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

A message from Interim Dean Cody W. Edwards

In case you missed it, at the February Board of Visitors meeting, George Mason University’s vice president and chief AI officer Amarda Shehu rolled out a new model for universities to advance a responsible approach to harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) and drive societal impact. George Mason’s model, called AI2Nexus, is building a nexus of collaboration and resources on campus, throughout the region with our vast partnerships, and across the state.

AI2Nexus is based on four key principles:

Our College is cultivating many internal, research-based, and community partnerships to utilize the power of AI for enhanced education and community good. Thank you to our faculty sharing time and ideas while serving on AI task forces at the unit, college, university, and state levels, and to those planning to participate in the upcoming AI discussion and outreach events, (the college supported March 28 AI in Learning event (with long time partner Dyslexic Edge and also aiEDU), this week’s announcement of the CMAI and CFD collaborative Digital Twins Lab (partnering with AFROC, Sandia National Labs and SIEMENS), still time to register for the national ECOM event in April, and will share details on the George Mason-SCHEV AI Summit for Education in May as they become available. We are proactively exploring how the college can better understand, continue to innovate, in our shared quest to succeed given the opportunities AI presents.

Starting in fall 2024, George Mason University began a three year partnership with Knack, a peer-to-peer tutoring program. Students from 28 participating courses, including math, chemistry, and biology ,receive up to three free tutoring hours per week, with the option of having them in-person or virtual. Knack gives students personalized support and an alternative to office hours. 

The College of Science Degree Celebration is scheduled for Friday, May 16, 2025, at 2 p.m. in the EagleBank Arena. The college has more than 600 graduates this year; your participation is important to them and their families as they commemorate this achievement in their academic career. A staff volunteer meeting will be held via Teams on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at 2 p.m. Your participation will be greatly appreciated. Email cosevent@gmu.edu to volunteer. 

by Katarina Benson 

Bonnie Madden, a two-time George Mason University alum, joined the Department of Biology as the microbial and phage lab manager almost a decade ago while working on her bachelor's degree in biology. Since then, she has been an integral part of the College of Science department. She is known for her dedication to both the lab and fostering student success. 

Leah Sattler, a doctoral student in the Department of Environmental Science and Policy, recently published a policy memo in the Journal of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry exploring barriers to adopting modern risk assessment methods for pesticide regulation. This publication marks the first student paper from K.L. Akerlof’s EVPP 530 class, with more to come. 

by Tracy Mason

On March 2, the ASPIRE ONE Lunar Record successfully landed on the Moon as part of the LifeShip payload on the Ghost Riders in the Sky mission, launched on January 15 from Kennedy Space Center. the ASPIRE ONE Lunar Record, led by George Mason University researcher Anamaria Berea. Photo by Ron Aira/Creative Services.

by Elizabeth Grisham

A multidisciplinary collaboration of George Mason professors and researchers, including AOES faculty, Luis Ortiz and Jim Kinter received $121,229 from Arlington County, through the EPA, for the "ENERGY-HEALTH-EQUITY Project – EJG2G." The study, which will explore how indoor air quality in Arlington homes impacts health, will also form a collaboration with community organizations to promote energy efficiency. Photo by Kenrick Mills on Unsplash.

by Michelle Marsh, 7News

7News anchor Michelle Marsh talked to the Forensic Science Program director and former senior FBI profiler Mary Ellen O’Toole about Luigi Mangione, the suspect arrested in the deadly shooting of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson. She talked to her about Monday's developments. Photo by Cristian Torres/Strategic Communications.

As Employee Appreciation Day (March 7) nears, supervisors are encouraged to recognize their team's contributions to boost engagement and belonging. Simple gestures like thank-you notes, team lunches, public recognition, and small tokens can go a long way. Building strong connections through listening, cultural sharing, and inclusive events helps make appreciation a year-round effort. Photo by Gabrielle Henderson on Unsplash.

Learn special techniques to help relieve stress, release anxiety, manage emotions, and make better decisions in an online session of "Self-Regulation Techniques with Sophrology" this Friday, March 7 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Sophrology is a relaxation method that enhances well-being through techniques like breathing, mental imagery, gentle movement, meditation, and muscle relaxation. Photo by Katerina May on Unsplash.

Reminder: Exploratory Hall closed during Spring Break
March 8, 2025 to March 14, 2025
Exploratory Hall will be closed, with no power or Wi-Fi, from Saturday, March 8 to Friday, March 14, 2025, for switchgear replacement. Faculty and staff must work off-site, either at another location or from home, and should coordinate with supervisors. View additional details and guidance. 

RaMP-UP Fellows Program
Deadline: March 16, 2025
RaMP-UP Fellows spend a year engaged in BioDiversity studies with Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) scientists. You will be embedded in the tropical landscapes of Panamá, practicing cutting-edge and rigorous methodologies to make a lasting impact on Tropical BioDiversity. Get a stipend of $32,000 for a full year of participation. Come away with a robust research experience, scientific products, an international professional network, a peer network, and strong mentors to advocate for your career. Apply now. 

Java with Jim: Fairfax Campus Staff Session
March 17, 2025 | 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. | Merten 1201
Join Provost James ("Jim") Antony for an informal opportunity to connect over coffee and share your insights, questions, and ideas. Provost Antony is eager to hear from members of the George Mason community. Five sessions are scheduled for spring 2025, each tailored to a specific group: faculty, staff, students, and special sessions at the Mason Square and Science and Technology Campuses. RSVP for an upcoming sessions. View other upcoming sessions.

President Gregory Washington Academic Units Spring Town Hall
March 19, 2025 | 9 to 10:30 a.m. | HUB Ballroom and Virtual
President Washington will host a 90-minute town hall, which will be available for everyone in your respective units to attend. For those unable to attend in person, a livestream viewing-only option  will be available. Password: gmu123

Submit Jack Wood Award Nominations
March 19, 2025
The Jack Wood Award highlights the outstanding contributions of faculty, staff, students, businesses/not-for-profits, community members, and elected officials/staff who demonstrate leadership in fostering mutually beneficial relationships between the university and the community. Self nominations are welcome. 

Mentoring for All Workshop
March 20, 2025 | 1:30 to 3 p.m. | Virtual
Enhance the ability to effectively mentor a diverse range of students. Panelists include Michael Schwartz, Managing Director of The NSF Center for Sustainable nanotechnology, University of Wisconsin-Madison , Torie Weiston-Serdan, Chief Visionary Officer of the Youth Mentoring Action Network, and Valerie Olmo, associate professor in the Department of Biology. 

Nominations for College of Science Faculty Senate
Deadline: March 24, 2025
Nominate yourself or a colleague to serve on the College of Science Faculty Senate in the coming year. Deadline to submit nominations is March 24, 2025. The election of faculty senators will be conducted prior to addressing the remaining college slate. This is to comply with forthcoming bylaw changes that requires the confirmation of unit senators for the upcoming academic year as early as possible. The faculty senators (serving a three-year term) are eligible for re-election for 3 seats. Nominations should be emailed to the chair of the nomination committee, Yun Yu, at yyu26@gmu.edu.  

Cultivating Confidence: Owning Your Voice in STEM
March 26, 2025 | 2 to 4 p.m. | Exploratory Hall 3301
Do you ever feel like you don't belong in STEM? Women Leaders in STEM invites you to a panel discussion and interactive session designed to nurture and grow your confidence, transforming self-doubt into strength. Refreshments will be provided. This is a learning experience for all identities. All students, staff, and faculty are welcome to participate to empower yourself and others. Register to attend.