This is the College of Science biweekly newsletter. For the most up-to-date information, visit science.gmu.edu or the college intranet. 

A message from Interim Dean Cody Edwards

It’s that time of year. Our campuses are a lively display of nature’s beauty as the leaves change creating brilliant, breathtaking displays of color. As scientists, we understand the main reason for this change is the change of daylight hours impacting the breakdown of chlorophyll, which allows the leaves’ yellow and orange pigments (carotenoids) to become visible. Different species have varying pigments leading to the variety of colors. Then the leaves fall, as the abscission layer of cells weaken the connection between the leaf and branch. What’s left of the trees and bushes (stems, trunks and twigs) are equipped to survive the winter to come. What happens to all the leaves that fall? Nature has a solution for that too; they decompose, can become food for soil organisms, or help the humus layer of forest with rainfall absorption. It’s easy to see the change in the tree yet perhaps harder to observe the full benefit to the forest ecosystem at large. But we appreciate it for the beauty it is, even turning the chore of leaf raking into jumping into the piles we create. 

As I noted in my recent townhall, this fall is a great time to be in the College of Science at George Mason University. Enrollment continues to support our growth. Research grant funding has increased 18% over prior year, and we are on a strong trajectory for this year as well. And our faculty and staff continue to offer creative and exciting approaches to learning, all to benefit our students and the communities we serve.

But we didn’t get to this point by standing still.

Take a moment to nominate the colleagues you feel deserve recognition for their contributions to the Mason Science community for the 2024 calendar year. Just as in 2023, there are 15 awards available, and you may submit nominations for one or more awards. Anyone can submit a nomination or even self-nominate. MARK YOUR CALENDARS: Award recipients will be announced during the 2024 College of Science Celebration of Success on Thursday, December 12 in the Exploratory Hall atrium. 

The College of Science is seeking faculty presenters for this year’s STEM Fusion program. STEM Fusion is led by George Mason’s Early Identification Program serving students in grades 8 to12 with access barriers to college. The College of Science STEM Fusion sessions introduce participants to a wide range of STEM experiences and career pathways, building student confidence and interest in STEM. STEM Fusion runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. over one Saturday per month from November 2024 to April 2025. 

by Colleen Kearney Rich

This month the organizers of the Foragers’ Forest on George Mason University’s Fairfax Campus marked the project’s first anniversary with the planting of endangered American chestnut trees. George Mason alumna Sarah Roth planned the edible forest as a master’s student with Professor Dann Sklarew of the Department of Environmental Science and Policy and Doni Nolan, Greenhouse and Gardens program manager.

This past #FacultyFriday highlighted Ziheng Sun, research assistant professor, Center for Spatial Information Science and Systems (CSISS) and Geography and Geoinformation Science. Sun's research falls at the intersection of AI and geoscience. He, alongside College of Engineering and Computing professors are breaking new ground in snow water equivalent (SWE) forecasting—essential for sustainable water resource management. See original Instagram post. 

by Elizabeth Grisham

Luis Ortiz, assistant professor, Atmospheric, Oceanic and Earth Sciences (AOES); Fengxui Zhang, assistant professor, Schar School of Policy and Government; Edward Oughton, assistant professor, Geography and Geoinformation Science; Natalie Burls, associate professor, AOES, and Director, Climate Dynamics Program; and James Kinter, director, Center for Ocean-Land-Atmosphere Studies (COLA); director, Virginia Climate Center; professor, Climate Dynamics PhD program, and chair, AOES, College of Science, received funding for: “IUCRC: Planning Grant: George Mason University: Center for Climate Risks Applications (CCRA).” Photo by Renzo D'souza on Unsplash.

by Shayla Brown

After the Baltimore Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed, George Mason University professors Elise Miller-Hooks, College of Science geography and geoinformation science assistant professor Alireza Ermagun, and Shanjiang Zhu have received two National Science Foundation RAPID grants to study the cause and impact of the collapse, and potential preventative methods for the future. Photo from Getty Images.

by Julia Utz

George Mason sophomore and forensic science minor, Julia Utz, writes in Her Campus about her experience moving to a more urban campus for a small time, the struggles and successes she's experienced along the way. Photo by Frances Gunn on Unsplash.

