Dr. Wah Chiu

Professor

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Biography

Wah Chiu is a Wallenberg-Bienenstock Professor of Bioengineering and Microbiology Immunology at Stanford University. He is a pioneer in the development of methodologies for cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM). Chiu's work has significantly advanced the structural determination of molecular machines at atomic resolution. His laboratory has successfully resolved cryo-EM structures of various biological entities, including viruses and membrane proteins. Chiu continues to enhance testing and characterization protocols for cryo-EM instrumentation, and he is currently developing cryogenic electron tomography (cryo-ET) to determine near-atomic resolution structures of molecular complexes in situ. Over his academic career, Chiu has collaborated with scientists worldwide to enhance the understanding of critical biological processes such as protein folding, virus assembly and disassembly, and signal transduction.

Research Interests

Experience

Professor

2018-01-01 — Present

Stanford University • Stanford, California

Wallenberg-Bienenstock Professor in Bioengineering and Microbiology Immunology.

Professor

2018-01-01 — Present

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory • Menlo Park, California

Director of Division CryoEM Bioimaging.

Awards

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M.J. Buerger Award

2021-01-01
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Inaugural Wallenberg-Bienenstock Professor

2020-01-01
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Elected Member

2012-01-01
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Distinguished Scientist Award

2014-01-01
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Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy

2014-01-01
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Elected Academician

2008-01-01
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Barbara Corbin J. Robertson Jr. Presidential Award for Excellence in Education

2015-01-01
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Elected Member

2013-01-01
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Distinguished Faculty Award

2013-01-01
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Distinguished Service Professorship

2010-01-01
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Achievement Award

2011-01-01
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Presidential Award

2006-01-01
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Research Fellow

1999-01-01
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Alexander von Humboldt Research Prize

1996-01-01
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Guggenheim Fellow

1986-01-01
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Presidential Scholar

1974-01-01
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Award of Merit

1972-01-01

Courses

BIOE 320 BIOE 191 BIOE 392 BIOPHYS 399 BIOE 391 BIOPHYS 300 MI 399 BIOE 299B PHYSICS 490 CHEM 200 CHEM 301 MI 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.