Anthony Zannas

Dr. Anthony Zannas is an Assistant Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, where he leads a research program at the intersection of stress biology, epigenetics, and aging. His work bridges molecular mechanisms with clinical implications for understanding how psychosocial stress becomes biologically embedded and influences health trajectories across the lifespan.

Education:

• MD, National University of Athens Medical School, Greece
• MSc, Science of Stress and Health Promotion, National University of Athens Medical School, Greece
• Psychiatry Residency, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
• PhD, (Molecular) Biology, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany
• Research Fellowship, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany

Dr. Zannas's research program focuses on elucidating the molecular underpinnings of stress-related conditions, with particular emphasis on epigenetic mechanisms. His lab investigates how epigenetic changes—particularly DNA methylation patterns—result from stressful experiences, accumulate throughout life, and ultimately shape health or disease trajectories. While employing a life course perspective, his work has special focus on aging-related phenomena and the upper end of the age spectrum. His team maintains an interdisciplinary approach that combines large-scale analyses in human cohorts with mechanistic investigations in cellular models, utilizing both bioinformatics and wet lab methodologies.

Analysis of Dr. Zannas's recent publication record reveals a strong concentration on stress epigenetics across multiple health domains including PTSD, aging, chronic pain, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegeneration. His work frequently examines cell-type-specific epigenetic patterns and their relationship to inflammatory processes, demonstrating how socioeconomic factors, trauma exposure, and chronic stress become biologically embedded through epigenetic mechanisms. A recurring theme across his research is the investigation of epigenetic aging as a mediator between psychosocial stressors and health outcomes, with particular attention to vulnerable populations and health disparities.

Dr. Zannas maintains an active research program with current openings for postdoctoral scholars in computational epigenomics and graduate students. His lab (Zannas Lab) is committed to fostering an interdisciplinary, diverse, and creative environment that emphasizes strong mentorship and scientific growth, with the mission to identify novel epigenetic targets that will enhance our ability to predict, prevent, and treat stress-related conditions.

For more information about research opportunities and collaborations, visit the Zannas Lab website.