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

A message from Dean Cody W. Edwards

As you may have heard, George Mason University has launched an ambitious effort to focus translation research and impact on six solution areas to one Grand Challenge Initiative (GCI). To ensure future generations can pursue lives worth living, George Mason and our College of Science are committed to developing transformative solutions, advancing strategic investments, and preparing the next generation of leaders to drive sustainable systems forward.

Although our college has and will continue to contribute within all six GCI solutions, this blog focuses on the solution grounded in climate resilience and sustainability, one of our college's greatest proven strengths.

In the short term, our college has been very busy and engaged in this focus area. From launching a research experience for undergraduates (REU) focused on conservation biology, announcing the first comprehensive climate assessment of our Commonwealth later this month, to championing collaborative engagement and learning among students and community, all while working with state, regional, and national government, academic, and industry partners to build a climate-resilient society.

We officially launched George Mason University’s new Research Experience for Undergraduates site, one of a few ever awarded to the university. This program is truly one-of-a-kind, with a distinctive focus and an extraordinary partnership with the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI). Together, we will provide transformative, hands-on research experiences for the next generation of scientists. We are thrilled to welcome our first cohort of REU scholars in Summer 2026, and we look forward to seeing the discoveries, collaborations, and career pathways that will emerge from this unique opportunity. 

This REU represents not only a milestone for Mason Science but also a model of what can be accomplished when higher education and Smithsonian science come together to create impactful research opportunities for students.

By Tracy Mason

George Mason has launched the DSCA Lab School in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley to provide rural high school students with hands-on education in data science and computing. The program offers dual enrollment, industry certifications, and pathways to STEM careers through partnerships with local schools and colleges. The photo above shows Padhu Seshaiyer (far left), Cody Edwards (second from left), and Meghan St. George (far right) with students from the recent Data Science Lab School ribbon cutting ceremony. 

By Tracy Mason

Four George Mason University faculty members have been elected to the Virginia Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (VASEM) including School of Systems Biology Distinguished University Professor and co-director of the Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine Lance Liotta as well as Astmospheric, Oceanic and Earth Sciences Distinguished University Professor Emeritus Jagadish Shukla. 

The College of Science has updated its evaluation process for Postdoctoral Research Fellows and Research Staff to improve clarity, consistency, and alignment with its mission. This revised process emphasizes constructive feedback, professional recognition, and career development, while ensuring compliance with institutional and funding requirements. The annual evaluation cycle will run from September 29 to December 1, 2025. If you have questions, reach out to the College of Science faculty affairs team at cosofa@gmu.edu.  

Attend one of the upcoming faculty workshops designed to address key issues central to faculty development and success. This yearlong series is a collaboration between Faculty Affairs and Research Development Service. 

Also, mark your calendar for the Brown Bag Series: Understanding types of Leave for Faculty on Wednesday, October 22 from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. in Exploratory Hall 3301. Andrew Lane, Enas Musa, and Ashley Enos of the central benefits team will provide faculty essential information on various types of leave, including parental leave and FMLA.

by Nathan Kahl

Jessica Rosenberg, professor of physics and director of education at George Mason’s Quantum Science and Engineering Center, is helping lead a new $1 million NSF-funded program to train career-changers in nanofabrication. Designed for participants from all backgrounds, the program offers virtual and hands-on training, paid summer employment, and guaranteed industry interviews. Launching in spring 2026, it supports both individual career goals and the region’s growing high-tech workforce needs.

by Laura Powers

In July, more than 30 students, faculty, and local residents gathered at the Foragers’ Forest on George Mason’s Fairfax Campus for a nighttime moth observation event organized by graduate student Carsyn Bennett and alumna Sarah Roth, MS Environmental Science and Policy ’24. Using black lights and the iNaturalist app, participants identified 39 moth species and other insects as part of a citizen science effort to document local biodiversity. 

By Loudon Now

A pilot project in Goose Creek, launched through a partnership between George Mason University, The Downstream Project, and the Goose Creek Association, revealed promising signs of ecological health in the Loudoun County waterway. ESP Assistant Professor T. Reid Nelson, along with a team of faculty, graduate students, and undergraduates from PEREC, helped identify fish species during the monitoring effort, uncovering a diverse range of aquatic life that signals a robust ecosystem. Photo by Alyson Borowczyk.

by Hannah Richter

Science reported that researchers have finally found evidence of winds emanating from the Milky Way’s black hole. Physics and Astronomy Professor Shobita Satyapal commented that she hopes the finding will spark studies of how winds in nearby galaxies change over a black hole’s lifetime and shape nearby star formation. “I think that’s where you’re going to see a lot of revolution in the field,” she told Science. Photo by NASA/JPL-Caltech.

