The Wu Tsai Human Performance Alliance Undergraduate Research Program
Almost all of what we know about health comes from the study of disease or injury. The Wu Tsai Human Performance Alliance takes the opposite approach: we are studying peak human performance, with the goal of enabling all people to achieve optimal health and well-being. This collaborative effort brings together multiple disciplines, including biology, psychology, engineering, and medicine to understand and advance human health. We will translate these scientific discoveries into practical approaches that improve the performance of all individuals.
The Wu Tsai Human Performance Alliance Undergraduate Research Program is an opportunity open to all Stanford undergraduate students to explore the field of human performance through a research experience. Through the program, students will:
- Participate in the course, “Design Thinking for Research in Human Performance'' (Spring, no prerequisites) to learn about the field of human performance and the research process, to engage with expert faculty, and write a proposal for summer research.
- Performance mentors as part of a full time, in-person, 10-week fellowship in the summer. See examples of past research projects.
- Join a diverse community of leaders, researchers, and trainees who are passionate about improving human performance and supporting others in entering this field.
Join us for a seminar on human performance and a chance to meet potential faculty mentors.
Students must apply in collaboration with at least one faculty member.
All Stanford undergraduate students are welcome to apply. Students who do not have previous research experience or are from groups underrepresented in academia are particularly encouraged to apply.
Undergraduate students must agree to participate in all program elements, including:
- Two-unit spring quarter course “Design Thinking in Human Performance Research” where they will write a research proposal for planned summer research.
- 10 weeks of full-time (40 hrs/week), in-person research in the student’s host lab(s) during the summer, with a $7500 stipend.
- In-person participation in weekly meetings on campus throughout the summer.
- Research Symposium presentation at the end of the summer.
Students must be current undergraduates in good standing at Stanford:
- Students may not be on a Leave of Absence (LOA) while using grant funding. LOA Students may apply for funding only if they will return from leave and meet all other eligibility requirements by the beginning of the funded project.
- Students will be eligible for full time project support only in the summer quarter. “Full-time” means that the student’s only major commitment is the project; students are expected to spend 40 hours per week over the entire 10-week period on the project, and are expected to be in-person in their lab.
We will review all completed applications on the potential of:
- the proposed research to advance the science of human performance
- the proposed project and mentorship to develop deep scientific inquiry and rigor within the student, as well as train and support them for a career in human performance
- the student to contribute to the program’s scholarship, community, and growth
