MISSION STATEMENT

The Community Engagement Core (CEC) is committed to work with New Jersey communities to identify, investigate, and act to address environmental health concerns.  CEC provides a link between environmental health researchers and community members, to increase understanding of the impact of the environment on human health and foster two-way dialogue on research findings and current research priorities.

Director: Robert Laumbach, MD, MPH

Co-Directors: Joanna Burger, PhD; Laura Liang, DrPH

Members: Emily Barrett, PhD; Brian Buckley, PhD; Michael Gochfeld, MD, PhD; Judith Graber, PhD; Nancy Fiedler, PhD; Mark Robson, PhD; Howard Kipen, MD, MPH

Coordinator: Kerry Margaret Butch; 

Staff: Kristin Borbely

Meet our CEC Coordinator, Kerry Margaret Butch! 
kerry.butch@eohsi.rutgers.edu

CEC collaborates with community-based and statewide environmental, health and public policy organizations to address multiple environmental stressors in highly-impacted areas such as port-adjacent communities. CEC is an active partner in the Coalition for Healthy Ports, a national group addressing the impact of shipping and trucking activities on communities near ports.  The Newark/ Elizabeth Port contributes significant pollutants to the air and water of nearby communities including Newark’s Ironbound.  We work locally with partners Ironbound Community Corporation, Clean Water Action, New Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance, and GreenFaith, and nationally with the Coalition for Clean & Safe Ports, which unites over 150 organizations including our sister NIEHS Center at the University of Southern California.

GreenFaith	Coalition for Healthy Ports – NY/NJ	NJ Environmental Justice Alliance	Jersey Coast Anglers Association	Ironbound Community Corporation	Clean Water Action New Jersey

CEC brings young “Future Researchers” from New Jersey high schools and colleges who are currently studying science to meet with Rutgers science and medicine faculty, and observe lab science firsthand.

In summer of 2016, the new Toxicology, Health and Environmental Disease (THED) High School Summer Program brought a diverse group of students from 30 high schools in 4 states to learn about laboratory techniques and analysis, and career opportunities in medicine, pharmacy, toxicology, environmental health science, and research. Graduate students and faculty of the Joint Graduate Program in Toxicology taught and worked with THED students on cellular injury, cellular response, and genetic predisposition. The successful THED Program began in the summer of 2013.