Environmental Health Sciences Laboratory at CHBS/JMU

The Environmental Health Sciences Laboratory, co-founded by Dr. Catherine L. Zeman and Dr. Raihan K. Khan, serves as an essential center for applied research, student learning, and community-engaged science at James Madison University. Through funding from the University Equipment Trust Fund and university-wide sources, the lab has acquired more than $111,000 in state-of-the-art equipment to support its mission.

Research Capacity and Equipment

The EHS Lab houses a Muse flow cytometer for cell viability and nitric oxide studies, spectrophotometers for cytokine and chemical analyses, a biosafety cabinet, centrifuge, incubators, balances, micropipettes, and a fume hood. Field instruments include particulate samplers and water quality analyzers used to characterize environmental exposures in communities. The lab is moving toward Biosafety Level 2 certification to allow advanced toxicological work and interdisciplinary collaborations.

Faculty Research and Projects

Dr. Zeman and Dr. Khan’s ongoing work explores how environmental exposures contribute to inflammation, chronic disease, and community health outcomes. Recent studies have examined the effects of road dust and other pollutants on respiratory and developmental outcomes, and how proximity to toxic sites relates to learning challenges among children. In the lab, current experiments focus on environmental chemicals and their impact on nitric oxide balance, immune signaling, and cell viability, paired with AI-supported data modeling.

Undergraduate Research and Mentorship

The EHS Lab supports numerous undergraduate research experiences through the First Year and Transfer Student Research Experience and the Honors Capstone program. Students gain hands-on experience with experimental design, cell culture, and data analysis while learning to connect laboratory findings to public health questions. Several student researchers have presented at professional conferences and co-authored publications.

Vision and Future Directions

The next phase for the EHS Lab includes completing BSL-2 certification, expanding interdisciplinary research, and strengthening partnerships in environmental justice and rural health. The lab stands as an example of how JMU integrates teaching, scholarship, and community engagement to improve health and well-being.