Professor Michael Greenberg was recognized on March 11 by the journal Risk Analysis for his extensive career in environmental protection, public health, mathematics, and risk evaluation. Greenberg’s work has influenced policies at agencies such as the Department of Defense, Department of Energy, Environmental Protection Agency, and New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. He is known internationally as a former Editor-in-Chief of Risk Analysis and Associate Editor for environmental health at the American Journal of Public Health.
Greenberg’s impact extends beyond research. He retired in 2022 after more than five decades at Rutgers University, where he served as Distinguished Professor at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy. He played a key role in establishing both the Rutgers School of Public Health and the Bloustein School itself. During his tenure, he held positions including Associate Dean of Faculty from 2000 to 2017 and Interim Dean in 2017 and 2018.
His teaching portfolio included courses such as Advanced Multivariate Statistics, Protecting Community Health, Environmental Planning and Management, Population Health & Urbanization, and Hazard Mitigation Planning. Greenberg has authored 35 books and nearly 400 articles or book chapters. Even after retirement, he continues to write about risk analysis and public policy issues.
A consistent theme throughout his career has been collaboration across disciplines to address complex problems like environmental injustice. “He has often challenged the status quo and championed the underdog—qualities he learned at a very early age,” said Joanna Burger and Karen W. Lowrie in their profile.
The Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy recognizes distinguished alumni through its Hall of Fame established in 2013, along with annual achievement awards dating back to 1994 according to the official website. The school advances social impact through research centers focused on community development, transportation, health, workforce development, and energy policy according to its official website. It operates as part of Rutgers University—the State University of New Jersey—and is nationally ranked third for its graduate urban planning program and fourth for its undergraduate public health program according to its official website.
The school aims to foster just, socially inclusive, environmentally sustainable, and healthy communities locally and globally according to its official website. Stuart Shapiro became dean in 2023 according to the official website.