Robert Amler

Dr. Robert Amler serves as Professor and Dean at New York Medical College's School of Medicine, holding primary appointment in the Department of Pediatrics. A retired Captain of the U.S. Public Health Service, he is internationally recognized for expertise in environmental health, epidemiology, and disaster medicine, with significant contributions to public health policy and emergency response systems.

His educational foundation includes:

• A.B. from Dartmouth College
• M.M.S. and M.D. from Robert Wood Johnson-Rutgers Medical School
• M.B.A. from New York University
• Executive Education from Harvard Business School

Dr. Amler's research spans environmental neurotoxicology, infectious disease epidemiology, and disaster medicine systems. His pioneering work established standardized neurobehavioral test batteries for pediatric and adult environmental exposure assessment, while his leadership in the Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit Network revolutionized clinical response to environmental hazards. As co-founder of NYMC's Center for Disaster Medicine, he has driven critical pandemic preparedness initiatives since January 2020, integrating operational medicine with academic research.

Analysis of his 225+ publications reveals an evolutionary trajectory from foundational public health policy work in the 1980s (focusing on preventable mortality and health disparities) through specialized environmental neurotoxicology research in the 1990s, culminating in contemporary disaster medicine systems development. His scholarship consistently bridges epidemiological rigor with actionable policy frameworks across environmental health, infectious disease control, and emergency response domains.

His distinguished recognition includes:

• FBI Amerithrax decoration for leadership during the 2001-2002 anthrax crisis
• Fellowship in the American Academy of Pediatrics (FAAP)
• Fellowship in the American College of Preventive Medicine (FACPM)

Dr. Amler has directed nationwide public health initiatives across all 50 states, serving as Senior Advisor to the U.S. Surgeon General and HHS Regional Health Administrator. His grant-funded work includes the Berger Commission's hospital financing reforms and development of NYMC's bioscience incubator laboratory. He currently advises the Hudson Valley Economic Development Council and Westchester County Association while mentoring emerging public health professionals through operational disaster response frameworks.

The Center for Disaster Medicine, which he co-founded, operates as an integrated academic-operational hub combining pandemic response, bioscience innovation through its startup laboratory wing, and educational programs including the newly launched dental school. This model exemplifies his philosophy of translating research into real-world emergency systems while cultivating next-generation disaster medicine specialists.