Stein’s broad scope of funded research and lead-authored publications specifically focus on the etiology of eating disorders and other at-risk behaviors, including alcohol abuse, in young adults. Her research explores the role of self-cognition in the development of anorexia and bulimia nervosa, and how self-cognition interventions may promote recovery and well-being in eating-disordered patients. She also has experience with ecological momentary assessment methodology to measure health behaviors. She is R01 funded for her work to determine the role of self-cognition in the development of disordered eating, alcohol and tobacco use in Mexican-American women.