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

This is the final College of Science newsletter of 2024. In 2025, we will continue publishing the newsletter on Wednesdays, with a content deadline of the preceding Monday. Our first issue of 2025 will be published on Wednesday, January 22.

A message from Interim Dean Cody W. Edwards

Coming off this Thanksgiving break, we enter into the final push in a very productive fall semester. Our George Mason scientists are working diligently to submit research papers and applications for fellowships and funding, to finish that last assignment, to enter final grades on schedule, to present posters and perhaps even defend their thesis or confirm their intent to graduate. It’s an exciting, yet also perhaps stressful time. Yet, I encourage us to still carve out time to show up and express our gratitude.

There’s a lot to be thankful for—I recently got to thank the many employees who celebrated their anniversaries with George Mason. Whether it be five or thirty years, the time and energy you bring to our science community is valued. Thank you for showing up, day after day, year after year. 

We can also join CDS’ Hillary Hamm, who will receive the George Mason Employee of the Month award immediately prior to the university’s holiday party on December 11 at 2:15 p.m. in Dewberry Hall. And let’s take time to congratulate colleagues who have achieved meaningful milestones, like CSISS Director, Liping Di who was recently elected to be an IEEE fellow, or mathematician, Padhu Seshaiyer who received the Intercollegiate Biomathematics Alliance Distinguished Senior Fellowship award. This spring we will host a new event to celebrate faculty receiving significant research awards and external grants. More details on that special recognition to come in the new year.

The College of Science is proud to announce that Hillary Hamm from the Department of Computational and Data Sciences is December's employee of the month for George Mason University. 

Hillary will be formally presented with this award by President Washington at the university's holiday party on Wednesday, December 11 at 2:15 p.m. in Dewberry Hall on George Mason's Fairfax Campus. Hillary’s co-workers and friends are all encouraged to attend.

Join all College of Science faculty and staff at the 2024 Celebration of Success to honor our amazing colleagues for their outstanding achievements. Let us come together to recognize our hard work, enjoy great food, and maybe even win a prize. 

Sign up for the College of Science bake-off: Faculty, staff, and graduate assistants, show off your baking skills while supporting a great cause. The best baker will receive a trophy and bragging rights, while proceeds from the subsequent bake sale will go to the College of Science Student Emergency Fund. The bake sale will take place in Exploratory Hall Atrium. Read about contest categories and entry rules. 

Science is advancing rapidly and so is the educational need for the next generation’s workforce. Providing cutting-edge curricula will help the College of Science remain a leader in science education offerings. This is your opportunity to share your ideas for cross-college collaborative programs that you’ve discussed with colleagues over coffee. You are invited to complete this 5-10 minute survey before December 31, 2024. 

#FacultyFriday spotlights Jennifer Sklarew, assistant professor in Environmental Science and Policy at George Mason. Sklarew leads innovative projects, including a micro-turbine initiative, and was featured in the Alliance for Innovation and Infrastructure’s Energy Month series. She shared insights on clean energy challenges, highlighting the role of small hydropower systems in supporting communities and managing flood risks. View original Instagram post. 

by John Hollis and Paola Duran

This 10-week program, DHS Summer Research Team Program for Minority Serving Institutions, paired students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other minority-serving institutions with experts from George Mason University's Criminal Investigations and Network Analysis (CINA) Center. Funded by a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) grant, the program aimed to address critical national security research needs while promoting diversity in the criminal justice system. Photo by Eduardo Macedo/Creative Services/George Mason University.

Since putting the first man on the Moon in 1969, scientists have continued to push our knowledge and understanding of life and existence in vast unknown frontiers of space. Whether through Mars colonies or alien life forms, we are all wondering what and who can survive beyond Earth's atmospheres.

