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

by Elena Paige Haley and Laura Powers

From environmental management strategies to using AI to tackle humanitarian crises, the College of Science's latest graduates are set to make positive strides in today's world. Check out the stories of Zifu Wang, PhD Earth System and Geographic Information Sciences '25; Zachary Messegee, PhD Chemistry and Biochemistry '25; Ryan McIntyre, MA Environmental Science and Policy '25; and David Hoppe, MA Earth Systems Science '25.

The College of Science is excited to announce the winners of the 14th Annual Undergraduate Research Colloquium (URC). Held on May 12, the event showcased the breadth and quality of undergraduate research conducted across the College. Students presented scholarly projects representing a wide range of scientific disciplines and demonstrated a strong commitment to research excellence.

From Dean Cody W. Edwards email, June 16, 2025

We’re excited to support the George Mason Grand Challenge Initiative—a bold, university-wide effort to spark interdisciplinary solutions to society’s most urgent and complex problems. This initiative represents an outstanding opportunity for our Mason community to help shape the future of research, innovation, and impact.

As highlighted in Andre Marshall’s message, all faculty are invited to submit Transformative Ideas (RFI) that align with the Grand Challenge themes. Submissions are due by 11:59 PM on July 1, 2025 and should be sent to GCI@gmu.edu with a copy to Pat Gillevet (pgilleve@gmu.edu).

I encourage you to take part in this exciting effort and share your visionary ideas. While submissions are not required to involve multiple academic units, the initiative is grounded in a spirit of multidisciplinary collaboration. I especially encourage you to consider partnerships across COS departments and with colleagues in other colleges. If you’d like assistance identifying potential collaborators, please reach out to Pat Gillevet.

More information is available in the FAQ document. 

by Tracy Mason

George Mason physics and astronomy Assistant Professor Fereshte Ghahari and her team at George Mason University, along with collaborators including colleagues from Brown University and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), report the first thermopower detection of Fractional quantum Hall (FQH) effect in bilayer graphene, a material consisting of two atom-thin layers of graphene. Their findings, published in Nature Physics, demonstrate that thermopower is a more sensitive probe of FQH effect compared to resistivity.

by Elizabeth Grisham

Kathleen Hunt, assistant professor in the Department of Biology, is set to receive funding for the project: “From Stress To Health: Evaluating Linkages From Comprehensive Physiological Stress Panels to Cetacean Health.” Hunt and her collaborators aim to better characterize the links between physiological stress and health in free-living cetaceans. 

by South Africa Today

A long-term study in an untouched part of the Amazon found that 24 out of 29 insect-eating bird species have declined, mainly due to climate change. The study's co-author and Department of Biology Associate Professor David Luther highlighted that the likely cause is not heat itself, but a drop in insect populations—birds’ main food source—due to drier conditions. Luther warns that continued warming and drought could lead to widespread extinctions and disrupt the entire Amazon ecosystem. Image by Hector Bottai via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Led by the university’s inaugural Vice President and Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer (CAIO) Amarda Shehu with an AI Visioning Task Force, George Mason is reimagining operational excellence in every facet of the university. George Mason is building a nexus of collaboration and resources on campus, throughout the region with our vast partnerships, and across the state, called AI2Nexus.

George Mason offers job-focused online training through Coursera, helping you earn industry-recognized certificates and microcredentials. Whether you're changing careers or advancing in your field, Mason Career Academy can boost your skills, increase earning potential, and help you stand out. Register through Mason Continuing and Professional Education (Mason CPE) to get started today.

Coffee and Conversation
Wednesday, June 25, 2025 | 10 to 11 a.m. | Merten Hall 1203
The Office of Research, Innovation, and Economic Impact invites you to attend the next Coffee and Conversation. This casual gathering is a great way to mingle with colleagues and learn more about one another in a fun atmosphere. If you work virtually, you will still be able to participate. In your RSVP, ask for the meeting link. If you are on campus, we request that you attend in person. Email Pamela Shepherd to attend. 

RISE Scholar Program Poster Session
June, 26, 2025 | 1 to 3 p.m. | Exploratory Hall Atrium
View what our Research and Interdisciplinary STEM Experiences (RISE) Scholars Program students have accomplished this past year at the upcoming poster session.