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| Wednesday, March 13, 2024 science.gmu.edu
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Science...at what cost?
by Fernando Miralles-Wilhelm
Movies, like science, can be a gateway to discovery. They can transport us to other worlds, stretching our imagination and expanding our point of view. Yet, as scientists, we must also frequently weigh our discovery’s ethical impact.
Earlier this month, along with dozens of others, I attended our STEM Accelerator and Women Leaders in STEM organizations' co-sponsored College of Visual and Performing Arts screening of the story that some might say, is the foundation of medical science discoveries of the last century.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks tells the true story of Henrietta Lacks, a Black woman whose cells were used to create the first immortal human cell line, known as HeLa. Told primarily through the eyes of Lacks’ daughter Deborah (played by Oprah Winfrey) and journalist Rebecca Skloot (Rose Byrne), the film investigates how the unauthorized harvesting of Lacks’ cancerous cells in 1951 led to unprecedented medical breakthroughs, from cancer to polio to radiation to AIDS, changing countless lives and the face of medicine forever. It also depicts the impact this experience had on Henrietta and many members of her family and community.
Numerous times, I felt the gut punch of how some scientists are depicted, not to be trusted (and based on their actions, who can blame that characterization?). Yet, I also very much wondered how the events could have happened if those decision makers had ‘done the right thing’ early on.
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Join us for Pi Day tomorrow, March 14
Whether you are a math enthusiast, or just love pi(e), take a break from your studies for some food and fun with Mason Science faculty, staff, and students. Join us for tie-dying, origami, demonstrations on angular motion and human reactions, a virtual reality experience tour, and other activities to celebrate Pi Day. The celebration will take place tomorrow, March 14 from 1 to 3:14 p.m. in Exploratory Hall's lobby and front lawn.
Participating organizations include the Department of Mathematical Sciences, Department of Biology, Forensic Science Program, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, School of Systems Biology, and the College of Science administration, as well as the Mason Experimental Geometry Lab, SIAM (Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics), Association for Women in Mathematics, Math Club, and Chemistry Club.
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Access the intranet for the latest Mason Science internal news and updates
REMINDER: After many months of market research, stakeholder input, and planning, Mason plans to unveil the new university branding and graphic elements, which will include updates to the current logo during Mason Day on April 26, 2024. As part of a three-year, university-wide coordinated process, the Mason Science Marcom team will submit a full list of crowd sourced college-related logos that will require updating. Please review the list we have started and add any logos your program, organization, or center may require by April 1, 2024. Details and the list can also be accessed on the Marcom page of the Mason Science Intranet.
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#FacultyFriday highlights GGS professor and CSISS director
This past #FacultyFriday highlighted Liping Di, professor in geography and geoinformation science and director of the Center for Spatial Information Science and Systems (CSISS), for earning the Dean’s Research Scientist Award. Di is well known for his contributions to geospatial information science and the development of geospatial interoperability technology and standards in particular. His impact is monumental, with over 500 publications cited more than 10,278 times and securing over $64 million in research funding. This recognition affirms his dedication to advancing knowledge and securing a sustainable future. Di's groundbreaking contributions resonate across disciplines, reinforcing Mason's commitment to research excellence and innovation. View original Instagram post.
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Mason's Geography and Geoinformation Science programs receive reaccreditation
by Laura Powers
George Mason University’s Graduate Certificate in Geospatial Intelligence and Master’s in Geoinformatics and Geospatial Intelligence received reaccreditation by the United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF), effective February 1, 2024 through January 31, 2029. USGIF accredits programs that it determines meet the current Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) hiring needs through cross-disciplinary classroom coursework. Mason was in the first cohort of schools to receive USGIF accreditation back in 2008.
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Mason doctoral student aims for the stars through a passion for math
by Maha Aamir
Some people’s interest in space exploration begins in elementary school, while others grow a fascination through sci-fi television shows or movies. For Sky Ratcliffe, a George Mason University student in the second year of their PhD in mathematics, it was a personal connection through their great uncle, a former NASA engineer who worked on Apollo 11, 12, and 16. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding.
