January 7, 2026
It is with great admiration and gratitude that we announce that Professor David Zilberman has formally retired and transitioned to Professor of the Graduate School, effective January 1, 2026. As such, he will continue to manage research grants, supervise graduate students, and conduct outreach. David Zilberman has been a professor in the ARE Department at UC Berkeley since 1979. Read his reflections on a 46 year career at UC Berkeley.
Professor Zilberman’s career stands as a remarkable testament to scholarship driven by purpose, breadth, and sustained impact. Over decades of prolific research, he has shaped major fields including the bioeconomy, biotechnology, biofuels, water economics, technology adoption, and supply chain analysis. His work consistently bridges rigorous economic theory with real-world policy relevance, addressing some of society’s most pressing challenges—from climate change and food security to environmental regulation and innovation. With an extraordinary body of publications, thousands of citations, and a global presence through conferences and keynote addresses, Professor Zilberman has not only advanced knowledge but helped define the research agenda in environmental and agricultural economics.
A defining feature of Professor Zilberman’s scholarship is his courage to engage directly with controversial and consequential policy debates. His work on biotechnology and GMOs exemplifies this commitment: he brought empirical clarity to questions of prices, environmental impacts, and the human cost of regulatory delay, particularly in the case of Golden Rice. By quantifying the economic and human consequences of postponed innovation, his research has influenced global discussions, informed policymakers, and contributed to international pressure for regulatory reform. Across biofuels, energy markets, land use, and political economy, he has repeatedly demonstrated an ability to cut through polarized debates with careful analysis, historical perspective, and an insistence on evidence-based policy.
Equally profound is Professor Zilberman’s influence as a teacher and mentor. For decades, he educated generations of students at UC Berkeley, building foundational courses that became cornerstones of the curriculum while continually innovating with new offerings such as the economics of supply chains. His teaching was demanding and intellectually serious, reflecting his belief that students should be challenged to think analytically about complex systems. As an advisor, he has left an extraordinary legacy: he has guided nearly 70 PhD dissertations and mentored scholars who have gone on to become leaders in academia, government, and industry worldwide. His dedication to students—whether undergraduates, graduate students, or professionals—has left an enduring mark on the discipline.
Beyond research and teaching, Professor Zilberman’s service and outreach embody a deep commitment to service, institution-building, and public engagement. He has played pivotal roles in university governance, professional associations, editorial leadership, and international policy initiatives, including work with FAO, OECD, governments, and the private sector. As an Extension specialist, he has consistently translated academic insights for broader audiences through policy articles, blogs, conferences, and practitioner engagement. Taken together, his career reflects a rare combination of intellectual ambition, public service, and generosity toward students and colleagues. Professor Zilberman’s contributions have reshaped fields, influenced policy worldwide, and inspired countless individuals—an enduring legacy worthy of deep respect and gratitude.
A defining feature of Professor Zilberman’s scholarship is his courage to engage directly with controversial and consequential policy debates. His work on biotechnology and GMOs exemplifies this commitment: he brought empirical clarity to questions of prices, environmental impacts, and the human cost of regulatory delay, particularly in the case of Golden Rice. By quantifying the economic and human consequences of postponed innovation, his research has influenced global discussions, informed policymakers, and contributed to international pressure for regulatory reform. Across biofuels, energy markets, land use, and political economy, he has repeatedly demonstrated an ability to cut through polarized debates with careful analysis, historical perspective, and an insistence on evidence-based policy.
Equally profound is Professor Zilberman’s influence as a teacher and mentor. For decades, he educated generations of students at UC Berkeley, building foundational courses that became cornerstones of the curriculum while continually innovating with new offerings such as the economics of supply chains. His teaching was demanding and intellectually serious, reflecting his belief that students should be challenged to think analytically about complex systems. As an advisor, he has left an extraordinary legacy: he has guided nearly 70 PhD dissertations and mentored scholars who have gone on to become leaders in academia, government, and industry worldwide. His dedication to students—whether undergraduates, graduate students, or professionals—has left an enduring mark on the discipline.
Beyond research and teaching, Professor Zilberman’s service and outreach embody a deep commitment to service, institution-building, and public engagement. He has played pivotal roles in university governance, professional associations, editorial leadership, and international policy initiatives, including work with FAO, OECD, governments, and the private sector. As an Extension specialist, he has consistently translated academic insights for broader audiences through policy articles, blogs, conferences, and practitioner engagement. Taken together, his career reflects a rare combination of intellectual ambition, public service, and generosity toward students and colleagues. Professor Zilberman’s contributions have reshaped fields, influenced policy worldwide, and inspired countless individuals—an enduring legacy worthy of deep respect and gratitude.
Finally, Professor Zilberman is a wonderful human being, a generous and fun colleague and friend, who loves his family: his wife Leorah, their boys, and growing grandchildren that he treasures most of all. We are all fortunate that his love for Cal, the Rausser College of Natural Resources, and specifically the ARE community of faculty, staff, students, and alumni comes second to that. Maybe the Warriors come third?
Thank you, David, for all you have done and continue to do for ARE, for UC Berkeley, and for society, making a difference in solving real-world problems.
The GOAT and Mr Z, ARE Faculty meeting, January 16, 2026. 241 Giannini Hall.