Advising

Academic Advising

The MLAS program is committed to providing a collaborative and supportive advising experience that fosters academic achievement, professional growth, and career development.

Upon admission, students are paired with advisors based on their selected program pathway.

Thesis Track: Students are matched with a faculty advisor whose research interests align with their academic and professional goals. This faculty mentor serves as the student's primary research advisor throughout the program, providing guidance on research design, thesis development, academic planning, and career preparation.

Non-Thesis Track: Students are advised by the Student Services Officer, Program Director, and designated program faculty, who provide guidance on academic planning, professional development, and the successful completion of quarter-long applied projects. Students may also work with project supervisors at Stanford or partnering organizations during individual project rotations.

All students are required to meet with Faculty advisors and Student Services Officer at least once each quarter to review academic progress, discuss professional goals, and support the development of the student's Individual Development Plan (IDP). Students and advisors are encouraged to meet regularly throughout the year to discuss coursework, research or project experiences, career exploration, and professional development opportunities.

Successful advising is a shared responsibility. Students are expected to actively engage in the advising relationship by seeking guidance, communicating regularly with their advisor or mentor, and maintaining familiarity with program policies, degree requirements, and academic milestones. To foster a productive mentoring relationship, students and advisors should periodically review expectations and maintain open, respectful, and professional communication.

The Student Services Officer monitors each student's academic progress and the completion of program requirements. Detailed information regarding degree requirements, academic milestones, and advising expectations is available throughout the program website and MLAS Handbook

In addition to faculty mentorship, students are encouraged to work closely with the department's Student Services Officer, who can connect them with Stanford resources that support academic success, career planning, health and wellness, and professional development.

Additionally, the program adheres to the advising guidelines and responsibilities listed by the Office of the Vice Provost for Graduate Education opens in a new tab (VPGE), at Graduate Academic Policies opens in a new tab (GAP), and at Graduate Advising.

For more information regarding Graduate Student Advising and Postdoctoral/Resident Mentoring, contact the following people:

• Graduate Student Advising: Venessa Juarez (Student Services Officer), venessaj@stanford.edu

• Program Director: Megan Albertelli (Comparative Medicine Chair),megan.albertelli@stanford.edu

• Program Co-Director: Jose Vilches-Moure, jvilches@stanford.edu

• Postdoctoral Student/Residents: David Bentzel (Laboratory Animal Medicine Residency Director), dbentzel@stanford.edu

• Postdoctoral/Resident: Katherine Gates (Resident and Trainee Wellness Advisor), kvgates@stanford.edu