By Paola Duran

George Mason University stands out as Virginia’s No. 1 public university for upward mobility in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges 2026, as Washington Monthly’s “Best Bang for the Buck” in the commonwealth, and as a top 50 public university nationally according to Forbes magazine. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding.

By Preston Williams

George Mason celebrated Fuse at Mason Square with the same collaborative spirit that will fuel decades of innovation at the state-of-the-art facility in Arlington, Virginia. Hundreds of representatives from industry, academia, government, and the community came together for the grand celebration, which included Governor Glenn Youngkin speaking at the ribbon cutting for the Energy Exploration (E2) Center.

Nominations Now Open: Celebration of Success Dean's Awards
Deadline: Monday, November 3, 2025
Celebration of Success award season is here. Take a moment to nominate the colleagues you feel deserve recognition for their contributions to the Mason Science community for the 2025 calendar year. Nominations must be submitted by Monday, November 3. The 2025 Celebration of Success will take place Tuesday, December 9 at 2 p.m. in Exploratory Hall. 

Nanotechnology Day 2025
Monday, October 13, 2025 | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Katherine G. Johnson Hall, SciTech Campus
Explore how nanotech is shaping medicine, materials, energy, and everyday life through interactive demos, hands-on activities, and live talks with researchers pushing the field forward. Wander through booths, test out experiments, and get a glimpse of science that’s changing the future, one tiny breakthrough at a time. And yes, we’ll have food trucks on site to keep you fueled while you explore. 

Academic Town Hall with President Washington
Monday, October 13, 2025 | 2 to 3:30 p.m. | HUB Ballroom and Virtual
All are invited to a town hall with President Gregory Washington. In-person attendance is encouraged. Questions will be taken at the conclusion of the town hall, but the Zoom chat function will not be enabled. Q&A will not be available on the livestream and the session will not be recorded. Virtual access via Zoom.

College of Science Faculty Meeting
Wednesday, October 15, 2025 | Noon to 1 p.m. | LSEB 3313, SciTech and Virtual
If you have any questions, or would like to suggest items for future meeting agendas, please direct them to Lori Mandable. View the agenda. 

Faculty-Staff Enrichment Day 2055
Thursday, October 16, 2025
Each year, George Mason designates a day to bring faculty and staff together for professional and personal growth. The event features development workshops, networking opportunities, and time to reflect, recharge, and connect with colleagues from across the university. All George Mason employees are invited to participate, and supervisors are encouraged to provide flexibility during work hours so teams can attend. Register to attend. 

American Society for Intercellular Communication (ASIC) Annual Meeting 
October 16, 2025 to October 18, 2025 | William F. Bolger Center, Potomac, Maryland
The ASIC Annual Meeting is an intellectual “home” and support network for new and seasoned investigators, students, and postdocs. Over three days you’ll exchange ideas on emerging questions and cutting-edge developments in non-EV research including extracellular vesicles (EVs), extracellular particles (EPs), and particulate carriers of extracellular RNA (exRNA) as biological mediators, regulators, and diagnostic analytes.

Satellite Observation and Modeling of Coupling Processes in the Martian While Atmosphere System: featuring Professor Erdal Yiğit
Thursday, October 16, 2025 | 4 to 5 p.m. | Virtual
This talk will explore how processes from Mars’s surface to its upper atmosphere interact to form a dynamic, interconnected system. Register now and see what other upcoming lectures the Center for Satellite and Earth Science Research will host this semester. 

Finite Element Circus
October 17, 2025 to October 18, 2025, FUSE Building
The Finite Element Circus dates back to 1970s. This flagship biannual meeting rotates between various institutions in the United States. The focus of the meeting is on theory and applications of the finite element method, and related areas of numerical analysis and partial differential equations. The Fall 2025 circus is sponsored by the Center for Mathematics and Artificial Intelligence (CMAI) at George Mason's Arlington Campus. Register to attend. 

College of Science Dean's Town Hall
Thursday, October 23, 2025 | 2 to 3:30 p.m. | Exploratory 3301
Join us for the College of Science Town Hall to hear updates from Dean Cody W. Edwards on topics important to the Mason Science community. 

Apply for LAs for Spring 2026
Deadline: Friday, October 24, 2025

College of Science All Staff Meeting
Thursday, October 30, 2025 | 1 to 2:30 p.m. | Exploratory 3301
Attend the upcoming All Staff Meeting where we will discuss major college initiatives, including updates on the Administrative Assessment, new budget model, and space allocation. The format will be a panel discussion, providing an opportunity to ask questions and engage with college leadership. Register to attend. 

Submit a nomination: Presidential Awards for Faculty Excellence
Deadline: February 9, 2026
Nominations are invited from across the entire Mason community through February 9, 2026. Recipients will be selected by a team of faculty representatives and senior leaders. Review the nomination process.