College of Science

Graduating community health student has her own floss-ophy

Shayla Brown — Fri, 02 May 2025 17:09:05 +0000

Graduating community health student has her own floss-ophy Shayla Brown Fri, 05/02/2025 - 13:09

Growing up, George Mason Ģ��AV senior Haila Salaheddine was not a big fan of going to the dentist.

“I was initially very fearful of the dentist. When I was living in Lebanon, there wasn’t really preventative care for oral hygiene,” said Salaheddine, a community health major.

After high school, Salaheddine moved to the United States and discovered she had eight cavities.

“I got them filled in quadrants, which was not fun, but I paid close attention to what the dentist was doing; all the material he was picking up. I started asking questions and ended up shadowing the same dentist, and soon fell in love with it,” said Salaheddine.

Salaheddine is graduating this spring with a bachelor of science from George Mason’s College of Public Health and plans to attend dental school at the Ģ��AV of Maryland.

“Now it will be my responsibility to make sure that patients feel comfortable with me, which is something that I'm very excited for. Going to the dentist is a different experience for everybody and I want to help make the process as easy as possible,” said the Honors College student.

Haila Salaheddine. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of Ģ��AV Branding.

During her time on campus, Salaheddine was president of the Volunteers Around the World dental outreach program, vice president of Patriots for Public Health, and a member of the Pre-Dental Society, Chemistry Club, and Alpha Phi sorority.

“Our main goal with Volunteers Around the World is to get enough members to travel overseas for two weeks in the summer and provide dental care for underserved communities in countries like the Dominican Republic, Vietnam, and Peru,” said Salaheddine, who has attended multiple national meetings.

She was also president of a student advisory group that advocated for more global and community health (GCH) courses in Peterson Hall.

“We met with President Gregory Washington on a monthly basis and discussed how having more courses in this building can help GCH students to integrate themselves more in the major and with fellow peers,” she said.

Salaheddine is in her third semester of being a learning advisor for College of Science professor Gwendolyn Fondufe, providing support to students in Fondufe’s classrooms.

One of Salaheddine’s favorite courses was organic chemistry taught by Greg Petruncio.

“Haila has a high capacity for memorization, something that is necessary to perform well in organic chemistry and is evidenced by her stellar performance in the course,” said Petruncio, a postdoctoral fellow in George Mason’s College of Science.

“She would show up to my office hours regularly and would often ask exam-focused questions to target her studying efforts,” he said.

Salaheddine describes the course as the climax of her college experience.

“It taught me a lot about myself, about my time management skills, and it was really impactful in me passing my dental admission exams,” she said.

What’s your best memory at George Mason? 

My freshman year in fall 2021. It was the turnover of the COVID-19 era and we were getting more social interactions, but it was still very quiet on campus. It was a really new and unique experience, and a critical point for me. I often question what it would be like if I was to go back freshman year and have it completely in person, and whether that would've changed my way of thinking or the places where I usually hang our and study now.

How have you grown at George Mason?

My senior year is when I found my love of joining clubs and trying to hold leadership positions because it was something that kept me intertwined with George Mason as a commuter. Something that’s important for me is being able to receive constructive criticism when working with others so being able to socialize and ask this from people was really significant for me, especially as I started applying to dental schools and interviewing for programs. I don't think I would be where I am now as a leader in two different clubs and admitted into dental school otherwise.

What advice do you have for incoming students?

As a learning advisor for BIOL 213 [Cell Structure and Function], a lot of my students are freshmen, and funny enough I oftentimes advise them to socialize and put themselves outside their comfort zone and make friends with people they wouldn't typically interact with. It builds a lot of personality and social awareness.

There are so many different perspectives surrounding us at all times and being able to keep an open mind while interacting with all these different individuals helps you, especially as a person who's still growing. We can't always control the environment we’re in and being able to communicate with others in a meaningful way is crucial.

What’s next for you? 

I'm very excited to finally go to dental school at the Ģ��AV of Maryland. As a dental assistant, you're shadowing professionals and helping on the sidelines. I finally get to say that I am pursuing my future career and providing firsthand care to others. That's something that's very heartwarming and amazing to hear.

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Chemistry PhD receives U.S. Department of Defense SMART Scholarship

Katarina Benson — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 16:23:09 +0000

Chemistry PhD receives U.S. Department of Defense SMART Scholarship Katarina Benson Mon, 04/14/2025 - 12:23

A'Laura C. Hines, a physical chemistry PhD candidate at George Mason Ģ��AV, has been awarded the prestigious U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) SMART Scholarship. The Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship-for-Service Program provides full tuition, an annual stipend, and a summer internship at a DoD facility.

The program emphasizes hands-on learning and mentorship to prepare scholars for careers in defense technologies after graduation, supporting them with financial resources while they study and gain practical experience.

"It is incredibly humbling to be recognized for my hard work," said Hines, reflecting on the honor. “The offer for full funding allows me to focus on accelerating my research progress.”

For Hines, the comprehensive support offered by the DoD SMART Scholarship was a major draw. In addition to funding her graduate degree, the scholarship guarantees a government civil servant job upon graduation, providing both job security and an exciting career path in the defense sector.

