Doug Graber Neufeld

Research Webpages

Dr. Graber Neufeld is the chair of the Biology and Chemistry Departments. He works primarily with the Environmental Sustainability program at EMU, with a concentration in issues that relate to environmental monitoring and toxicology. He teaches in the introductory biology course, Concepts in Biology, and in a variety of courses related to environmental issues (such as Environmental Toxicology, Sustainable Agriculture)

He has a Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin in environmental physiology, and worked at the University of Arizona and the University of Otago (New Zealand) before coming to EMU. He served a two year term with Mennonite Central Committee in Cambodia, were he worked on environmental issues through the Royal University of Agriculture and the Royal University of Phnom Penh.

Doug’s research is in collaboration with students and focuses on issues of environmental toxicology and monitoring. Currently he is working on two projects: 1) assessing pesticides in market vegetables using a novel combination of techniques, and 2) water monitoring in a local watershed. Also, he periodically monitors arsenic in clay used for ceramic drinking filters from Southeast Asia.

Doug lives in Harrisonburg with his wife, Cristina, and two young sons, Alex and Evan. They enjoy many outdoors activities, and take as many opportunities as possible to go camping and traveling.

EDUCATIONAL PREPARATION:

December 1992 Ph.D., Biological Sciences
University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX

May 1987 B.A., Biology
Tabor College, Hillsboro, KS
(Summa cum laude)

(last 10 years)

1. Kishbaugh, T, Cessna, S., Leaman, L, Horst, S.J., Graber Neufeld, D., Siderhurst, Matthew, Flanagan, T. Measuring beyond content: A rubric bank for assessing skills in authentic research assignments in the sciences. Chemistry Education Research and Practice. DOI: 10.1039/C2RP00023G

2. Vermette, S.J., Bernosky, J., and Graber Neufeld, D. (2011). Mapping of Airborne Particulates in Phnom Penh, Cambodia: Comparisons with Bangkok, Thailand and Phoenix, Arizona. Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution. 8(2): 1-9.

3. Graber Neufeld, D.S., and Yoder, J. (2011). The Role of Feeding Adaptations in Resource Competition between Invasive and Native Clams. Proceedings of ABLE. Pages 78-87, in Tested Studies for Laboratory Teaching, Volume 32 (K. McMahon, Editor). Proceedings of the 32nd Conference of the Association for Biology Laboratory Education (ABLE), 383 pages.

4. Graber Neufeld, D.S., H. Savoeun, C. Phoeurk, A. Glick, C. Hernandez. (2010) Prevalence and Persistence of Organophosphate and Carbamate Pesticides in Cambodian Market Vegetables. Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution,7(4): 89-98.

5. Neufeld, D.S.G. (2010). Mercury Accumulation in Caged Corbicula: Rate of Uptake and Seasonal Variation. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment. 168: 385-396.

6. Cessna, S. G., Kishbaugh, T.L.S., Graber Neufeld, D.S., and Cessna, G. A. (2009). A Multiweek, Problem-Based Laboratory Project Using Phytoremediation To Remove Copper from Soil. J. Chem. Ed. 86, 726-729..

7. Neufeld, D.S.G., Kauffman, R., and Kurtz, Z. (2005). Specificity of the Fluorescein Transport Process in Malpighian Tubules of the Cricket, Acheta domesticus. J. exp. Biol. 208, 2227-2236.

8. Bahn, A. , M. Knabe,Y. Hagos,M. Rodiger,S. Godehardt,D.S. Graber-Neufeld,K.K.Evans,G. Burckhardt,S. Wright. (2002). Interaction of the metal chelator 2,3-dimercapto-1-propanesulfonate with the rabbit multispecific organic anion transporter 1 (rbOAT1). Molecular Pharmacology 62:1128-1136.

(last 10 years)

1. Akerson, N., and Graber Neufeld, DS. 2012. Organophosphate Pesticide Concentrations in Tomatoes from the Harrisonburg Area. Annual Meeting of the Virginia Academy of Science. Norfolk, VA. May 22-23, 2012.

2. Graber Neufeld, D. Major Workshop leader. “The Role of 1. Feeding Adaptations in Resource Competition between Invasive and Native Clams”; 32nd Association for Biology Laboratory Education, June 22-26, 2010. Halifax, Nova Scotia.

3. Graber Neufeld, D. Keynote speaker, “Stepping Out of the Boat: Caring for God’s World – Leaving a Hopeful Trace”, Mennonite Educators Conference, Feb 4-6, 2010. Pittsburgh, PA.

