Get to know Amanda Espinoza — Operations Manager, Microbiome Therapies Initiative (MITI)
A true jack of all trades, Amanda Espinoza is the one steering the administrative ship at the Stanford Microbiome Therapies Initiative (MITI) – a partnership between Sarafan ChEM-H and the Department of Bioengineering. MITI’s goal is to create tools to engineer the microbiome and enable new treatment options for diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, liver disease, autoimmune disease, and cancer. As the Operations Manager of this ambitious initiative led by Michael Fischbach, Amanda keeps the team on track ensuring all aspects of operations including research collaborations, contracts, and more run smoothly.
We interviewed her to learn about her (nonlinear) path to the MITI, her passions outside of work that keep her active, and why she loves working for a team that’s churning out impactful research and pushing scientific boundaries to improve human health.
Can you share a bit about yourself, including your professional background?
My background is a bit unconventional. I earned a degree in Human Resources Management and spent eight years in nonprofit housing, where I loved working with families and positively impacting their lives. When a corporate role became the next step, I realized it wasn’t for me – I wanted something dynamic with room to grow. That’s what led me to academia. At Stanford, I started as an Administrative Assistant supporting multiple labs, including Professor Michael Fischbach’s, and eventually transitioned to supporting his lab full time, which naturally led me to MITI in 2023.
Tell us about your role at the MITI.
At MITI, I wear many hats! I manage the administrative side of research collaborations, handling agreements, contracts, and operations. One of the best parts of my role is being able to support both the Fischbach lab and MITI, thanks to the natural crossover between the two. I help keep things organized, act as a liaison, and jump in where I’m needed to help the team stay efficient. With things always evolving, I’m excited to be a part of such a passionate and driven group.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
What I love most is the team and how they bring science to life. I won’t pretend to understand all the details, but they’re great at breaking things down in a way that makes it click. When it does, it’s truly fascinating. The potential impact this research could have on medicine is huge! Even though I’m not a scientist, it’s incredibly exciting to be part of such groundbreaking work and contribute to something so innovative and meaningful.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Listen to understand and lead with love. It cuts through the noise, helps me see different perspectives, and makes solving problems easier. It’s a simple but effective way to build stronger, more positive relationships, personally and professionally.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I’m all about jiu jitsu – it’s like playing chess, but with your body. It keeps me active, competitive and honestly, it’s so much fun. I also help coach kids, which is a blast and super rewarding to watch them grow and improve on the mat.
