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

Welcome back Mason Science faculty and staff to the Fall 2025 semester. Here is a College of Science leadership update for the 2025-26 Academic Year:

Last year, we announced a few administrative appointments which will continue for the 2025/26 academic year: Andre Clayborne will serve as interim associate dean of faculty affairs and Jason Kinser will represent the college as interim associate dean of academic affairs. Both roles will continue the momentum on the college’s existing strategic projects. As Kinser assumed this role, Arie Croitoru became the acting chair of the Department of Computational and Data Sciences (CDS). In accordance with the faculty handbook, after an internal search, Croitoru assumes the CDS chair role on a permanent basis as of August 25, 2025. 

I believe Arie Croitoru exemplifies the kind of collaborative, forward-thinking leadership that strengthens both his department and the College of Science as a whole. He is a tireless advocate for Computational Data Sciences, ensuring that his faculty, staff, and students have the support and visibility needed to thrive. Arie’s commitment to building partnerships across disciplines, while also elevating the voice of his department, makes him an outstanding choice to lead CDS into its next phase of growth and impact.

In addition, thank you in advance to Yuntao Wu (SSB), Ferah Munshi, (Physics and Astronomy) and Lori Mandable (GGS), elected to assume leadership roles to convene and represent the College faculty for this academic year. Looking forward to the first faculty meeting at noon in 3301 Exploratory Hall on Wednesday, September 10. If you would like to suggest items for future meeting agendas, please direct them to Lori Mandable.

The Stearns Center and ITS provide the following beginning of semester checklists. Review this to ensure your semester is off to a great start. Looking forward to seeing you in the halls, in class and in the labs. Have a great year. 

ITS Beginning of Semester Checklist
Stearns Center Course Readiness for Canvas Checklist

Join us Saturday, September 20, 2025, from 1 to 7 p.m. at the Johnson Center for a free, interactive event open to all. Explore cutting-edge aerospace science through expert talks, hands-on activities, educational exhibits, and more. Register to attend.

Share this opportunity with your students! Let them know about this upcoming event by sharing this slide in an upcoming class. 

Get ready for launch with exclusive Space Day gear! T-shirts available for purchase until Tuesday, September 2.  

Join us at ScienceConnect 2025 and get your chance to welcome new and returning students to the Mason Science community. 

Fairfax Campus: September 4 | 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. | Exploratory Hall Atrium

SciTech Campus: September 9 | 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. | LSEB Lobby

To help make this event a success, we need your help! If you're available to volunteer for any stretch of time for the Fairfax Campus event, please reach out to cosevent@gmu.edu. Volunteers needed between 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Padhu Seshaiyer was sworn in yesterday for another five-year appointment to the Governor's Virginia STEM Education Advisory Board. Seshaiyer's appointment reflects the years of service towards advancing STEM education. Most recently, the Virginia Mathematics and Science Coalition (VMSC) selected two George Mason University College of Science initiatives led by Seshaiyer for its 2025 “Programs That Work” Awards, recognizing outstanding contributions to STEM education across the Commonwealth. Photo provided by Padhu Seshaiyer from oath ceremony on August 26. 

The College of Science is once again partnering with George Mason’s Early Identification Program (EIP) to build a dedicated “College of Science” track of interactive STEM sessions for the 2025-26 STEM Fusion program. 

Faculty volunteers are needed to lead engaging STEM sessions for Northern Virginia students in grades 8–12. STEM Fusion serves Northern Virginia students who have an interest in STEM but face one or more barriers to achieving their post-secondary and career goals. This is an excellent opportunity for College of Science faculty, especially those whose grants include a K–12 outreach component, to connect with and inspire future scientists.

Find out more from Kerin Hilker-Balkissoon's email titled Faculty Volunteers Needed: EIP STEM Fusion 2025-26 from 8/27. 

By Tracy Mason

As AI becomes more embedded in our daily lives, from healthcare to hiring, and workplace to warfare, the question of ‘Can we put our trust in AI?’ has never been more urgent. A new open-access article in Nature’s Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, led by Frank Krueger and René Riedl, builds on insights from an international gathering of scientists at a Transdisciplinary Research Union for the Study of Trust (T-R-U-S-T) workshop in Vienna, Austria, where these ideas and framework were first envisioned. Photo by istock.

By Katie Maney

This summer, George Mason University graduate students, including Biosciences PhD candidate Ahana Byne, rolled up their sleeves in busy labs, learned their way around unfamiliar equipment, and even played a part in moving clinical trials forward, working with start-ups and biotech companies in the recently established Innovation District anchored by the university’s Science and Technology Campus. Photo provided. 

by Anusha Mathur, The Washington Post

AOES University Professor Jagadish Shukla recently sat down with The Washington Post to talk about his esteemed career in climate science, which he highlights in his recent publication A Billion Butterflies: A Life in Climate and Chaos Theory. 

By Preston Williams

George Mason University welcomed the largest incoming class in university history at New Student Convocation on Friday, with administrative, faculty and student speakers encouraging the newcomers to take full advantage of their academic and social opportunities, including robust campus involvement. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Whether you are a new Patriot logging on for the first time or returning to campus, eduroam is George Mason’s primary Wi-Fi network for academic and administrative use. If you’re on a device connected to Mason-Secure, we urge you to connect to eduroam instead for the best Wi-Fi experience. Photo by John on Unsplash.

Soft Launch: Important Notice for Patriot Web Users
Monday, September 1, 2025
This fall, Patriot Web, George Mason’s self-service site for personal, administrative, and academic information, is getting a new look and improved navigation. You may have seen multiple login prompts while navigating Patriot Web. This is expected and not a phishing attempt. To make things easier, choose “Do not ask me again” when the “Information to be Provided to Service” pop-up appears. A soft launch of the new interface begins Monday, September 1. You can access it from the Patriot Web login page. Any actions you take in the new version will also appear in the current system. The old version will be retired on Tuesday, September 30.

ScienceConnect Fairfax Campus
Tuesday, September 4 | 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. | Exploratory Hall Atrium
Start off the semester by meeting College of Science faculty, staff, and students while exploring college programs, research, and professional opportunities. Be sure to grab some food and win college SWAG. Register to attend. 

Communicating Science for Policy in a Populist World
Monday, September 8, 2025 | 9 a.m. to noon
What happens when science meets policy in a populist age? Join leading international experts for a global workshop with in-person and Zoom participation options. Explore the role of civic science practices in shaping the future of evidence-informed policy. Sign up to attend in person. Sign up to attend virtually. 

Microsoft Copilot Chat AI Prompt-A-Thon 
Tuesday, September 9, 2025 | 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Johnson Center, meeting room E
Join this George Mason and Microsoft event for students, faculty, and staff to learn and experience the value of Copilot Chat to accelerate the adoption of AI into their daily routines. There will be four in-person sessions available offering prompt training to help users try their hand at using Copilot Chat and learn how to maximize its capabilities. Register for a session via MasonLEAPS.

ScienceConnect SciTech Campus
September 9 | 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. | LSEB Lobby
Start off the semester by meeting College of Science faculty, staff, and students while exploring college programs, research, and professional opportunities. Be sure to grab some food and win college SWAG. Register to attend. 

College of Science Faculty Meeting
Wednesday, September 10, 2025 | Noon | Exploratory Hall 3301
If you would like to suggest items for future meeting agendas, please direct them to Lori Mandable

University Adjunct Faculty Social
Respond by Monday, September 15, 2025
Network with adjuct faculty from around campus and engage with some members of George Mason’s leadership team. The event will take place Monday, September 29 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in Merten Hall, room 1201. Register to attend.