Hines's journey in science began at George Mason, where she earned her BA in chemistry in 2013. As an undergraduate, Hines spent time researching synthesized cooking oils as an alternative to diesel fuel using mass spectroscopy. She also studied the mechanism of methanol ice formation using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to simulate ice formation in interstellar environments.

Hines in the lab. Photo provided

Currently, as a PhD candidate, Hines is actively involved in George Mason’s Clayborne Research Group where her graduate research initially focused on nanoscale aluminum clusters using density functional theory (DFT). Inspired by her participation in NASA’s Dragonfly Guest Investigator Program, her current work explores computational studies of molecular co-crystals in astrophysics and astrochemistry.

The Dragonfly Guest Investigator Program facilitated Hines's collaboration with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where she participated in a Planetary Science Summer Internship. This program pairs students with NASA scientists to bolster early career opportunities in STEM fields. During her internship, Hines investigated the behavior of complex mixtures of organic and aqueous ices pertinent to Titan's conditions, directly contributing to NASA's exploration objectives.

"The program has been transformative, providing me with hands-on experience and expanding my scientific horizons," said Hines.

Hines said that her George Mason mentors, including Gerald Weatherspoon, College of Science’s associate dean for undergraduate and graduate student affairs, have been a source of encouragement and inspiration. Her research advisor, acting associate dean of faculty affairs in the college and chemistry professor Andre Clayborne, introduced her to computational chemistry and has been instrumental in helping her understand and explore new areas of research.

Hines offers this advice to aspiring STEM students: "Believe in yourself and follow your dreams. Build connections and seek research opportunities early." She encourages all eligible students to consider applying for the DoD SMART Scholarship.

Looking ahead, she envisions a career as a research scientist, leveraging her experience to continue making discoveries and collaborating with top scientists in her field.

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Announcing the recipients of the 2025 Presidential Awards for Faculty Excellence

Lauren Reuscher — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 14:49:41 +0000

Announcing the recipients of the 2025 Presidential Awards for Faculty Excellence Lauren Reuscher Mon, 04/14/2025 - 10:49

George Mason Ģ��AV President Gregory Washington has announced the recipients of the 2025 Presidential Awards for Faculty Excellence, honoring 12 George Mason faculty members for their work on behalf of the university, students, and the broader community.

The awards honor faculty with up to six years of service, six to 12 years of service, and more than 12 years of service.

This is the ninth year for the Presidential Awards for Faculty Excellence. Recipients are selected by a review committee that includes prior award recipients and senior leaders from relevant areas. They will be honored at a reception May 13.

“Faculty excellence is an undeniable reason why George Mason is consistently ranked as one the country’s top 50 public universities,” President Gregory Washington said. “We honor these faculty members’ scholarship and dedication to help students achieve their highest potential with the university’s highest faculty recognition.”

The John Toups Presidential Medal for Excellence in Teaching is presented to a faculty member whose teaching inspires and stimulates students in the finest tradition of higher education.

The Beck Family Presidential Medal for Excellence in Research recognizes extraordinary contributions by members of the Mason faculty to consequential research of high impact. The award is presented annually to a George Mason faculty member whose research represents groundbreaking advances in their field.

The United Bank Presidential Medal for Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion recognizes extraordinary contributions in teaching, research, scholarship, creative works, or service that directly advances diversity and inclusion inside and outside the George Mason community.

The Earle C. Williams Presidential Medal for Excellence in Social Impact is presented to a faculty member in any discipline who makes extraordinary efforts to use their scholarship to solve real-world problems.

The complete list of 2025 honorees is below. See prior recipients for 2017 to 2024.

Bethany Cieslowski

Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award Recipient

Bethany Cieslowski

Chief Innovation Officer for Immersive Technologies and Instructional Associate Professor, School of Nursing

Bethany Cieslowski joined the faculty of the School of Nursing as an instructional faculty member in 2021. She serves as the chief innovation officer for immersive technologies and the bachelor of science in nursing director in the College of Public Health. Since 2017, when she received the Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator (CHSE) certification, she has devoted herself to educating the nursing workforce of the future using simulation and technology. Cieslowski has been a pioneer at George Mason in the use of virtual reality (VR) simulations that immerse students in clinical nursing scenarios. To aid this effort she established the College of Public Health’s VR SIM lab, which is the first lab in the country to receive accreditation from the Society for Simulation in Healthcare for the use of immersive technologies in medical scenarios.

Angela Miller

John Toups Presidential Medal for Excellence in Teaching Recipient

Angela Miller

Associate Professor, College of Education and Human Development

Angela Miller is an associate professor in the College of Education and Human Development. Her primary teaching focus is on quantitative research methods. She has taught 13 different courses in her time at George Mason, and she took the lead in redesigning the research methods curriculum for PhD students and developed three new courses to that end. While her own teaching has been focused on the graduate level, she took a lead role in developing, teaching, and now mentoring graduate students and other faculty in an undergraduate statistics course that is part of the Mason Core for Quantitative Reasoning. Miller makes deliberate efforts to tailor her instruction to the unique needs of her students and she consistently receives outstanding evaluations. She has made significant contributions to graduate mentoring, having chaired six dissertation committees, served as the methodologist on an additional 18 dissertation committees, and chaired six MA thesis committees, as well as an additional 16 MA capstone projects. She was also a recipient of the 2017 George Mason Ģ��AV Teaching Excellence Award.

