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| Wednesday, August 16, 2023 science.gmu.edu
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Aspiring scientists immersed in meaningful STEM research at Mason
by Fernando Miralles-Wilhelm
Impactful science research and outreach opportunities can change one’s professional trajectory. When and how often you experience them can be key to the rapid rise. Within the science realm at Mason, we drive that impact on a daily basis. And one stellar example of this is our Aspiring Scientist Summer Internship Program (ASSIP). For more than a decade, we have created inspiring, immersive science-based research and innovation opportunities for high school and early undergraduate students.
Last week, we heard from the participants, assembled their mentors and parents and literally saw the future impact of meaningful STEM research. I can honestly say, experiencing the online and face-to-face poster session was the most exciting 24 hours I’ve had thus far in 2023. As I reviewed the displays of work that these young minds have done over the past eight to ten weeks, I am just so impressed and happy.
The future looks very bright for STEM.
The 2023 Mason ASSIP program supported an unprecedented 272 total participants with more than 70 mentors. The visionary Mason ASSIP experience began as a small group of students across the physical sciences within our College of Science. Now this in-demand program has an expanded impact, involving mentors across other Mason disciplines and campuses, the College of Engineering and Computing, College of Visual and Performing Arts, Schools of Public Health and Business, and drawing participants from northern VA, across the DMV, other states, and also students from other countries. It was great to see the research collaborations from students from my native Venezuela, and even from South Korea, near Mason’s expanding Incheon Global campus in Songdo.
And this is very heartwarming for me.
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Mason-led Immersion Program presents quantum pathways to high school students
by Tracy Mason and Jessica Rosenberg
To excite high school students about the promise of quantum technologies and to prepare them for this future, George Mason University and Connected DMV held the Pathways to Quantum Immersion Program during July. This program brought together high school students from 21 schools around the metropolitan Washington, D.C. region to explore quantum-focused education, research, and career opportunities.
The transdisciplinary program was coordinated by Jessica Rosenberg, Mason Associate Professor of Physics and Director of Education at Mason’s Quantum Science and Engineering Center, and Nancy Holincheck from the College of Education and Human Development. Photo by Mason's College of Science.
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Meet Mason Science STEM Accelerator Director
The College of Science welcomes its new STEM Accelerator Director, Mary Crowe who joined the college in July. "It seems like everything I have done over the course of my career has prepared me to direct the STEM Accelerator," she said.
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#FacultyFriday highlights computational and data sciences assistant professor
This past #FacultyFriday highlighted one of the latest additions to the Department of Computational and Data Sciences—Assistant Professor Mariia Belaia. Her research fosters the use of data science for the design of efficient and sensible climate policies. She looks at the universe of climate policy instruments, including mitigation, adaptation, carbon removal, and solar geoengineering. View original Instagram post.
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Mason scientists to work with the U.S. Navy to avert ‘internet apocalypse'
by John Hollis
A team of George Mason University scientists, led by Peter Becker, Professor, Physics and Astronomy, received a federal grant of more than $13 million to work with the Department of the Navy to study and better understand increased solar activity that could potentially cause an “internet apocalypse” disrupting all electronic communications on Earth, including satellite communications. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding.
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Luther studying forest fragmentation and climate change
by Elizabeth Grisham
David Luther, Assistant Professor, Biology, received funding from the National Science Foundation for a study that posits that remnant bird communities in Amazonian forest fragments are a precursor of future bird assemblages in continuous forest due to understory forest drying from edge effects in fragments and climate change in continuous forest. Increased physiological stress and/or dietary specialization are likely determinants of avian survival and reproductive success under global climate change. Photo by Jonny Gios on Unsplash.
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Hubble sees evaporating planet getting the hiccups
by NASA, ESA, STScI
A young planet whirling around a petulant red dwarf star is changing in unpredictable ways orbit-by-orbit. It is so close to its parent star that it experiences a consistent, torrential blast of energy, which evaporates its hydrogen atmosphere — causing it to puff off the planet. “We are very fortunate George Mason University discovered this planet with the help of the NASA TESS mission, as it orbits the second closest baby star to the sun, a "mere" 10 parsecs or 32 light years away," said Peter Plavchan, Associate Professor, Physics and Astronomy. Photo by NASA, ESA, Joseph Olmsted (STScI).
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Mason Scientist comments on invasive hammerhead worms
An invasive species native to Southeast Asia is being spotted along the United States coast and has made its way to Virginia. R. Chris Jones, who specializes in invasive species, says that these worms are not harmful to humans, but can make pets sick if ingested due to the toxins they secrete.
Read his comments in ABC 8 News (Richmond, VA) and WAVY-TV 10 (Norfolk, VA).
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Ginsberg named President of Towson University
Mason’s Senior Vice President and Provost, Mark Ginsberg, has served Mason for more than 14 years, advancing our academic and inclusive excellence. Beginning October 30, Ginsberg will become the new President of Towson University. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding.
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Mason Night with D.C. United August 26
Join your fellow Mason Patriots for an exciting evening with D.C. United as they take on the Philadelphia Union on Saturday, August 26, at Audi Field. If you've never seen a Major League Soccer match in person, this is an experience you won't want to miss. Photo by Travel Nomades on Unsplash.
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Faculty/Staff Enrichment Day: Call for proposals
August 18, 2023 | No later than 5 p.m.
The event in October on Mason's Fairfax campus will provide opportunities for personal and professional growth by exploring new paths and unlocking hidden potential within ourselves and our work. The Organizational Development and Learning team in Human Resources is seeking innovative workshop proposals.
New Student Convocation
August 28, 2023 | 11 a.m. to noon | EagleBank Arena
Join President Washington, Provost Ginsberg, and others in welcoming our new students to the Mason Nation and see Mason’s talent on display with student performances alongside our very own Green Machine with Doc Nix.
AOES welcome and welcome back
August 25, 2023 | 10 to 11 a.m. | Exploratory Hall, 1309
Say hello to incoming and current AOES students at the start of the 2023 fall semester.
SSB Fall 2023 New Student Orientation
August 25, 2023 | 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. | Discovery Hall Auditorium and Virtual
Say hello to incoming and current SSB students at the start of the 2023 fall semester.
ScienceConnect 2023
September 12, 2023 | 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. | Fairfax Campus
September 14, 2023 | 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. | SciTech Campus
Encourage your students to attend. Meet Mason Science students while discussing your programs and sharing research and professional opportunities with free food and chances to win Mason Science SWAG.
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