Dr. Michael Lin

Professor

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Biography

Michael Lin is a Professor in the Department of Neurobiology and holds a courtesy appointment in the Department of Bioengineering at Stanford University. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree summa cum laude in Biochemical Sciences from Harvard University, followed by a PhD in Biological and Biomedical Sciences from Harvard Medical School, where he studied signal transduction pathways under the mentorship of Michael Greenberg. He completed his MD training at UCLA and pursued postdoctoral research at UCSD in the lab of Roger Tsien. Lin's research focuses on translational synthetic biology, developing innovative technologies to investigate in vivo biology and enhance molecular medicine. His contributions include pioneering viral proteases and protease inhibitors to regulate protein functions, co-creating cofactor-independent photoswitchable proteins, and engineering fluorescent voltage-sensing proteins for probing neuronal circuit signaling. Lin's work has led to discoveries in non-invasive imaging using luciferase-based reporters and the engineering of synthetic signaling pathways to rewire cancer signaling for therapeutic purposes.

Research Interests

Awards

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Burroughs Wellcome Career Award

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Damon Runyon-Rachleff Cancer Innovation Award

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Pioneer Award

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Roger Tsien Award for Excellence in Chemical Biology

Courses

BIOE 191 BIOE 392 NEPR 299 PEDS 299 BIOE 391 PEDS 280 NEPR 399 PEDS 399 PEDS 370 BIO 300X PEDS 199 BIOE 231 BIOE 331

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.