College of Public Health

NIH R01 grant funds study of physical activity and binge eating in children

Heather Carroll — Mon, 14 Sep 2026 18:12:51 +0000

NIH R01 grant funds study of physical activity and binge eating in children Heather Carroll Mon, 09/14/2026 - 14:12

Early signs of binge eating can emerge as children enter adolescence, signaling risk for eating disorders. 91�� researcher Tyler Mason is investigating whether physical activity could improve self-regulation and, in turn, reduce that risk.

Tyler Mason, associate professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies. Photo provided.

With a five-year, R01 grant from NIH’s National Institute of Mental Health, Mason will use wearable technology and other real-time assessments to study children during a pivotal developmental window, with the goal of better understanding how eating disorders develop and how to intervene earlier.

Mason, an associate professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies at the College of Public Health, is leading the project with co-principal investigator Kathryn Smith, an assistant professor at the University of Texas at Dallas.

“Many people overeat, but we’re focused on what is called ‘loss of control eating’—that sense that you can’t stop eating and feel like you have to continue,” Mason said. “The loss of control is the part that can be distressing and associated with eating disorders.”

Previous research has linked physical activity with improved mood and cognitive functioning, aspects of self-regulation that can influence eating behavior. “If physical activity improves aspects of self-regulation, then perhaps it could reduce overeating because of loss of control,” Mason said.

Over three years, researchers will study 200 children in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, area starting at ages 10 to 12, a phase when several factors converge: puberty begins, autonomy grows in eating choices, and physical activity tends to decline while sedentary behavior increases.

The study will capture both long-term changes and moment-to-moment shifts in participants’ lives. Garmin wristbands will measure physical activity, while smartphone-based cognitive tests and real-time surveys will track self-regulation, emotions, cravings, and eating behavior. Participants will also undergo functional MRI (fMRI) scans and clinical interviews assessing eating disorder symptoms.

The approach builds on Mason’s work as director of the BREAD Lab at George Mason, short for Biobehavioral Research on Eating and Appetite Dysregulation, within the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies.

With the National Institutes of Health study, Mason said the goal is to find ways to intervene earlier in problematic eating by understanding whether and how physical activity plays a role, including how its effects unfold in daily moments.

In addition to Mason and Smith, the research team for the study—titled “Biobehavioral Mechanisms of Activity and Loss of Control Eating in Children”—includes Shan Luo, Genevieve Dunton, and Megan Herting of the University of Southern California.

Thumbnail photo by golubovy via Adobe Stock

Key Takeaways

A five-year NIH R01 grant will fund 91�� researcher Tyler Mason’s study of physical activity, self-regulation, and binge eating in children.
The study will follow 200 children starting at ages 10 to 12, examining long-term changes and moment-to-moment behaviors in daily life.
The research could inform new approaches to eating disorder prevention, including whether and how physical activity could reduce the risk of losing control of eating.

This research supports the Grand Challenge Initiative's goal of improving human health, well-being, and preparedness

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Topics

Nutrition Research

Childhood Obesity

CPH research

Childhood obesity prevention

NIH grant funding

National Institutes of Health

Research

College of Public Health

GCI-Health

MPH student builds communications skills through patient outreach

Heather Carroll — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 19:05:25 +0000

MPH student builds communications skills through patient outreach   Heather Carroll Mon, 08/31/2026 - 15:05

Communication and trust are key to public health. In situations involving sensitive health topics, effective communication and trust can make the difference between a patient feeling supported and a patient choosing not to engage. For 91�� graduate student Ryen Middleton, his practicum showed him firsthand how important it is to meet patients where they are.

Ryen Middleton, MPH '26. Photo Provided

Middleton recently earned his master's in public health with a concentration in community health promotion, after completing his practicum with Maryland’s Frederick County Health Department as a certified HIV counselor. During the practicum, he developed skills in patient communication, outreach strategies, and health education, which are essential for public health professionals working in community settings.

As an HIV counselor, Middleton managed patients' health histories and helped them navigate their diagnosis, emphasizing the importance of communication skills in patient care and public health.

“What I have learned most is, when discussing sensitive topics with individuals, everybody's process and journey is different,” Middleton said. “Just because we are all on the same page does not mean communication will look the same.”

Middleton discovered that difficult topics such as HIV status can make a patient reluctant and unwilling to answer questions or participate in treatment. “There is still a lot of reluctance with engaging clients. When the sole purpose is to support a person's needs, people still find it really hard to engage.” Middleton said.

Applying Classroom Lessons in Practice

“I loved the community I made at George Mason,” said Middleton, who earned a bachelor of arts in global affairs from George Mason in 2022. “Whenever I started to doubt myself or my ability, there was always someone there to remind me of what I am capable of.”

Middleton cited his professor, Sara Pappa, as a main source of support and mentorship during his education, teaching him new ways to combat patients' reluctance.

“Community Assessments and Partnerships with Dr. Pappa definitely taught me how to ask questions to get the answers I needed,” said Middleton. “Thinking about her lectures also reminded me that some people are not going to engage, and I just need to be okay with that. I thought about her advice a lot while completing my practicum.”

Middleton claimed a highlight of the program was the support and flexibility of his professors, especially Dr. Megan Dubois and Dr. René Najera, saying, “What I liked most about the program was the professors’ willingness to incorporate student feedback. It was not always possible, but for classes that were smaller in size, it always felt more like a conversation rather than a lecture.”

Prepared for the Workforce

His practicum, applied coursework, and internship opportunities built his hands-on skills in a modern medical environment and helped him feel prepared and motivated to handle professional situations confidently.

