Opening of new James H. Clark Center Enables Interdisciplinary Bio-X Program to Link 23 Stanford University Departments

The James H. Clark Center at Stanford University is the hub for the Bio-X Program, one of the most radical experiments in scientific research in the world. The 146,000 square foot building provides facilities for 700 academics from 23 different University departments working within dynamic teams.

Inside the James H. Clark Center on the day of its dedication, October 24, 2003

(Photo: L.A. Cicero)

In May of 1998 a group of Stanford faculty, led by James Spudich, joined forces to create a bold enterprise that would facilitate interdisciplinary research and teaching in the areas of bioengineering, biomedicine, and biosciences.

The program—known informally as Bio-X—would operate across the schools of Humanities and Sciences, Engineering, Medicine, Earth Sciences and Law. In September of 1998, then Provost Condoleezza Rice and Vice Provost Charles Kruger created a planning committee consisting of faculty from the five schools. This group developed the Bio-X Program and oversaw the design of a radical new building, now called the James H. Clark Center.

Today, the Stanford University Bio-X Program supports, organizes, and facilitates multidisciplinary research in the fields of biology and medicine.

Ideas and methods embodied in engineering, computer science, physics, chemistry, and other fields are being brought to bear upon important challenges in bioscience. In turn, bioscience creates new opportunities in other fields. Significant discoveries and creative inventions are accelerated through the formation of new collaborative teams.

Students and faculty are broadening and enriching their training in science and technology to more fully integrate fields, departments, and schools at Stanford. Educational events for Bio-X participants and for the public are planned to promote thoughtful discussions of social and ethical issues connected with scientific advances.

Bio-X aims to make Stanford the most exciting place in the world to combine a broad range of scientific and engineering disciplines in biosciences research and to train the next generation of leaders.