Athena Stein

Athena Stein

Postdoctoral Associate, Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Portfolio

My research program is centered on biomimetic neuromodulation: designing stimulation signals that preserve endogenous brain dynamics, testing whether those signals engage neural targets in the intended way, and translating those approaches into clinically meaningful interventions. Across this work, I use human electrophysiology, particularly high-density EEG, to guide mechanistic optimization and target engagement in psychiatric neuromodulation.

Research focus

I am particularly interested in how endogenous or physiologically grounded stimulation waveforms can be used to improve the precision of neuromodulation in depression and related conditions. This includes the development of transcranial endogenous current stimulation (tECS), physiology-informed TMS (piTMS), and the use of electrophysiological biomarkers to quantify brain network dysfunction and treatment response.

Current directions

  • Biomimetic waveform design: developing stimulation signals derived from or inspired by endogenous brain activity, including tECS and physiology-informed TMS.
  • Mechanistic target engagement: using HD-EEG and intracranial electrophysiology to determine whether stimulation engages the intended circuits and physiological features.
  • Clinical translation: leading and contributing to translational neuromodulation studies in depression, including closed-loop tACS in major depressive disorder and naturalistic stimulation approaches in antenatal depression.

Selected grants and funding

My work has been supported through research grants, fellowships, scholarships, and travel awards totaling approximately USD $435,000.

Research grants

  • Foundation of Hope: Impact Grant (Apr 2026) — PI, piTMS clinical trial — $200,000 USD
  • Brain Behavior Research Foundation (BBRF) NARSAD Distinguished Investigator Grant (Jan 2025) — Co-I and writing lead, tECS clinical trial — $100,000 USD
  • Small Equipment Grant, UQ Child Health Research Centre (Nov 2021) — Primary applicant, funded fMRI-compatible tDCS/tACS device — $6,600 USD
  • Small Research Grant, UQ Child Health Research Centre (Sep 2021) — Primary applicant, study costs — $3,300 USD
  • Pilot Scheme, Herston Imaging Research Facility (HIRF) (Aug 2021) — Co-I, awarded 10 MRI scans — $4,290 USD

Fellowships and scholarships

  • American Australian Association Graduate Education Scholarship (Jul 2024) — Primary sole applicant — $40,000 USD
  • Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship (Oct 2020 – Apr 2024) — Living stipend — $73,920 USD

Travel awards

  • Society for Biological Psychiatry Travel Award (Jan 2026) — Travel to SOBP 2026, New York City — $2,000 USD
  • UQ Faculty of Medicine Thomas McIntyre Scholarship (Sep 2023) — Travel to ABSS and ACNS, Sydney — $1,310 USD
  • UQ Faculty of Medicine Researcher Development Award (Feb 2023) — Travel to the International Brain Stimulation Conference, Portugal — $2,640 USD
  • Abbott Science and Society Award for Emerging Scientists (Aug 2022) — Travel to NYC Neuromodulation — $1,000 USD