Middleton plans on becoming a program evaluator, working with different public health systems to help them best support their community. His diverse experiences, including his practicum and internships, have prepared him for various roles in public health, such as program evaluation, community outreach, and health policy development; illustrating potential career pathways for MPH graduates.

Learn more about the MPH program at George Mason.

Key Takeaways

As a certified HIV counselor with the Frederick County Health Department in Maryland, Ryen Middleton gained firsthand experience helping patients navigate sensitive health conversations with empathy and trust.
Drawing lessons from his George Mason MPH coursework, Middleton strengthened his skills in patient communication, community outreach, and health education during his practicum.
Faculty mentorship, hands-on learning, and real-world public health experience helped prepare Middleton for a career supporting communities through program evaluation and outreach.

Topics

MPH

Master of Public Health

CPH Student Research

CPH students

College of Public Health

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Alumni

Students

Practicum experience enhances this MPH student’s research insights

Mary Cunningham — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 14:03:53 +0000

Practicum experience enhances this MPH student’s research insights Mary Cunningham Fri, 08/28/2026 - 10:03

Key Takeaways

George Mason MPH student Keya Chilka used her practicum at WRMA to expand her research skills and explore how business development and research work together to advance public health initiatives.
Through projects focused on older adults, child welfare, and the use of AI in adult protective services, Chilka contributed to research that addresses underserved populations and emerging public health challenges.
Chilka says her MPH coursework and practicum broadened her understanding of public health, showing how health outcomes are shaped by social systems such as child welfare, education, housing, and community support.

Learn More About Our MPH Students and Program

MPH student builds communications skills through patient outreach  
August 31, 2026
Practicum experience enhances this MPH student’s research insights
August 28, 2026
Practicum and research empower this future public health leader
September 25, 2025
From zoonoses to mental health interventions, MPH student’s interdisciplinary research at Mason leads to CDC Fellowship
August 10, 2023

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CPH students

MPH

Practicum

College of Public Health

Students

Keya Chilka has always been drawn to work that improves the lives of vulnerable populations. Her experiences working at Ramapo for Children, a nonprofit that serves youth with social-emotional challenges and developmental disabilities, confirmed her commitment to supporting vulnerable populations and inspired her interest in improving the systems and services that support them.

Key Chilka, a Master of Public Health student at 91��. Photo provided.

To gain the skills needed to improve health and well-being, Chilka is in the Master of Public Health (MPH) program, concentrating in Health Equity and Social Justice at 91��.

"Seeing public health in action through my coursework and practicum has redefined my understanding of the field," said Chilka. "This broader perspective has helped me understand that improving health and well-being requires addressing the social systems that shape people's lives."

While pursuing her degree, Chilka works as a senior research associate at WRMA, a subsidiary of TriMetrix, Inc, which supports health and human service agencies. For her MPH practicum, she stepped into a different role at WRMA to explore how research and business development work together. The practicum provides students with the opportunity to practice and improve professional skills in a supervised setting.

Chilka shares how the flexibility of George Mason’s MPH program allowed her to learn more about the company she already worked for and how her practicum taught her how business development and research intersect in support of public health.

How was your practicum different from your regular work at WRMA?

Although I already worked at the company, my practicum allowed me to experience a different side of the organization. My day-to-day role focuses on direct project work in child welfare research, while my practicum placed me with WRMA's business development research work group.

The business development team focuses on building strategic partnerships, identifying new funding opportunities, and developing products that showcase WRMA's expertise and research capabilities. WRMA was extremely supportive in helping me reach my practicum objectives through this group’s work.

What did you learn from the experience?

One of the biggest things I learned during my practicum was how business development and research intersect. I learned how to identify emerging research areas and develop products that demonstrate an organization's expertise.

Overall, the practicum helped me become a more independent researcher while giving me a broader understanding of how research organizations balance scientific rigor with strategic growth.

What was your main practicum project?

My practicum explored older adults in health and human services research. Older adults are a rapidly growing population but are underrepresented in certain areas of health and human services research. Child abuse and neglect prevention is one of my chief research interests, so I was excited to explore a potential research gap with my supervisor. My major project was conducting a special analysis of older adult perpetrators of child maltreatment using Child Protective Services data from the public-use National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) dataset available through the National Data Archive on Child Abuse and Neglect (NDACAN). The analysis examined key characteristics of over 11,000 perpetrators aged 60 and older to help inform prevention and intervention strategies for child maltreatment. The project was designed to highlight WRMA's analytical capabilities while also contributing to a relatively understudied area of child welfare research.

In addition, I supported WRMA’s study examining adult protective services (APS) caseworkers’ perspectives on artificial intelligence (AI) use in APS work processes with a brief literature review. The review highlights characteristics of the older adult population served by APS, illustrates AI’s potential and limitations as a tool within case management, and identifies a clear gap by noting limited research on AI application within APS settings, including input from caseworkers. Research insights from the study will be translated into guidance for APS programs.

Has the MPH program changed how you think about public health?

Seeing public health in action through my coursework and practicum has redefined my understanding of the field. Before pursuing my MPH, I primarily associated public health with disease prevention and viewed my research interests as more closely aligned with social work.

Through my coursework and practicum, I have learned how deeply public health is connected to social systems, including child welfare, education, housing, and community support. This broader perspective has helped me understand that improving health and well-being requires addressing the environments, policies, and systems that shape people's lives.

What do you value about studying at George Mason?

One of the things I appreciate most about George Mason is its interdisciplinary approach. It's one of the few universities in the area with dedicated Master of Social Work and MPH programs, which creates unique opportunities for collaboration.

Through the Health Equity and Social Justice concentration, I've been able to learn from faculty across both disciplines and see how they complement one another. This is especially important for child welfare work, which is inherently connected to both social work and public health. I believe this interdisciplinary foundation will prepare me to better address emerging challenges.