4. Graber Neufeld, D. Workshop leader: “Education for a Changing Climate: Using Ecological Footprints to Raise Environmental Awareness”, Mennonite Educators Conference, Feb 4-6, 2010. Pittsburgh, PA.

5. Graber Neufeld, D. Workshop leader: “The Green Campus: Institutional Initiatives for Sustainability”, Mennonite Educators Conference, Feb 4-6, 2010. Pittsburgh, PA.

6. Glick, A., C. Eliyan, and D. Graber-Neufeld. Application and Longevity of Organophosphates and Carbamates on Water Spinach in Wetlands of Cambodia. 2009 Eastern Analytical Symposium, Nov 16-19, 2009. Somerset, NJ.

7. Kreider, C., S. Vermette, and D. Graber Neufeld. Household drinking water quality: Comparing the Escherichia coli levels in source and point-of-use water in Kandal province, Cambodia. American Society for Microbiology, Virginia Branch Annual Meeting. Nov. 13-24, 2009. Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA.

8. ZumFelde, J., N. Samantarat, T. Kootatep, and D. Graber Neufeld. Diurnal and rainfall-dependent variation in water quality in the combined sewer system of Rattanakosin Village, Thailand. American Society for Microbiology, Virginia Branch Annual Meeting. Nov. 13-24, 2009. Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA.

9. Glick, A., E. Chea, and D. Graber Neufeld. Application and Longevity of Organophosphate and Carbamates on Water Spinach in Wetlands of Phnom Penh. Association of American Geographers, Middle States Division Annual Conference. Nov. 7-8, 2008. Millersville University, PA.

10. Hernandez, C., D. Graber Neufeld, S. Kunthy, and M. Sampson. Levels of Pesticide Residue in Cabbages in Phnom Penh Markets. Association of American Geographers, Middle States Division Annual Conference. Nov. 7-8, 2008. Millersville University, PA.

11. Graber Neufeld, D. Keynote speaker, “Crossing Borders between Science, Faith and Society”, “The Word via the World: How does faithful teaching and science make visible the relationship between the created world and the incarnated Word of God?” , Mennonite University Faculty Conference, Aug 7-8, 2008.

12. Graber Neufeld, D., Savoeun, H., and Phoeurk, C. “Pesticide Residues in Cambodia: Assessing Methylparathion Risk in Market Vegetables,” 2008 Annual Meeting, American Association for the Advancement of Science. Boston, Massachussetts. 14-18 February 2008.

13. Savouen, H., and Graber Neufeld, D. Determination of the levels of pesticide residues in cabbage, kale and long bean collected from the wholesale markets, Phnom Penh. The 9th Socio-Cultural Research Congress on Cambodia. 14-16 November 2006.

14. Graber Neufeld, D. and T. Benzing. “Corbicula used as a biomonitor to assess trends of mercury contamination in a river system”, Fourth World Congress of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. Portland, Oregon. 14-18 November 2004.

15. Graber Neufeld, D. “Corbicula transplant studies”, Presentation to Expert Panel, South River Science Team. Department of Environmental Quality, Harrisonburg, Virginia. 8 November 2004.

16. Graber Neufeld, D. and T. Benzing. Reports on Using the Asiatic Clam (Corbicula) to Find Mercury Source Areas in South River. South River Science Team Meeting, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, Harrisonburg, VA. Oct 9, 2002; Oct 21, 2003; Feb. 10, 2004; Apr 14, 2004; & Aug 10, 2004.

17. Kauffman, R., Jenner, A., and Neufeld, DSG. 2002. Fluorescein transport in Malpighian tubules of the cricket, Acheta domesticus: Affinity and specificity characteristics. APS Intersociety Meeting: The power of comparative physiology: Evolution, Integration and Application. Aug, 24-28, 2002. San Diego, CA. The physiologist. 45(4). August 2002, p374.

18. N. Burkholder, T. Hollingsworth, E. Lantz, J. Yoder, and D. Graber Neufeld. Total Mercury Content in Asiatic Clams, Corbicula fluminea, taken from multiple sites along the South River, Virginia. Annual Meetings of the Virginia Academy of Sciences, May 22-23, Hampton College, Hampton, Virginia. Virginia Journal of Science, 53(2), 67.

19. R. Kauffman, N. Burkholder, and D. Graber Neufeld. Specificity of Organic Anion Transport in Malpighian Tubules of the Cricket, Acheta domesticus. Annual Meetings of the Virginia Academy of Sciences, May 22-23, Hampton College, Hampton, Virginia. Virginia Journal of Science, 53(2), 67.

