Thomas Lehner, PhD, MPH

Lab Groups & Research Areas

Neuropsychiatric Disease

Thomas Lehner, PhD, MPH, is Scientific Director of Neuropsychiatric Disease Genomics at the New York Genome Center (NYGC). Reporting to NYGC Evnin Family Scientific Director and Chief Executive Officer Tom Maniatis, PhD, Dr. Lehner spearheads the overarching scientific strategy for neuropsychiatric disease genomics research at the Center, which includes expansion of large-scale whole genome autism research into other neuropsychiatric disease areas, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. He works closely with the NYGC’s Neuropsychiatric Scientific Working Group and is responsible for coordinating collaborative research with academic and industrial partners, as well as leading efforts to secure external research funding from grants, contracts, industry and philanthropic sources to support critical neuropsychiatric research projects.

Dr. Lehner joined the NYGC following a distinguished 15-year tenure at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), a division of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), where he most recently served as Director, Office of Genomics Research Coordination and Senior Genomics Advisor, Intramural Research Program. Dr. Lehner was instrumental in the conception and development of the NIMH’s comprehensive neuropsychiatric genomics program. Prior to joining NIMH in 2004, Dr. Lehner held academic research positions at Columbia University and The Rockefeller University; in industry at Millennium Pharmaceuticals and as founder of a molecular medicine startup; and worked in government for New York State.

Dr. Lehner holds a PhD in Human Biology and Genetics from the University of Vienna and conducted postdoctoral studies in psychiatry at Columbia University, where he also obtained his Master of Public Health.