Lars M. Steinmetz
Dieter Schwarz Foundation Endowed Professor
Department of Genetics, Stanford University
Co-Director, Stanford Genome Technology Center
Lars Steinmetz studied molecular biophysics and biochemistry at Yale University and conducted his Ph.D. research on genome-wide approaches to study gene function and natural phenotypic diversity at Stanford University with Ron Davis. After a brief period of postdoctoral research at the Stanford Genome Technology Center, where he worked on functional genomic technology development, he moved to Europe in 2003. At only 27 years old, he started his own group at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Heidelberg, Germany, focused on applying functional genomic approaches and high-throughput methods to study complex traits, transcription and the mitochondrial organelle at a systems level. In parallel, he maintained a focused group at the Stanford Genome Technology Center working on technology development. From 2009 to 2013, Lars acted as Joint Head of the department of Genome Biology at EMBL and he continues to hold an appointment as Associate Group Leader. In October 2013 Lars became Professor of Genetics at Stanford University and Co-Director of the Stanford Genome Technology Center. In honor of his contributions to research, education and innovation in the field of genetics, Lars has received the Ira Herskowitz Award from the Genetics Society of America and was recently named Dieter Schwarz Foundation Endowed Professor in 2020.
His lab develops and applies cutting-edge technologies to investigate the function and mechanism of transcription, the genetic basis of complex phenotypes and the genetic and molecular systems underpinning disease. Their ultimate goal is to enable the development of personalized, preventative medicine.
In parallel to his research activities at Stanford, Lars continues to lead his lab at EMBL. His Stanford and EMBL labs collaborate closely.
In addition, Lars promotes transatlantic research as Director of the Life Science Alliance, a joint research initiative which fosters innovative science and exchange between Stanford University and EMBL.
Beyond his academic endeavours, Lars is a consultant and board member of several companies, advising in the areas of genetics and personalized medicine. The development of new technologies in the lab have led to the founding of three companies: Sophia Genetics, currently the world’s largest clinical genomics network, LevitasBio, a cell isolation and enrichment company based on magnetic levitation technology, and Recombia Biosciences a recent spin-off based on gene editing technologies.
Honors and Awards
- Dieter Schwarz Foundation Endowed Professor (2020)
- ERC Advanced Investigator, European Research Council (2017)
- Ira Herskowitz Award, Genetics Society of America (2016)
- EMBO Member, European Molecular Biology Organization (2013)
- ERC Advanced Investigator, European Research Council (2012)
- Emmy Noether-Program Young Investigator, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (2004-2010)
- Howard Hughes Predoctoral Fellow, Howard Hughes Medical Institute (1998-2001)
E-mail: larsms [at] stanford.edu
See Lars’ CAP Profile and his full publication record for more details.