Stephen Quake studied physics (BS '91) and mathematics (MS '91) at Stanford University before earning his doctorate in physics from Oxford University as a Marshall scholar ('94). Thereafter, as a postdoc in Nobel Laureate Steven Chu’s group at Stanford, he developed techniques to manipulate single DNA molecules with optical tweezers. In 1996 Steve joined the faculty of Caltech, where he was ultimately appointed Thomas and Doris Everhart Professor of Applied Physics and Physics. In 2004 he returned to Stanford to help launch a new Department of Bioengineering, where he is the Lee Otterson Professor and co-chair. Steve has received Career and First awards from the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health (NIH), was a Packard Fellow, was awarded an NIH Director's Pioneer Award, and is an investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. He is a founder and scientific advisory board chair of Fluidigm, Inc. and Helicos Biosciences, Inc. About TEDx, x = independently organized event: In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized