College of Science

George Mason announces faculty affairs appointments in Korea and Fairfax

ckearney — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 17:15:34 +0000

George Mason announces faculty affairs appointments in Korea and Fairfax ckearney Wed, 06/03/2026 - 13:15

Jason M. Kinser and Gesele Durham have been promoted to new roles at Mason Korea and the Provost’s Office, respectively.

Jason M. Kinser. Photo by Ayman Rashid/Office of University Branding

Kinser, interim associate dean for academic affairs in the College of Science, will join Mason Korea as associate dean for faculty and academic affairs, effective July 25, 2026.

A George Mason faculty member since 1997, Kinser served as the first full-time chair of Department of Computational and Data Sciences, where he grew the department’s undergraduate enrollment from 25 to more than 400. He helped bring the computational and data sciences degree to Mason Korea, has served on the Mason Korea Executive Committee since 2023, and recently stepped in on-site during a leadership vacancy at Mason Korea.

“His expertise at the intersection of the life sciences and data sciences positions Mason Korea to deepen research and industry partnerships and expand pathways for our students into Songdo’s laboratories and companies,” said Campus Dean Joshaua Park.

Kinser has held faculty appointments across four units—bioinformatics, systems biology, physics, and computational and data sciences—and has served on university-wide bodies including the Mason Core Committee (2016 to 2024), which governs general education for every George Mason student; the Provost and Chairs Executive Committee; and Global Affairs.

Kinser will be the first natural scientist to serve in a senior leadership role at Mason Korea. His appointment aligns closely with the region’s direction: Songdo is one of the world’s leading biotechnology clusters, home to firms such as Samsung Biologics and Celltrion, and Incheon has set a course “from Smart City to AI City,” advancing artificial intelligence, data, and future industries in line with Korea’s national priorities.

Gesele Durham. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

Durham will serve as interim vice provost for faculty affairs and development, beginning June 10, 2026, with a national search for permanent leadership of the office expected to begin later this academic year. Durham, who currently serves as vice provost for Institutional Effectiveness and Planning (OIEP), joined George Mason in 2019 and has led university-wide efforts related to strategic planning, accreditation, assessment, and institutional effectiveness. She will assume the interim role ahead of Kim Eby’s departure later this summer while continuing to lead OIEP in the Provost’s Office.

“Gesele brings colleagues together around the assessment and evaluation of teaching and administrative practices,” said interim provost and vice president Ajay Vinzé. “With more than 30 years of experience in higher education across both faculty and administrative leadership roles, she has a broad perspective on the opportunities and challenges facing faculty today.”

Over the coming weeks, Eby and Durham will work together to support the transition in leadership of faculty affairs and development. Incoming Provost Marion Underwood, who assumes the role in July, will lead the search for a permanent vice provost.

“Faculty success is foundational to student success, research excellence, and the university’s broader mission,” said Durham. “I look forward to partnering with colleagues across George Mason to support faculty development, recognize achievement, and create the conditions that enable faculty to do their best work.”

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George Mason and UVA Wise researchers use phylogenomics to identify cyanobacteria in Shenandoah River

Katarina Benson — Fri, 29 May 2026 18:15:40 +0000

George Mason and UVA Wise researchers use phylogenomics to identify cyanobacteria in Shenandoah River Katarina Benson Fri, 05/29/2026 - 14:15

You’ve probably seen slimy mats of brownish green clinging to rocks in streams or on lake beds, and perhaps not given it another thought. But 91��’s Rosalina Stancheva Christova has.

Mats in the Shenandoah River. Photo provided

Christova, an assistant professor in the College of Science, has been researching Microcoleus, a common mat-forming cyanobacterium found in streams and lakes worldwide, for more than 20 years. The troublesome thing about Microcoleus is that some strains pose a risk to human, animal, and aquatic ecosystem health, but others do not.

Christova leads the Algal Ecology Lab at George Mason and wanted to learn more about Microcoleus in George Mason’s backyard—the Shenandoah River. To do so, she reached out to a colleague at University of Virginia Wise, A. Bruce Cahoon, who shared her interest in the research. Together, Christova and Cahoon set out to study the species’ diversity, distribution, and toxicity in the Shenandoah.

4-VA approved their collaborative research grant proposal, “Integrative Characterization of the Anatoxin-a-Producing Benthic Cyanobacterial Genus Microcoleus in the Shenandoah River,” and Christova and Cahoon got to work. Research began with the collection of benthic mats over a two-year period from 11 sites in the North and South Forks of the Shenandoah River.

It proved successful and surprising, revealing a stunning breakthrough in identification of Microcoleus collected from the river. Some of the bacteria was not actually Microcoleus after all, but a genus called Limnofasciculus that was discovered in 2023.

Cyanobacterium specimens. Photo provided

In all, the team identified six species and isolated two monoclonal Microcoleus strains, one nontoxic and one producing anatoxin-a.

“Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences confirmed that both strains belong to the genus Microcoleus. The toxic strain was most closely related to M. anatoxicus from California, confirming the wide distribution of this problematic cyanobacterium,” said Christova.

Christova credits her large team for doing the good but difficult work. She was supported by her co-PI Benoit Van Aken, an associate professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Pat Gillevet, director of the Microbiome Analysis Center. Graduate students Jacob Mormando, Sydney Brown and Rwan Alsaadi also worked on the project.

Mormando collected a sample with novel Limnofasciculus species for genome analysis and conducted temperature experiments with the toxic Microcoleus strain. Brown handled molecular and morphological studies of the species, field work collecting benthic cyanobacteria from the river, molecular work and cyanobacteria culturing. Alsaadi developed distributional and ecological data and collected benthic cyanobacteria from the river.

From left, Rwan Alsaadi, Sydney Brown, Jacob Mormando, A. Bruce Cahoon, and Rosalina Christova in the lab at the Potomac Science Center. Photo provided

Undergraduate students also played a role in the effort. Biology major Armon Ghaffari did data analysis of Microcoleus distribution in the river samples, and environmental science major Emma Boyden oversaw the laboratory maintenance of cyanobacterial cultures.

Two undergrads at UVA Wise, Amelia Clark and Matthew Sullivan, prepared molecular work.

Additionally, Janice Lawrence and Cecilio Valadez-Cano of the University of New Brunswick, Canada, helped with the molecular studies. Another important collaborator on the project was Gordon M. Selckmann, associate director for Aquatic Habitats at Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB). The 4-VA team used some of the field material Selckmann collected as part of an ongoing investigation of the benthic harmful algal blooms in the Shenandoah River funded by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and ICPRB.

The team is now sharing their findings and have presented at the Society for Freshwater Science Annual Meeting, the Southeastern Phycological Colloquy, the Potomac River Conference, and the 2025 Biennial Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation Meeting in Richmond, Virginia.

“The 4-VA@Mason funding was very important to me, as it supported the establishment of my research lab, fostered the development of regional and international research collaborations, and provided funding for undergraduate and graduate students interested in aquatic and cyanobacterial research,” said Christova.

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From George Mason to Capitol Hill: How environmental policy training shaped one graduate’s path

sbrown79 — Fri, 29 May 2026 17:49:45 +0000

From George Mason to Capitol Hill: How environmental policy training shaped one graduate’s path sbrown79 Fri, 05/29/2026 - 13:49

During her final semester at 91��, Sophia Colby put her environmental policy training into action.

Colby traveled to Capitol Hill as part of the Rachel Carson Council's National Environmental Advocacy Day, where she met with federal lawmakers to discuss climate legislation and community resilience. For Colby, BA Environmental and Sustainability Studies '26, the experience was a direct extension of the analytical and communication skills she developed at George Mason.

"When I first came to George Mason, I was interested in studying law, but I decided to concentrate specifically on environmental law and policy," Colby said. "My coursework helped me understand how policy decisions affect both ecosystems and communities, and that gave me the confidence to speak about real legislation with lawmakers."

Sophia Colby on Capitol Hill. Photo provided.

From case studies to Congress

Colby credits courses such as EVPP 361 Introduction to Environmental Policy, EVPP 362 Intermediate Environmental Policy, and EVPP 432 Energy Policy with preparing her to evaluate and discuss complex legislation. Through case-study assignments and applied policy analysis, she examined existing laws, identified gaps, and proposed solutions to environmental challenges.

"My professors showed us how to examine real legislation and policy initiatives related to climate change and other environmental topics," Colby said. "The case study format made me much more comfortable articulating what policy changes are needed and explaining both the human and environmental stakes involved."

On Capitol Hill, she discussed the Opportunities in Organic Act, the Polluters Pay Climate Fund Act, and concerns about the wood pellet industry with Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Rep. Sarah Elfreth (D-MD), and Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC).

"It was a great [opportunity] to discuss how issues like pesticides, wood pelletization, and deforestation impact human health as well as the environment," Colby said.

Building experience beyond the classroom

Colby's preparation also included hands-on research. During an internship with the U.S. Geological Survey, she analyzed species range shifts, conducted literature reviews, and navigated scientific databases to support climate research.

"At USGS, I learned how to conduct scientific research that can be used to inform the policy decisions that shape our responses to environmental change," she said.

The interdisciplinary structure of George Mason's Environmental and Sustainability Studies Program, jointly offered by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and the College of Science, emphasizes cross-sector collaboration—an approach Colby said mirrors the real-world complexity of environmental work.

Colby also presented her research at the 2026 Midwest Political Science Association Annual Conference, held in Chicago in April.

Sophia Colby with her mentor Younsung Kim. Photo provided.

Her faculty research mentor Younsung Kim, professor of environmental science and policy, talked about the skills Colby acquired during her time at George Mason. "[These skills] will help her become an environmental advocate who does not create conflicts, but instead brings peaceful and constructive resolutions to them," she said. "I believe she will be a strong force for environmental policy and sustainability, as well as a future leader in the field."

Colby, who was in the Honors College, said she found community during her time at George Mason through Alpha Kappa Chi, a fraternity focused on professional development and environmental stewardship, where she connected with peers committed to sustainability and advocacy.

Preparing for what's next

The Rachel Carson Council's Advocacy Day included policy briefings, advocacy workshops, and direct engagement with members of Congress. For Colby, the experience reinforced that the tools she developed at George Mason translate directly into public impact.

"Communication is a big part of advocacy and climate resilience," she said.

Colby hopes to pursue a career focused on how environmental policies disproportionately affect marginalized communities. "Getting involved in this kind of work is powerful and eye-opening," she said. "Knowing how environmental policy impacts communities really motivates people."

For Colby, meeting with lawmakers was more than a culminating moment of her senior year—it was a preview of how her George Mason education has prepared her to contribute to building a future in which communities are better prepared to face environmental change.

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George Mason sends record number of students to National Conference on Undergraduate Research

Katarina Benson — Tue, 26 May 2026 14:23:23 +0000

George Mason sends record number of students to National Conference on Undergraduate Research Katarina Benson Tue, 05/26/2026 - 10:23

This April, 63 91�� students presented their research at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) in Richmond. NCUR is dedicated to promoting undergraduate research across disciplines. This year marked George Mason’s highest attendance to date, and many students were able to attend due to support from the Office of Student Creative Activities and Research (OSCAR).

Students listen to a speaker at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research. Photo provided

For Karen T. Lee, associate director of OSCAR, accompanying the students to NCUR each year is one of her favorite parts of the job. “Sharing results is the ultimate step in completing a research or creative project, and sharing them at a national conference like NCUR allows students to contribute to the body of knowledge in their field, and to meet students and faculty working on similar projects and learn to network as professionals,” she said. “Having this experience as an undergraduate, early in their career, is a real boost in their confidence.”

Both Michael Kaleem, a junior majoring in community health with a concentration in clinical science, and Auj Atteeq, a senior majoring in computational and data science, were supported by OSCAR grants this year.

Kaleem with his research poster. Photo provided

For Kaleem, NCUR was the first time he has presented his research outside of George Mason. With his project, “Rest and Results: The Relationship Between Sleep, Stress, and Grade Point Average (GPA) in Undergraduates,” Kaleem found that while sleep didn’t necessarily affect students’ GPA, students’ stress levels influenced both their sleep quality and their academic performance.

A member of the Honors College and OSCAR's Undergraduate Research Scholars program, Kaleem credits Lee and his mentor Ali A. Weinstein, a professor of global and community health, for helping him hone his research skills. He hopes to work in the health care field in the future and plans to continue his studies at George Mason and pursue an accelerated master's in public health with a concentration in health policy.

In her project, “Thermal Stress Impact on Global Bleaching Events,” Atteeq found a positive correlation between sea surface temperature and coral reef bleaching across the globe. Essentially, rising temperatures disrupt the homeostasis of coral reef systems, causing them to turn white and become vulnerable to starvation and disease. Coral reefs support at least a quarter of all marine life, making Atteeq’s research incredibly important.

Atteeq with her research. Photo provided

Atteeq originally began her research as a final project for one of her computational and data sciences classes. OSCAR staff member Kim Seligman encouraged her to continue the work and apply to attend NCUR. She received a travel grant from OSCAR to attend the conference. In the future, Atteeq wants to continue her research on climate science and plans to pursue a career in academia.

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Student speaker Saniya Darediya's remarks

ckearney — Thu, 14 May 2026 20:17:26 +0000

Student speaker Saniya Darediya's remarks ckearney Thu, 05/14/2026 - 16:17

As prepared for delivery

Good morning, President Washington, university leadership, esteemed faculty, families, friends, and most importantly, fellow Patriots.

When I first arrived in the United States, I was 17 years old, sitting alone in my room the night before my university orientation… crying.

Neuroscience major Saniya Darediya was this year's student Commencement speaker. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

Not because I was unhappy, but because I was afraid. Afraid that I might not belong here.

I had just left my home in India: my family, my language, my culture. Suddenly I was in a place where everything felt unfamiliar.

My accent sounded different. My upbringing was different. My way of seeing the world was different. And quietly I wondered: Will people notice how different I am?

A few weeks ago, while writing this speech, I remembered 91��’s tagline: All Together Different.

And it made sense. Because the very first thing I noticed when I arrived here was how different I felt.

But Mason slowly taught me something deeper. Everyone here carries their own version of difference.

Some of us traveled across the world to get here. Some of us were the first in our families to attend college. Some of us were still discovering who we wanted to become.

Differences were not separating us. They were connecting us.

One of the first places I understood this was not in a classroom… but on the Metro. During my first year I spent almost six hours every day commuting. At first, it felt exhausting.

But those Metro rides slowly became part of my Mason education. I would see students reviewing notes, finishing assignments, or sprinting through the station like their lives depended on catching that train. And in those moments, you realize something simple.

Everyone on that train is chasing a future.

Different dreams. Different paths. But the same determination.

Another moment that shaped my Mason journey came through friendship.

Before enrolling at Mason, I never imagined my closest friendship would cross continents. We celebrated our cultures together. She came to EidNavratri, I went to Christmas. And I realized something powerful.

Differences do not have to divide people. By celebrating our differences together, we get closer.

This year, I had the privilege of being the emcee for the International Week dance competition. Standing there, surrounded by students from dozens of countries, I had a moment of reflection The same girl who arrived here feeling uncertain was now helping celebrate the diversity of this university.

That is the kind of transformation Mason creates.

I saw that same idea come to life again through my work as a mentor. Through the Mason Autism Support Initiative, I mentored more than 20 students. Each student experiences the world in their own way.

Working with them reminded me that differences should never become a wall between people. They should become a place of curiosity. A place where we listen more carefully, understand more deeply, and support one another with empathy.

Mason also taught me something else. Sometimes, when you cannot find the place where you belong… you build one.

So, I created the Neuroscience Club. Under Dr. Ren Guerriero ’s guidance, what began with no members has grown into a community of more than 200 students today.

I know many student leaders here today understand this feeling. You helped build the communities that make Mason feel alive.

Along this journey, Mason also gave me the opportunity to explore research. My research journey also began with difference. In science, progress often begins when something appears different. A pattern that does not quite fit. A question that challenges what we know.

I worked on a biochemistry project with the American Chemical Society, and I learned that science advances because someone is willing to think differently.

Which brings me to the world our generation is stepping into.

We are the generation that grew up alongside artificial intelligence. We learned how to use it. We adapted to it. And now, in many ways, we compete with it.

Artificial intelligence can analyze information faster than we can. And sometimes it can even do our homework better than we can, which has definitely kept faculty on their toes.

But if you ask it the same question again and again, it often gives the same answer. Because machines search for the correct answer.

Humans do something different. We think about people. We think about experiences. We think about consequences.

Sometimes the correct answer is not the best one. The best answer might require empathy,
or compassion, or understanding someone’s story.

If our generation wants to thrive in a world shaped by artificial intelligence, we do not need to become more robotic. We need to become more human. More creative. More compassionate. More curious. More different.

And that reminds me of a poem I wrote years ago:

Would the world be as intriguing
If everyone looked the same?
Everybody is beautiful in their own way.
Every person’s idea of perfection
Is valid in its own.

Maybe that is the lesson Mason has been teaching us all along. The differences that once made many of us wonder whether we belonged are the very things that make us valuable.

Before I close, I want to thank the people who made this journey possible.

To my parents, thank you for being my backbone and my safety net.
To my sister, thank you for always being there.
To my aunt and uncles, thank you for making this country feel like home.
And to my friends, thank you for becoming my home.

Class of 2026, every one of us arrived here with a different story. Different cultures. Different struggles. Different dreams.

Yet those differences led us to the same place today.

We are different, but today we stand here together. And that is exactly what Mason taught us.

We are All Together Different. And we are Mason Nation.

Congratulations Class of 2026!

Thank you.

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George Mason biosciences doctoral student turns setbacks into NIH research opportunity

Katarina Benson — Thu, 14 May 2026 17:13:58 +0000

George Mason biosciences doctoral student turns setbacks into NIH research opportunity Katarina Benson Thu, 05/14/2026 - 13:13

Beginning a PhD is rarely straightforward. Beginning one just as the world shuts down adds an entirely new dimension to adaptability. For 91�� biosciences PhD student Matthew Lefkowitz, that quality would come to define his doctoral journey.

Lefkowitz at the National Institutes of Health. Photo provided

He entered the program in fall 2019 and had only just begun settling into graduate life when the COVID-19 pandemic brought research across the world to a halt. Laboratories closed, projects paused indefinitely, and traditional academic timelines dissolved almost overnight.

Rather than waiting for things to return to normal, he adapted.

With laboratory access limited, Lefkowitz shifted his focus to coursework. Over the next two years, he completed 52 graduate credit hours. As the pandemic continued to disrupt traditional research pathways, George Mason supported him in pursuing external research opportunities.

After months of persistence, he secured a position at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), becoming a pre-doctoral Intramural Research Training Award (IRTA) Fellow. There, he worked across two institutes: the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS).

