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 W. Edwards

Earlier this month, as part of the AOES Department Climate Dynamics seminar series, our college collaborated with George Mason University Office of Research, Innovation, and Economic Impact to present an event called NASA Earth and Space. This discussion of current space exploration efforts and future projects with Jack Kaye, NASA’s associate director for research in the Earth Science Division, also featured discussion with some researchers from our college involved in very successful engagements with this valuable collaborator. 

Following Kaye’s talk, the audience heard from the panelists, Anamaria Berea, Liping Di, Jim Kinter, and Peter Plavchan who each shared their ‘on this earth’ and ‘out of this world’ research goals and outcomes. There are countless exciting projects happening across multiple disciplines in George Mason’s College of Science. This panel alone included representation from four of our departments-- Computational Data Sciences; Geography and Geoinformation Science; Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Earth Sciences; and Physics and Astronomy; tackling such difficult challenges as life beyond our planet, agricultural sustainability, climate dynamics and resiliency, and even George Mason’s first opportunity to lead a NASA mission, the Landolt Mission.

Fast forward to a few weeks from today, when on Saturday, September 28, I will join George Mason President, Gregory Washington to kick off our third annual George Mason Space Day 2024 event. The six-hour afternoon, packed with fun, free activities for individuals of all ages from our academic and surrounding communities, includes Kjell Lindgren, a NASA astronaut who graduated from nearby Robinson Secondary School, (bonus for all our pre-med students, he is also a space doctor who logged 311 days in space). And those with budding STEM interests can also be inspired by Oleg Goushcha, an aerospace engineer from NASA Langley Research center who is analyzing aerodynamics of the Space Launch System. Both will be available after their talks for meet and greets, because we want to offer as many unique opportunities as possible for the day’s curious attendees to ask questions and learn.

The Fairfax Campus welcomed more than 750 students, faculty, and staff and more than 150 at SciTech for ScienceConnect 2024.  Participants met the college’s academic departments and administrators, participated in games and activities, and earned college SWAG. Thanks to the Biology Greenhouse and the individuals who propagated the several species of plant made available for sale, the events raised more than $3,000 to support the College of Science Emergency Fund that helps students in immediate need of financial support.

A reminder to all faculty that the College of Science requires a 5-day deadline for the finalized proposal submission to OSP. This means that all documents need to be finalized five days before the proposal is due at the funding agency. Please contact your pre-award specialist as soon as you are considering submitting a proposal so they can help walk you through the submission process and provide as much assistance as possible. This is particularly critical at this time as the college is short staffed due to recent departures. The college also requires a 10-day deadline for multi-institutional proposals where George Mason is the prime to coordinate the documentation. Priority will be given to proposals that meet these deadlines. View this and other research updates on the college intranet.

The American Meteorological Society (AMS) will award Jim Kinter, atmospheric, oceanic and earth sciences professor, the 2025 Cleveland Abbe Award for Distinguished Service to the Atmospheric and Related Scientists at the Society’s Annual Meeting in January. The award is “For scientific leadership in Earth system modeling, predictability and seasonal forecasting, and service to the operational forecasting and high-performance computing communities.” 

This past #FridayFriday highlighted Ernest Barreto, chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy. Barreto works at the convergence of physics, mathematics, and biology. Originally trained in nonlinear dynamics and chaos, he later trained in experimental and theoretical neuroscience. Some of his current interests include the study of synchronization in populations of coupled oscillators, the individual and collective dynamics of neurons in the brain, and the fundamental dynamical mechanisms that underlie normal cognitive processing and pathological conditions such as epilepsy. View original Instagram post. 

by Elizabeth Gillooly

When a 4-VA Collaborative Research Grant results in the production of a novel concept for technology solutions to support energy and climate issues, while also sharing resources and data between higher education institutions in Virginia and providing faculty and student research opportunities, it is a win for all involved. 

This was achieved following 4-VA’s approval of a proposal by George Mason University’s Yun Yu, an assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, for a grant titled “Nanoscale Visualization of Electrocatalytic Carbon Dioxide Reduction Activity at Cu Nanocatalysts.” 

by Avery Hurt

Research by Daniel Hanley, assistant professor in the Department of Biology, and his team was cited in a recent article on Discover about a new recording system that captures how animals perceive their environment. Photo by Daniel Hanley.

George Mason University has named Associate Vice President for Research for the Institute for Digital Innovation (IDIA) Amarda Shehu as the university’s inaugural vice president and chief artificial intelligence officer (CAIO). In this role, Shehu will lead the strategy and implementation of AI across research, academics, and partnerships for the university, maximizing opportunity and adoption in addressing the world’s grand challenges while leading on ethical considerations, governance, and risk mitigation.

Faculty and Staff Experience Survey Town Hall 
September 18, 2024 | 3 to 4 p.m. | HUB Ballroom, Fairfax Campus and virtual
Faculty and staff are invited to join Human Resources, President Washington, and Gallup Senior Partner Stephanie Marken for the Faculty and Staff Experience Survey Town Hall on Wednesday, Sept. 18, from 3 to 4 p.m. on the Fairfax Campus, Hub Ballroom. This is a chance to review the key findings of the Faculty and Staff Experience Survey and collaborate on the next steps to enhance the community at George Mason.

Combinatorics, Algebra and Geometry Seminar
September 20, 2024 | 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. | Exploratory Hall 4106 and Virtual
Join Geir Agnarsson, associate professor in mathematical sciences for a lecture on Minkowski rings of polytopes and power closed ideals.

Science of Cars 2024, a car show in memory of Elisa Williams
September 22, 2024 | Noon to 4 p.m. | Parking Lot L, Fairfax Campus
This family-friendly event showcasing over 200 cars, food trucks, raffles, and other activities is open to all alumni, faculty, staff, students, and the community. Come out and enjoy a great show benefiting a worthwhile cause. General admission is FREE, although a $10 donation to the scholarship in memory of Elissa is encouraged. Car enthusiasts can enter to showcase their cars and enter to be a part of the Best in Show contest.

SciTech fall open call portrait session
September 26, 2024 | 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Katherine G. Johnson Hall, Atrium
Creative Services Photography will be holding a FREE OPEN CALL photo session for new faculty, staff, and administrators. Registration required. Register to secure your spot. 

George Mason Space Day
September 28, 2024 | 3 to 9 p.m. | Dewberry Hall and Observatory, Fairfax Campus
Tell your students, and bring your family and neighbors to this exciting and engaging free event, with an aim to educate the public on the technology and science behind some of the leading aerospace projects in the area. The agenda includes NASA Astronaut Kjell Lindgren (a medical 'space doctor' who graduated from nearby Robinson High School), lectures from Mason scientists at the forefront of space exploration and a number of organizations with hands-on space-related activities, educational information, and more. Share this event with your students during class using the George Mason Space Day PPT slide. Interested in volunteering to support this event? Sign up now.