Lars Steinmetz

Chair, Department of Genetics, Stanford University & Group Leader at EMBL

Lars Steinmetz is a prominent geneticist and researcher who recently assumed the role of Chair of the Department of Genetics at Stanford University School of Medicine on July 1, 2024.1 4 He is also the Dieter Schwarz Foundation Endowed Professor at Stanford.1 4

Academic and Professional Background

Dr. Steinmetz completed his undergraduate studies at Yale University, where he studied molecular biophysics and biochemistry.1 He then pursued his Ph.D. in genetics at Stanford Medicine under the guidance of Ronald Davis.1

After completing his doctoral studies, Steinmetz's career has been marked by significant achievements:

In 2003, he joined the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Heidelberg, Germany, where he led his own research group and co-founded the institution's first genome biology unit.1 3
He maintained a connection with Stanford as a visiting scholar at the Stanford Genome Technology Center.1
In 2013, he was appointed as a professor of genetics at Stanford Medicine.1 4
Since 2013, he has served as the Co-Director of the Stanford Genome Technology Center.4
In 2023, he became the Dieter Schwarz Foundation Endowed Professor at Stanford University.4 5

Research Focus

Steinmetz's research primarily centers on:

Discovery of new biology with implications for systems genetics and precision health.1
Development and application of genome analysis technologies.1
Investigation of the genetic basis of complex phenotypes.2
Study of gene regulation mechanisms.2
Exploration of molecular systems underpinning diseases.2

His work spans from fundamental biology to translational research, with a particular emphasis on synthetic biology and quantitative genetics.2

Achievements and Recognition

Throughout his career, Steinmetz has received several honors and awards, including:

ERC Advanced Investigator grants (twice) from the European Research Council.4
Ira Herskowitz Award from the Genetics Society of America in 2016.4
Membership in the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) since 2013.4

Leadership and Entrepreneurship

In addition to his academic roles, Steinmetz has demonstrated leadership in various capacities:

He directs the Life Science Alliance, a joint research initiative between Stanford and EMBL.2
He has served as the Director of Graduate Admissions for the Department of Genetics at Stanford.2
Steinmetz has co-founded three companies to further develop technologies created in his lab.2

As the new Chair of the Department of Genetics at Stanford Medicine, Steinmetz brings a unique global perspective and a track record of fostering productive collaborations across disciplines and institutions.1 2