The experience placed him in a highly interdisciplinary environment that brought together biology, computational science, and translational research—an ideal fit for his background.

“It combined problem-solving with the opportunity to work on challenges where there isn’t already a clear answer. That made it feel like a natural fit for my interests in math and science,” he said.

At the core of his doctoral work is the study of rare neuromuscular disorders, particularly congenital muscular dystrophy. Using artificial intelligence, machine learning, and deep learning, Lefkowitz’s research aims to better understand disease mechanisms and improve predictions of clinical outcomes, which is an especially complex challenge in the context of rare disease research.

While his interest in neuromuscular disease is informed, in part, by his own experience living with a rare neuromuscular disorder, he is equally motivated by the broader impact this work could have on improving diagnosis and care for patients facing similar conditions.

“The biggest challenge in the field right now is making sense of very small patient populations, which is often the case with rare diseases. When you’re working with such limited data, it becomes much harder to predict outcomes or draw reliable conclusions from what clinicians are observing.”

Before beginning his doctoral studies at George Mason, Lefkowitz applied to PhD programs nationwide. Despite strong academic credentials and a biomedical engineering degree from Virginia Tech, he faced widespread rejection.

The challenge, he said, stemmed from his training emphasis in mathematics, systems thinking, and problem-solving rather than extended wet-lab experience—skills that are highly valuable in interdisciplinary research.

George Mason saw potential others overlooked.

“Mason didn’t just look at what I hadn’t done,” he said. “They saw the potential of what I could do.”

Since joining George Mason and later gaining experience at the NIH, Lefkowitz said he has grown significantly as both a researcher and an independent scientist.

“I grew in ways I couldn’t have imagined, especially in learning how to advocate for myself,” he said. “You have to take initiative and make those resources work for you. That meant learning to speak up, to position myself in the spaces where science is happening. That experience gave me a level of confidence I didn’t have before.”

Throughout his doctoral journey, mentorship has played a critical role. Lefkowitz credits School of Systems Biology faculty, including Ancha Baranova and Alessandra Luchini, as well as members of his doctoral committee, for providing guidance during pivotal moments.

“The difference was trust. Mason trusted me to figure things out and supported me while I did,” he said. “A PhD doesn’t teach you how to avoid challenges. It teaches you how to respond to them.”

Lefkowitz would like to thank the members of his dissertation committee, including his director and co-chair, Carsten G. Bönnemann, Chief of Neuromuscular and Neurogenetic Diseases of Childhood Section at NINDS; chair, Ancha Baranova; and committee members, Donald Lo, Director of the Therapeutic Development Branch at NCATS; and George Mason’s Alessandra Luchini and Lance Liotta.

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This neuroscience student found her calling and her community at George Mason

Katarina Benson — Thu, 07 May 2026 15:07:19 +0000

This neuroscience student found her calling and her community at George Mason Katarina Benson Thu, 05/07/2026 - 11:07

When Saniya Darediya stepped onto 91��’s Fairfax Campus for Orientation four years ago, she was fresh off the plane from Gujarat, India, and had never been to the United States. She chose George Mason sight-unseen—and then carved out a place for herself.

“I did a ton of research on universities all over the world before I came here,” she said. “George Mason felt like a university that draws a lot of opportunity outside of class. They had a lot of research programs, and I really wanted that hands-on experience.”

Saniya Darediya is this year's student commencement speaker. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

Now graduating with a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience, Darediya, who calls herself a “professional brain nerd,” is this year’s student commencement speaker. The aspiring neurosurgeon and Honors College student will address her fellow graduates and their family members at Spring Commencement in EagleBank Arena.

Darediya views neurosurgery as an extension of her creative passions, which include painting and dance. She credits her artistic pursuits as giving her the skills required to go far in medicine. When working as a medical assistant at a cosmetic and laser dermatology practice, for example, a doctor complimented her on her steady hands.

“I realized that is because when you’re painting, your hand has to be so steady. One wrong stroke of the brush and your painting is ruined. In surgery, one wrong cut of the knife can cost someone their life,” she said. “And with dance, I learned patience and that everything comes with practice. You can't expect to learn a new dance right away. It's the same with medicine.”

During her time at George Mason, Darediya participated in the Research and Interdisciplinary STEM Experiences (RISE) Scholars Program through the College of Science, which gave her an introduction to the research world. She is the recipient of the college’s Outstanding Neuroscience Senior Award (2025-26) and the inaugural Community Leadership Award, which recognizes her impact on the George Mason community and beyond.

Darediya is also a mentor with the Mason Autism Support Initiative (MASI), where she supports fellow George Mason students with autism in navigating the academic, social, and structural transitions of college life. She was honored as Student Mentor of the Year for the academic year 2024-25 for her dedication to supporting and guiding fellow students.

She also interned with the American Chemical Society.

