Community Engagement Core (CEC)

Working Together for Healthier Communities

The Community Engagement Core (CEC) is the bridge between CEED’s cutting-edge environmental health research and communities – among the people and in the places where environmental health happens. For over three decades, we’ve partnered with New Jersey residents to tackle pressing environmental health challenges, from contaminated water and air pollution to industrial contamination and extreme weather impacts. We work together to improve the ‘everyday’ environments in which people live, work, and play.

Our Mission

We engage with New Jersey communities to identify, assess, and support action to address environmental health concerns. Our approach centers on building lasting partnerships with community members, organizations, and leaders who share our commitment to improving environmental public health for all.

Core Focus

Amplify Community Voices

We ensure community environmental health concerns are at the heart of our research through regular meetings, partnerships, and two-way communication.

Build Capacity

We provide training, resources, and other support to help communities participate in setting research priorities and engage in decision-making regarding environmental health policy.

Facilitate Community-Engaged Research

We support collaborative research projects in which community members and scientists work together as equal partners

How We Work

Our Community Advisory Board includes members and representatives from nonprofit organizations, and faith communities from across New Jersey, as well as local and state environmental health agencies. Together, we:

Identify Priorities

Hold regular meetings to understand community environmental health concerns and research needs, and communicate those concerns to CEED leadership and scientists.

Support Community-Engaged Research

Assist communities and researchers to identify and define shared environmental health concerns, and facilitate the design and implementation of community-engaged research projects that address local environmental health questions.

Share Research Results

Communicate new environmental health research findings back to communities and policymakers in accessible, actionable ways.

Take Action

Support communities in using research findings to improve environmental public health.

Real Impact in New Jersey Communities

Paulsboro PFAS Study

With community partners, we responded to drinking water contamination by conducting health studies that are filling gaps in knowledge about these “forever chemicals” that have contaminated many community water supplies in New Jersey and world-wide.

Street Scientists and the Fight for First Street

CEED scientists partnered with community members to conduct truck counts and air monitoring that led to a heavy-duty truck rerouting from a city street near schools and playgrounds, reducing children’s exposure to harmful diesel emissions.

East Trenton Lead Project

Community leaders and CEED scientists conducted over 200 home visits to document lead contamination, leading to ongoing USEPA action for clean-up, and empowering residents with data to protect their health and community.

Training and Capacity Building

We believe in empowering communities with knowledge and skills:

Environmental Health Ambassadors Program

Leadership training for community members

Community Science Training

Hands-on workshops in air monitoring, data collection, interpretation, and communication

Technical Assistance

Providing technical assistance for communities to participate more fully in environmental health policy discussions

Future Scientists

Providing assistance for programs for high school and undergraduate students, with over 500 students trained in the past decade

Annual NJ Environmental Health Summits

Bringing together community members, scientists, and policymakers to address pressing environmental health issues

Our Team

Dr. Robert Laumbach

Core Director

Board-certified physician in Family Medicine and Occupational/Environmental Medicine. Passionate about helping communities build resilience and improve environmental health. Laumbach@eohsi.rutgers.edu

Kerry Margaret Butch

CEC Assistant Director

Decades of experience in grassroots organizing and championing the environment. Producer of award-winning documentaries on community environmental health. kerrybu@eohsi.rutgers.edu

get Involved

Whether you’re a community member concerned about local environmental health issues, a student interested in environmental health science, or an organization looking to partner with us, there are many ways to get involved.

Ways to Connect:

Join Our Community Advisory Board
Partner With Us
Contact Us for more information:

Community Engagement Core
Center for Environmental Exposure and Disease
Rutgers Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute

170 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854