Publications

The increasing adoption of digital health technologies has amplified the need for robust, interoperable solutions to manage complex healthcare data. We present the Spezi Data Pipeline, an open-source Python toolkit designed to streamline the analysis of digital health data, from secure access and retrieval to processing, visualization, and export. The Pipeline is integrated into the larger Stanford Spezi open-source ecosystem for developing research and translational digital health software systems. Leveraging HL7 FHIR-based data representations, the pipeline enables standardized handling of diverse data types--including sensor-derived observations, ECG recordings, and clinical questionnaires--across research and clinical environments. We detail the modular system architecture and demonstrate its application using real-world data from the PAWS at Stanford University, in which the pipeline facilitated efficient extraction, transformation, and clinician-driven review of Apple Watch ECG data, supporting annotation and comparative analysis alongside traditional monitors. By reducing the need for bespoke development and enhancing workflow efficiency, the Spezi Data Pipeline advances the scalability and interoperability of digital health research, ultimately supporting improved care delivery and patient outcomes.

Whether you’re an engineer or a reporter or an editor or whatever else, no department exists on a discrete, isometric island here, Matthew Turk ’24 writes as he reflects on his four years at The Daily.

Stanford’s Ways of Thinking/Ways of Doing system for undergraduate breadth requirements allows students to choose from a set of nearly 2,000 approved courses to count toward their degree. Although the Ways system has been in effect for a decade now, disparities remain in the number of Ways-approved courses across departments and the categories of Ways requirements. Social Inquiry is the most widely available Ways credit, as opposed to Ethical Reasoning, which is more than five times as scarce, The Daily found in an analysis of ExploreCourses for 2023–24. Additionally, some students expressed an appreciation of Ways and the courses it guided them to discover, as well as concern over balancing breadth with major-specific requirements, which can range from 55 to 116 units of core and depth depending on the program.

The Data Editors introduce “Embark,” The Daily’s special print issue on admissions, and reflect on the transition to college and Stanford’s role in our lives.

Certain research on biological and chemical systems — such as sustainable manufacturing, ultrafast computing and pharmaceuticals — can only be done today using high-powered lasers like the newly built LCLS-II, which will be in service and available to researchers in November.

A seminar hosted by the Hoover Institution underscored cooperation with national allies for a secure, sustainable transition to a clean energy future and warned attendees of a political model in China that “denies individual freedom.”

Stanford’s Wi-Fi network has grown in capacity by more than 3,000% since it was first installed in 2001. An analysis by The Daily found the network generally meets the U.S. Federal Communications Commission’s recommendations, with an observed mean download speed of roughly 100 megabits per second and median of 69 megabits per second, reflecting day-to-day variability.

The Faculty Senate broke from a 102-year precedent of shared governance at Stanford last month by passing a motion to allow exam proctoring. The Undergraduate Senate will vote on Tuesday on a set of proposals by the Committee of 12, which could supersede the Faculty Senate’s motion while temporarily permitting proctoring strictly for research purposes; if these proposals fail, the Faculty Senate’s proctoring motion will be enacted in the fall.

In her time at Princeton University’s Pace Center for Civic Engagement, Yi-Ching Ong oversaw more than 300 public service internships and fellowships per year while spearheading a flagship civic learning program. Now, Ong is set to join the Haas Center starting July 17.