Mark Greenberg is the founding director of the Edna Bennett Pierce Prevention Research Center and is Emeritus Professor at Penn State. He was the first recipient of the Bennett Chair of Prevention Research in Human Development and Family Studies, which he held from his arrival at the University until his retirement. Mark began his career in prevention research 40 years ago because he wanted to intervene with families and children in early development, before they could form serious mental health or drug and alcohol problems. Currently, his areas of research include prevention of behavioral health problems, and promotion of wellbeing in youth and their caregivers. Mark’s most recent interest is researching theory and testing effects of programs that facilitate mindfulness and compassion. He also is passionate about conceptual and statistical models for understanding the effects of universal intervention. Throughout his many years in prevention research, Mark has authored over 350 peer-reviewed journal articles and chapters and has collaborated with organizations such as the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL), Conduct Disorder Prevention Research Group, PROSPER, and the Family Life Project, for which he served as co-director.

At the Center, Mark has made an impact in prevention science through his work on key projects such as FAST Track, PROSPER, BREATHE, CARE and studies of the PATHS curriculum. He received the Presidential Award from the Society of Prevention Research, as well as the Urie Bronfenbrenner Award for Lifetime Contribution to Developmental Psychology in the Service of Science and Society from the American Psychological Association. For more information about Mark’s career and substantial contributions to the field of prevention science, please visit his Wikipedia page.