Stanley Jr., is an American educator, biomedical researcher and the president of Michigan State University.
He formerly served as the president of Stony Brook University.
Stanley is married to Ellen Li, a practicing gastroenterologist and active researcher.
On May 12, 2009 Stanley was named the fifth president of Stony Brook University, a position he formally assumed on July 1, 2009 making him the first physician to serve as Stony Brook University’s president.
Stanley is one of the founding directors of the Midwest Regional Center of Excellence for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases Research.On May 28, 2019, Stanley was named president of Michigan State University, commencing August 1.