Darediya has many ways of balancing the hard hours of study and work. She reads novels and paints to rest her brain, and dances to release stress. She also threw herself into George Mason’s social scene, joining the Lambda chapter of the Kappa Phi Gamma sorority.

“Some days, if my exams are over and I just want to have fun, I go out with my friends,” she said. “There is so much going on at Mason. We just look at Mason 360 and there’s a new event every day.”

She noted that, when she came to George Mason, there were nearly 400 student organizations—now there are 500. And she helped create one of them. As a first-year student, Darediya was looking for community support for those interested in neuroscience, and all the groups were focused on graduate students. So she created her own, along with two friends. “We wanted a community of people where we can just talk about our journey and our plans, or if we're tired, just come and vent.”

The Neuroscience Club now has 200 students and welcomes anyone curious about the field. They host gatherings that include intellectual seminars about the brain, learning about journals and research, and sometimes just game nights to blow off steam.

After graduation, Darediya plans to continue her journey in medicine, with a focus on integrating research, clinical care, and advocacy to improve patient outcomes and expand access to care.

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Goldwater Scholar Sofie Strompf is finding art in science

sholla4 — Wed, 06 May 2026 14:29:15 +0000

Goldwater Scholar Sofie Strompf is finding art in science sholla4 Wed, 05/06/2026 - 10:29

Left brained vs right brained, analytical vs creative: Art and science are often placed on opposite ends of the spectrum, two disciplines at war with one another. But for Sofie Strompf, Honors College student, neuroscience major, and recipient of a prestigious 2026 Goldwater Scholarship, the divide between the two is more a matter of perspective.

Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

Strompf was a member of the Mason Nation long before beginning her undergraduate career. As a regular student, and then assistant administrator, at Acting for Young People through Mason Community Arts Academy, she developed a deep passion for theatre.

Strompf entered George Mason ready to take the stage. Initially a technical theater major, she was inspired by a literature review project in HNRS 110 Principles of Research and Inquiry to consider a different path.

“Because of my experiences with my dynamic disability [hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome], I was really interested in familial dysautonomia, a rare genetic condition that causes severe, degenerative dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system, so I chose that as my topic,” she said. “I had never had a chance to research like this before. My literature review was way over the top for anything I needed to write, because I was so interested in the topic.”

Strompf reached out to Ali Andalibi, previous senior associate dean for research for the College of Science, for mentorship as she explored the possibilities in more research-focused pathways. During her second year at Mason, she completed research with Andalibi with the support of an Undergraduate Research Scholars Program (URSP) grant from George Mason’s Office of Student Creative Activities and Research (OSCAR) and interned at the Medical University of South Carolina. These experiences affirmed her love of science and research, and she transitioned to the Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience.

“Research is just identifying a problem and coming up with a way to look at that problem from a bunch of different angles to understand it better and thinking outside the box to solve it. That in itself is a creative process,” she said. “So I think that having this background in creative arts and humanities has actually made me a better researcher from the start.”

With her love of research, Strompf’s academic career has developed as much in the lab as in the classroom. Under the guidance of Professor Lance Liotta and Postdoctoral Research Fellow Marissa Howard, she’s been supporting and developing research projects in the Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine (CAPMM) for the past four years. Last year, her work in the lab was supported by an National Institutes of Health Diversity Supplemental research grant. This grant bolstered her experiences in the lab, leading her to develop her own hypothesis regarding secretory mitophagy (a new process of cellular mitochondrial recycling discovered by CAPMM researchers) as it relates to neurodegenerative disease. She hopes to continue research related to this hypothesis as a PhD student after graduating in 2027.

Strompf delivering a presentation. Photo provided.

There’s another angle to Strompf’s work as well: advocacy and policy. “I’m trying to be part of this movement of young, early career scientists and researchers who really want to share all these cool new discoveries with the public and the world,” she said.

For her, that includes outreach work as part of the Nexus234 Innovation District, teaching local elementary, middle, and high school students about cells during Nanotechnology Day and other community events; serving as a mentor for the Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP); and mentoring other undergraduate students as an OSCAR Peer Leader.

She also actively advocates through her positions on the State Council for Higher Education for Virginia’s (SCHEV) Disabilities Access to Higher Education Advisory Committee, Council for Undergraduate Research (CUR), and the Scientist Network for Advancing Policy (SNAP).

“I’ve worked closely with a lot of SCHEV staff to talk about disability policy and draft policy recommendations, as well as lobbying and meeting state representatives to share why inclusion and accessibility matter,” she said.

Receiving a Goldwater Scholarship, which recognizes students with the potential to be the next generation of research leaders, is a true testament to her dedication and perseverance.

Megan Bruening, director of the Office of Fellowship, said, “it has been our pleasure to work with Sofie and watch her grow over the course of her undergraduate career at Mason. Her intellectual curiosity, impressive work ethic, and determination to serve others makes her stand out as a promising STEM researcher.”