(past 2 years)

2012 Live interview on WHSV, Ch. 3 Harrisonburg (on world population reaching 7 billion), Oct. 31, 2011
2010 Presentation “Faith in Action: How Christians are Caring for Creation” Dayton Mennonite Church, June 13, 2010
2010 Presentation to MCC Carribean night, Environmental Disaster in the Gulf of Mexico (on the Deepwater Horizon oil blowout), May 17, 2010

2012 Judge for EMHS science fair
2008-present Referee, manuscripts for Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology
2005-2007 Service Worker, Mennonite Central Committee, Cambodia
2004-2005 Member, Science Advisory Council, Eastern Mennonite High School
2002-2005 Member of South River Science Team, a group of approximately 20 professionals of academic, government, industry and grassroot organizations monitoring mercury contamination in the South River watershed.
2005 Judge for Eastern Mennonite High School Science Fair, Apr 21, 2005
2005 Laboratory leader for High School Biotechnology Conference, Eastern Mennonite High School, April 27, 2005
2001-present Referee, manuscripts for Comparative Physiology and Biochemistry
1996-present. Referee, manuscripts for the Journal of Experimental Biology.

(last 10 years)

2011-12 Shenandoah Valley Network, grant for baseline testing of water ($2000; w/ Tara Kishbaugh)

2011 EMU Summer Research Grant. “Simplifying a Method for Detecting Pesticides in Vegetables” $1500.

2009-12 National Science Foundation, Course, Curriculum and Laboratory Improvement. “Promoting learning through authentic and relevant research experiences in environmental monitoring and remediation across ten chemistry and biology laboratory courses” Co-PI with S. Cessna, L. H. Leaman, M. Siderhurst, and T. L. Kishbaugh. $137,932. (2009-12).

2007-9 National Science Foundation, “Undergraduate Research Experience to Assess
Sustainable Sanitation and Drinking Water Quality in Developing Countries,” Co-PI with Drs. K. Irvine and S. Vermette, Buffalo State University. $99,306.

2006 (Advisor for grant) Heinrich-Boll Foundation, “Determination of the levels of pesticide residues in cabbage, kale and long bean collected from the wholesale markets, Phnom Penh” $4,850.

2004-5 Lilly Grant. Nursing – Biology – Chemistry Multi Course Collaboration, Environmental Science and Public Health. Collaborative with Dr. Ann Hershberger & Dr. Tara Kishbaugh. $1,700.

2004 DuPont Engineering Grant. Potential Mercury Source Areas in the South River: A Study Using Transplanted Asiatic Clams (Corbicula). Collaborative with Dr. Tom Benzing (JMU). $8,480 ($2,850 for EMU portion).

2004 EMU teaching grant for curriculum redesign (departmental grant), $2000 A Vision of Life: Designing Four Core Courses for the Biology Program

2003 DuPont Engineering Grant. Continuing Studies of the Asiatic Clam (Corbicula) to Find Mercury Source Areas in South River. Collaborative with Dr. Tom Benzing (JMU). $7,248 ($4,200 for EMU portion).

2003-4 Jeffress Memorial Trust Renewal Award, Renal Transport of Organic Anions in Insects: A Role for Handling Environmental Toxins. $10,000

2002-3 Jeffress Memorial Trust Renewal Award, Renal Transport of Organic Anions in Insects: A Role for Handling Environmental Toxins. $10,000

2001-2 Jeffress Memorial Trust Award, Renal Transport of Organic Anions in Insects: A Role for Handling Environmental Toxins. $27,962

2001-2 EMU Research Release Time, Biological Effects of Mercury Pollution in the Shenandoah River, 6 credit load hours, $500

American Association for the Advancement of Science
Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
Association of Biology Laboratory Education
Shenandoah Anabaptist Science Society
Virginia Academy of Sciences

(past year)

2012. Virginia Water Monitoring Council annual conference. May 18, 2012. Henrico, VA.

2011. 10th Annual Workshop for Department and Division Chairs. Baltimore, MD. 17-19 May 2011.

2011. Annual Meeting, American Association for the Advancement of Science. Washington, D.C.. 17-21 February 2011.

2010. 32nd Association for Biology Laboratory Education, June 22-26, 2010. Halifax, Nova Scotia.

(for 2011-12 academic year)
Natural History of the Shenandoah Valley

Chair, Departments of Biology and Chemistry
Undergraduate Council (co-chair)
Creation Care Council
Faculty Senate (starting 2011-12 academic year)
Quality Service Award Committee
Graduate Biomedicine Committee