Weiwen Jiang

Faculty Excellence in Research Award Recipient

Weiwen Jiang

Assistant Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering Department

Weiwen Jiang, an assistant professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in the College of Engineering and Computing, received his PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the Ģ��AV of Pittsburgh in 2019 and spent two years at the Ģ��AV of Notre Dame as a postdoctoral researcher. Jiang’s research is in the relatively new field of quantum computing, which uses quantum mechanics to enable computers to solve more complicated problems. Jiang’s research has important applications. For example, one of his recent papers combines quantum computational techniques with machine learning to solve problems relating to the discovery of new medicines. Jiang has an impressive research record of top-tier conference presentations and publications, some of which are in the most selective journals in his field (Nature Communications, Nature Electronics, Scientific Reports).

Xuesu Xiao

Faculty Excellence in Research Award Recipient

Xuesu Xiao

Assistant Professor, Computer Science Department

Xuesu Xiao received his PhD in Computer Science in 2019 from Texas A&M Ģ��AV, and after three years in industry as a roboticist with Everyday Robots, an Alphabet/Google company, he joined the Computer Science Department in the College of Engineering and Computing. His research aims to develop intelligent mobile robots that can navigate in challenging terrain with minimal human oversight. His cutting-edge work in the field of social robot navigation seeks to develop robots that can navigate human-occupied public spaces safely while respecting social norms. At George Mason, he established the RobotiXX Lab, in which he works with postdocs, graduate students, and high school students to develop deployable robots. An outstanding researcher, he was awarded the New Generation Star recognition at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) International Conference on Robotics and Automation.

Aarthi Narayanan

Faculty Excellence in Research Award Recipient

Aarthi Narayanan

Professor, Biology Department

Aarthi Narayanan joined the George Mason faculty as a tenure-line faculty in 2013 after spending six years at the National Centre for Biosecurity and Infectious Disease. She is currently a professor in the Biology Department in the College of Science. Her research focuses on the impact of viruses–including SARS-CoV-2, Ebola, Dengue, and HIV–on disease progression at the tissue and cell level. Her work has led to important discoveries in vaccine development, drug discovery, and biomarker identification for infectious diseases. Narayanan has an exceptional record of publications and external funding for her research. Moreover, she has been an exemplary citizen of the university and her profession. She has been a dedicated mentor to emerging scientists in academic and industry settings; a leader in mentoring junior faculty, postdoctoral researchers, and students; a vital contributor to curriculum development for undergraduate and graduate programs; and dedicated to outreach to the local community, participating in STEM programs for girls.

Allison Redlich

The Beck Family Presidential Medal for Faculty Excellence in Research Recipient

Allison Redlich

Professor, Criminology, Law and Society Department

Founder and Director, Modeling Decision-Making in the Legal System (MoDiLS) Lab

Allison Redlich is a professor in the Department of Criminology, Law and Society in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and is the founder and director of George Mason’s Modeling Decision-Making in the Legal System (MoDiLS) Lab. Her research is deeply interdisciplinary. Trained in psychology, she brings insights from that field to address critical issues facing the legal system. For example, she has published influential research about interrogations and confessions in police and military contexts. This scholarship has been widely cited in amicus briefs to states and the Supreme Court, and Redlich herself has provided expert testimony in important cases involving contested confessions. She has produced similarly influential research on topics such as guilty pleas and mental health courts. Her work is credited with transforming scholarly thinking on these topics, and by all accounts is having a significant impact on current practices within the legal system. A prolific scholar and researcher, she has been elected a Fellow to the three most influential organizations in her academic fields: the American Psychological Association, the Association for Psychological Science, and the Academy of Experimental Criminology. Redlich has also distinguished herself as a mentor and has received mentoring awards from George Mason and from the American Society of Criminology and the American Psychology-Law Society.

Daphne King

Faculty Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award Recipient

Daphne King

Assistant Professor, Social Work Department

Daphne King joined the faculty at George Mason’s Department of Social Work in the College of Public Health in 2020 as an assistant professor and also serves as the MSW Online Program director. Prior to arriving at George Mason, she had an impactful career as a social worker working with individuals experiencing mental health challenges, with homeless and incarcerated populations, and in school social work settings. King’s scholarship and national contributions focus on the intersection of social work practice, clinician identity, and pedagogical strategies. Within the Social Work Department at George Mason, she has been proactive in providing leadership in course development, course refresh processes, and faculty training, particularly around online teaching to ensure that there is adequate support for diverse learners in digital and hybrid learning environments.

Janani Umamaheswar

Faculty Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award Recipient

Janani Umamaheswar

Associate Professor, Criminology, Law and Society

Janani Umamaheswar joined the Department of Criminology, Law and Society in 2021 as an assistant professor in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. She is also an affiliate faculty member in the Women and Gender Studies Program. She is an accomplished scholar whose research addresses issues relating to social inequality, punishment and incarceration, and qualitative research methods. In her teaching she makes a point to include a broad range of perspectives on whatever subject matter she is teaching, and in her course design she creates assessment methods that give students of diverse backgrounds and viewpoints the opportunity to share their learning in different modalities. She has also created experiential co-curricular activities designed to help students grasp issues relating to inequality. For example, she worked with the Douglass Project, the country’s foremost prison visitation program, to take George Mason graduate students for a guided dialogue session in the Washington, D.C., jail. She has been an active member of the mentoring programs run by multiple divisions of the American Society of Criminology.

