On April 23, 2006, President Bush announced his support for more widespread research into hydrogen energy sources. Hydrogen, he proclaimed, is "the fuel of the future." The federal government has committed more than $1 billion for hydrogen research and development over the next five years. It is hoped that we will meet the President's goal of replacing more than 75% of imported oil from the Middle East by 2025.
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How is this type of cutting-edge science possible? Stanford has a cross-discipline philosophy that breeds new breakthroughs that could not be conceived in just a single department. Stanford has quickly realized the powerful potential of mixing the different disciplines in science - including biology, medicine, engineering, physics, math, computers, etc. - and encourages these crosses, creating some of the most inventive technologies ever imagined.
The mixing of scientific disciplines in recent years has led to an exponential growth of scientific developments, raising ethical questions never before faced, and not easily answered, especially in the absence of an extensive knowledge of science. Many of the promising benefits and powerful tools of science can be misunderstood without a well-rounded education of them. Stanford Scientific Magazine was created in part to educate the Stanford community and the general public alike to current scientific research, simultaneously providing knowledge from which readers can address the important scientific issues of today.
Stanford Scientific Magazine is an entirely student-run organization. Since its inception in 2002, it has grown to an unprecedented 30+ articles this issue, showcasing some of the latest projects in Stanford biology, medicine, engineering, computer science, physics, and other related fields. With suggestions from outside students and faculty, we are continuously evolving. Since our last issue, we've made substantial changes to our magazine layout and content.
This issue would not have been possible without the dedication of our team of 65 graduate and undergraduate student volunteers. Together, we are working hard to make the Stanford Scientific Magazine a leading science publication that presents Stanford's ground-breaking advances across the nation, and, one day, throughout the globe.
We hope you will be educated, entertained, and inspired.
Sincerely,
Tania Rojas & Tammy Doukas
Editors-in-Chief