Grossman was the recipient of the Gilbert Morgan Smith Medal (National Academy of Sciences) in 2009[1][2][3] and the Darbaker Prize for work on microalgae (Botanical Society of America) in 2002.

He has also been on many committees and panels that evaluate scientific directions for the various granting agencies, universities and government departments.

[6][7][8] Grossman received his undergraduate degree in biology with honors, from Brooklyn College (1973), and his Ph.D. in 1978 from Indiana University Bloomington.

From 1978 to 1982 he was a postdoctoral fellow at The Rockefeller University, Department of Cell Biology with Nam-Hai Chua.

[1] Throughout his career, Grossman has focused on understanding the mechanism of microbial photosynthesis,[9][10][11][12] and its role in areas ranging from the ocean environment to applications in biotechnology.