Jacqueline McDowell

United Bank Presidential Medal for Faculty Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Recipient

Jacqueline McDowell

Associate Professor, School of Sport, Recreation, and Tourism Management

Assistant Dean for Faculty Success

Jacqueline McDowell is assistant dean for faculty success and associate professor in the School of Sport, Recreation, and Tourism Management in the College of Education and Human Development. A well-respected scholar, her work focuses primarily on diversity and inclusion in organized sports and recreation organizations. She has published widely in this field, particularly on the experiences of women and sport, such as athletic administrators and coaches. One of her articles was awarded the 2017 President’s Award for Article of Distinction at the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association. In McDowell’s teaching, issues of inclusion are central. She has also been active in advancing inclusion in her professional service, both here at George Mason and in external professional organizations. For example, she serves on the American Kinesiology Association’s Membership Committee, where she has led efforts to bring more Historically Black Colleges and Universities into the field by developing outreach strategies. Due to the effectiveness of these efforts, she was asked to chair this committee for the American Kinesiology Association.

Margarita Tadevosyan

Faculty Excellence in Social Impact Award Recipient

Margarita Tadevosyan

Research Assistant Professor and Executive Director, Center for Peacemaking Practice, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution

Margarita Tadevosyan received her PhD in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from George Mason Ģ��AV in 2019 and is a research assistant professor and executive director of the Center for Peacemaking Practice at the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution. She is a scholar-practitioner of conflict resolution and local peacebuilding, with a focus on South Caucasus and other post-Soviet areas. Specifically, she focuses on long-term peacebuilding, local conceptions of peace, local practices to build peace, and ways that international and local peacebuilders can work together respectfully. Tadevosyan’s social impact involves fostering dialogue and cooperation between communities that have experienced long-standing conflicts. She has also brought Carter School students into her work as co-planners, co-facilitators, and co-evaluators of conflict resolution and media literacy programs.

Susan Howard

Faculty Excellence in Social Impact Award Recipient

Susan Howard

Instructional Associate Professor, School of Integrative Studies

Susan Howard joined George Mason as a full-time faculty member in the School of Integrative Studies in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences in 2016. Howard is an educator, behavioral scientist, and entrepreneur-innovator who leverages and humanizes technology for social impact. Her teaching, research, and entrepreneurial focus is broad, ranging from global health to environmental science and design thinking. Her impact beyond the university has come primarily through the free digital gaming platform that her company has produced for an audience of marginalized youth in India and Nepal. The games, which are free to play, are designed to educate youth about the social and public health decisions they face in their own lives. To extend the impact of her work, Howard has formed partnerships with stakeholders in the adolescent health sector, including NGOs, women entrepreneurs, and nonprofits. Howard’s gaming platform, “Games of Choice, Not of Chance,” has received multiple accolades for its work, including the 2024 Innovation Award at the Global Digital Health Summit.

Rebecca Goldin

Earle C. Williams Presidential Medal for Faculty Excellence in Social Impact

Rebecca Goldin

Professor, Mathematical Sciences

Rebecca Goldin is Professor of Mathematics in the Department of Mathematical Sciences in the College of Science. For many years she has served as a driving force behind a global effort aimed at promoting statistical literacy among journalists and connecting the scientific community to the media. In that capacity she has written more than 100 articles, appeared in dozens of high-profile news shows and podcasts (CNN, NPR, ABC News, and PBS), and given a great number of public talks and interviews to audiences at major conferences and mathematics festivals. In addition to her far-reaching communication and outreach efforts, Goldin has done extensive volunteer work locally. Her efforts have been widely recognized by professional organizations in her field. In 2013, she was given the Association for Women in Mathematics Service Award for her contributions to the cause of educating women and girls in mathematics. In 2019, she was named a Fellow of the American Mathematical Society, an extraordinary honor that goes to only a few mathematics scholars per year, for both her scholarly contributions to the field of differential geometry and for her efforts to promote mathematical and statistical thinking to a wide audience.

About the Presidential Awards for Faculty Excellence

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Cody W. Edwards appointed as dean of the College of Science

Colleen Rich — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 19:40:17 +0000

Cody W. Edwards appointed as dean of the College of Science Colleen Rich Mon, 03/31/2025 - 15:40

George Mason Ģ��AV is pleased to announce Cody W. Edwards as the new dean of the College of Science (COS), effective immediately. Edwards has served as interim dean for COS since July 2024.

Cody W. Edwards. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of Ģ��AV Branding

In addition to his role as interim dean, Edwards has held numerous leadership positions at George Mason, including executive director of the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation and as COS senior associate dean of academic and faculty affairs. Edwards also serves as associate provost for George Mason’s Institute for Sustainable Earth and is a faculty member in the Department of Biology.

Throughout his career at George Mason, Edwards has demonstrated expertise in developing partnerships and promoting innovative program development to ensure student and faculty success. His strategic vision has led to the creation of new PhD programs, enhanced graduate recruitment pathways, and strengthened relationships with global partners such as Amazon Web Services, the World Wildlife Fund, and National Geographic.

