Marty Kanarek

Marty Kanarek is a Professor of Population Health Sciences and Environmental Studies at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, affiliated with the School of Medicine and Public Health. He holds a PhD in Epidemiology from UC Berkeley and an MPH in Environmental Health from the University of Minnesota. Prior to academia, he worked at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (1972–1978).

His research focuses on environmental epidemiology, particularly air and water pollution, lead poisoning prevention, PCB/mercury contamination, asbestos exposure, and environmental tracking systems. He teaches courses including Environmental Health, Air Pollution and Human Health, and a graduate research seminar.

Notable affiliations include the American College of Epidemiology (Fellow), NIH Study Section, and EPA Peer Review roles. His work spans over four decades, addressing public health impacts of environmental toxins with a focus on vulnerable populations and policy implications.

Key contributions include studies linking lead exposure to educational outcomes, asbestos-related mesothelioma, and the health effects of climate-sensitive environmental factors. His articles analyze exposure biomarkers, policy frameworks, and community health interventions across diverse environmental hazards.