The ENERGY Center

Based at the CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy in New York City, the ENERGY Center promotes environmental health through research, policy and community engagement. We study how environmental and workplace exposures affect health, with the goal of reducing risks and improving outcomes.

At the ENERGY Center, we study how everyday exposures drive conditions like asthma, diabetes, hypertension, obesity and intellectual and developmental disabilities.

We focus on the communities most affected by environmental harm — women, children, immigrants, and people with disabilities — and work to create safer homes, neighborhoods, and workplaces.

Our team brings deep expertise in exposure science, environmental and occupational epidemiology, workplace health and safety, advanced data analysis and nutrition science. We uncover how risks are distributed across spaces and time — and how targeted solutions can make a difference.

NEWS:

Presenting the 2026 Geltman Prize winners

The ENERGY Center is proud to announce the 2026 recipients of the Edward A. Geltman Memorial Prize in Environmental Health Policy: Fidelis Idoko and Kera Johnson. Supported by the CUNY SPH Foundation, this prize honors the legacy of Edward A. Geltman, JD, late husband of Associate Professor Elizabeth Glass Geltman, LLM, JD, a champion of environmental health, public policy, and interdisciplinary learning. It recognizes outstanding graduate students whose work exemplifies evidence-based advocacy, environmental justice, and systems-level thinking. Read more on the 2026 recipients.

Call for Nominations: The Edward A. Geltman Memorial Prize in Environmental Health Policy

The ENERGY Center at CUNY SPH is pleased to announce the call for nominations for the 2026 Edward A. Geltman Memorial Prize in Environmental Health Policy, an esteemed award recognizing outstanding student research in environmental health.

This prize honors the legacy of Edward A. Geltman, J.D., late husband of Associate Professor Elizabeth Glass Geltman, LLM, JD. It highlights excellence in research and scholarship, reinforcing our commitment to fostering the next generation of leaders in this critical field. You can learn about last year’s prize recipients here. See application and awards info .

CUNY PhD candidate awarded grant for AI and machine learning project

PhD candidate Rachel Thompson received a 2025 NY/NJ ERC Pilot Project Award for her study using AI and low-cost sensors to track and reduce exposure risks among New York City service workers. Her work, mentored by Dr. Brian Pavilonis, takes a proactive approach to improving occupational health and reducing disparities. Read more here .

Announcing the inaugural recipients of the Edward A. Geltman Memorial Prize in Environmental Health Policy

The ENERGY Center is proud to announce the first recipients of the Edward A. Geltman Memorial Prize in Environmental Health Policy: Elizabeth Pasnik and Jhanvi Solanki. Supported by the CUNY SPH Foundation, this newly established prize honors the legacy of Edward A. Geltman, JD, late husband of Associate Professor Elizabeth Glass Geltman, LLM, JD, a champion of environmental health, public policy, and interdisciplinary learning. It recognizes outstanding MPH students whose work exemplifies evidence-based advocacy, environmental justice, and systems-level thinking. Read more on the inaugural recipiants.