“In a competitive national search, Edwards distinguished himself with an impressive track record of vision, collaboration, and resourcefulness. His demonstrated success leading crossdisciplinary teams, securing funding, and building sustainable models have already benefited the College of Science,” said George Mason Provost and Executive Vice President James Antony. “As we continue to grow George Mason’s research and academic enterprise, his leadership will be key to making critical decisions, implementing impactful initiatives, and fostering collaboration across units and colleges.”

Edwards received his doctoral degree in zoology from Texas Tech Ģ��AV in Lubbock, Texas, where he also served as a post-doctoral research associate. He was awarded his BS and MS in biology from Angelo State Ģ��AV in San Angelo, Texas. His research has been well-funded by both federal agencies and foundations, and he is a frequent speaker at professional conferences. He has published more than 40 manuscripts and technical reports and has led field research activities in the United States, Mexico, Central America, Ecuador (mainland), and in the Galapagos Islands.

"I’m honored to continue serving the College of Science in this new capacity,” said Edwards. “Our faculty, staff, and students are driving incredible work, and I look forward to deepening partnerships across the university and beyond to elevate our academic and research mission."

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In a muddy turtle rescue at the Potomac Science Center, slow and steady wins the race

Lauren Reuscher — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 14:38:49 +0000

In a muddy turtle rescue at the Potomac Science Center, slow and steady wins the race Lauren Reuscher Wed, 03/26/2025 - 10:38

George Mason Ģ��AV’s Potomac Science Center on Belmont Bay is a destination for environmental science research within the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Wildlife abounds on the waterfront habitat.

Slightly inland from shore, on a recent day in early March, the retention pond next to the center needed to be emptied to make changes to the drainage system. As the water was slowly pumped out, the pond became mucky, muddy, and messy during the process.

Though draining a pond can be important for maintenance, the process may inadvertently harm the wildlife that make their homes in these human-made water features. The Mason Nation was ready to rescue some of the creatures affected.

Undergraduate student Rylee Ledoux helped rescue turtles from the pond at the Potomac Science Center. Photo by Cindy Smith/College of Science

Tanya Finch, who works with the nonprofit Animal Education and Rescue Organization (AERO), led the turtle rescue with help from nearly 20 George Mason student, faculty, and staff volunteers. AERO helps rescue and rehabilitate native Virginia wildlife, and the volunteers caught and rehomed turtles and fish into the Occoquan River.

Photo by Cindy Smith/College of Science

Finch and George Mason volunteers conducted a similar turtle rescue early last fall, when another pond near the Potomac Science Center was drained for maintenance. Many turtle species need to be near water for survival, and they sometimes need help getting there.

During the recent turtle rescue event, volunteers spent the day collecting nearly 60 turtles from the pond. The species rescued included painted turtles, musk, red-eared sliders, cooters, and a large snapping turtle.

The rescue efforts continued as more turtles emerged.

The next day, graduate student Rachel Kelmartin saw a contractor in the pond area, struggling to remove more turtles from the mud. Kelmartin is studying environmental science and policy and works in the Fisheries Ecology Lab—so she is accustomed to going into the water and getting to work. Kelmartin put on waders, helped net another 25 turtles, and released them into the Occoquan River.

“I once counted over 250 turtles on the banks of the drainage pond in a single day,” Kelmartin said. “This little pond has the capacity to support a lot of life.”

“I once counted over 250 turtles on the banks of the drainage pond in a single day,” Kelmartin said. “This little pond has the capacity to support a lot of life.” Photo by Cindy Smith/College of Science

During winter, turtles burrow into the mud for brumation, which is similar to hibernation in mammals, Kelmartin said. After the pond was drained and the sun warmed the mud, the turtles started to emerge.

Walking trails meander around the Potomac Science Center and are frequently used by local residents. “Many of the turtles are habituated to humans, and during warmer months, they watch walkers ambling along the trail,” said Cindy Smith, professor of environmental science and policy. “Belmont Bay residents were pleased to see that so many turtles were rescued and relocated.”

Volunteers rescued at least 85 turtles after the pond was drained, rehoming them in the Occoquan River. Photo by Cindy Smith/College of Science

Rylee Ledoux, an undergraduate student majoring in environmental science, also joined the rescue effort. She said the hands-on experience made her reflect on the ways that habitat disruption affects wildlife.

“Experiences like this not only reinforce what I’ve learned in my studies, but also highlight the importance of staying engaged and advocating for thoughtful environmental practices,” Ledoux said.

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George Mason’s new Life Sciences and Engineering Building is stocked with potential energy for students and the region

Lauren Reuscher — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 13:48:01 +0000

George Mason’s new Life Sciences and Engineering Building is stocked with potential energy for students and the region Lauren Reuscher Wed, 03/26/2025 - 09:48

George Mason Ģ��AV's new Life Sciences and Engineering Building at the Science and Technology Campus (SciTech Campus) in Manassas, Virginia, supports the university's growing need for highly specialized instructional labs, classrooms, and support spaces.

The Life Sciences and Engineering Building at the Science and Technology Campus includes more than 30 different laboratories for teaching, design, and fabrication. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of Ģ��AV Branding

To meet the needs of the university and the commonwealth, in particular providing university access for students in Prince William, Fauquier, western Fairfax County, the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park, and beyond, the General Assembly and the Prince William delegation led by Delegate Luke Torian, chair of the House Appropriations Committee, was instrumental in strategic support and state funding for the new building.

