Bio
Dr. Stephanie Balters is a neuroscientist, educator, and innovator dedicated to advancing team flourishing and excellence. As Director of the Empowerment Neuroscience Lab in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, she employs advanced neuroimaging and computational methods to elucidate the neural and inter-brain signatures of high-impact, purpose-aligned teams. Her research identifies barriers to collaboration and develops targeted interventions to enhance connection, communication, and collective success. Beyond academia, Dr. Balters serves as a Human Factors Specialist at NATO, translating neuroscience into actionable strategies that help leaders cultivate resilient, high-performing teams. She also leads team innovation workshops at Stanford University, fostering authenticity, trust, and alignment to spark transformative ideas in science and business. With a B.S. and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering and a Ph.D. in Engineering Design, Dr. Balters previously held research roles at Stanford’s Center for Design Research and Computer Science Department before joining the School of Medicine.