Learn more about the MPH.

Five Strategies to Fight Burnout

Katarina Benson — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 16:17:38 +0000

Five Strategies to Fight Burnout Katarina Benson Wed, 08/26/2026 - 12:17

More than three-quarters of health care workers report feeling stressed or stretched thin, with burnout contributing to problems like higher turnover and staffing shortages that can affect patient care. According to researchers at George Mason’s College of Public Health, the fight against widespread burnout needs to begin with the training of future health care administrators.

Photo by Getty Images

Drawing from existing research and national frameworks on workforce well-being, Debora Goldberg, principal investigator and an associate professor in the Department of Health Administration and Policy, outlines several leadership strategies that can help counteract burnout.

1. Build workplaces where staff can speak up.

Health care leaders must create environments where employees can report mistakes, raise concerns, and discuss safety issues without fear of punishment. Clear reporting policies, open communication, and a culture of trust are key for psychological safety. 

2. Redesign jobs to reduce overload. 

Many health care roles involve long hours, heavy documentation, and clunky technology that add to daily stress. Leaders’ decisions about staffing, scheduling, and tools can either ease those pressures or make them worse. 

3. Prevent violence and protect staff safety. 

Health care workers face some of the highest rates of workplace violence of any profession. Leaders can help reduce risks by establishing zero-tolerance policies, training staff to de-escalate tense situations, and putting safety measures in place before incidents occur. 

4. Involve frontline staff in decisions. 

The people delivering care often know exactly where problems arise. When leaders directly involve nurses, physicians, and other staff in decisions about schedules, policies, and daily operations, the changes are more likely to succeed. 

5. Measure and improve workforce well-being.

Health care organizations routinely track patient outcomes and financial performance. Workforce well-being deserves the same attention. Leaders can measure burnout, engagement, and working conditions and use that data to steer improvements. 

George Mason’s John Cantiello and Riva Kamat from Lotus Clinician Well-Being are co-authors on the paper published in the Journal of Health Administration Education.

The Invisible Front Lines

Katarina Benson — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 16:15:40 +0000

The Invisible Front Lines Katarina Benson Wed, 08/26/2026 - 12:15

Nearly 12 million Americans provide unpaid dementia care for loved ones. Researchers at George Mason are building new models of support to help them cope, connect, and carry on.

For 12 years, Lily Liu cared for her mother, who had Parkinson's disease, in her Washington, D.C., apartment. She handled every meal, every bath, and every sleepless night as her mother’s Parkinson’s-related dementia advanced.

Photo by Getty Images

“I was doing it all by myself,” she says. 

Relief arrived through Mason Caregivers Aiming for Resilience, Empowerment, and Support (CARES), an evidence-based virtual support program developed by 91�� researchers to help family caregivers manage stress and burnout. Over nine weeks, caregivers participated in guided breathing exercises, journaling, and group discussions designed to build resilience and connection.

For Liu, the greatest benefit was the realization that other people understood what she was going through.

Researcher Megumi Inoue, a professor in the Department of Social Work who served as a co-investigator on the project, says that was the goal.

“They learn they’re not alone. There are people wearing the same shoes, so they can exchange information and experiences,” she says.

That support translated into measurable results. Using a standardized caregiver burden score that measures exhaustion and emotional strain, researchers found a 15 percent reduction in stress levels among participants.

“That’s a pretty big deal,” says Gilbert Gimm, associate professor of health administration and policy, who led the data analysis. “Even modest reductions mean relief.”

Across the country, nearly 12 million people provide unpaid care for relatives or friends living with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias. Roughly 80 percent of that care takes place at home, a reality that has created mounting pressure on family members as the population ages. Researchers estimate that by 2040, 110 million people worldwide will be living with dementia.

College of Public Health researchers see this growing burden as both a caregiving crisis and a public health priority. George Mason is actively approaching improvements in health systems that advance science, develop talent, and strengthen communities. It’s all part of the university’s Grand Challenge Initiative and its Improving Human Health, Well-Being, and Preparedness solution.

Across disciplines, faculty are developing interventions designed to support caregivers through technology, community-building, and new models of training and care. Their work includes virtual support groups, music-based interventions, artificial intelligence (AI) platforms, and virtual reality (VR) simulations designed to deepen empathy and improve caregiving experiences.

The Invisible Backbone of Dementia Care

Catherine Tompkins. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

“Caregiving is one of the most stressful roles imaginable,” says Catherine Tompkins, principal investigator of Mason CARES.

The toll caregiving takes on families is profound. Participants in the Mason CARES study entered the program with stress levels well above the threshold associated with anxiety, depressive symptoms, and worsening physical health. In a separate analysis led by Inoue, nearly three-quarters of Alzheimer’s caregivers reported living with at least one chronic condition themselves.

Gimm believes the strain reflects a broader policy problem in the United States, where “aging in place” has become the preferred model for dementia care without a corresponding investment in caregiver support.

“The U.S. saves money by keeping more people at home,” he says, “but it’s on the backs of family caregivers. That’s not sustainable.”

According to Tompkins, for aging in place to succeed long term, caregivers need far more support than they currently receive. Family caregivers urgently need access to training, resources, programs, and respite, she says.

Turning Research into Relief

The pandemic reshaped how researchers approached that support. Mason CARES launched during the pandemic and was delivered entirely over Zoom, ultimately reaching 97 caregivers across the country—an unusually large sample for dementia research.

Historically, Tompkins explains, many caregivers struggled to attend in-person programming because they could not leave their loved ones alone. Virtual delivery unexpectedly removed that barrier.

“We ended up with people from all over—Texas, Louisiana, Northern Virginia,” she says.

