Dr. Maria Barna

Associate Professor

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Biography

Maria Barna is an Associate Professor in the Department of Genetics at Stanford University. She obtained her B.A. in Anthropology from New York University and her Ph.D. in Molecular Cellular Biology from Cornell University, Weill Graduate School of Medicine, where she conducted her thesis work under Dr. Lee Niswander at the Sloan Kettering Institute. After completing her doctoral studies, she was appointed as a UCSF Fellow through the Sandler Fellows program, supporting promising young scientists in establishing independent research. Barna has received numerous honors, including the Pew Scholar award, Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship, and the Rosalind Franklin Young Investigator Award. Her research encompasses the intricate control of gene expression and cell signaling. By utilizing advanced techniques in mass spectrometry, computational biology, and genomics, her lab studies ribosome-mediated gene expression control during cellular differentiation and development. This research has expanded our understanding of ribosome heterogeneity and its influence on gene regulation. She has also developed innovative bioengineering tools to manipulate cellular interactions in vivo, aimed at exploring cell signaling and communication within developing organs.

Research Interests

Awards

#2019

RNA Society Early Career Award

2019-01-01
#2017

Harland Winfield Mossman Award

2017-01-01
#2017

Inaugural Elizabeth Hay Award

2017-01-01
#2017

Tsuneko Reiji 'Okazaki' Award

2017-01-01
#2016

American Society for Cell Biology Emerging Leader Prize

2016-01-01
#2016

Robertson Stem Cell Investigator

2016-01-01
#2016

Rosalind Franklin Young Investigator Award

2016-01-01
#2015

Kavli Frontiers of Science Fellow

2015-01-01
#2014

Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellow

2014-01-01
#2014

Mallinckrodt Foundation Award

2014-01-01
#2014

Pew Scholars Award

2014-01-01
#2014

Top '40 Under 40'

2014-01-01
#2011

NIH Director’s New Innovator Award

2011-01-01
#2010

Basil O’Connor Scholar Research Award

2010-01-01

Courses

DBIO 299 GENE 299 DBIO 399 GENE 399 DBIO 370 GENE 370 BIO 199X GENE 260 DBIO 199 GENE 199

Requirements for Stanford University

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.5
TOEFL
Listening
Required:26
Reading
Required:26
Writing
Required:26
Speaking
Required:26
Total
Required:100
GRE General
Verbal
Required:160
Quantitative
Required:165
Analytical Writing
Required:4.5
Overall
Required:4.5
Prerequisites
Bachelor degree from an accredited institution Strong background in mathematics and programming
Application Checklist
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Official transcripts
  • Resume/CV
Specialization Notes

The Computer Science department emphasizes research potential. GRE General is currently optional but recommended for some tracks.