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| Thursday, February 22, 2024 science.gmu.edu
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Thanks to life (at Mason), which has given me so much
by Fernando Miralles-Wilhelm
By now you may know that starting July 1 of this year, I will be moving to the position of President of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science and Vice Chancellor for Sustainability of the University System of Maryland.
While I am excited about taking on this new professional challenge, leaving George Mason University is going to be a difficult thing to go through; I can feel it already. In the almost four years since I came on board as dean of this great college, the institution has grown on me in a way that is generating all sorts of mixed feelings of nostalgia and sadness. I’m emotionally attached to Mason in a way that has not happened before; that is something to say about this very special and great university.
I have also been humbled by the multitude of congratulatory messages I have received from colleagues and friends here at Mason, across the country and all over the world. When you have been in professional life for more than 30 years, worked in five universities in three states, you cultivate many relationships and their well wishes warm my heart. More importantly, these messages come through multiple generations: individuals that I have worked for, others that have worked for me, and others that have worked with me; students that I have interacted with through my research, in the classroom and many of other activities that three decades have given me time to do.
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Welcome new chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
College of Science dean Fernando Miralles-Wilhelm announced the appointment of Professor Mikell Paige as department chair of Chemistry and Biochemistry, effective May 25, 2024. "I congratulate Mikell for his willingness to take on this role in these exciting times for the department and for our college," said Miralles-Wilhelm.
Thank you to Associate Professor Andre Clayborne for stepping up to serve as interim chair during this period, and his continued contributions to the department, college, and university.
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Mason Science alum writes song for son while battling cancer
Mason Science alum, Catherine Janice Ipsan, BS Geology '15, better known by her stage name, Cat Janice, has written an award-winning song dedicated to her son, while battling an aggressive form of cancer.
Facing the end of her life, Janice wanted to publish the song, "Dance You Outta My Head," which began as a bonding moment with her seven-year-old, and direct the single’s proceeds to him. She released the music on January 19, the day before her birthday. The song has since soared to the top 10 tracks on iTunes and been used in more than 34,000 TikToks.
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Apply for fall 2024 LAs by March 15
Mason's STEM Accelerator is now accepting course proposals to work with Learning Assistants (LAs) in fall 2024. LAs are undergraduates who work in College of Science courses to facilitate student learning in a variety of settings. The deadline for faculty to apply to have LAs in their courses is Friday, March 15, 2024. Submit a course proposal and click on “LA Campus”. View full details on Mason Science's Intranet. Photo of Learning Assistant 2022 Poster Showcase by DeRon Rockingham.
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#FacultyFriday highlights chemistry and biochemistry associate professor
Last Friday, #MasonScience highlighted Pritha Roy, associate professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, for earning the Dean’s Excellence in AJEDI Award. Roy has consistently demonstrated an exceptional commitment to fostering an inclusive and diverse learning environment within her classroom. View original Instagram post.
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Developing passive sampling methodologies for equilibrium sampling of PFAS compounds in surface water and groundwater
by Elizabeth Grisham
Gregory Foster, emeritus professor, Chemistry and Biochemistry; senior fellow, Potomac Environmental Research and Education Center (PEREC), is developing methodologies for sampling per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in water. Foster is assessing the performance of a variety of synthesized embedded polymer sorbents as thin-film equilibrium samplers in laboratory binding experiments and field deployments.
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NSF awards $5M for phase two of Mason-led CropSmart Digital Twin
by National Science Foundation
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Join the Local Learning Community for Inclusive STEM Teaching Project
Mason Science Faculty are invited to sign up for the Inclusive STEM Teaching Project, designed to advance the awareness, and self-efficacy of STEM faculty, graduate students, and staff to cultivate inclusive learning environments for all their students and to develop themselves as reflective, inclusive practitioners. The next six-week global course starts on March 11, 2024.
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IDIA Predoctoral Fellowship and Faculty Fellowship deadlines approach
The Institute for Digital InnovAtion (IDIA) is George Mason University’s commitment to inclusively shaping the future of our digital society, promoting well-being, security, and prosperity. You're encouraged to apply to one of IDIA's available fellowships.
IDIA P3 Faculty Fellowship
Deadline: April 8, 2024, 11:59 p.m. EST
Office hours: March 11, 2024, 10 to 11 a.m. EST
Information on how to apply
IDIA Predoctoral Fellowship
Deadline: May 06, 2024, 11:59 p.m. EDT
Office hours: April 8, 2024, 10 to 11 a.m. EDT
Information on how to apply
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The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
February 26, 2024 | 6 to 8:30 p.m. | Johnson Center Cinema
The College of Science STEM Accelerator, Women Leaders in STEM, and CVPA's Visiting Filmmakers Series are pleased to collaborate on a free screening and discussion of the feature film "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks". The film tells the story of Henrietta Lacks, an African-American woman from Roanoke, Virginia whose cells were used without her consent to create the first immortal human cell line. Learn more about the event or register to attend. Guests can be registered on the night of the screening.
Evening Under the Stars
February 27, 2024 | 7 to 9 p.m. | Mason Observatory
Join us for an astronomy talk by a professional in the field followed by a visit to Mason’s observatory. Weather permitting, tour guides will provide a viewing of the cosmos with a particular focus on the planets and moon. In the event of clouds, guides will give a tour of the facility detailing its telescope and the activities surrounding it.
Ask Me Anything: STEM Career Planning Edition
February 28, 2024 | Noon to 1 p.m. | Virtual
Encourage your students to attend this upcoming AMA to discuss post-graduation career plans, best practices for resume writing, and more. Students will speak to resident STEM career expert, Kerin Hilker-Balkissoon, for a STEM career-focused drop in session held the last Wednesday of each month. Access this event via Zoom (must log in using your Mason Zoom account to join the session).
Faculty Meeting - Bylaws and Standing Rules Discussion
February 28, 2024 | 3 to 4:30 p.m. | Exploratory Hall 3301 and Zoom
Faculty, please do your best to attend this meeting on February 28 AND the previously scheduled meeting on March 13 (preferably in person). Two meetings are required to read and debate amendments to the Bylaws and Standing rules, and a quorum of 15 percent of eligible faculty (~55) is required for both meetings.
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