Some of the most meaningful interventions are also among the simplest. Within Mason CARES, researchers incorporated elements of Music and Memory, a national program that uses personalized music playlists to help people with dementia reconnect with memories.

Research has long shown that familiar music can prompt moments of recognition, speech, movement, and joy in people living with dementia. George Mason researchers wanted to understand how those moments also affect caregivers.

“The idea is that if the person living with dementia is happy, it can reduce resistance, and caregiving becomes more positive,” Inoue says.

Researchers found that caregivers used the technology in very different ways. Some never found time to use the MP3 players they received, while others discovered deeply meaningful moments of connection. One caregiver told researchers that listening to a song from her wedding helped briefly restore a sense of partnership with her husband after dementia had left him emotionally distant.

In a follow-up study, Inoue and Tompkins are now examining those types of nuances to understand what made the program effective and where it fell short. 

For some Mason CARES participants, the relationships built through the program outlasted the research itself. Liu’s support group continued meeting even after the program ended.

“Five of us kept it going,” says Liu, whose mother passed away two years ago. “We’ve seen each other through loss and grief. This program built a sense of community, and that meant a lot for our little group.”

Technology Designed for Human Connection

Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

As caregiving demands increase nationwide, George Mason researchers are exploring how technology can create more accessible, culturally responsive, and personalized support.

With a $3 million grant from the National Institute on Aging, health administration and policy researcher Y. Alicia Hong is refining Wellness Enhancement for Caregivers (WECARE), an AI-enhanced digital intervention for dementia caregivers.

The seven-week platform combines multimedia education, quiz games, social networking, personalized feedback, and tailored caregiving resources. The goal is to create technology that feels responsive to caregivers’ daily realities.

“WECARE is one of the first personalized digital interventions for dementia caregivers,” says Hong. "Though it is designed for Chinese American dementia caregivers, it can be adapted for other groups and serve the growing demand for digital support for dementia caregivers in an aging society.”

Another George Mason researcher, School of Nursing Professor Kyeung Mi Oh, is using AI to help families reconnect through storytelling and memory.

Oh is serving as co-principal investigator on a $2.9 million National Institute on Aging grant to refine the LifeBio Memory app, an AI-powered storytelling platform that helps older adults capture memories and share them with caregivers and family members.

The project builds on reminiscence therapy, an approach that uses personal memories to strengthen mood, cognition, and social connection for people experiencing memory loss.

“We want to see how storytelling technology can improve quality of life and relationships for both the older adult and the caregiver,” says Oh. “When people talk about their past, they often smile. It strengthens social support and emotional closeness.” 

Over the next three years, Oh’s team—including co-principal investigator Lisbeth Sanders, founder and CEO of LifeBio—is conducting usability testing followed by a randomized controlled trial with 84 caregiver–care recipient pairs.

Earlier versions of the app used in nursing homes and assisted-living facilities showed greater engagement and fewer symptoms of depression among residents. The new phase of research brings the technology into homes and community settings while expanding it into English, Spanish, and Korean.

Researchers hope the platform can eventually become a scalable and affordable support tool for families caring for loved ones at home. “We’re working to make LifeBio Memory accessible for people of different languages and cultural backgrounds, so older adults can tell their life stories in their own voices,” says Oh.

Building Empathy Through Virtual Reality

For George Mason researcher Li-Mei Chen, the potential of virtual reality (VR) became clear the moment she experienced a dementia simulation developed in Japan. At a conference on aging, Chen put on a VR headset and suddenly found herself inside the perspective of a person living with dementia.

Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

The simulation cast her as an older adult experiencing confusion and delusion, frozen in fear at the end of a hallway as the floor appeared to disappear beneath rising floodwaters. “There was no actual flooding,” Chen recalls, “but I could feel the panic.”

Chen, who teaches in the Department of Social Work, immediately saw how the technology could transform dementia training for professional caregivers.

Working with Japanese company Jolly Good, and with support from the Virginia Center on Aging, Chen launched a pilot program for certified nursing assistants at a Northern Virginia nursing home. The training combined immersive VR experiences with online lessons and group discussion.

The VR scenarios, adapted for English-speaking audiences using AI-generated voiceovers, allowed participants to experience the confusion, fear, and sensory disorientation often associated with dementia. For many participants, it was their first dementia-specific training.

Beyond improving patient care, the researchers hope the project can also support workers in a field marked by high turnover, low wages, and emotional exhaustion.

Both Inoue and Chen bring a global perspective to their work, shaped by their years of studying aging and dementia care in Japan, where nearly one in three citizens is over 65. 

“In Japan, dementia is seen as a community issue, not just a family one,” says Chen. She points to dementia-friendly neighborhood cafés, school-based dementia education, and trained community volunteers as examples of a more collective approach to care.

Chen emphasizes that VR is not as a replacement for human caregiving; it’s a tool for building empathy and strengthening relationships between caregivers and the people they support.

“It’s about understanding the person and building a connection that’s beyond client and provider,” Chen says.

Mary Cunningham, Katie Pearce, and Taylor Thomas contributed to this feature.

This research supports the Grand Challenge Initiative's goal of improving human health, well-being, and preparedness.

Discover more GCI human health, wellness, and preparedness research >>

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Can laws make social media safer for young people?

Mary Cunningham — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 13:33:58 +0000

Can laws make social media safer for young people? Mary Cunningham Mon, 08/24/2026 - 09:33

In This Story

Melissa L. Villodas, PhD, LMSW, LCSW-A

Key Takeaways

A George Mason-led study identified three main approaches U.S. states are using to protect youth online: limiting access, reducing harmful exposure, and teaching media literacy.
Most enacted laws focused on age verification and parental consent, though evidence supporting those approaches remains limited.
Media literacy appeared in just one state law, despite evidence suggesting it may be one of the more promising strategies for supporting youth mental health.

