Dr. Greenberg - Inventor, Scientist, Micro Landscape Artist
Revealing the Extraordinary Nature of Ordinary Things
Dr. Gary Greenberg is a scientist, inventor, educator, and artist who reveals the unseen beauty of the world through groundbreaking 3D microscopy. With an explorer’s curiosity and an artist’s eye, he transforms the ordinary—grains of sand, flowers, food, even living cells—into dazzling landscapes of color, texture, and form. His images invite us to look closer, to see the extraordinary nature of ordinary things, revealing a universe of intricate patterns that shape our world.
A true pioneer of the invisible, Dr. Greenberg’s work uncovers nature’s hidden architecture—where grains of sand resemble shimmering gemstones and cancer cells take on the appearance of alien worlds. His mission is simple yet profound: to open our eyes to the microscopic wonders that surround us, proving that art and science are not opposites but partners in discovery, both driven by curiosity and a deep appreciation for nature’s mysteries.
His journey has been anything but conventional. After earning his degree from UCLA, he immersed himself in photography and filmmaking, documenting radical art and architecture in 1970s California as the president of Environmental Communications. At 33, he moved to London to earn his PhD in developmental biology at University College London, later becoming an assistant professor at USC before shifting into the world of optical engineering.
Holding 19 U.S. patents, Dr. Greenberg has revolutionized 3D light microscopy, creating imaging technologies used in research, medicine, and industry. His work has even made its way into Hollywood—his striking images of human pancreatic cancer cells were repurposed as the surface of Krypton in the first Superman movie.
In 2005, he relocated to Maui, where he continues his research, writing, and teaching. At the University of Hawaii’s Institute for Astronomy, he examined moon dust from NASA’s Apollo missions, bringing microscopic extraterrestrial landscapes into focus.
Through his lens, Dr. Greenberg reminds us that the most incredible wonders often lie in the smallest details—waiting to be seen, waiting to be understood.
A photo of Gary Greenberg in 1977 during the filming of the Movie Superman:
Dr. Greenberg's books are now sadly out of print
A Grain of Sand: Natures Secret Wonder. Every grain of sand is a jewel waiting to be discovered. That's what Dr. Gary Greenberg found when he first turned his microscope on beach sand. Gemlike minerals, colorful coral fragments, and delicate microscopic
shells revealed that sand comprises much more than little brown rocks. Amazing microphotography showcases spectacular colors, shapes, and pa
The Secrets of Sand. From the beach to the moon - explore the incredible hidden world of sand, seen through a microscope. To the naked eye, the tiny particles that make up sand are less than inspiring. Under the microscope, however, it's a completely different story.
Mary's Magic Microscope is a book for children of middle-school age. It follows the journey of Mary McDoogle, a 12-year-old girl who finds a magic microscope in her grandpa's attic that allows her to be transported into the micro world. Here, Mary discovers many new and wonderful adventures. She uses her microscope to fight crime.