"Shan Wang, Professor of Materials Science and Engineering and Electrical Engineering, has been appointed the fifth holder of the Leland T. Edwards Professorship.
Shan's work is remarkable both for its impact on society and for the way it captures the imagination of students and other faculty across a variety of areas. His current research explores the use of nano-sensors to detect cancer and other diseases, and he is also a leader in the field of information storage technologies. A few years ago, a group of his graduate students came up with a lab motto — “Make magnetics work for humankind, not vice versa!” — which Shan said was in part the students' tongue-in-cheek rebellion against their workload, and in part a pledge to focus on practical applications of their research. There’s no question that Shan's work is having an extraordinary impact across a range of fields.
The Leland T. Edwards Professorship was established in 1986 by William Edwards, a Stanford alumnus who played a key role in the development of Silicon Valley's venture capital industry. William wished to honor his father, Leland, by establishing a fund in support of Stanford faculty whose academic focus will lead to significant advances in technology. Previous holders of the professorship include Jens Nørskov, James Swartz, and Calvin Quate. Shan is a fitting addition to this group of illustrious individuals."
Excerpt from the Dean of Stanford's School of Engineering, Jennifer Widom's announcement - Oct. 22, 2018