With university classrooms and more than 30 different laboratory spaces for teaching, design, and fabrication, the building offers state-of-the-art facilities for training in disciplines like athletic training and kinesiology, microbiology, chemistry, engineering, forensic science, robotics and autonomous vehicles, and more. The building opened for classes for the spring 2025 semester.

The building offers interdisciplinary spaces for hands-on learning and collaboration. Photo by Eduardo Macedo/Office of Ģ��AV Branding

“Designed for rigorous hands-on learning, the Life Sciences and Engineering Building marks a major state investment in our outstanding George Mason faculty to educate and inspire our students—Virginia’s next generation of leaders, researchers, innovators, and problem solvers,” George Mason President Gregory Washington said. “This facility, and the advancements it will produce, further establishes the Science and Technology Campus, and this Innovation District, as an anchor of the economic corridor that runs from Mason Square in Arlington to the Fairfax Campus to here in Manassas, further entrenching George Mason as a major driver of the prosperity of our region and state.”

The building will foster interdisciplinary connections across many academic units, including the College of Education and Human Development, College of Engineering and Computing, and the College of Science.

Laboratories in the Life Sciences and Engineering Building offer experiential learning in microbiology, kinesiology, forensic science, engineering, and more. Photo by Eduardo Macedo/Office of Ģ��AV Branding

Encompassing 132,000 square feet of space, the building is designed to promote collaboration and engagement among students and faculty. The ground-level engineering labs and student design competition bays open directly onto the campus’ exterior pathways, allowing visibility into the work happening inside.

The project was originally planned as an expansion to Katherine G. Johnson Hall, an academic building at the SciTech Campus. When the university identified the need for additional labs, classrooms, and workspaces, the scope of the project changed to a four-story, free-standing building.

The SciTech Campus, which was established in 1997, will anchor a new Innovation District, which includes the development of two residential and commercial town centers directly connected to campus.

“The planned town centers will create a stronger link between the campus and the surrounding community,” said Colby Grant, director of administration and operations for the SciTech Campus. “Combined with the new Life Sciences and Engineering Building, these developments further establish the campus as a dynamic hub for science, technology, the arts, entertainment, and recreation.”

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George Mason students learn to tackle complex problems and engage with Virginia state senator

Katarina Benson — Fri, 14 Mar 2025 17:06:36 +0000

George Mason students learn to tackle complex problems and engage with Virginia state senator Katarina Benson Fri, 03/14/2025 - 13:06

Students trickle into the classroom, a mix of excitement and nervous energy in the air, as they prepare to present their policy recommendations. For the past few weeks, these George Mason Ģ��AV students developed policy memos based on various socioeconomic and environmental issues facing Northern Virginia and together worked in groups to develop recommendations for addressing them. But today is different from the usual classroom discussion where ideas are shared with peers and professors. Now their audience is far more formidable: Virginia State Senator Stella Pekarsky.

EVPP 336 Tackling Wicked Problems in Society and the Environment, a course offered in fall 2024 by the Department of Environmental Science and Policy at George Mason’s College of Science, takes a problem-based learning approach, immersing students in complex public issues that require input from a variety of stakeholders. Unlike traditional lecture-based courses, it offers students the unique opportunity to develop potential solutions and present their recommendations to elected officials and university administrators. The feedback from these decision-makers provides valuable insights into the real-world implications of their proposals.

State Senator Stella Pekarsky (right) gives feedback on student presentations. Photo provided

“Learning how to use a systems thinking approach, students build the skills to better understand the complexity of the ‘wicked’ problems that we face and co-create approaches that take into account people’s differing perspectives,” said K.L. Akerlof, environmental science and policy professor. The course, EVPP 336, is part of the Mason Community Engagement and Civic Learning experience.

“A wicked problem describes multifaceted issues,” said junior environmental science major Mihika Bangarbale. “Take climate change—we often think about the science around this problem, but there are economic and social aspects to the issue that must also be considered when forming any sort of policy recommendation.”

The group presentations covered a variety of issues including sustainable agriculture, environmental education, and microplastic pollution in drinking water. All proposals were sent to Senator Pekarsky ahead of time, and students presented their ideas and answered questions when the senator visited their class in December.

“I’ve had policy writing assignments before, but this class provided tools to think more critically about who the key actors are in a system, how resources are managed, and who holds responsibility for them,” said environmental and sustainability studies major Maceo Franks. “It was incredible to present our ideas to someone actively involved in these matters and [who] could provide immediate feedback.”

Franks added that the presentation gave him a taste for what he hopes will be a long-term career. “The experience gave me the confidence to present my ideas effectively, which is exactly what I hope to do in the future.”

“Senator Pekarsky was so nice and easy to talk to,” said senior environmental science major Terrionna Cuthrell. “She was so engaged with not only my project, but with everyone’s project. And she also read the projects ahead of time, which I didn’t expect her to do.”

