Stanford Bioengineering Announces 2025 Staff Award Recipients
Each year, the Bioengineering Staff Awards recognize the incredible individuals who help Stanford Bioengineering thrive. As we look back on a year marked by innovation through collaboration, we’re excited to shine a light on the staff whose contributions make a lasting impact on our community.
Nominated by their peers and chosen by a committee of external School of Engineering staff and department leadership, this year’s recipients exemplify the core values of innovation, leadership, and excellence. We are proud to recognize them for their remarkable contributions.
Innovation & Creativity Award
Joanne Au, Administrative Associate
The Innovation and Creativity Award recognizes an individual who introduces innovative ideas or solutions that significantly improve departmental operations or services, demonstrates creativity in problem-solving, and promotes a culture of continuous improvement.
Joanne leads by example in fostering a culture of continuous improvement, encouraging her colleagues to think creatively and find more effective ways to approach their work. Her leadership on the Admin Excellence Project resulted in the creation of over 15 administrative job aids that streamlined processes and improved efficiency in daily staff operations. Additionally, Joanne spearheaded the development of our department’s new internal Professional Development page, establishing a valuable resource where staff can explore training, tools, and mentorship programs. Joanne is also deeply committed to building community both within the department and across the university, through her role in organizing events as the co-chair of the Bioengineering Morale Committee and serving as a member of the School of Engineering (SoE) Connect Committee. Additionally, she serves as a board member of the Cardinal Women Network (CWoN), which aims to build an inclusive and supportive network for staff women throughout Stanford. Joanne brings genuine enthusiasm to everything she does, managing her commitments and daily responsibilities with professionalism and care.
Leadership & Mentorship Award
Linny Le, Associate Director of Finance
The Leadership & Mentorship Award recognizes an individual who shows exceptional leadership qualities and guides team members toward success, acts as a mentor and role model, provides support and guidance to colleagues, and fosters a collaborative and inclusive work environment.
Linny is known as a steady, thoughtful leader who brings both clarity and heart to everything she does. As the lead of the finance team, she skillfully manages complex challenges while actively mentoring her team. She provides ongoing training and development to ensure her team has the tools and knowledge needed to support administrators, faculty, and students effectively. Linny has a talent for explaining complex topics in a calm, thoughtful, and even humorous way, which makes her a trusted resource, not just for her team, but for the entire Bioengineering community. Even with a packed schedule, she always makes time for meaningful conversations, reminding us what it looks like to lead with both excellence and care. Linny’s presence is deeply felt across the department, and her impact, through mentorship, collaboration, and kindness, continues to inspire those around her.
Outstanding Achievement Award
Helen Dang, Science Program Manager
The Outstanding Achievement: Going for the Gold Award recognizes an individual who achieves significant accomplishments that have a positive impact on the department, demonstrates excellence in their field of expertise, produces high-quality work, and is recognized by peers and supervisors for their contributions and achievements.
As the department’s first science program manager, Helen has made a meaningful and lasting impact, both within the department and across the university. She has played a central role in growing the Stanford Synthetic Biology Initiative, bringing it to life through her focus on art, communication, and community building. Known for her creativity and collaborative spirit, Helen has led the planning of seminars, symposiums, and interdisciplinary showcases that regularly attract hundreds of participants. Last year, she co-organized the Synthetic Biology for Sustainability Symposium with leadership from three Stanford schools—an event that brought together an interdisciplinary community of students and leaders in the field. Helen also created a space for students to share their research in an engaging and accessible way. Her “Science in 60 Seconds” social media series breaks down complex topics into short, easy-to-understand videos, making science feel more inclusive and relatable to broader audiences. Helen approaches every project with heart, creativity, and a collaborative spirit that uplifts those around her, always “going for the gold.”
