Stanford School of Medicine

Key Documents

Allan L. Reiss

  • Professor, Psychiatry & Behavioral Science - Interdis Brain Science Research
  • Professor, Radiology

Contact Information

  • Clinical Offices
    Interdisciplinary Brain Science Research 401 Quarry Rd MC 5795 Stanford, CA 94305
    Telephone Work (650) 498-4538 Fax (650) 724-4761
  • Academic Offices
    Personal Information
    Administrative Contact
    Reiko Riley Administrative Associate Tel Work (650) 498-6883
    Not for medical emergencies or patient use

Clinical Focus

  • Psychiatry
  • Psychiatry, Child and Adolescent
  • Neurodevelopmental and neurogenetic disorders

Administrative Appointments

  • Director, Center for Interdisciplinary Brain Sciences Research , (1997– present )
  • Associate Chair, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences , (2002– present )
  • Director, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry , (1997– 2005 )

Honors and Awards

  • Institute of Medicine, National Academy of Sciences (2009)
  • Ruane Prize, NARSAD (2005)
  • George Tarjan Award, American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (2005)
  • Alpha Omega Alpha, George Washington University School of Medicine (1981)
  • Phi Beta Kappa, Swarthmore College (1977)
  • Spirit of Excellence Award for Lifetime Achievements, National Fragile X Foundation (2004)
  • Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award, George Washington University School of Medicine (1998)
  • B.A. "with Distinction", Swarthmore College (1977)
  • Merck Academic Achievement Award, George Washington University School of Medicine (1981)
  • Travel Award, American College of Neuropsychopharmacology (1988)
  • Faculty Teaching Award, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Division of Child Psychiatry (1990)
  • Clinician Scientist Award, Johns Hopkins University Shcool of Medicine (1987)

Professional Education

  • Board Certification: Psychiatry, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (1987)
  • Board Certification: Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (1988)
  • SUMC - Graduate Medical Education (1986) CA
  • Children's Hospital National Medical Center (1984) DC
  • Univ Of CO Health Science Center (1982) CO
  • George Washington University (1981) D.C.
  • B.A., Swarthmore College Psychobioogy (1977)
  • M.D., Geroge Washington University Medicine (1981)

Research Interests

Allan L. Reiss, M.D. is the Howard C. Robbins Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Director of the Center for Interdisciplinary Brain Sciences Research (CIBSR) at Stanford University School of Medicine. Dr. Reiss uses advanced research methods and tools such as neuroimaging, genetic analyses and neurobehavioral assessment to focus on neurodevelopmental and neurogenetic disorders of childhood onset. In particular, he studies how genetic and environmental factors affect brain structure and function, and how this ultimately impacts the development and function of persons with these disorders. Dr. Reiss has worked extensively with individuals affected by neurogenetic disorders that increase risk for serious psychopathology including fragile X syndrome, Turner syndrome, Williams syndrome and velocardiofacial syndrome. A particularly important focus of this work is identifying gene-brain-behavior interactions that have relevance to the development of more specific and effective interventions.

A second major research focus of the CIBSR is on the neuroscience of human resilience. Work in this area includes studies of the brain basis of humor and territorial behavior. These studies are carried out in typically developing children and adults and are designed to advance our understanding of both biological and environmental influences on the development of human resilience.

Dr. Reiss’ laboratory and key collaborations serve as a model for interdisciplinary brain sciences collaboration. Research in the laboratory is carried out, or facilitated by faculty and staff from numerous fields including psychiatry, neurology, psychology, neuroscience, genetics, radiology, computer science, special education and statistics. The CIBSR is dedicated to the concept that direct interaction among individuals from these multiple disciplines will serve as the engine for substantive progress in our field.

Publications