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| Thursday, October 26, 2023 science.gmu.edu
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Aerospace learning, research, and engagement: Mission Accomplished
by Fernando Miralles-Wilhelm
Last week was an exciting one for our college in the areas of empowering aerospace exploration and highlighting our many partnerships. We supported two activities that offered Mason students, faculty, staff, and the surrounding community access to information about past, current, and future possibilities for learning and research on space related topics – the Woman in Motion documentary screening and Mason Space Day.
The STEM Accelerator and Women Leaders in STEM co-sponsored an on-campus screening of the Woman in Motion documentary by Todd Thompson. It tells the story of Nichelle Nichols and her contribution to America’s space program. You may recognize Nichols from her role as Lieutenant Uhura, the communications officer on the popular television original series, Star Trek. The show was the first to feature such diversity on a leadership team and incorporated storylines and issues in a trailblazing manner within the fabric of the program.
Looking back to that time in 1977, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) reportedly struggled to recruit scientists, engineers, and astronauts for their then new Space Shuttle Program. Nichols posed the question, “Where are my people?” and embarked on a campaign to recruit the first Black, Latino, and Asian men and women to fly in space.
Nichols traveled around the country to recruit BIPOC and women as astronauts. She was also encouraged to maintain visibility in her on-air role by notable advocates including Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who suggested the efforts of this cultural icon and champion of diversity changed NASA forever.
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For this University Scholar, the choice was always Mason
by Colleen Kearney Rich
Spogmai Ahmadzai’s life changed with a single question from her middle school English teacher. The teacher asked if anyone in Ahmadzai’s family attended college. The answer was no for the girl born in Kabul, Afghanistan, who immigrated with her family to the United States at age nine and had to learn English while repeating fourth grade. “I had no idea that question would pertain to my future,” said Ahmadzai, now a biology major at George Mason University. “I never would have guessed that there was such a thing as [the Early Identification Program (EIP)].” Photo by Cristian Torres/Strategic Communications.
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#FacultyFriday highlights chemistry and biochemistry professor
by Colleen Kearney Rich
This past #FacultyFriday highlighted chemistry and biochemistry professor Abul Hussam. Hussam is best known for inventing the SONO arsenic filter and as the Winner of the 2007 Grainger Prize for Sustainability ($1M and Gold Medal) by the National Academy of Engineering, USA. The filter was developed to purify arsenic-contaminated groundwater for drinking and cooking. Hundreds of thousands of SONO filters are in use in Bangladesh and neighboring countries. View the original Instagram post.
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Access the intranet for the latest Mason Science internal news and updates
Don't forget to utilize the college's new intranet for important information on college activities, deadlines, resources, and more. Learn about the first Staff Advisory Council leadership cohort; what new Dean’s Awards are open for nominations, how to help our undergraduate students become researchers, and details about this Friday’s Life Safety Fair on the Fairfax campus. You can access the intranet by visiting science.gmu.edu/intranet.
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Mason physicist receives university’s first DOE Early Career Award to advance quantum technologies
by Laura Powers
George Mason University physics and astronomy assistant professor, Fereshte Ghahari Kermani, recently received the highly competitive U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Early Career Award. She is the first faculty member at George Mason University to receive this honor, one that highlights the significance of her contributions to the field of condensed matter physics. This recognition supports scientists across the county whose work pushes the boundaries of scientific advancement and helps solidify the U.S. as a driver of science and innovation around the world. Photo by Evan Cantwell/George Mason University.
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Science and engineering meet to create new surface water robot
by Sarah Holland
In his research on freshwater systems in the DC/Virginia area, environmental science and policy professor R. Christian Jones was spending much of his time hauling boats. Too much, he thought. Jones, alongside College of Engineering and Computing professor Leigh McCue and undergraduate student Ze Li are working on a machine that could go out on the pond, skim for plankton samples and collect water samples, and return to shore—all while the researcher remains on land. This project is part of a larger grant from the National Science Foundation for Persistent and Accessible Maritime Monitoring (PAMM), of which McCue is the lead investigator. Photo by Evan Cantwell/George Mason University.
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New study warns of health risks associated with global warming
by ScienceDaily
A new article highlighting the ecological and biological risks posed by the global temperature increase was recently published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and highlighted in ScienceDaily. This collaborative study between researchers from George Mason University, Penn State, Purdue University, and Purdue Institute for a Sustainable Future, warns of unprecedented levels of heat and humidity that could surpass human endurance. Daniel Vecellio, a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic and Earth Sciences, emphasizes the importance of understanding and mitigating the effects of climate change. Photo by Renzo D'souza on Unsplash.
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Provost search website launched, listening sessions scheduled
A Get the latest updates about the Provost search process throughout the year in the newly launched Provost search web page, and access links and recordings for campus listening sessions, a link for sharing suggestions with the committee, and a link to a nomination form to suggest candidates on this page.
Additionally, you are invited to attend one of three upcoming listening sessions. These sessions are an opportunity for the campus community to share suggestions for what qualities we are looking for in our next Provost, strengths and challenges our new Provost is likely to encounter, short- and long-term goals for achievement, and points of pride about Mason that we want to share with all candidates. All faculty, staff, and students are invited to join us for one of the following three sessions:
In-person Listening Session
Wednesday, November 1 | 3 to 4 p.m. | JC Cinema, Johnson Center
Virtual Listening Session
Thursday, November 2 | 7 to 8 p.m. | Zoom
Virtual Listening Session
Friday, November 3 | 10 to 11 a.m. | Zoom
If you are unable to join us for one of our listening sessions, please share your recommendations via the survey available on the Provost search web page.
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Halloween Under the Stars
October 31, 2023 | 8 p.m. | Interstellar Dreams Space Center
Spend this year's spookiest night of the year at Mason's Observatory and get a closer look at what exists above us in space.
Celebration of Success Dean's Award Nomination Deadline
November 1, 2023 | 11:59 p.m.
If you haven’t already done so, please take a moment to nominate the colleagues you feel deserve recognition for their contributions to the Mason Science community for the 2023 calendar year. There are 16 awards available and you may submit nominations for one or more awards. Anyone can submit a nomination or even self-nominate.
Help your students become undergraduate researchers
November 3, 2023 | 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. | Horizon Hall 2010
Encourage your students to join the upcoming “become a researcher” workshop, hosted by Women Leaders in STEM. This event includes guest speakers from OSCAR (the Office of Student Scholarship, Creative Activities and Research), student researchers in the College of Science, as well as faculty to discuss best practices as well as share experiences. Refreshments will be provided.
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