Daniel Herschlag

Professor Daniel Herschlag, Ph.D., is a Professor of Biochemistry and, by courtesy, of Chemical Engineering, at Stanford University.

The overarching goal of Herschlag's research is to understand the fundamental behavior of RNA and proteins and, in turn, how these behaviors determine and impact biology and how it has evolved. His lab takes an interdisciplinary approach, spanning and integrating physics, chemistry and biology, and employing a wide range of techniques. He has identified new concepts in macromolecular folding, in RNA and protein catalysis, and in molecular evolution, and he has uncovered new principles of cellular RNA processing and organization.

Herschlag, whose research is highly collaborative and multi-disciplinary, has been recognized at Stanford and nationally for his mentoring. He is passionate about graduate education and postdoctoral training. Former trainees include faculty at research and teaching institutions, scientists in biotechnology, and individuals who have pursued creative career paths.

He has been at Stanford for 30 years, following graduate work at Brandeis with W.P. Jencks and postdoctoral work at the University of Colorado with Tom Cech.