Yale Bulletin and Calendar

April 15, 2005|Volume 32, Number 26

Jack S. Greenberg

In Memoriam: Jack S. Greenberg

Did groundbreaking work in nuclear,
atomic and elementary physics

Jack S. Greenberg, an internationally renowned scientist who worked in Yale's Department of Physics for over 30 years, died March 30 at the Hospital of St. Raphael in New Haven where he had been cared for since an injury in January.

He was 77 years old.

Greenberg engaged in a broad scope of experimental research in the fields of nuclear, atomic and elementary particle physics. Using innovative measurements, he pursued research that provided the essential tests of evolving theories and experimental evidence suggesting new phenomena. His work particularly focused on areas involving fundamental aspects of collective structure in nuclei; weak interactions, the development of high-energy atomic physics with very high-Z atomic systems for studies of quantum electrodynamics of strong fields, and the possible production of new low-mass lepton states and hyperon states.

"As a scientist he was exceptional for his breadth of expertise -- from atomic to nuclear to particle physics," said Jay Hirshfield, adjunct professor of physics at Yale and a close personal friend of Greenberg's.

Greenberg was born May 23, 1927, in Warsaw, Poland. In his youth his family immigrated to Canada where he was raised and educated. His undergraduate and master's training in physics was at McGill University, and he received his Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1955. He continued his training as a Rutherford Memorial Postdoctoral Fellow at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology's Institute of Physics the following year. He came to Yale as an instructor of physics in 1956, was tenured in 1966, appointed full professor in 1976 and retired as emeritus professor in 1999.

At Yale, Greenberg served as director of graduate studies and participated in a number of University committees. He held visiting professorships at several institutions and received the British Association Medal, the Rutherford Memorial Fellowship, Traveling Fellowships from Canada, and the Senior U.S. Scientist Award of the Alexander Von Humboldt Foundation.

A resident of New Haven, Greenberg is survived by his wife of 52 years, the former Belle Kogan; his children, Lisa Greenberg of New York City and Ezra Greenberg of Washington, D.C.; and his granddaughter Sydney Leah Greenberg. He was predeceased by a sister, Esther Grinbaum.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the Solomon Schechter School of Manhattan, 50 East 87th St., New York, NY 10128. Information about a future memorial service can be obtained in the coming months through the Yale Department of Physics at (203) 432-3651.

T H I SW E E K ' SS T O R I E S

Team uses lasers to control specially modified fruit flies

Financial aid increased for Ph.D. students

Exhibits recount Yale's history and the contributions of its alumni

Visitor Center enjoys pride-of-place as it showcases Yale

Event will bring together staff, students to help city groups

Kim Bottomly has been named as a deputy provost . . .

Zedillo appointed envoy to U.N.'s summer summit

Yale undergraduates make impressive showing in . . .

Cycle of August Wilson plays to conclude with 'Radio Golf'

Next Yale Rep season features new plays . . .

Monthly injections of naltrexone in combination with therapy . . .

Researchers identify a protein in the kidney that regulates . . .

Conference pays tribute to ethicist Margaret Farley

Panel and exhibit mark 30th anniversary of fall of Saigon

Event honors individuals who have contributed to women's health

Conference will consider future of controversial Voting Rights Act

Culture and community

Event highlights new research on AIDS

YALE CANCER CENTER NEWS

World-renowned researcher Foss to join staff

Student's internship earns her accolades in Westinghouse contest