Rosenkranz comes to UNLV from Kansas State University, where he led research and taught courses in public health nutrition, physical activity, and behavior change. Rosenkranz was a first-generation college student who began his academic journey by earning a bachelor's degree in psychology and human development at the University of Kansas. Rosenkranz also earned an master's degree in psychology from the University of North Dakota. Rosenkranz continued to build his academic profile by earning a graduate certificate in public health, a master's degree in kinesiology, and a doctoral degree in human nutrition, all from Kansas State University.

Rosenkranz’s research has focused on identifying modifiable influences of healthy eating and physical activity toward developing, evaluating, and scaling up settings-based health promotion interventions. Having collaborated with many talented colleagues, Rosenkranz has published 118 peer-reviewed scientific journal articles. He has also been successful with interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary teams in obtaining extramural funding from sources including the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, several foundations, industry, and Australia's National Health and Medical Research Council.

Rosenkranz has served on four editorial boards and currently serves as Editor-in-Chief for the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition & Physical Activity. He devotes considerable service to the International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. Rosenkranz is also active as a sector advisory panelist with the National Physical Activity Plan, which focuses on fostering a national culture that supports physically active lifestyles.