Bioengineering Department
The Schools of Engineering and Medicine establish a Department of Bioengineering, the first-ever joint department at Stanford. The new department hosts faculty from both schools and will grant both undergraduate and graduate degrees.

MERL Building Opens
The Mechanical Engineering Research Laboratory (MERL) opens, housing research and teaching programs in advanced manufacturing and design, biomechanical engineering, combustion science, microscale engineering, project-based instruction, and undergraduate research. Engineering Alumni Relations hosts a MERL Open House during Reunion Weekend for alumni and friends.

Advanced Materials Initiative
The Stanford Materials Council announces the launch of an Advanced Materials Initiative, whose purpose is to widely expand current materials research goals, with a fundamental component being the creation of centralized instrumentation facilities. Five proposed labs will be shared both by faculty and students as well as by outside academic and industry users.

Career Development Program for Engineering Alumni
In response to the economic climate and feedback from alumni, Engineering Alumni Relations initiates a series of career development programs. Alumni flock to the program, which includes career workshops, a job fair, and an online Engineering Job Digest.

GCEP Launch
Stanford announces a new initiative called the Global Climate and Energy Project (GCEP). GCEP brings scientific researchers and private sector companies together to find solutions to global energy and climate needs. Scientific researchers from Stanford and around the world will work with the private sector sponsors to develop technologies to create a global energy system and lower greenhouse emissions.