Piece Work

As head of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Brooksley Born warned a decade ago that lack of oversight in the derivatives market could lead to economic disaster. Why didn t anyone listen?

by Rick Schmitt

Gliding a few hundred feet above the African continent in a contraption of his own design, photographer George Steinmetz produces images of beauty and wonder. And once in a while he goes headfirst into a sand dune.

by Katherine Seligman

In an excerpt from his new memoir, Stanford in Turmoil , former provost and president Richard Lyman analyzes the events surrounding a student takeover of Encina Hall in 1969, and reflects on a divisive era.

Ram's Head and its annual Gaieties variety show have been doing send-ups and put-downs for 100 years. A look at a Stanford tradition's amusing history.

by Karen Springen

Staying one step ahead of hackers has made Paul Kocher, '95, and his Stanford-laden team at Cryptography Research a world leader in securing digital data. Their technology protects everything from Blu-ray discs to credit card purchases.

by Ann Marsh

Andrew Luck is heralded as a major talent, a "franchise guy" capable of transforming a team. And he's also a pretty good football player.

by Mike Antonucci

Looking for a holiday gift with a special connection? Check out these products conceived, designed or manufactured by Stanford alumni.

Using optical technology to switch neurons on and off, Karl Deisseroth is strengthening our understanding of how the brain works, and exploring pathways into the mind.

by Kara Platoni

Imagine a camera that could learn how to take better pictures. Marc Levoy has developed one, and it may represent the next revolution in photography.

by Kate Greene

During a pathbreaking career in business, A. Barry Rand grew accustomed to beating the odds. His next big hurdle: mobilizing a national movement to improve the lives of aging people.

by Rick Schmitt