Topics

College of Public Health

SW research

From TikTok bans and age verification requirements to media literacy lessons in schools, U.S. states are exploring a wide range of strategies to protect young people online.

The flurry of legislation reflects growing concern about social media's role in youth mental health, as rates of depression and anxiety have increased in recent years. But policy approaches have varied considerably, and the scientific evidence backing their effectiveness is mixed.

Melissa Villodas, assistant professor of Social Work. Photo provided.

To better understand how states are responding, a research team led by social work researcher Melissa Villodas of 91��’s College of Public Health analyzed 16 enacted laws across 10 states. The study, published in The Journal of Policy Practice and Research, offers one of the first frameworks for organizing and assessing the growing patchwork of state social media laws.

Researchers found the policies generally fell into three broad categories:

1) Limiting access through measures like parental consent requirements, age verification, internet restrictions in school, and, in one case in Montana, an attempted ban on TikTok. This was by far the most common approach, despite relatively limited evidence that many of these measures improve mental health for young people.

2) Reducing harmful exposure by restricting targeted advertising to minors, limiting potentially addictive platform features, and expanding parental controls. Existing research offers somewhat stronger, though still mixed, support for these approaches.

3) Building media literacy by teaching students about topics such as misinformation, cyberbullying, online safety, and social media's effects on mental health. This was the least common approach, even though existing evidence suggests it may be a promising strategy, particularly when it addresses both the risks and benefits of social media use.

Why does this matter?

"Most research on this topic has focused directly on how social media affects young people's mental health," said Villodas, associate professor in the Department of Social Work and the study's lead author. "We wanted to understand what state governments are actually doing in response, whether those approaches are supported by existing evidence, and where additional research is needed.” She also emphasized the study’s “person-in-environment” perspective, a fundamental approach in social work that considers how broader forces, including public policy, can influence a young person’s experiences and mental health.

The study uncovered one glaring disconnect: the policy approach used most often, limiting young people's access, had the least supporting evidence of its effectiveness. Meanwhile, media literacy training, included in just one enacted law in Florida, appeared to have some of the strongest evidence behind it.

"Many states have focused on measures like parental consent and age verification, but the evidence for those strategies is still limited," Villodas said. "Media literacy has received much less attention, even though it may be one of the more promising approaches when it teaches young people about both the risks and the benefits of social media."

The study captures the policy landscape through November 2024, but Villodas said its findings are designed to help policymakers evaluate future proposals as the evidence continues to evolve.

In addition to Villodas, the study was coauthored by Michael Wheeler and Natalia Acevedo, both recent graduates of George Mason’s Master of Social Work program; Fadi Hamati of Columbia Cornell Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at New York-Presbyterian; and Ishita Kapur of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

High school students build AI solutions at College of Public Health summer camp

Heather Carroll — Mon, 17 Aug 2026 15:34:46 +0000

High school students build AI solutions at College of Public Health summer camp Heather Carroll Mon, 08/17/2026 - 11:34

Key Takeaways

Through the AI in Health Camp, the College of Public Health helped high school students develop a practical understanding of artificial intelligence and how it can be used responsibly to improve health and health care.
Through hands-on projects, students created their own AI agents and applied what they learned to real-world challenges ranging from healthy sleep habits to athlete recovery and braces care.
The camp gave students confidence using emerging technology while introducing them to career opportunities at the intersection of health, technology, and public service.

Through hands-on projects and mentorship from experts, high school students learned how to use artificial intelligence (AI) responsibly, create an AI agent, and explore how AI is used to improve health care.

Students attending the AI in Health Summer Camp
Photo by Mary Cunningham

At 91��'s College of Public Health, 30 juniors and seniors spent a week doing what few adults have done: building their own AI agent. While many high schools restrict the use of AI, the AI in Health Summer Camp—hosted by the Department of Health Administration, Policy, and Informatics—showed students how AI can be used responsibly to solve real-world problems and improve lives.

By the end of the week, students could explain how AI works, build and customize their own AI agents in Microsoft Copilot, identify health care applications of AI, and better understand careers at the intersection of technology and public health. Students reported learning about the growing role of AI in health care, the complexity of hospital systems, the importance of responsible AI design, and how to apply AI skills to healthcare and future career opportunities.

"We're not allowed to use AI in school. I haven't learned anything [about AI] in school, which is why I'm here," said a participant.

Abdul Hafeez, Assistant Professor in Health Administration, Policy, and Informatics, works with students at the AI in Health Summer Camp
Photo by Mary Cunningham

For many students, the camp challenged their assumptions about AI.

“I learned a lot about how AI is used in health care. One of my favorite parts was programming AI agents and seeing how they could be used to solve specific healthcare problems. The camp was engaging, informative, and a great learning opportunity,” said a participant in the post-camp survey.

Others left with greater confidence in their ability to use emerging technology.

"Before, I thought AI would be complicated, but it's really simple to figure out," said a participant.

Working in teams of two, students created customized AI agents designed to address specific health-related needs. Their projects ranged from tools that encourage healthy sleep habits among students to AI assistants that support athlete nutrition and injury recovery, as well as chatbots that answer questions about braces and agents that help users learn essential cooking skills.

“Learning about chatbots and AI through the AI in Health Summer Camp was a rewarding experience and something I will carry with me as I continue exploring my interests. I am grateful to the professors and teaching assistants who made the camp such a meaningful learning experience,” said a participant in the post-camp survey.