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Plavchan appears on Quanta Science Podcast
A recent Quanta Science Podcast by Quantum Magazine highlighted rogue planets and the search for their origins. Peter Plavchan, associate professor in physics and astronomy comments on the theory that these free-floating planets may be giant planets that were ejected from their home system in pairs. Photo by: Ron Aira/Creative Services.
And congratulations to Thomas Jefferson High School senior David Gao, one of Plavchan’s ASSIP 2023 and continuing student research interns, for his selection as a top 40 finalist in the Regeneron Science Talent Search. Plavchan joined the aspiring astrobiologist at the science talent search gala celebration (WJAL news) earlier this week.
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GEO call for proposals: customized faculty-led program proposals for 2025
The Global Education Office (GEO) invites all faculty across the university to submit a proposal for the Customized Faculty-Led Program, which allows students to travel over university holiday, with Mason faculty, and earn Mason credit. GEO is accepting proposals until the deadline of May 1, 2024, for courses held in winter break, spring, summer, fall 2025. Photo: Mason-led program in the Philippines.
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Supervising a Hybrid Workforce: A Guide for Mason Faculty and Staff
March 14, 2024 | 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
This workshop is designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills essential for thriving in a modern, flexible work environment. Supervisors will discuss the benefits of flexible work, develop essential knowledge and skills for engaging a hybrid workforce, and learn how to effectively manage employee performance, development, and engagement in a hybrid environment. Participants will be provided with actionable strategies to leverage the opportunities presented by hybrid work.
Jack Wood Award Nominations
March 15, 2024 | 11:59 p.m.
The Jack Wood Award recognizes the contributions of faculty, staff, students, businesses/not-for-profits, community members, and elected officials/staff who demonstrate leadership in fostering mutually beneficial relationships between the university and the community. Nominations are due Friday, March 15. The Board of Visitors will honor awardees on Thursday, May 2. Contact Traci Kendall, Government and Community Relations, for more information.
College of Science Faculty Governance Meeting
March 19, 2024 | 1 to 2:30 p.m. | Exploratory Hall 3301 and Virtual
Uranus and Neptune: The Outer Ice Giants A Grand Tour of the Solar System
March 19, 2024 | 6:45 to 8:45 p.m. | Virtual
Presented in partnership between the George Mason University Observatory and Smithsonian Associates, Dr. Kathleen Mandt, a planetary scientist at NASA’s Goddard Research Center, highlights what we know about Uranus and Neptune, what questions are still unanswered, why it is imperative that we send a mission to learn more about these planets, and what that information could tell us about the rest of our solar system—and beyond. Purchase tickets.
2024 Earth System Observations and Modeling Graduate Symposium
March 22, 2024 | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Johnson Center, meeting room A
This one-day event will include multiple sessions from attendees in the form of 15-minute oral presentations, poster presentations, two keynote speaker presentations, and a career panel for master's and doctoral students to meet professors and scientists from universities and federal labs across the nation. We are pleased to welcome Dr. Venkatachalam 'Ram' Ramaswamy, Director of GFDL, as a keynote speaker. Also joining us will be Dr. Abheera Hazra, NASA Research Scientist, and Dr. Victoria Ford, Atmospheric Scientist at Eagle Rock Analytics, as career panelists. Register to attend by March 15, 2024.
Adjunct Faculty are invited to a new Teaching Resource Advisory Group (with a stipend)
Deadline March 25, 2024
Are you an adjunct faculty member at Mason and interested in providing feedback on a new teaching resource created for Mason faculty? The Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning is launching Keystone Concepts in Teaching and Learning, a podcast for university educators. This podcast is designed for “the instructor on the go” with approximately 20-minute episodes focused on actionable teaching strategies that are useful across disciplines. These strategies are designed inclusively to support all students in the course – and you as the instructor. This position includes a stipend for your feedback. Apply to become a reviewer in the Keystone Concepts Podcast Advisory Group by March 25, 2024.
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