In this episode, associate professor of computational and data sciences Anamaria Berea discusses her research on Mars settlements and Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon with President Gregory Washington. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University.

by Maggie Roth

In 1973, the body of an unidentified woman, dubbed "Jane Doe," was discovered in Loudoun County, Virginia, and buried without identification. Fifty years later, the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office exhumed her remains, extracted DNA, and collaborated with forensic science professor Joe Mullins to create a clay facial reconstruction using a 3D-printed model of her skull. This renewed effort, combining modern forensic science and art, aims to identify the victim and bring closure to her case. Mullins' work appeared in Northern Virginia Magazine, NBC 4 Washington, Ashburn (VA) Patch,  Daily Voice (Leesburg, VA), DC News Now, WJLA-TV7, and Post X News (San Diego, CA). Image from Northern Virginia Magazine web article. 

by Jack Tamisiea

Research led by Michael Braun from the National Zoo, along with colleagues including biology professor Haw Chuan Lim, found that the gene responsible for the yellow plumage in golden-collared manakins is gradually replacing white plumage in hybrid populations, likely because females prefer golden-collared males. Interestingly, this gene originated from another species, the orange-collared manakin, highlighting the complexity of hybridization. These findings reveal that genes can mix between species more often than previously thought, leading to surprising outcomes in evolution. Photo provided. 

Please share the Career Plans Survey with your graduating students. We encourage all students to participate, even if their post-graduation plans are still being finalized. The data collected from this survey helps showcase the value of a George Mason degree, as it is used to highlight the achievements and outcomes of our students to employers, graduate programs, and prospective students.

Interested in helping local high school students in nontraditional programs achieve their dream of a college education? Become a mentor with George Mason's Dream Catchers program. Mentors attend monthly workshops on campus to assist students who want to attend college upon graduating high school. Interested? Contact Buz Grover. 

From Awareness to Advocacy to Cutting Edge Research: Inspiring Change on World AIDS Day
December 5, 2024 | Noon to 1 p.m. | Virtual
Yuntao Wu, a professor at the School of Systems Biology, and Matty Helton, Senior Associate at NASTAD, will explore groundbreaking HIV research and highlight ongoing advocacy initiatives. Register to receive webinar access link. 

Fall 2024 SSB Student Research Day
December 10, 2024 | Noon to 5 p.m. | Virtual
Student Research Day is a venue for students in SSB and other SciTech Campus departments, including undergraduates, to present the research they have been working on throughout the semester.

Learning Assistant Poster Session Fall 2024
December 10, 2024 | 1 to 3 p.m. | Exploratory Hall Atrium
View posters by the college's learning assistants that reflect their teaching experiences, their students’ learning, and new instructional initiatives that they have implemented.

George Mason Faculty and Staff Holiday Party
December 11, 2024 | 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. | Johnson Center, Dewberry Hall
Gather to celebrate all of the 2024 achievements at the university's annual holiday party. Register to attend. 

Coffee with Cody: A Monthly Causal Chat with the Interim Dean of the College of Science
Thursday, December 12, 2024 | 9:15 a.m. | Exploratory Hall 3301
Faculty, staff, and students are invited to join College of Science Interim Dean, Cody W. Edwards, for coffee and conversation to discuss work or anything on your mind.

College of Science Celebration of Success
December 12, 2024 | 2 to 4 p.m. | Exploratory Hall Atrium
The College of Science is excited to invite you to the 2024 Celebration of Success, where you can connect with colleagues, celebrate our collective accomplishments over the past year, enjoy delicious food, and even have a chance to win a prize.

OUTREACH OPPORTUNITY – Fairfax High School Science Fair (judges needed)
Deadline: December 19, 2024
Sign-ups requested now for student and faculty judges to review and evaluate student projects, provide constructive feedback and encouragement, and help select winners. All volunteers will receive a long sleeve College of Science t-shirt. The science fair takes place Saturday, February 1, 2025 from 8 a.m. to noon at Fairfax County High School. Register today via this link or email ahanapole@fcps.edu.

George Mason University West Campus Development Town Hall 
December 22, 2024 | 7 to 8:30 p.m. | City of Fairfax City Hall, Council Chambers
George Mason will host an in-person town hall to provide updates on West Campus Development, inviting community feedback on project objectives and components, and showcasing how previous input has shaped current plans. Both internal and external members of the university community are encouraged to attend.