Tragic Mid-Air Helicopter Collision in New Jersey Kills Two Pilots

Michael E. Greenberg (born May 25, 1954) is an American neuroscientist renowned for his pioneering research on **neuroplasticity**—the brain's ability to adapt through learning, experience, or injury—and the molecular mechanisms linking neuronal activity to gene expression.[1][2][3] He earned a BA in Chemistry from Wesleyan University in 1976, followed by a PhD in Biochemistry from Rockefeller University in 1982 under Nobel laureate Gerald Edelman.[1][2][3] Greenberg's academic career at Harvard Medical School began in 1986 as an Assistant Professor in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, advancing to full Professor in 1994.[2][3] From 1994 to 2008, he directed the Neurobiology Program at Boston Children's Hospital, then served as Chair of the Department of Neurobiology at Harvard Medical School from 2008 to 2022.[1][2][3] Since 2008, he has held the Nathan Marsh Pusey Professor of Neurobiology position in the Blavatnik Institute.[1][4] His laboratory's breakthroughs include elucidating signal transduction pathways from synapses to the nucleus, identifying activity-responsive cis-regulatory elements coordinating gene expression, and revealing cell-type- and species-specific transcriptional diversity.[1][2] These insights have advanced understanding of brain maturation, long-term memory, behavioral plasticity, and disorders like Rett Syndrome.[1][2][4] In 2023, Greenberg shared **The Brain Prize**—neuroscience's highest honor, awarded by the Lundbeck Foundation—with Christine Holt and Erin Schuman for their collective work on neuronal transcription and translation.[1][2][4] A prolific author of over 200 papers, he has edited journals like *Neuron* and mentored leading neuroscientists, including Morgan Sheng and David Ginty.[3] Elected to the National Academy of Sciences and American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Greenberg remains a pivotal figure in molecular neurobiology.[5]

Kenneth L. Kirsch was a 65-year-old resident of Carneys Point, New Jersey, known as an experienced helicopter pilot.[2][4] He gained local recognition for his passion for aviation, frequently flying with fellow pilot Michael Greenberg, a longtime friend, and serving as a familiar presence at Hammonton Airport where they would land for meals before departing together.[4] Little is documented about his early life or professional background beyond his piloting expertise, but he was described by authorities as a veteran flyer who had been active in the hobby for many years.[4] Kirsch piloted an Enstrom F-28A helicopter, reflecting his familiarity with light aircraft operations.[2] His life ended tragically in a midair collision over Hammonton, New Jersey, involving two helicopters—one piloted by Kirsch and the other by Greenberg. Greenberg died at the scene, while Kirsch was airlifted in critical condition to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries shortly after.[2][4] A witness recounted rushing to Kirsch's crashed helicopter in her backyard, comforting him until first responders arrived.[4] Hammonton Police Chief Kevin Friel noted the duo's strong bond and routine at the airport, while the investigation into the crash—focusing on potential mechanical failure or pilot error—remains ongoing, with authorities meticulously recovering wreckage.[4] New Jersey Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill, a former Navy helicopter pilot, publicly expressed condolences for the victims' families and gratitude to emergency responders.[4] Kirsch's death, alongside Greenberg's, marked a significant loss to the local aviation community, with no prior notable public roles or achievements beyond his flying prominence reported.[2][4]