Amanda Birnbaum is a Professor and deputy chair in the Department of Public Health at Montclair State University, where she has been part of the faculty since 2005. She earned a PhD in epidemiology from the University of Minnesota, an MPH from the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University, and more recently, an urban naturalist certificate from the New York Botanical Garden. Through her work, she seeks to understand and improve social environmental factors – such as school and neighborhood environments, and access to the outdoors – as they relate to health, social justice, and people thriving. Over the course of her career, she has served as a research partner with organizations working to improve community food access and healthy eating environments, promoting outdoor experiences for families and children, and preventing maternal mortality. She is proud to be a founding member of the board of directors of Lakay Access Sante, a community-based nonprofit serving new immigrants to NJ with ESL and equitable and customized health access for all. Dr. Birnbaum is passionate about teaching in the MPH program, preparing future public health leaders whose diverse perspectives, lived experience, and passion for social justice will help lead us on a path towards health equity in NJ and beyond.

• abirnbaum@lakayaccessante.org

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