State Senator and George Mason alumna Stella Pekarsky met with students from a Department of Environmental Science and Policy. Photo provided

During class, Senator Pekarsky, a George Mason alumna with a BA in government and politics and a master of education, briefly spoke to the students after their presentations, noting her own memories of sitting where they are now. “It’s not easy to find solutions that will bring about progress in a way that brings together as many people as possible. But you all hit upon some great recommendations,” she said.

Akerlof, who is also a George Mason alum, said she hopes the experience of presenting recommendations is empowering and that it will inspire students to do it again. “I hope that makes them more engaged citizens, and it may open doors to them that may not have thought of for their careers,” she said

This is the case for Cuthrell, who thought her interest in environmental epidemiology pointed toward a career in the for-profit sector rather than politics. “After taking this class, I realized I want to be more involved in politics,” she said. “We learned about several issues, how it works when government agencies try to tackle them, and how I can make my voice heard. It’s really inspired me to rethink where I may be able to make the most impact.”

"Many of my previous classes have addressed environmental issues, but they’ve primarily focused on the science behind the problems," shared Julia Belvin, a senior majoring in environmental and sustainability studies. "What I appreciate about this course is that it goes beyond just understanding the issues—it challenges you to think about practical solutions and how you can make a real difference for people."

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George Mason to lead cross-institutional course redesign and experiential learning project

Katarina Benson — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 19:50:25 +0000

George Mason to lead cross-institutional course redesign and experiential learning project Katarina Benson Wed, 03/05/2025 - 14:50

George Mason Ģ��AV Professor Younsung Kim has received a 4-VA grant to conduct collaborative multidisciplinary research with colleagues at partner schools in Virginia. The results will be implemented as learning modules into undergraduate courses.

Although 4-VA has awarded Collaborative Research Grants for more than 10 years, the grants have been funded separately by each institution. This new 4-VA effort is the first to be supported collectively by the statewide partnership and has added a course redesign and experiential learning element. The project will include faculty members from George Mason, Virginia Tech, and the Ģ��AV of Virginia and will focus on growing 4-VA’s collaborative research success.

Kim’s proposal, “Designing Experiential Learning Modules for Stormwater Management and Climate Adaptation via Spatial Analysis Tools,” plans to use spatial mapping tools to incorporate appropriate green infrastructure to best reduce the effects of stormwater runoff. The team will migrate this information into environmental policy coursework at their respective institutions. They also plan to ultimately make the content available statewide.

Kim, who has taught in George Mason’s Department of Environmental Science and Policy for 15 years, will collaborate with B. Brian Park, an engineering professor at the Ģ��AV of Virginia, and Mintai Kim of Virginia Tech’s College of Architecture, Arts, and Design. Also joining the team is George Mason PhD student Colin Chadduck.

From left, B. Brian Park, Younsung Kim, and Mintai Kim. Photo provided

In reviewing the proposal, 4-VA evaluators noted Kim’s proposition as a standout, citing a number of key factors, including that it “addresses an important topic affecting the state and beyond,” features an “inherent interdisciplinary approach incorporating science policy, data science techniques, and architecture,” and “lends itself to creative cross-school collaborations.”

“As climate change is increasing faster than climate prediction models have suggested, it is critical that we place more emphasis on integrating green infrastructure in climate vulnerable regions,” said Kim. “I am delighted and honored to accept this award as we work together across the commonwealth to raise the bar for our faculty and students studying this important work. Together, we can tackle this critical challenge.”

“4-VA has a long track record of success with the Collaborative Research Grants program, and we are excited to expand this model to support course redesign initiatives,” said 4-VA’s State Working Group Chair Matt Banfield of UVA. “4-VA collaborative projects have built bridges between our institutions, nurtured hundreds of faculty and student relationships, provided valuable opportunities for experiential learning and hands-on research, and jumpstarted novel research projects that have gone on to receive national and international attention. We are looking forward to supporting this project proposed by Professor Kim and her team.”

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Younsung Kim

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Mason scientist orchestrates Moon-based ‘message in a bottle’ for future generations

Katarina Benson — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 18:54:16 +0000

Mason scientist orchestrates Moon-based ‘message in a bottle’ for future generations Katarina Benson Mon, 03/03/2025 - 13:54

Early Sunday, March 2, the ASPIRE ONE Lunar Record made a successful Moon landing as part of the Ghost Riders in the Sky Lunar mission that launched on January 15 from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

A message from Anamaria Berea's team that is now on the Moon. Photo provided

This mission, a part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services within the Artemis program, is carrying 10 NASA experiments and the ASPIRE ONE Lunar Record, the work of an interdisciplinary research team, led by George Mason Ģ��AV researcher and alumna Anamaria Berea.

This ASPIRE ONE Lunar Record intends to preserve Earth’s cultural and scientific heritage for posterity with this specially designed payload, which includes a digital portion that mirrors the concept of the Voyager Golden Records. The archive will serve as a time capsule for future humans, offering them a glimpse of life on Earth during the early 2020s.

The creation of this lunar archive was a collaborative effort that began in early 2023 when Nick Searra, founder of the Interstellar Foundation, invited Berea to lead the project. Despite having no initial team or funding, Berea quickly gathered a group of scientists, philosophers, and linguists from such prestigious institutions as Barnard College, Columbia Ģ��AV, and the Ģ��AV of Cambridge. The team also received support from notable figures, including astronaut Scott Kelly and Jonathan Jiang from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

With a tight six-month deadline, the team created a message that could fit within the strict digital space limitations of the payload. The biggest challenge was deciding what to include. The team wanted the message to be a “dry-run” for future, more extensive interstellar messages, and ultimately settled on content that would be meaningful to archeologists or future pioneers.

