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An Interdisciplinary Center with a Unique Approach

We seek to understand how human health is impacted by environmental factors and how to reduce adverse impacts. 

At the Center for Human Health and the Environment (CHHE), we apply a systems biology approach, spanning biomolecules to human populations, to understand how environmental stressors impact human health. Our goal is to uncover the underlying mechanisms of disease and use this knowledge to mitigate adverse health outcomes.

CHHE 10th Annual Symposium

Please join us on Wednesday, March 4, 2026 for the 10th Annual Center for Human Health and the Environment Symposium titled, “Murky Waters: Coastal & Recreational Water Quality Affecting Ecosystem Health”.

Pilot Project Program Now Accepting Letters of Intent for the Spring Cycle

Interested in applying for a pilot project? Submit your Letter of Intent by March 2nd, 2026. Click the link below to learn more.

CHHE: 100 strong, representing three universities

We bring together 68 grant seeking faculty from 15 departments and six colleges at NC State, as well as ten faculty from East Carolina’s Brody School of Medicine and nine faculty from NC Central, in addition to our associate members and amazing staff.

CHHE provides focus, resources and leadership for interdisciplinary research that improves human health locally, nationally and globally.

Headshot of Rob Smart

Rob Smart

CHHE Founding Director

2023 Center Highlights

7

New Members

$351,919

Seed money, travel funds & pilot project funds awarded

48

Projects supported by CHHE STC

4

Community grants funded

>200

Publications by our members

>40

NIH and NIEHS funded active grants

Think and Do – NC State
Truth and Service – NCCU
To Serve – ECU


CHHE is an NIEHS-funded Environmental Health Science Core Center.