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| Thursday, December 7, 2023 science.gmu.edu
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Research and decision making to address the global climate crisis
by Fernando Miralles-Wilhelm
From November 30 to December 12, an anticipated 70,000 representatives from nearly 200 countries around the world convene in Dubai, United Arab Emirates at the United Nation’s 28th Conference of the Parties or COP28. Those country delegations attending discuss strategies, bring forth Nationally Determined Contributions (national climate plans due by 2025), and describe paths forward regarding sustainability issues caused by or related to global climate change.
As the Dean of George Mason University’s College of Science, you might imagine I am following the COP28 proceedings very closely. My research foci include hydrology, water resource engineering, water-climate-vegetation modeling, and the water-energy-food-nexus. These meetings will bring forth ideas, research opportunities, and problems for scientists to pursue.
I am also serving as Lead Scientist focusing on Global Water for The Nature Conservancy (TNC), a global environmental nonprofit working to ‘create a world where people and nature can thrive.’ The last week in November, I joined many of my colleagues at TNC and the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) for a working meeting in Rome, where the United Nations’ Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) is headquartered. Our goal: to develop a research agenda for the future of food systems. At the end of the 3-day meeting, we were asked to ad-lib a :30 second pitch on the spot describing this agenda. I came up with this pitch (unedited):
“You want to fix the world? Fix food! Producing our food is the way we humans impact our environment the most. We are losing soil, water, and biodiversity to produce our food. Climate change is accelerating these detrimental impacts. It is high time to fix food and make food production nature- and human-positive.”
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Mason Science celebrates faculty and staff success
About 150 Mason Science faculty and staff gathered to celebrate a successful and productive 2023. During the festivities, our dean presented the expanded recognition opportunities across a variety of Mason Science priority areas. Recipients include Robert Axtell (Dean’s Big Challenge Award), Greta Ann Herin (Dean’s Creative Educator Award), Geoffrey Gilleaudeau (Dean’s Early Career Excellence Award), Pritha Roy (Dean’s Excellence in AJEDI Award), Paul So (Dean’s Impact Award), Caitlyn Ford (Dean’s Outstanding Staff Award), Liping Di (Dean’s Research Scientist Award), Patricia Theimer (Dean’s Research Support Award), Natasha Gilliam (Dean’s Creating Unity Award), Rhonda Troutman (Dean’s Centricity Award), Geraldine Grant (Dean’s Mentorship Award), Kathleen Hunt (Dean’s Emerging Leader Award), Catherine Sausville (Dean’s Engagement Award), Keanah Turner (Dean’s Student Service Award), Krista Knieriem (Dean’s Rising Star Award), David Luther (Dean’s Teaching Excellence Award), and Maria Dworzecka (Dean’s Leadership Award). See more photos on the college intranet.
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Mason Science ASSIP and Aspiring Inventors Programs cultivate future STEM workforce
Impactful science research, education, and outreach opportunities can change a person’s professional trajectory. When and how often one experiences them can be key to the rapid rise. One stellar example of early and meaningful scientific mentorship at Mason is our Aspiring Scientist Summer Internship Program (ASSIP). For more than a decade, high school and early undergraduate students could pursue original, cutting-edge research in this highly regarded, immersive, science-based research and innovation experience. Many thanks to our mentors and we just opened applications for the summer 2024 program. Students can submit application materials now or until 11:59 p.m. ET on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024. Submit your application early to avoid possible last-minute technical problems. Photo by Sierra Guard/Creative Services.
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#FacultyFriday highlights GGS faculty
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Mason Foragers' Forest groundbreaking and tour for campus and community on November 17
by Tracy Mason and Laura Powers
George Mason University is breaking new ground on a natural living lab space that will provide the university and surrounding community free and accessible native foods and safe foraging opportunities. Aptly named the “Foragers’ Forest,” this area offers visitors access to a number of safe-to-eat resources, while also serving as a wildlife habitat, providing climate benefits and restored ecosystem services. Those leading this initiative include Environmental Science and Policy MS student and Lead Forest Maker Sarah Roth, Environmental Science and Policy Professor Dann Sklarew, and University Sustainability Program Manager Doni Nolan, with administrative support from Mason’s College of Science, Mason Facilities and University Sustainability. Photo by Ayman Rashid/Creative Services.
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Mason researchers identify targeted therapies to benefit women with breast cancer
by Elizabeth Grisham
Emanuel Petricoin, Co-Director, Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine (CAPMM), and Julia Wulfkuhle, Research Professor, CAPMM, received funding for: "The I SPY 2.2 TRIAL: Evolving to Imaging and Molecular Biomarker Response Directed Adaptive Sequential Treatment to Optimize Breast Cancer Outcomes." The ISPY-2 TRIAL is the amongst the most widely known personalized medicine trials in the world today and pioneered the use of adaptive design strategies for rapid identification of targeted therapies that could benefit women with Stage II-III breast cancer.
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Satellite Data Can Help Limit the Dangers of Windblown Dust
by Nathan Marder
Daniel Tong, Associate Professor, AOES appeared in a recent article by NASA on his work with NASA’s Health and Air Quality Applied Sciences Team and leading a NASA-funded effort to improve the country’s dust forecasting capabilities. Photo by David Law on Unsplash.
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Transforming the student journey at Mason by Tierra Easter
George Mason University is embarking on a university-wide endeavor to optimize every aspect of the student journey, from recruitment and admissions to advising and alumni engagement.
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