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

Over the past week, within our busy schedules, many of us carved out time to welcome George Mason's new provost, Jim Antony to share his vision for the university and our college, and our roles in helping attain it.

Along with exploring our research efforts, operational challenges, and opportunities, Antony offered remarks centering around a few themes: expanding our ways of thinking and doing to set a course to the next aspirational levels. (For example, our narrative shouldn’t center on how to keep R1 status. Instead, we should boldly set a course for AAU levels of achievement); empowering leadership and the entire science workforce to perform creatively and collaboratively at a high level; and making sure we don’t lose our professional souls and focus. We should place a priority and value on what is, and should always be, the core of our mission, the impactful teaching and learning experiences and research opportunities we deliver for our students.

Thank you to all who engaged in the visit, attended the gatherings, or participated in his brief yet impactful Fairfax campus walking tour. Provost Antony visited biology and chemistry and biochemistry teaching labs, our greenhouses, and a few shared instrumentation laboratories prior to the open Q&A. 

In this spirited session, we discussed the ever-present workload and budget challenges. Among many ideas, Provost Antony suggested we consider how we approach grant writing to include funding requests for GRA and research staff support. When discussing teaching loads, he shared a story that may have given folks in the room some pause; a former Ivy League colleague who, after winning the Nobel Prize in Economics, felt strongly one of his greatest contributions to his department’s work was teaching the university’s Intro to Economics class. Despite his research success, his colleague wasn’t seeking to cease teaching that course. He would not give that teaching assignment up despite the level of success he had achieved. This is the very value of varied perspectives.

Last week, areas close to George Mason University experienced a stunning and unusual view of the aurora borealis—also called the northern lights, thanks to Solar Cycle 25. Solar activity is ramping up. Find out what that means from George Mason expert Peter Becker, professor of astrophysics and space sciences.

Faculty, staff, and students are invited to join College of Science Interim Dean, Cody W. Edwards on Thursday, October 24 at 10:15 a.m. in Exploratory Hall, 3301 for coffee and conversation to discuss work or anything on your mind.

Can't make it? Get the latest updates on the College of Science from Edwards at the Dean's Town Hall on Tuesday, October 29 from 10 to 11 a.m. in Exploratory Hall, 3301. 

As noted in the recent Administrative Support Assessment update, a pilot will launch October 21 to test portions of a College-wide procurement process, involving biology, AOES, CSISS, and the Dean’s IT team. The process will include a procurement intake form  that may be used by all academic units in the future.

This pilot may provide insights into later decisions for updating our administrative processes and is expected to conclude by November 22. See the intranet for more details at science.gmu.edu/intranet. 

As we approach the holidays, please keep in mind that College of Science proposal deadlines will be shifting to accommodate university closures. If you’re considering submitting to a solicitation between now and January, please let the finance office know as soon as possible, so they can plan the workloads and better assist with the shortened timelines. 

by Laura Powers

Led by biology professor, Aarthi Narayanan, researchers in the College of Science at George Mason University secured a $1.4M grant from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) to investigate how an infection spreads between organs, and how a therapeutic will impact connected organs. The work will initially focus on mosquito-transmitted viruses while scientists also hope to expand the implications from these studies to other human disease states. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services/George Mason University.

by Elizabeth Grisham

Ziheng Sun, research assistant professor, Center for Spatial Information Science and Systems (CSISS), Geography and Geoinformation Science, College of Science; Mingrui Liu, assistant professor, Computer Science, College of Engineering and Computing (CEC); and Keren Zhou, assistant professor, Computer Science, College of Engineering and Computing, are studying the dynamics of snow water equivalent (SWE). 

SWE measures the amount of water available in snow. In this project, the researchers will use graph neural network-based models with physics-based constraints and partial differential equations to complete their work for this study. Photo by Evan Cantwell/George Mason University.

by Pablo Wahnon

Neuroscience research professor Juan Raúl Cebral shared his insights with Forbes Argentina about his groundbreaking work in predicting brain aneurysm ruptures. Cebral conducts research on image-based computational modeling of cerebral blood flow and aneurysms in close collaboration with clinicians from Inova Fairfax Hospital. Photo by Milad Fakurian on Unsplash.

