Office of Science Outreach

Jeremy Bailenson shares his research on virtual reality, avatars, transformed social interaction, and related communication and psychological theories as well as their implications for citizens living in the digital age. (July 28, 2011)

Thomas Jaramillo examines the prospects of moving away from these traditional chemical fuel sources and instead towards a clean and sustainable path to synthesizing similar molecules using solar energy. (June 16, 2011)

Stephen Palumbi talks about the array of marine habitats and the species that have uniquely been able to live in them. (July 14, 2011)

Andrea Goldsmith, Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering describes what the wireless future might look like and some of the innovations and breakthroughs that will be required to realize this vision. (July 29, 2010)

Daria Mochly-Rosen, Associate Dean for Research at the School of Medicine, discusses how the high cost and length of time it takes to develop a new drug is creating a conservative drug industry and how this may impact patient health. (July 15, 2010)

In the second installation of the Summer Science Lecture Series in 2010, Stanford Professor Jill Helms discusses the potential found in stem cell research for the way we practice medicine. (July 1, 2010)

J. Christian Gerdes discusses future scenarios regarding automotive safety, the human propensity to counteract safety measures by engaging in riskier behavior and current research in autonomous vehicles and driver assistance. (June 17, 2010)

At the time of this talk, it will have been six months since a new administration came into power in Washington. Throughout the election campaign, Obama strongly emphasized the need for change in energy and environmental policies. (July 23, 2009)

Robert D. Siegel, Associate Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, addresses the basic question of "What is a virus?" and looks at the special properties that distinguish viruses from more conventional forms of life. (July 9, 2009)

David C. Magnus, Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Medicine at Stanford University and Director of the Center for Biomedical Ethics, answers questions about the ownership of life. (June 25, 2009)

Laura Carstensen, Professor of Psychology and Public Policy at Stanford University and the founding director of the Stanford Center on Longevity, discusses the phenomenon of increasing life span. (May 9, 2009)

Professor Schneider discusses the local, regional, and international actions that are already beginning to address global warming and describe other actions that could be taken. (July 24, 2008)

In this lecture Clifford Nass describes how the human brain and body are "wired" for speech: The sound of a voice, whether from a person or machine, causes us to respond as we respond to actual people. (August 7, 2008)

Professor Bent introduces the scope of the energy problem and some of the options for sustainable energy, then focuses on two main devices: solar cells and fuel cells. (August 21, 2008)

Professor Bent introduces the scope of the energy problem and some of the options for sustainable energy, then focuses on two main devices: solar cells and fuel cells. (August 21, 2008)

In this lecture Clifford Nass describes how the human brain and body are "wired" for speech: The sound of a voice, whether from a person or machine, causes us to respond as we respond to actual people. (August 7, 2008)

In this lecture, Stephen Schneider discusses the science and research behind global warming as well as the prospect of policies on climate change being implemented in the near future. (July 24, 2008)

Professor Beroza discusses what makes earthquake prediction an intrinsically difficult problem. He also covers aspects of the earthquake process that we can predict, and what the prospects are for future progress. (July 10, 2008)

In this talk, Russ reviews how genetic variation can affect drug response, and discuss a few examples of variation in commonly used medications. (August 9, 2007)

Nancy Fischbein, MD, associate professor of neurosurgery, discusses the challenges of assessing spinal cord injury and the latest imaging techniques for diagnosis. (July 6, 2007)

In this talk, Russ reviews how genetic variation can affect drug response, and discuss a few examples of variation in commonly used medications. (August 9, 2007)

Professor Heller’s lab has created a “glove” that can quickly extract or insert heat in our bodies. He shares with us how and why this novel technology is being developed. (July 26, 2007)

Professor Heller’s lab has created a “glove” that can quickly extract or insert heat in our bodies. He shares with us how and why this novel technology is being developed. (July 26, 2007)

Dr. Robert Robbins delivers cutting-edge information on the state of research, the newest studies, and the latest treatment for cardiovascular disease. Specifically, he will focus on heart transplantation and the use of stem cells. (July 12, 2007)

Dr. Robert Robbins delivers cutting-edge information on the state of research, the newest studies, and the latest treatment for cardiovascular disease. Specifically, he will focus on heart transplantation and the use of stem cells. (July 12, 2007)

Dr. Michael Longaker, Director or Childrens Surgical Research explains how regenerative, reparative, replacement and tissue engineering medicine represent an emerging field that holds great promise for core problems in medicine world wide. (June 28, 2007)

Dr. Michael Longaker, Director or Childrens Surgical Research explains how regenerative, reparative, replacement and tissue engineering medicine represent an emerging field that holds great promise for core problems in medicine world wide. (June 28, 2007)

Learn about the discovery that the genetic “hardware”—the genes and proteins that do the work—are for the most part dramatically similar among seemingly different animals. Most discoveries in one organism can be used to guide research in another.

Learn about the discovery that the genetic “hardware”—the genes and proteins that do the work—are for the most part dramatically similar among seemingly different animals. Most discoveries in one organism can be used to guide research in another.

Human embryonic stem cells are among the most promising, most complicated, and most controversial areas of contemporary biomedical research.

Human embryonic stem cells are among the most promising, most complicated, and most controversial areas of contemporary biomedical research.

With stops and starts, the marine environment of Monterey Bay has been improving—it is probably healthier and more natural than anytime in the previous two centuries. Though not pristine, it's an example of successful rebirth of an environment.

With stops and starts, the marine environment of Monterey Bay has been improving—it is probably healthier and more natural than anytime in the previous two centuries. Though not pristine, it's an example of successful rebirth of an environment.

Mark and Mary Lou talk about the current status of earthquake prediction efforts, including the potential for breakthroughs from exciting new experiments they are carrying out.

The 10th century “Archimedes Palimpsest” is the unique source for two of the great Greek's treatises. Some of the writings, hidden under gold forgeries, have recently been revealed at the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory at SLAC.

Mark and Mary Lou talk about the current status of earthquake prediction efforts, including the potential for breakthroughs from exciting new experiments they are carrying out.

The 10th century “Archimedes Palimpsest” is the unique source for two of the great Greek's treatises. Some of the writings, hidden under gold forgeries, have recently been revealed at the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory at SLAC.