Michael Eldon Greenberg PhD

Michael E. Greenberg, Ph.D. was named Chair of the Department of Neurobiology, and Nathan Marsh Pusey's selection as chair reflects his unique qualification to lead the department at a pivotal moment in the field of neuroscience when understanding the nervous system at a molecular, cellular and physiological level is increasingly translating to direct influence on the treatment of neurologic and psychiatric disease.

Dr. Greenberg’s own research has expanded our understanding of the molecular basis of the major events in neural development, the neural responses to injury and disease, and the potential for intervention, treatment, or cure. His research has also explored the molecular biology and genetics of autism spectrum disorders. More specifically, Dr. Greenberg and his research group focus on identifying mechanisms that trigger proliferation, differentiation, and survival of neurons during the development, and adaptive responses in the mature nervous system. Their work has uncovered the existence and function of a genetic program that is activated by neuronal activity, the mechanisms of signal transduction that carry the neuronal activity-dependent signal from the membrane to the nucleus, and the identification of regulators of this experience-dependent process that affect synapse development and plasticity. Professor Greenberg is particularly interested in those activity-dependent processes whose dysfunction can lead to the development of diseases of cognitive function.

Dr. Greenberg currently serves on the editorial boards of Neuron, Journal of Neuroscience, Learning & Memory, and Molecular & Cellular Neuroscience. He is the recipient of numerous honors and awards, including membership in both the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the National Academy of Science. He has also been the recipient of the McKnight Innovation in Neuroscience Award, the Edward M. Scolnick Prize in Neuroscience, and the A. Clifford Barger Award for Excellence in Mentoring, a prize given annually by Harvard Medical School to faculty members who have established a long-term commitment to fostering strong mentoring relationships with students, trainees, and junior faculty. Professor Greenberg graduated Magna Cum Laude from Wesleyan University and received his Ph.D. from Rockefeller University.