We are a lab exploring how variations in the genome change the structure and development of the brain, and in doing so, create risk for neuropsychiatric disorders. We study genetic effects on multiple aspects of the human brain, from macroscale phenotypes like gross human brain structure measured with MRI, cytoarchitectural phenotypes like the organization of cells in the cortex, to molecular phenotypes like gene expression and chromatin accessibility measured with genome-sequencing technologies. We use iPSC-derived organoids and neural progenitor cells, modifiable and high fidelity model systems, as well as mouse models to understand how disease-associated variants affect brain development.

The Stein lab started in January 2016 as part of the Department of Genetics and UNC Neuroscience Center at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine . We are actively recruiting creative thinkers with strong motivation to pursue genetics research applied to questions in neural development and neuropsychiatric illness. Molecular biologists and geneticists interested in large-scale, well-powered projects as well as statistical and computational thinkers interested in applying their skill sets to genetics and neuroscience are both encouraged to join.