Student learning about a chatbot during the AI in Health Summer Camp
Photo by Mary Cunningham

In addition to working with the college's faculty, students learned directly from health care professionals who shared perspectives on AI, technology, and the changing health workforce. Guest speakers included Jim Borda, public health informatics and IT manager at the Fairfax County Health Department; Jessica Rocca Czelusniak, associate vice president of applications and CNIO at VHC Health; and College of Public Health alums Kate Rzucidlo, Claire Leonard, and Iqra Chaudhry.

For the College of Public Health, the camp represents an investment in the next generation of leaders who will help shape the future of health care. For students, it offered something just as valuable: the knowledge and confidence to begin imagining their place in that future.

Topics

Artificial Intelligence

Summer Camps

Health Informatics

College of Public Health

Students

Food as medicine: Six insights from a George Mason nutrition expert

Heather Carroll — Mon, 17 Aug 2026 15:08:52 +0000

Food as medicine: Six insights from a George Mason nutrition expert Heather Carroll Mon, 08/17/2026 - 11:08

In This Story

Raedeh Basiri, PhD, RDN

Key Takeaways

George Mason nutrition expert and registered dietitian Raedah Basiri shared six key lessons with Honors College students, emphasizing that personalized, gradual nutrition changes are often more effective than one-size-fits-all approaches to preventing and managing chronic disease.
Basiri highlighted the importance of nutrition in health care, noting that diet-based interventions, supported by technology and real-time feedback, can improve long-term health outcomes and encourage healthier behaviors.
She also stressed that nutrition support remains essential even when patients use weight-loss medications, and that building trust between patients and health care providers is critical.

91�� community health students share their insights from nutrition professor and registered dietitian Raedah Basiri for their Honors College project exploring nutrition interventions for chronic disease.

Community Health student Janay Hopgood

The concept of food as medicine is gaining traction as a way to prevent and manage chronic disease. During an Honors College consulting course (Honors 260), community health student Janay Hopgood and a teammate interviewed Raedeh Basiri, assistant professor of nutrition and a registered dietitian, to inform their approach.

Their project challenged them to develop an innovative solution to improve long-term health outcomes and prevent chronic disease among a health care organization partner.

"We aimed to integrate nutrition into health care by leveraging technology, community partnerships, and data-driven strategies to promote healthier lifestyles and advance health equity," Hopgood said. "Dr. Basiri helped us better understand which avenues of research and implementation were realistic, challenged common misconceptions, and provided thoughtful feedback. Most importantly, she created a space where we could openly discuss our developing concept and draw upon her knowledge and experience."

Here are six insights that Hopgood and her partner developed from their interview with Basiri:

Personalization matters.
Effective nutrition interventions start with collecting comprehensive data to understand the whole person, including their food access, finances, lifestyle, physical activity, and living environment. One-size-fits-all recommendations rarely work, Basiri said.
Start small.
Bombarding people with too much nutrition information at once isn't sustainable. Introducing small, personalized changes gradually is more likely to improve health outcomes.
Nutrition is too often overlooked in favor of medication.
Basiri highlighted a gap between nutrition research and clinical practice. When lifestyle changes don't produce immediate results, patients often get moved to medication despite strong evidence supporting the long-term benefits of dietary interventions.
Real-time feedback encourages behavior change.
Basiri said technology can help patients better understand how food affects their health, especially for those with limited access to a physician. Continuous glucose monitors provide real-time feedback that can increase compliance, while artificial intelligence tools can help deliver similar personalized guidance.
Weight-loss medications still need nutritional support.
Although GLP-1 medications are effective for weight loss, Basiri noted that they can also contribute to issues such as malnutrition, hair loss, and bone density loss. Nutrition support, she said, can help ensure patients don't "solve the problem and create another one."
Trust is the foundation of lasting impact.
Basiri emphasized that successful nutrition programs are built on trust, both between nutrition practitioners and patients, and between nutrition practitioners and other health care professionals. Positive outcomes are most likely to create that trust, leading to more referrals and greater demand for nutrition-based services.

Topics

CPH Student Research

Nutrition and Weight Management

Weight Control

College of Public Health

Research

Students

Honors College

A New Pathway for Mental Health Professionals

Katarina Benson — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 18:32:20 +0000

A New Pathway for Mental Health Professionals Katarina Benson Thu, 08/13/2026 - 14:32

As behavioral health shortages grow nationwide, George Mason is training students to bring evidence-based, culturally responsive care to the communities that need it most.

When Gracie Pak, MSW ’26, sat down with clients at the Inova Cares for Women and Children clinics, she quickly learned that healing begins with trust.

Some of her conversations with young patients required translators. Others required patience, cultural sensitivity, and the ability to listen carefully for what was left unsaid.

George Mason alumna Gracie Pak said the fellowship fundamentally expanded her understanding of adolescent mental health. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

“Therapy is an extremely vulnerable experience, and there’s a lot of open communication involved,” Pak says. “It’s very difficult for a lot of people to be honest, especially if they come from a cultural background where therapy is stigmatized.”

For Pak, who completed her master of social work degree at 91�� in May, those moments became some of the most meaningful parts of her fellowship experience. Pak was part of a training program designed to address one of the country’s most urgent public health needs: the shortage of behavioral health professionals serving children, adolescents, and young adults.

George Mason’s Interprofessional Behavioral Health Training Program for Youth Serving Professionals, funded through a four-year grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration, prepares graduate students to work in communities where mental health services are often hardest to access. Through clinical placements, interdisciplinary training, and community partnerships, the program is building a pathway for professionals who are equipped to meet the growing demand for youth behavioral health care.

That demand is staggering. Nationwide, there is roughly one mental health provider for every 340 people in need, according to Mental Health America. In Virginia, the ratio is even higher.

