Sustaining scientific success
by Dean Fernando Miralles-Wilhelm
It was a very productive, impactful year of change both around the world and here within the College of Science at George Mason University. We celebrated Mason’s 50th anniversary as the most diverse, most innovative institution in Virginia.
It’s true, Mason is All Together Different, and our science programs remain at the heart of it.
The Oxford dictionary provides two meanings for the word sustainability: “the ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level” and “avoidance of the depletion of natural resources in order to maintain an ecological balance.” Over the past year, Mason Science has worked diligently to deliver on both counts.
Forging ahead into a new hybrid normal, we did not miss a beat, continuing to sustain growth in both enrollment and research funding at a time when others were challenged. We expanded our team to focus on access, justice, equity, diversity and inclusion (AJEDI) alongside efforts to be more operationally efficient and productive.
In this report, we’ve shared a few of the many ways our science community delivered on sustainability research efforts and student success outcomes over the previous academic year. Our faculty, staff, and students collaborated across scientific disciplines and within the public and private sectors to establish highly regarded regional, national, and global partnerships including the Virginia Climate Center, grew quantum materials research and outreach alongside addressing hunger, zombie crabs, and safely navigating post-pandemic life. We expanded our popular Computational Data Science program to the Mason Korea campus and leveraged the first ever FARO partnership to build unique training and educational opportunities for our students and partners. We also said goodbye to some of our dear faculty including the Godfather of Biodiversity, Thomas Lovejoy.
As you take a moment to review these impressive accomplishments and learn more about our people, projects, and programs, you will clearly see how our Mason Science community helps establish a pathway to scientific success for the thousands of students, alumni, and partners we serve.
We look with excitement to the coming year when the college will complete and release its strategic plan, and work with Mason and our many partners to successfully undertake the largest capital campaign in the university’s history. After all, supporting science is more important than ever.
We have set the bar high and there is much work to be done. I’m hoping you will join us to sustain Mason’s science success.
Fernando Miralles-Wilhelm
Understand.
The College of Science understands that our future depends heavily on the health and understanding of our planet. Whether its scientists using satellites to survey landscapes and track changes over time or partnering with Virginia leaders to identify sustainable practices, faculty continue to make strides in providing viable solutions for environmental surveillance, weather tracking, species preservation, and communicating the costs of inaction such as food shortages. Students even take part through courses dedicated to community-based service projects that support local parks and Mason campuses.
Innovate.
Though George Mason University is a young academic institution compared to a number of its peers in the Commonwealth of Virginia, our pace of innovative thought and research brings the college to the forefront of discovery within many emerging fields, including neuroscience, climate science, systems biology, data science, quantum and materials science and forensics. This could not be accomplished without the dedication of faculty and staff who not only forge new research pathways, but also form partnerships to enrich the student experience.
Succeed.
As one of the largest contributors to George Mason University’s R1 status, our College of Science maintains a strong focus on impactful research experiences by cultivating a questioning mindset throughout all levels of learning. The college continues to provide students the highest quality education for their post-graduation careers while also significantly impacting our community, our nation, and our world. The college is proud of its Mason Science community who continue to receive grants, fellowships, and awards in recognition of their academic and scholarly work.
Meet the newest members of the College of Science Leadership Team
Paula Danquah-Brobby, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
After a national search, Dr. Paula Danquah-Brobby began their role as the new Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) for the College of Science, effective February 2022. As you may know, she emerged from the search as the college's top choice, bringing significant energy, passion, and experience to this new position.
Prior to joining Mason’s College of Science, she was the department chair of Applied Behavior Analysis at a minority serving institution; where she created and embedded DEI strategic planning initiatives throughout department policies, procedures, and systems. Learn more about Paula.
Cody W. Edwards, Senior Associate Dean for Academic and Faculty Affairs
Dr. Cody W. Edwards began his role as Senior Associate Dean for Academic and Faculty Affairs for the College of Science in June, 2022. He served in an interim role from December 2021 thru June 2022.
He joins the college’s leadership team while continuing his duties as Mason’s Associate Provost for a Sustainable Earth, Associate Professor in the Department of Biology, and Executive Director for the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation (SMSC). His research uses next generation techniques and technologies to address questions and challenges in conservation genetics/genomics, systematics, molecular phylogenetics/genomics, and evolution in vertebrates with special emphasis on endangered species.
Meghan St. George, Chief Business Officer
Meghan St. George began her role as the new Chief Business Officer for the College of Science, effective December 2021.
Meghan comes to Mason with more than 18 years of experience in financial, operational, and strategic leadership, including more than ten years in higher education. She most recently worked at Baker Tilly, an international accounting and advisory firm, where she consulted for many top public and private higher education institutions in a variety of areas including financial operations, research, compliance, and risk management, among others. Learn more about Meghan.
College Leadership
Our deans and department chairs provide the vision to connect the students, faculty, and partners to their various disciplines. Contact our leadership to learn how you can support and engage our students' learning, research, and programs.
Chair and Directors
Mark D. Uhen, Atmospheric, Oceanic and Earth Sciences
Geraldine Grant, Biology
William J. Hahn, Biomedical Sciences
Gerald Weatherspoon, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Jason Kinser, Computational and Data Sciences
A. Alonso Aguirre '21, Larry Rockwood '22, Environmental Science and Policy
Mary Ellen O'Toole, Forensic Science
Dieter Pfoser, Geography and Geoinformation Science
Maria Emelianenko, Mathematical Sciences
Saleet Jafri, Neuroscience
Paul So, Physics and Astronomy
Iosif Vaisman, School of Systems Biology
College Administration
Fernando Miralles-Wilhelm, Dean
Ali Andalibi, Senior Associate Dean for Research and Scholarship
Paula Danquah-Brobby, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Cody Edwards, Senior Associate Dean for Faculty and Academic Affairs
Donna Fox, Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs
Patrick M. Gillevet, Associate Dean for Research Operations
Audrey Kelaher, Director of Development
Tracy Mason, Assistant Dean, Strategic Marketing and Communications
Meghan St. George, Chief Business Officer
Dean's Advisory Board
The college appreciates the expertise and guidance provided by the distinguished team of executives on the Dean’s Advisory Board. See the full list of board members.
Stay Connected with #MasonScience
Keep up-to-date with the latest research, student achievement, and innovation happening in the College of Science. News and events from the college appear on our various social media channels each and every day. We would love for you to connect and engage with us. Have an interesting story to share? We want to hear about it.
Contributors:
Writers: Miriam Aburdeineh, Ali Andalibi, Elizabeth Grisham, John Hollis, Charlotte Hsu, Zander Leon, Colleen Kearney Rich, Audrey Kelaher, Benjamin Kessler, Dorothy Kondal, Katie Maney, Tracy Mason, Laura Powers, Madison Rudolf, Anna Stolley Persky, Jae Hee Suh, Andria Waclawski, Konrad Wessels
Editors: Tracy Mason, Laura Powers
Photography: Ron Aira/Mason Creative Services, Stephanie Bulls, Shelby Burgess/Mason Strategic Communications, Evan Cantwell/Mason Creative Services, Clary Carter, Ylenia Chiari, Sarah D'Alexander, Kimberly Farmer/Unsplash, Lathan Goumas/Mason Strategic Communications, Sierra Guard/Mason Creative Services, Ji Kang/Mason Creative Services, DeRon Rockingham, Rahul Roy, Max Taylor/Max Taylor Photography
Design: Natasha Gilliam
Emphasis on Sustainability | Innovative Learning and Research | Mason Success Defined