Robert Klein

Robert Klein is a Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) serving as a Lecturer in the Occupational & Environmental Medicine Program at Yale School of Medicine, which falls under the Department of General Internal Medicine. With over three decades of professional experience in environmental, health, and safety (EH&S) fields, Klein brings extensive practical knowledge to his academic role while also serving as Principal of Coastal Safety, LLC, a consultancy focused on innovative health and safety solutions.

Dr. Klein earned his MS in Occupational and Environmental Health from the City University of New York in 1990 and his BA in Environmental Sciences from SUNY Purchase in 1983. His educational background laid the foundation for his specialized expertise in workplace safety and environmental health.

Klein's research primarily focuses on environmental health and safety in academic and research settings, with particular emphasis on ventilation systems, laboratory safety protocols, and occupational hazards in makerspaces and workshops. His work bridges theoretical knowledge with practical applications, addressing real-world safety challenges in educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and research environments. His publications demonstrate a consistent focus on translating scientific principles into actionable safety guidelines for various institutional settings.

His publication record shows a clear evolution from laboratory-specific safety concerns toward broader environmental health applications in educational settings. Early work concentrated on laboratory ventilation and chemical exposure control, while more recent publications address safety challenges in emerging educational spaces like makerspaces and ventilation requirements for schools and universities.

• Best Paper Award of Year (for: Klein, King and Castagna 2014) from American Industrial Hygiene Association
• Schuster Award for Outstanding MS Thesis from City University of New York
• Honors Thesis award from SUNY College at Purchase

As an active professional, Klein serves as a reviewer for the Connecticut Science and Engineering Fair and has previously contributed to national committees including the National Laboratory Ventilation Committee and the National Fire Protection Association. His dual role as academic and consultant allows him to maintain strong connections between theoretical knowledge and practical application in the field of environmental health and safety.