Students bringing emerging technologies to advance neuroscience discovery and human health
The NeuroTech training program is designed to immerse first and second-year PhD students from technical disciplines including Electrical Engineering, BioEngineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Statistics, Materials Science and Engineering, Applied Physics, and Physics into the emerging field of Neurotechnology. As a NeuroTech trainee, you will spend two years immersed in coursework, research, seminars and travel opportunities designed to introduce you to the unique questions and challenges facing the field of neuroscience, so you can apply your technical skills to advancing neuroscience discovery and human health. Working together with NeuroTeach Cohort Mentors and fellow trainees, NeuroTech students prepare to tackle these challenges and become leaders in the emerging field of Neurotechnology.
NeuroTech Program
Apply by May 6, 2024 at 5:00pm PST
The NeuroTech training program is only available to students who have already begun their PhD program at Stanford. If you are not currently a Stanford student, please follow the normal application procedures for the PhD program of your choice, and consider joining the Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute mailing list here to learn more about seminars, symposia and other events.
Join us for an information session on April 22 : NeuroTech Information Session
“Technology advances have revolutionized how we study the nervous system and how we treat brain disorders. We fully expect this trend to continue, and our training program is focused on bringing top talent from engineering, physics and other technical disciplines into neuroscience to make this future possible."
“Technology advances have revolutionized how we study the nervous system and how we treat brain disorders. We fully expect this trend to continue, and our training program is focused on bringing top talent from engineering, physics and other technical disciplines into neuroscience to make this future possible."
Your Neurotech Experience
Your NeuroTech experience can begin as early as in the fall quarter of the first year of your PhD with the Experimental Immersion in Neuroscience course, where you can explore if neurotechnology research matches your interests and goals. Then, after formally applying to the NeuroTech training program in the spring of your first or second year, your NeuroTech training will begin in the following year of your PhD, and last two years.
As a NeuroTech trainee student, you will:
- Have access to NeuroTech Cohort Mentorship to support your research project, scientific and technical training, and academic, professional and career goals
- Participate in NeuroTech Training Seminars to deepen your neuroscience knowledge and practice scientific, communication, leadership, business and interpersonal skills;
- Engage in community building activities with your cohort and the larger Stanford neuroscience community;
Diversity and Inclusion
The NeuroTech Training Program supports diversity among researchers in the neurosciences. We encourage all interested students, and particularly people from backgrounds underrepresented in STEM, to apply to this program., ,. We are committed to supporting the success of students from all backgrounds through a combination of mentorship and community building, and a commitment to aiding trainees in developing the skills needed to succeed in academia and industry. This includes providing opportunities for all students to learn more about both the obstacles that certain communities face, and about the value of inclusive and diverse collaborations.
Community Engagement
NeuroTech trainees have access to a variety of community engagement activities to aid them in building personal connections with other interdisciplinary scientists and achieving their research, training and career goals. See below for details on how to engage in these activities.
Seminars and symposia
The Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute’s Center for Mind, Brain, Computation and Technology (MBCT) hosts a seminar series throughout the year and an annual Symposiumthat reflect the diversity of scientific approaches for studying the mind and brain. These scientific events include a mix of Stanford faculty, faculty from other institutions and researchers outside of academia.
Student leadership opportunities
Under the umbrella of the Center for Mind, Brain, Computation and Technology, NeuroTech students have the possibility of engaging in three committees:
- The Student Advisory Council, which has the goal of enabling greater student input into the direction of the center;
- The MBCT Seminar Series Committee, which takes the lead in soliciting speaker nominations from the community, inviting speakers and hosting their visits to campus. Additionally, students host the speakers for the annual Symposium.
- The MBCT Social Committee, which brings together students for fun and informal gatherings, including planning events with other interdisciplinary graduate training programs on campus.
Trainee support
NeuroTech trainees have access to a variety of professional development opportunities that aid them in building personal connections with other interdisciplinary scientists and achieving their research, training and career goals. See below for details on how to engage in these activities.
Mentorship
Each NeuroTech student is assigned one dedicated NeuroTech Cohort Mentor to receive complementary guidance and support.
Financial support
Over the course of the two-year program, all trainees in good standing receive $2,500 per year to use for research and/or travel expenses. These funds can be used to support travel to conferences or workshops and/or to offset any laboratory-related expenses.