“This grant opportunity was a perfect fit,” says Christy Esposito-Smythers, director of George Mason’s Center for Evidence-Based Behavioral Health (CEBBH) and the program’s principal investigator. “Our center is dedicated to increasing access to evidence-based behavioral health care in community settings through research as well as behavioral health workforce training and consultation for emerging and licensed behavioral health professionals.”

In addition to CEBBH, the program brings together multiple George Mason academic units and centers, including the Center for Community Mental Health in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and the Center for Health Workforce in the College of Public Health, led by Robyn Mehlenbeck and Caroline Sutter, MSN ’01, DNP ’12, respectively, who are also co-investigators.

To further improve outcomes, this program also draws on the expertise of community leaders working to strengthen the interdisciplinary behavioral health workforce and improve access to care through such organizations as the Virginia Mental Health Access Program, the Virginia Health Workforce Development Authority, Claude Moore Opportunities, and the Inova Kellar Center.

The program’s design reflects a broader shift happening across health care, one that emphasizes integrated, collaborative models of treatment. Students in George Mason’s clinical psychology, nursing, and social work degree programs train together, mirroring the team-based environments they will enter after graduation.

Each year, 10 fellows like Pak complete supervised practicum experiences within partnering primary care clinics, including Inova Cares for Women and Children, the university’s Mason and Partners (MAP) Clinics, Capital Area Pediatrics, Fairfax Pediatric Associates, and the Pediatric Group, among others.

Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

“[When choosing fellows] we look closely at who the applicants want to serve,” says Debora Goldberg, associate professor in the Department of Health Administration and Policy and co-principal investigator. “Their goals and prior experiences help us place them in primary care settings where they can grow and make the greatest impact.”

In addition to advanced training, fellows receive a stipend, which may come with tuition support, to help remove financial barriers to participation. They may also earn micro- and macro-badges recognizing demonstrated competencies as they transition into the workforce.

For many students, the experience is transformational both personally and professionally.

Learning to Meet Patients Where They Are

Pak arrived at the training program with years of experience working with children. She volunteered in classrooms, worked as a substitute teacher, and even gave horseback riding lessons—an experience that sparked her interest in equine-assisted psychotherapy.

Still, she says the fellowship fundamentally expanded her understanding of adolescent mental health. “This experience brought a whole new perspective for me on a much broader level and the challenges that [teens] go through,” Pak says. “A lot of their situations force them to live in survival mode and grow up faster than they should have to.”

Just as valuable as the clinical training was the interprofessional collaboration. “Being in the fellowship with diverse medical personnel was really beneficial for learning how to communicate with one another,” Pak says. “Social work is very unique, so figuring out how to work alongside other medical personnel was essential.”

That collaborative spirit is central to the program’s design. Fellows don’t simply study behavioral health in isolation; they learn how psychologists, nurses, social workers, and physicians work together to support patients and families navigating complex emotional and medical challenges.

Pak is carrying those lessons into her new role as a child and adolescent behavioral health therapist with Healthy Minds Therapy. “I am taking everything I’ve learned throughout the fellowship and the practicum and applying it to my real-life job as a professional therapist,” she says.

From Cameroon to Community Care

For doctoral student Luther Achu Njweipi, MSN ’21, serving as a fellow in the training program strengthened a career already rooted in service.

Njweipi immigrated to the United States from Cameroon after attending schools in underserved communities, an experience that shaped both his worldview and his approach to health care. Today, as a nurse practitioner, he works as a clinical manager at Caregivers Home Health Services in Northern Virginia, supporting patients and families through hospice and palliative care.

In addition to earning his doctorate, Luther Achu Njweipi hopes to become a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

“I saw a need in my line of work that required some behavioral counseling with families that are going through a difficult time with a loved one in serious condition,” says Njweipi, who is working on a doctor of nursing practice degree at George Mason.

In hospice care, conversations often center on grief, uncertainty, and loss. The training program helped him develop new tools to guide families through those moments with empathy and clarity. “It is difficult talking to the family about the dying process and about their expectations going forward,” he says. “No matter how many times I’ve gone through this, it impacts me every time.”

Njweipi’s fellowship placement was at the MAP Clinic in Falls Church, which serves uninsured and economically vulnerable patients across Northern Virginia. There, he witnessed how integrated care models can help close gaps for patients who might otherwise go without services. “I saw close to 10 to 15 people a day in this free clinic that accommodates individuals and families who don’t have any health insurance but are in dire need of health services,” he says.

The training in motivational interviewing and behavioral health assessment broadened the way he thinks about patient care. “Everybody needs mental health counseling at some point because we all go through crises,” Njweipi says. “I really appreciate that our training focused on services across the board—for different ages, cultures, and illnesses.”

Now, in addition to earning his doctorate, he hopes to become a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.

Paying It Forward

The training program aligned perfectly with doctoral student and fellow Irene Regalario’s academic and clinical interests. “My focus is at the intersection of mental health and physical health—caregiver health, chronic illness, or chronic health conditions—so this integrated, interdisciplinary component was such a perfect opportunity for me,” says Regalario, BSN ’18, MA Clinical Psychology ’21.

Working at the MAP Clinic in Manassas Park, Regalario strengthened her patient consultation skills while learning how culturally responsive, evidence-based care can improve outcomes and build trust. “Those [skills] really helped me to build patient rapport, which makes up a good portion of the treatment,” she says. “I loved being able to reassure [my patients] that we’re here to help and protect them and gain that trust and respect in return.”

As a PhD student in clinical psychology, Regalario says one of the program’s most important lessons has been the value of mentorship and shared learning. Faculty supervisors helped her sharpen her clinical instincts, while at the same time she had the opportunity to mentor undergraduate nursing and social work students at the MAP Clinic.