“Often, there is hardly any representation in science for students with disabilities, and it can be hard not to feel alone or unwelcome,” Strompf said. “Receiving the Goldwater Scholarship is especially meaningful in this context, as I feel like it validates both my place in science and that of other students with disabilities. Despite the challenges I have faced, a team of accomplished, established scientists believes in me and my potential to contribute meaningfully to my field.”

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Smithsonian connections helped shape this conservation scientist’s academic path

ckearney — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 16:05:51 +0000

Smithsonian connections helped shape this conservation scientist’s academic path ckearney Wed, 04/29/2026 - 12:05

91�� graduate student Jose Meneses has always been fascinated by the natural world. Like many future scientists, he spent hours as a child watching nature documentaries.

“I grew up watching National Geographic and the Smithsonian Channel,” said the Falls Church, Virginia, native. “I’ve always been interested in nature, biology, ecology—anything related to wildlife.”

During the pandemic, Meneses transferred to George Mason from Radford University to be closer to home. That decision that would ultimately reshape his future.

One opportunity in particular at his new university caught Meneses’s attention: the Smithsonian–Mason School of Conservation (SMSC) and its Smithsonian–Mason Semester, which allows students to spend a semester at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia, conducting research alongside Smithsonian scientists.

“When I heard you could spend an entire semester there doing fieldwork and getting lab experience, I thought that was amazing,” he said.

Meneses enrolled and the experience confirmed that he had found his calling. “It was probably the best semester I’ve had in college.”

In 2023, Meneses graduated from George Mason with his bachelor’s degree in environmental science but stayed on for his graduate studies as part of George Mason’s Bachelor’s to Accelerated Master’s Program. He will graduate with a master of science in environmental science and policy this May.

George Mason graduate student Jose Meneses doing field work in Florida. Photo provided

And he has continued his relationship with the Smithsonian Institution throughout his time at George Mason, working with different animals.

During his Smithsonian–Mason Semester, Meneses worked on a five-week research project studying salamander skin peptides—natural compounds produced by salamanders that help defend against deadly fungal infections—in the Smithsonian’s Center for Conservation Genomics.

After graduation, he took an internship in National Elephant Herpesvirus Laboratory at the National Zoo, where he helped analyze blood and trunk wash samples to detect the deadly virus affecting elephants. Later, he joined the zoo’s Reproductive Sciences Laboratory, assisting researchers studying new methods for preserving reproductive cells from endangered feline species.

These experiences gave Meneses exposure to a wide range of conservation research and strengthened his interest in the complex relationships between organisms. Eventually, that interest led him to zombie crabs.

Before beginning his master’s program, Meneses searched for a faculty advisor whose research matched his growing curiosity about ecological relationships. One scientist stood out to him— Amy Fowler, an associate professor who leads the Aquatic Ecology Lab at George Mason’s Potomac Science Center.

Fowler studies parasitic barnacles that infect the tiny mud crabs of the Chesapeake Bay, manipulating the animals’ biology and behavior, making them zombie crabs. Meneses soon joined Fowler’s lab as a graduate research assistant and began designing the research that would become his master’s thesis.

Meneses in the lab at Fort Pierce. Photo provided

This academic year Meneses was a Smithsonian Link Foundation Fellow and spent 12 weeks in Florida collecting mud crabs from traps he placed earlier in the summer and studying them at the Smithsonian Marine Station in Fort Pierce. Meneses’s project looked at parasite local adaptation—how parasites are better at infecting local host populations than foreign host populations. Every two weeks, he drove hundreds of miles along Florida’s East and West coastlines, pulling the traps from marina docks and transporting their tiny occupants back to the lab for infection trials to measure susceptibility across different populations.

During his time at George Mason, Meneses also participated in three study-abroad trips that had a profound effect on his studies.

The first took him to Indonesia, where he studied marine mammal conservation and visited a dolphin sanctuary where he helped collect behavioral data on dolphins and other marine species. The program also included a journey up the Mahakam River in Borneo to search for the endangered Irrawaddy river dolphin. “We found a small group of them, which was really exciting,” Meneses recalls. “There aren’t many left in the wild.”

Another study-abroad course took him to Kenya, where George Mason students explored the country’s biodiversity, visiting the Maasai Mara and Ol Pejeta Conservancy. For his project there, Meneses studied a classic example of mutualism—the partnership between acacia trees and the ants that defend them from browsing animals like giraffes and elephants.

“The ants get food and housing from the plant. And in return, they protect the tree,” he said. “I think Kenya is my favorite of all the places that I've visited.”

Jose Meneses mentoring students in the Aspiring Scientist Summer Internship Program. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

His third trip came when he enrolled in a SCUBA certification course at George Mason this spring. As part of the program, Meneses and other students traveled to Roatán, Honduras, where they completed their open-water certification while diving along coral reefs. The trip included multiple dives each day and a reef shark dive he won’t soon forget.