Information Technology Services (ITS) is pleased to announce 24x7 technical support. Effective immediately, George Mason students, faculty, and staff can receive technical support any time—day or night, on weekends, and even holidays.  

ITS has partnered with Anthology to expand coverage for technology support that meets the needs of George Mason’s diverse student population. 

If you need IT help, please call 703-993-8870 anytime to receive support or submit a request ticket. Photo by Christin Hume on Unsplash.

The Center for Wellbeing (CWB) is developing a three-year strategic plan and values your insights. You can make a contribution to their planning by completing a brief survey (less than 10 minutes) regarding their mission and the various programs and learning opportunities offered. The survey closes on Monday, October 28, 2024.

College of Science Faculty Meeting
October 17, 2024 | 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. | Exploratory Hall 3301, Fairfax Campus
All College of Science faculty are encouraged to join in person, though a virtual option will also be available. 

American Society for Intercellular Communication
October 17, 2024 to October 24, 2024 | Bethesda North Marriott Hotel and Conference Center
The meeting is organized by a group of investigators seeking to create a platform for informal exchange of ideas on emerging questions and cutting-edge developments in the field of Extracellular Vesicles (EVs), Extracellular Particles (EPs), and particulate carriers of extracellular RNA (exRNA) as biological mediators, regulators and diagnostic analytes. 

Manager Meetup: Five Languages of Workplace Appreciation
October 17, 2024 | 2 to 3 p.m. | Virtual
Faculty and staff are invited to join the University Life Supervision Collective for a virtual Manager Meetup, "Exploring the Five Languages of Workplace Appreciation." Participants will discover strategies for assessment and practical application of authentic and genuine workplace appreciation. Get the details and register.

Galileo's Science Cafe
October 17, 2024 | Manassas Museum
Galileo's Science Café 2024-2025 series begins with a discussion of death, plague, and how researchers at George Mason are trying to understand our own spooky past. Register to attend.

Mason Nation Thriving Together 5K
October 19, 2024 | Fairfax Campus
Registration is open for the annual Mason Nation Thriving Together 5K and One-Mile Run/Walk. The races will take place on Saturday, Oct. 19, on the Fairfax Campus. Strengthen your well-being while supporting student mental health and well-being initiatives. 

Register for open call with creative services photography
October 23, 2024 | 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Merten Hall 1203
Creative services will hold a free photo session for new faculty, staff, and administrators.  Students are not eligible. Please give priority to new hires and those who have not had a photo taken in the last four years. This photo session is your opportunity to obtain a professional Mason head shot for use on Mason-affiliated websites and publications. Sign up now to be photographed.

Community Engaged Teaching and Research workshop series: Bridging Classroom and Community: An Introduction to Community Engaged Teaching and Learning 
October 23, 2024 | 2:30 to 4 p.m. | Virtual
Join George Mason's Community Engagement and Civic Learning office and the Graduate Student Life office for a three-part workshop series on Community Engaged Teaching and Research. Designed for all levels, these interactive Zoom sessions will enhance your skills in community engagement, help you create impactful courses, and conduct research with community partners. The next sessions will take place November 6 and 20. 

Dean's Town Hall
October 29, 2024 | 10 to 11 a.m. | Exploratory Hall, 3301
Join Interim Dean Cody W. Edwards for the latest updates on the College of Science and hear about plans for the upcoming year. Submit a question in advance.

Mason Energy ONE Summit
October 29-30, 2024 | Mason Square
Time is running out to register for Mason Energy: One - the inaugural summit gathering leaders and experts from the private and public sectors to create an open dialogue on clean energy, society, and the future of our planet. Register now. 

Center for Infectious Diseases Research Conference
November 7, 2024 | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Beacon Hall Conference Center
This free event offers a day of talks from area leaders at the National Institute of Health (NIH), U.S. Food and Drug Administration, University of Virginia, Georgetown University, George Mason University, and George Washington University, as well as keynotes from Robert Redfield, former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Avi Nath, the NIH Clinical Director for the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.