“We’re still training and learning, so it helps me figure out if I have any blind spots,” says Regalario. “To be a supervisor and mentor to some of the undergraduates and to be able to give them perspective in behavioral health training has been such an amazing experience.”

That cycle of mentorship—students learning from clinicians while preparing to guide the next generation themselves—is exactly what the training program hopes to create.

“A main thing that I’ve learned in this program is how to problem-solve with my peers,” says Regalario, who began a residency at Augusta University in Georgia this fall. “We’re asking what we can learn from each other so that we leave here as better medical professionals to make the greatest impact possible in our fields.”

At a time when behavioral health systems nationwide are stretched thin, programs like this one for youth-serving professionals are doing more than training future clinicians. They are helping shape a workforce prepared to deliver compassionate, culturally responsive evidence-based care in the communities that need it most.

“This is really a beautiful academic community partnership that we're developing here,” says Esposito-Smythers. “Consistent with George Mason’s core value of ‘thriving together,’ through collaborative efforts we are increasing access to behavioral health services in primary care settings, which in turn, may improve outcomes for youth and families within entire communities.”

Learn more about CEBBH

From bioengineering to big bands, George Mason camps focus on well-being

sholla4 — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 20:12:05 +0000

From bioengineering to big bands, George Mason camps focus on well-being sholla4 Wed, 08/12/2026 - 16:12

Year-round, 91��'s colleges, centers, and labs are taking a people-first integrated approach to human health and well-being that advances science, develops talent, and strengthens communities. That includes the summer, when labs and studios open their doors for the community to learn how innovations in art and science can make our world a healthier place.

From bioengineering to big bands, these summer programs are teaching all ages that George Mason's Grand Challenge Initiative solution of "improving human health, well-being, and preparedness" is about more than numbers in a medical chart.

BioE Buzz summer campers learn about bioengineering by testing exoskeletons and biomechanics while interacting with George Mason faculty and students .Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

BioE Buzz

In its third year, BioE Buzz introduces high school students to the greater field of bioengineering and groundbreaking research at George Mason. Rising juniors and seniors get hands-on experience with bioengineering technologies like 3D printing and ultrasound, learn about nanofabrication and tissue engineering, meet faculty and researchers from the Department of Bioengineering, and compete as a team for a one-week internship in one of George Mason's research labs.

"We love when campers connect with one another over a shared passion for solving problems in biology and medicine," said Khadija Zaidi-Rashid, assistant professor in the College of Engineering and Computing and codirector of BioE Buzz camp.

This year's 24 campers designed cardiac stents, extracted collagen and created polymers from animal tissues, and controlled a hand prothesis with bio signals. They also got a taste of college life: eating in dining halls, touring facilities, and learning team-building at The Edge on the Science and Technology Campus. Current George Mason undergraduates and graduate students serve as coordinators, counselors, and teachers for the camp as well, so campers can see a full picture of what's possible at George Mason.

"Whether our campers select a path in health policy, medical sciences, academic research, or entrepreneurship, they are all united in their passion for making a true impact on humanity," said Zaidi-Rashid.

AI in Health

A new camp for 2026, the AI in Health Camp introduces rising high school juniors and seniors to how artificial intelligence is used in health care and public health and how it can be designed and evaluated responsibly.

"The camp is designed to prepare the next generation to use AI responsibly to improve patient safety, expand access to reliable health information, and make the information more accessible and understandable through inclusive design," said Maria Uriyo, an associate professor in the College of Public Health. "By reaching high school students early, the camp helps them explore emerging careers at the intersection of AI, health care, and public health while contributing to a more inclusive future health workforce."

Over the course of one week, students build foundational skills in AI literacy, practicing user-centered and inclusive design and safe and responsible AI use through daily AI Maker Labs. Graduate students in the Department of Health Administration, Policy and Informatics coach campers through designing and building community health chatbots. On the last day of camp, students present their work at a student showcase.

"We want students to understand that AI can be a powerful tool for health, but it always needs human judgment, safety checks, and inclusive design to provide meaningful and responsible benefits," said Uriyo.

George Mason Jazz Camp

Human health and well-being is more than a matter of science. "Jazz music is said to 'wash away the dust of life,' improve our mental agility, and help us discover our true selves," said John Kocur, an associate professor of jazz studies in the College of Visual and Performing Arts.

George Mason Jazz Camp has existed in various forms since 2005, with its current form in its fifth year. This year, 87 students attended to learn music theory, practice improvisation, work with master musicians, and perform. Each day ends with a concert by a professional musician. The goal: developing the creative capacity of each musician and immersing them in the culture so they can experience the benefits of jazz throughout their lives.

"We hope each student remembers what it feels like to express yourself through your instrument spontaneously while jamming along with others," said Kocur.

And at George Mason Jazz Camp, these experiences are open to all. This year's cohort included 12 adult students, demonstrating how finding wellness through music can be done at any age.

"This music has served vital roles of survival for over a century, and it still has many lessons to teach us about cooperation, personal expression, and peace," said Kocur. "Whether you are an experienced improviser or just getting started, the expert faculty will help you realize your potential and grow into the musician you want to become."

Roxy Coss, the Artist-in-Residence for the 2026 George Mason Jazz Camp with faculty on the Center for the Arts stage, Fairfax Campus. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

See how George Mason is improving human health, well-being, and preparedness

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Summer Camps

College of Engineering and Computing

College of Public Health

College of Visual and Performing Arts

George Mason Jazz Camp

Bioengineering

GCI-Health

College of Public Health

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2. Redesign jobs to reduce overload. 

3. Prevent violence and protect staff safety. 

4. Involve frontline staff in decisions. 