91����

Every year, hundreds of 91���� students step beyond the role of learner and into the role of researcher, creator, and scholar. Some spend months in laboratories running experiments and poring over data. Others conduct interviews, create original works of art, analyze public policy, or tackle complex questions facing their communities. The culmination of those efforts was on full display this spring at the , an annual showcase of undergraduate research and creative projects from across the university. 

Hosted by the Office of Student Creative Activities and Research ()—which supports undergraduate research through funding, faculty mentorship, and opportunities for students to present their work—the spring 2026 celebration featured the scholarship of 165 undergraduate students from every George Mason school and college that enrolls undergraduates. Together, they presented 91 research posters and projects spanning the sciences, humanities, social sciences, arts, education, business, and public policy. 

“This event represents the essence of what George Mason is about,” said Keith Renshaw, senior associate provost for undergraduate education. “It’s making sure each and every student has the opportunity to go beyond the classroom and engage in the hands-on work that applies what [they’ve] learned.” 

The posters showcased projects ranging from designing an intake and exhaust system for a Formula race car engine to developing predictive models for personalized breast cancer treatment and examining the effects of Botox on the immune system, offering a glimpse into the breadth of questions George Mason students are exploring through undergraduate research. 

Much of the work celebrated at the event was a direct result of encouragement, planning, and funding from OSCAR. Among the many presenters who worked with OSCAR was Amaiyahmonet Parker, a student in the majoring in English and minoring in international and comparative studies and African American studies.  

Inspired by the work of we.REIGN, The Roots Policy Lab, and the Education Law Center, Parker’s research examined how policies intended to support Black communities affect Black women and girls in Philadelphia, her hometown. After receiving funding through OSCAR’s Undergraduate Research Scholars Program, Parker traveled throughout Philadelphia, meeting with participants and conducting fieldwork. OSCAR also connected her with George Mason faculty member as a project mentor, whom Parker described as an invaluable asset to her research. 

“It pushed me out of my comfort zone,” Parker said of the work conducting ethnographic interviews and thinking critically about policymaking.   

For Jesse Guessford, director of curriculum and initiatives in Undergraduate Education, that transformation is among the greatest benefits of undergraduate research. 

“OSCAR connects students to research and faculty mentorship, and this connection changes how the students view themselves,” Guessford said. “Their thinking shifts from just working in their future field to becoming someone who is transforming their field.” 

The celebration also recognized members of the George Mason community whose mentorship and scholarship have helped advance undergraduate research. The 2026 OSCAR Excellence Awards were presented to six students and three faculty members: 

Students 

• Mehmood Ul Hassan Shajih, Psychology, College of Humanities and Social Sciences 

• Kiersten Jewell, Environmental Science, College of Science 

• Alexia De Costa, Applied Computer Science, College of Engineering and Computing 

• David Lancaster, Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering and Computing 

• Ava Brumfield, Environmental Science, College of Science 

• Angela Victoria Rojas Rivera, Medical Laboratory Science, College of Science 

Faculty 

• Lee A. Solomon, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, College of Science 

• Sabine Doebel, Department of Psychology, College of Humanities and Social Sciences 

• Eileen Roesler, Department of Psychology, College of Humanities and Social Sciences 

Kim Eby, a member of the team that helped shape the university’s infrastructure for undergraduate research as vice provost for faculty affairs and development, congratulated the award recipients and all student presenters, recognizing the dedication and persistence required to pursue original scholarship. 

“These experiences have prepared you for whatever your next steps and journeys are,” she said. “This work requires diligence and persistence, and I hope you see yourselves as the scholars and creators you are. You have earned that identity.”