A reminder, the university is closed on Election Day, Tuesday, November 5. Your vote is your voice — remember to vote!

Participating in the democratic process is a powerful way to influence the future of our community and country.  As President Washington told you in his email last month, "Voting is something we do together as Patriots regardless of ideology."

There are several post-election analysis and listening sessions, including opportunities to come together to share your own perspective and be heard, and opportunities to learn about how to stay engaged after the election ends.  

For more information on all these events and resources, please visit the MasonVotes website. It’s your one-stop destination for everything related to this election season. If you are still an undecided voter, MasonVotes has information on the candidates and all their positions on important issues.  

Thank you for being an engaged member of our community.  

Keystone Concepts in Teaching is a higher education podcast from the Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning at George Mason University focused on discussing and sharing impactful teaching strategies that support all students and faculty.

Topics include “Strategies for teaching multilingual students,” “Building strategies for all learners,” and “What do we do about artificial intelligence technologies in the classroom?”

You can find other seasons and more episodes by navigating back to the podcast landing page.

Join the George Mason Career Influencers Network on Monday, November 18 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Fairfax Campus for a 4.5-hour training that includes three modules focused on: (1) defining career readiness, (2) understanding how employers recruit Mason students in all degree programs, and (3) supporting students at various stages in their career development. Join the network of more than 475 of your Mason colleagues dedicated to supporting students' career readiness in the classroom, advising, in their campus jobs, on the playing field, and through research opportunities. A catered lunch is provided.

For a full list of events and opportunities, check the college website or intranet calendar.

University Closed
November 5, 2024
George Mason University will be closed for election day.

Afternoon on the Lawn
November 6, 2024 | Noon to 3 p.m. | Exploratory Hall Lawn
Join faculty, staff, and students for a fun-filled afternoon of games and food. Featuring DJ Assad, the advisor. 

Center for Infectious Diseases Research Conference
November 7, 2024 | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. | SciTech Campus
There is an exciting new conference from colleagues at the Center for Infectious Disease Research (CIDR) that covers the latest findings on viral, bacterial and other exotic and emerging pathogens. The meetings is on the George Mason University Science and Technology Campus, and the talks will be from local leaders including NIH, FDA, and some of the local universities including University of Virginia, Georgetown University, and George Washington University. The event is now full.

Women Leaders in STEM Fall Informal Networking event
November 7, 2024 | 10 to 11 a.m. | Second Floor Lounge, Exploratory Hall
Calling all faculty, staff, and students interested in championing and supporting Women Leaders in STEM --join us for light refreshments as we share accomplishments, build collaborations, identify opportunities and seek support. Register today.

Provost Jim Antony Tour of the SciTech Campus 
November 12, 2024 | SciTech Campus

Coffee with Cody: A Monthly Causal Chat with the Interim Dean of the College of Science
November 13, 2024 | 9:15 a.m. | Exploratory Hall 3301
Faculty, staff, and students are invited to join College of Science Interim Dean, Cody W. Edwards, for coffee and conversation to discuss work or anything on your mind.

Celebrate World Kindness Day with Mason Chooses Kindness
November 13, 2024 | 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. | at the clock tower on Wilkins Plaza 
Start your day on a positive note and enjoy a free donut and a cup of coffee. World Kindness Day is celebrated yearly on November 13 to encourage kindness toward ourselves, each other, and the world. Register on Mason 360.

Information Session: ORIEI NSF CAREER Cohort
November 15, 2024 | 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. | Virtual
This “Information and Q&A Session” will describe the intensive grant writing bootcamp to be conducted January – May 2025. The bootcamp is designed to provide Assistant Professors planning to submit an NSF CAREER application in July 2025 with a structured grant writing timeline, mentorship and additional resources. Faculty interested in participating in the bootcamp are NOT required to attend the informational session. Register to attend. 

President's Town Hall
November 18, 2024 | 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. | Johnson Center, Dewberry Hall and Virtual
The November President's Town Hall is for faculty and staff working in academic units. One for those in non-academic units will take place December 9.