Dr. Sergiu Pasca

Professor

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Biography

Sergiu P. Pasca is the Kenneth T. Norris, Jr. Professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University, where he also serves as the Bonnie Uytengsu Family Director of the Stanford Brain Organogenesis Program. His research focuses on understanding the intricate programs that underlie the development and assembly of the human brain, particularly in the context of various brain disorders. By creating 3D cellular structures derived from human pluripotent stem cells, known as brain region-specific spheroids and assembloids, he aims to gain mechanistic insights into the genetic and environmental factors influencing brain development and disease. His laboratory employs advanced imaging and stimulation techniques to study neural circuit formation and functional properties of these cellular models. Dr. Pasca has been awarded several prestigious honors, including the NIH MERIT Award and the Eva King Killam Research Award. He is actively involved in the scientific community, promoting open collaboration and sharing of technologies across laboratories worldwide.

Research Interests

Experience

Professor

2019-01-01 — Present

Stanford University • Stanford, CA, US

Member of the Faculty Fellow and Uytengsu Family Director of the Stanford Brain Organogenesis Program.

Associate Division Chief

2020-01-01 — Present

Stanford University School of Medicine • Stanford, CA, US

Leading initiatives related to Advancing Science.

Director

2018-01-01 — Present

Physician-Scientist Advanced Mentorship Program • Stanford, CA, US

Directed programs fostering mentorship among physician-scientists.

Director

2015-01-01 — Present

Stanford Neuroscience Stem Cell Core • Stanford, CA, US

Managed the Stem Cell Core at the Wu Tsai Neuroscience Institute.

Awards

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NIH MERIT Award

2025-01-01
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Eva King Killam Research Award

2024-01-01
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Schaller Award Translational Neuroscience

2024-01-01
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ISSCR Momentum Award

2024-01-01
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Doctor Honoris Causa (D.H.C.)

2023-01-01
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Sumitomo/Sunovion Prize

2023-01-01
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Knight Order Merit

2023-01-01
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Blavatnik Award Finalist

2023-01-01
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Innovation & Science Award

2023-01-01
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CZ Biohub Investigator

2022-01-01
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Highly Cited Researcher

2021-01-01
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Joseph Altman Award

2021-01-01
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Judson Daland Prize

2021-01-01
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Schizophrenia Basic Research Award

2021-01-01
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Theodore Reich Award

2021-01-01
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C.J. Herrick Award

2020-01-01
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Falling Walls Breakthrough Life Sciences Prize

2020-01-01
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Ben Barres Investigator

2019-01-01
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Nature Medicine’s Featured Physician-Scientists

2019-01-01
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A.E. Bennett Award

2018-01-01
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Daniel H. Efron Award

2018-01-01
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Günter Blobel Award

2018-01-01
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Vilcek Award Creative Biomedical Promise

2018-01-01
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Jordi Folch-Pi Award

2017-01-01
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NARSAD Independent Investigator Award

2017-01-01
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NIH Top Research Highlights

2017-01-01
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Top Breakthroughs

2017-01-01
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Baxter Faculty Scholar Award

2015-01-01
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NIMH Director's BRAINS Award

2015-01-01
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MQ Fellow Award Transforming Mental Health

2014-01-01
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Alumni Excellence Research Award

2013-01-01
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Grand Prize Romanian Student Abroad

2013-01-01
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NARSAD Young Investigator Award

2013-01-01
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Postdoctoral Research Award

2012-01-01
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Sammy Kuo Award

2012-01-01
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Tashia & John Morgridge Endowed Fellow

2010-01-01
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IBRO Outstanding Research Fellow

2009-01-01
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Medical Student Year

2006-01-01

Patents

Assembly functionally integrated human forebrain spheroids methods use thereof

10,676,715 2020-06-09

Innovative methods for the assembly and use of human forebrain spheroids.

https://patents.uspto.gov/patent/10,676,715

Functional astrocytes cortical neurons induced pluripotent stem cells methods use thereof

10,494,602 2019-12-03

Methods utilizing induced pluripotent stem cells to derive functional astrocytes and cortical neurons.

https://patents.uspto.gov/patent/10,494,602

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.