Lisa Y. Stein, Ph.D., is a professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Climate Change Microbiology and Faculty of Science Associate Dean of Mentorship & Awards at the University of Alberta. 

Stein's research focuses on the metabolic pathways of inorganic nitrogen and single carbon metabolism in bacteria and archaea. She interrogates the integrated cycles of nitrogen and methane at the molecular, whole-cell and ecosystem levels to predict how and when greenhouse gases, methane and nitrous oxide are released. Projects aim to harness microorganisms to generate commercially valuable bioproducts (e.g. bioplastics, biofuels) using single-carbon waste streams as feedstocks and to neutralize and maximize microbial activities in the nitrogen cycle to increase global crop productivity without production of greenhouse gases. Understanding the interconnections between the nitrogen and methane cycles enables novel climate change solutions that simultaneously reduce greenhouse gas emissions and maximize production of food, fuels and material resources for humanity.   

Stein is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine Committee on Atmospheric Methane Removal. She is Editor in Chief of the ISME Journal since 2020, an elected member of the American Academy of Microbiology since 2023 and received the Killam Award for Excellence in Mentoring in 2022. Stein works in partnership with industries, non-governmental organizations, academics and governments to translate microbiological solutions toward greenhouse gas mitigation in engineered, agricultural and natural ecosystems.