The archive, delivered on special physical mediums designed for space provided by mission partner LifeShip, contains a wealth of wide-ranging content, including videos, scientific materials, global aspirations, historical records, and cultural artifacts. “The payload will reside on the Moon for eternity,” said Berea, who teaches in Department of Computational and Data Sciences of the College of Science.

The ASPIRE ONE Lunar Record includes a 1GB microchip containing videos, images, and texts that highlight humanity’s journey on Earth and the Moon, incorporating materials that reflect Earth’s cultural, scientific, and historical achievements. Among the key items is a 24-minute “Daily Life” video that showcases global snapshots of contemporary life. Each minute represents one hour from various parts of the Earth, from morning to night, and includes scenes of families cooking, children in school, workers in offices and fields, and people participating in cultural events. This “visual quilt” stitches together snapshots from world cultures, including indigenous communities, showcasing daily routines from all corners of the planet.

The archive also includes an “Aspirations” video, where individuals from around the world share their hopes for the future in their native languages. In addition, the payload houses images and content from UNESCO and Getty archives, including a representation of the COVID-19 pandemic. Other materials include the constitutions of 192 countries on Earth, the Apollo 11 launch codes, historical works, art, music, and scientific texts, such as works by Newton, Curie, and Asimov.

Berea even included a personal touch with an engraving of her name and affiliation with George Mason Ģ��AV, symbolizing her contribution to this historic effort.

“The goal of the project was not to tell the story of famous individuals or events but to encapsulate a broader representation of human life,” Berea explains.

According to Berea, the project team chose a video format, blending video, subtitles, and code, as they believed it would be more easily understood by future beings, whether human or otherwise.

In addition to the digital content, the team took precautions to ensure the message could survive for millennia. In case digital technology becomes obsolete, parts of the message were engraved in analog nano-fiche and synthetic DNA on a 1MB capsule. This forward-thinking approach ensures that future civilizations, regardless of technological advancement, can access the message.

One of the most significant aspects of the ASPIRE ONE Lunar Record is the ethical responsibility of leaving a message for future generations. The team grappled with questions such as who the “receiver” of the message would be and what content would best represent humanity. “Who speaks for Earth?” they asked, recognizing the great responsibility of crafting a message that would stand the test of time.

“I have been honored and fascinated to collaborate with this interdisciplinary team of the most amazing scientists, humanists, artists and people from all walks of life,” said Berea. “I am forever grateful to my team and our collaborators for their trust, their dedication, their passion and their support to this project that will give us a tiny place in our interstellar future history.”

Listen to the episode

Interested in more from Anamaria Berea? Listen to her discuss the chances of intelligent life beyond Earth on the Access to Excellence podcast.

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George Mason has a “Knack” for tutoring

Sarah Holland — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 15:04:43 +0000

George Mason has a “Knack” for tutoring Sarah Holland Wed, 02/26/2025 - 10:04

College courses are designed to challenge students and push them to new academic heights. And when dealing with difficult subjects and new materials, additional academic support can make all the difference.

Photo by Ron Aira/Office of Ģ��AV Branding

That’s where Knack comes in. Starting in fall 2024, George Mason Ģ��AV entered a three-year partnership with Knack, a peer-to-peer tutoring platform. Through Knack, students in any of the 28 participating courses can get up to three hours of free virtual or in-person tutoring from their peers every week during the semester. Participating courses span math, statistics, biology, chemistry, business, economics, and public health.

“We are transforming the support for student success at George Mason by fostering a collaborative learning environment that empowers students to excel academically,” said Vicki Dominick, associate director of George Mason’s Learning Services office, which offers a variety of academic success supports for students, including academic success workshops, online resources and coaching.

Knack does not replace other tutoring services offered by George Mason, Dominick noted. It is an additional resource, allowing more options for meeting times and places. Currently, close to 3,000 students are registered with Knack tutoring, and almost 1,500 tutoring sessions were completed in fall semester.

“This free support is directly in line with George Mason’s mission of access to education,” said Keith Renshaw, senior associate provost for undergraduate education and professor of psychology.

“For my chemistry class, there’s always many students attending office hours, so I don’t get the one-on-one help I need,” said sophomore biology major Khushneet Kaur Kainth. “I’ve been able to get personalized support through Knack.”

There are benefits for the tutors as well. Tutoring through Knack is a paid position, and tutors are required to have passed the class for which they are a tutor with an A- or higher.

“It gives the tutors ‘high impact practice,’ as they gain hands-on experience teaching complex concepts and problem-solving strategies,” explained Renshaw.

Senior biology major Anahita Salehkhou is a tutor for BIOL 213 - Cell Structure and Function, and said of her tutoring experience, “it has given me the perfect opportunity to share my passion for teaching while strengthening my resume as I prepare to apply for dental school. It’s also helping me prepare for the dental admissions test as I get a good refresher on content I’ve already learned and studied.”

Learn more about Knack tutoring.

Learn more about Knack tutoring

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