“It was incredible. We saw so much marine life,” he said. “I actually found a shark tooth. Apparently, that’s pretty rare.”

As for what’s next in his career, Meneses said he is still interested in disease ecology but would like to transition to studying bats. He is applying to technician and research assistant positions in bat disease and behavioral ecology with the aim of getting more experience before applying to PhD programs.

To students interested in pursuing research while at George Mason, Meneses advises them to go out and explore. “There are a lot of opportunities on campus, a lot of clubs, and a lot of cool people. It was through participating in programs and organizations that I really gained that new perspective on the environment and research and ecology.”

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George Mason scientist takes part in NASA mission to track Earth’s changing ice and forests

Katarina Benson — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 21:43:26 +0000

George Mason scientist takes part in NASA mission to track Earth’s changing ice and forests Katarina Benson Wed, 04/15/2026 - 17:43

Konrad Wessels, associate professor of geography and geoinformation science at 91��, is part of a NASA-funded team studying how ice levels and ecosystem carbon stock are changing—work that could impact climate resilience planning, disaster management, ocean navigation, and national security.

Wessels is contributing to NASA’s Earth Dynamics Geodetic Explorer mission (EDGE), which will be the world’s first satellite system to use imaging laser altimetry to map Earth’s surface. Selected after a two-year development and evaluation process, this EDGE mission relies on laser altimetry, a technique that sends pulses of light toward Earth and measures the time it takes for them to reflect back to the spacecraft.

Konrad Wessels, associate professor of geography and geoinformation science. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

These measurements allow scientists to precisely calculate the elevation of land, ice, and forest structure. If confirmed, the total estimated cost of EDGE, not including the launch, will not exceed $355 million, with a mission launch date of no earlier than 2030.

“The NASA EDGE mission will generate high-resolution, three-dimensional views of forests and savanna ecosystems, along with detailed measurements of glaciers, ice sheets, and sea ice,” said Wessels. “Together, this data will help scientists better understand how ice and forests are changing over time. It also has a rapid response capability, which can collect higher-detail data in case of emergencies or natural disasters.”

Wessels’ role has focused on ensuring the mission can accurately track changes in the world’s forests and savannas. As a member of the Terrestrial Ecosystems Science team, he helped develop a Science Traceability Matrix, a framework that connects the mission’s scientific objectives to specific measurement requirements. This includes forest height, fire fuel loads, biomass/carbon stocks, and their changes. This process directly informs the design of the mission’s LiDAR sensor, satellite orbits, and data-processing methods.

“Tracking global forest carbon stocks is critical for understanding how Earth is responding to environmental change, especially since carbon emissions from land-use change and forest degradation rival those from the entire transportation sector,” Wessels said. “By improving our ability to monitor forests worldwide, this mission can inform natural resource management efforts that aim to protect forest carbon stocks and biodiversity along with many ecosystem services. EDGE could provide a quantum leap forward in monitoring forest structure and dynamics around the world.”

The EDGE mission brings together 25 scientists and engineers from institutions around the world. Helen Amanda Fricker, of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography of the University of California San Diego, is principal investigator, and John Armston of the University of Maryland is the deputy principal investigator. Mission leadership also includes instrument principal investigator Bryan Blair and project scientist Scott Luthcke from NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.

In a NASA-issued press release, Nicky Fox, associate administrator of the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C., described the importance of EDGE and the recently advancing STRIVE (Stratosphere Troposphere Response using Infrared Vertically-resolved light Explorer) missions. “By understanding Earth’s surface topography, ecosystems, and atmosphere, these missions will help us better study the extreme environments beyond our home planet to ensure the safety of astronauts and spacecraft as we return to the Moon with the Artemis campaign and journey onward to Mars and beyond,” he said.

Deputy PI Armston spoke to Wessels’ contributions, saying, "Konrad has helped shape EDGE’s science to capture the dynamics of savanna ecosystems and their response to disturbance and environmental change and will play a key role in the mission’s calibration and validation efforts across terrestrial ecosystems."

In addition to Wessels, the terrestrial ecosystem structure team includes researchers from Boise State, the National University of Singapore, the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, UCLA, the University of Bristol, the University of Maryland, U.S. Forest Service, and the U.S. Geological Survey. The ice elevation team includes scientists from the British Antarctic Survey, the Colorado School of Mines, the University at Buffalo, the University of Tasmania, and the University of Washington.

The EDGE project has been selected for continued development as part of NASA’s Earth System Explorers Program, which conducts principal investigator-led Earth science missions based on key priorities laid out by the science community and national needs. The EDGE mission will be subject to confirmation review in 2027, which will assess the mission’s progress and the availability of funds.

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