Stefan Velculescu

Introduction Click to copy section linkSection link copied! Amino acids and peptides form an important group of compounds used in a wide range of fields such as medicine, (1,2) materials, (3) and catalysis. (4,5) While the 20 proteinogenic amino acids provide a surprisingly large scope of biological function, many of these synthetic applications require side-chain structures with greater functional group diversity.

Introductory classes are the foundation of Stanford’s undergraduate experience. They form the basis for students to succeed in future courses and determine a major, and many fulfill important WAYS requirements as well. This year, though, introductory classes’ large enrollment numbers have made them uniquely challenged by the move to virtual learning.

With Election Day imminent, Stanford students are struck with intense emotions ranging from fear and anxiety to hope, with these sentiments piling on in an already fraught year at Stanford and in the U.S. The setup has led some instructors and students, considering the potential effects on their academic performance, to look to academic accommodations. While the Faculty Senate decided not to designate Election Day as a campus-wide holiday, they urged professors to cancel class or record lectures.