The Chen Lab

Welcome to the Chen Lab, we are an environmental and material science research lab in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at James Madison University.

Our Research

Our laboratory is dedicated to conducting cutting-edge research in the field of environmental and material science. We are committed to developing innovative solutions for water treatment, nutrient recovery, and addressing contaminants of emerging concerns. Our team is passionate about making a positive impact on the environment and human health through our research endeavors. We strive to push the boundaries of knowledge and contribute to the development of sustainable technologies.

There are three focus in Chen research lab:

Sustainable and selective ultrashort- and short-chain PFAS adsorption by cellulose-based bioadsorbents and Donnan dialysis
Novel nitrogen and phosphorus recovery from animal manure by cellulose-based micromotors facilitated by Donnan dialysis
Radioactive waste cleanup by integrated Donnan dialysis and functional cellulose adsorbents

News & Events

Emma Foley, Luke Campbell, Keyvan Harris, Sarah Vollbrecht and Adriana Shaffner attended and presented their research proposal in Fall 2025 Virginia Academy of Science Undergraduate Student Meeting in Petersburg, VA!
Tyler Richard joined in Oct 2025, and he will be developing cellulose-based adsorbents for ultrashort- and short-chain PFAS removal.
Adriana Shaffner joined in Sep 2025, and she will be doing resin research for radioactive elements removal from fracking produced water!
Bella Fong attended and presented her nutrient recovery work at 2025 S-STEM Scholars National Meeting in San Diego, CA from Oct 2-4, 2025.
Congrats to Luke Campbell, Emma Foley and Callie Muska won the Certificate of Merit in Fall 2025 ACS Environmental Division!
Emma Foley, Luke Campbell, Keyvan Harris, Bella Fong, Sarah Varney and Callie Muska attended and presented in Fall 2025 American Chemical Society national meeting in Washington DC!
Emma Foley, Luke Campbell, Keyvan Harris, Bella Fong Sarah Varney are doing summer research for 2025 REU program!
Congrats to Rania, who graduated recently with BS in health science and pre-med!
Congrats Chen group received 2024 Madison Trust grant for nutrient recovery study!
Congrats to Bella Fong, who was awarded J'ste scholarship for 2025 summer research!
Sarah Vollbrecht joined in Spring 2025 , and she will be doing nutrient recovery research!
Bella Fong joined in Spring 2025 , and she will be doing nutrient recovery research!
Emma Foley joined in Aug 2024, and she will be doing PFAS research!
Callie Muska joined in Aug 2024, and she will be doing PFAS research!
Luke Campbell joined in Aug 2024, and she will be doing PFAS research!
Sarah Varney joined in Aug 2024, and she will be doing nutrient recovery research!
Natalie Cook joined in Aug 2024, and she will be doing nutrient recovery research!
Rania Supriadi joined in Aug 2024, and she will be doing nutrient recovery research!
Sarah Cook joined in Aug 2024, and she will be doing radioactive wastewater research!
Keyvan Harris joined in Aug 2024, and she will be doing radioactive wastewater research!
Congrats Dr. Hui Chen joined JMU chemistry as an Assistant Professor in Aug 2024!

Latest Publications