacher, and as a human being. It is an honor to work within this stellar academic community, and I am truly thankful for the opportunity.”

ARTS & HUMANITIES

DEPARTMENT OF ART & ART HISTORY

Wendy Liu

Wendy Liu is a first-year MFA Art Practice graduate student working with printmaking, photography, and installation. Her practice explores aspects of assimilation, accessibility, and language, with a current focus on familial immigrant relationships with second-generation children.

“My passion for this field was sparked during my work with emerging artists in the Bay Area, where I discovered the incredible power of art and education. At Stanford, I am fully immersed in the dynamic and inspiring world of contemporary art.

I specifically chose this program for its unique focus on developing art educators while simultaneously challenging you to expand your artistic thinking. At Stanford, we TA every quarter and teach our own curriculum in a solo taught course. Working with undergraduate students has been instrumental in my own studio practice. Helping them succeed in projects has helped me develop my creative thought process as well.

What also sets Stanford apart is the exceptional faculty, whose trailblazing work in the contemporary art world is matched only by their dedication to teaching. Their passion for art is truly contagious. They inspire us to push ourselves creatively and intellectually in ways we never thought possible. This exposure expands one’s artistic abilities, while opening new avenues for networking and professional growth.

I am incredibly grateful for the generosity of donors who enable me to truly explore and develop my ideas and artistic vision, while also collaborating with others in my program to create meaningful work and make a positive impact on society. I look forward to utilizing my newfound knowledge and skills to give

“I am incredibly grateful for the generosity of donors who enable me to truly explore and develop my ideas and artistic vision, while also collaborating with others in my program to create meaningful work and make a positive impact on society.”

School of Humanities & Sciences

Office of Development

Stanford University

Arrillaga Alumni Center

326 Galvez Street

Stanford, California 94305-6106

giving.stanford.edu

If you have questions or would like to share feedback about this report, please contact:

Michelle Compton

Assistant Director of Annual Giving & Alumni Relations

mcompton@stanford.edu