Ben Greenfield

Ben Greenfield, PhD, is an Associate Professor and Chair of Public Health at the Muskie School of Public Service, University of Southern Maine (USM), where he joined in 2020. His research bridges environmental science and public health, focusing on industrial contamination impacts on ecosystems and human health. He collaborates with institutions in Nanjing, China, and St. Louis, Missouri, and co-leads NIH SEPA and NSF iTEST grants exploring how K-12 students using environmental sensors develop scientific identities.

• Education:
• Ph.D., Environmental Health Science, University of California, Berkeley (2016)
• MS, Zoology, University of Wisconsin–Madison (2000)
• BA, Biology, Brown University (1993)

Research Interests: Dr. Greenfield investigates mercury and PCB contamination in fish, health risks from contaminated sediments, antibiotic resistance in environments, and lead in roadside soils. He applies geospatial analysis to health data and promotes environmental monitoring in schools. His work emphasizes community-engaged science and K-12 science education.

Teaching & Grants: He teaches courses in environmental/occupational health, epidemiology, and statistics, employing flipped-classroom methods. His grants with Southern Illinois University–Edwardsville (SIUE) researchers evaluate student engagement through environmental sensor projects.

Collaborations & Labs: Active collaborations include teams in China and the St. Louis region. His research integrates fieldwork, lab analysis, and educational outreach to address real-world environmental health challenges.