Also in this issue:
Main Page | Collaborative Thinking, Bold Discoveries | Our Science Community
Table of Contents
- George Mason University home to its first NASA Space Mission
- Fulbright recipient to study invasive crab species in Finland U.S. Scholar Program
- Are the world’s oceans suffocating?
- Mason Science physicist explores Virginia energy policy with COVES Fellowship
- Capturing the colorful world seen by animals
- New Nanofabrication Facility will help drive innovation in the commonwealth
- Research overview
- Major Research Centers in the College of Science
George Mason University home to its first NASA Space Mission that seeks to uncover the secrets of dark energy
by Nathan Kahl and Tracy Mason
George Mason University will be the home of the $19.5 million Landolt NASA Space Mission that will put an artificial “star” in orbit around the Earth. This artificial star will allow scientists to calibrate telescopes and more accurately measure the brightness of stars ranging from those nearby to the distant explosions of supernova in far-off galaxies. By establishing absolute flux calibration, the mission will begin to address several open challenges in astrophysics including the speed and acceleration of the universe expansion.
Scientists know the universe is expanding, which is measured by calculating the brightness of numerous stars and by the number of photons-per-second they emit. According to Peter Plavchan, associate professor of physics and astronomy and the Landolt Mission principal investigator, more accurate measurements are needed for the next breakthroughs.
Named after the late astronomer Arlo Landolt, this mission will launch an artificial star in 2029 with a known photon emission rate to help create new stellar brightness catalogs. The satellite will use eight lasers to calibrate ground-based telescopes, though it will only be visible with a personal telescope, not to the naked eye. The payload, about the size of a bread box, will be developed in collaboration with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) under the leadership of Peter Pachowicz from George Mason’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
“This is where science and engineering meet,” said Plavchan. “This mission really showcases the strength that Mason brings to the table and will offer students an amazing opportunity to work on an active NASA space mission.” Peter added that George Mason undergraduate and graduate students will be
selected to work within the mission center and on the development of the payload software. “Students will be on calls where decisions get made and will learn how a NASA mission operates.”
With mission control based at George Mason on its Fairfax Campus, the team also includes Blue Canyon Technologies; California Institute of Technology; Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory; Mississippi State University; Montreal Planetarium and iREx/University of Montreal; the University of Florida; the University of Hawaii; the University of Minnesota, Duluth; and the University of Victoria. Photo by Ron Aira, Creative Services, George Mason University.
Environmental scientist receives Fulbright to study invasive crab species in Finland
by Laura Powers
Amy Fowler, an associate professor of environmental science and policy was awarded a Fulbright grant for research in Finland from July 2024 to January 2025. She studied an invasive crab species in the Baltic Sea’s Archipelago Sea, collaborating with Veijo Jormalainen at the University of Turku’s Archipelago Research Institute. Fowler’s research explores how the crab affects native herbivores and seaweed biomass. She aims to inform global understanding and management of biological invasions. Fowler, whose research focuses on invasive species in the Chesapeake Bay, also taught a course on invasive species in Scandinavia. Photo by Evan Cantwell, Creative Services, Goerge Mason University.
Are the world’s oceans suffocating?
by Tracy Mason
In June, Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic and Earth Sciences assistant professors Mariano Remírez and Geoffrey Gilleaudeu analyzed Jurassic limestone to gain insights into current ocean health and climate impacts. The team studied samples from southern Italy, revealing a significant drop in ocean oxygen levels during the Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event (T-OAE) 183 million years ago. Their findings, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, highlight a dramatic reduction in marine oxygen that led to widespread extinctions.
By comparing ancient limestone’s uranium isotopes to those in modern tropical ocean carbonates, researchers assessed past ocean deoxygenation. Their study, conducted with advanced mass spectrometry techniques, shows that CO2 emissions during the T-OAE caused ocean deoxygenation 28 to 38 times more extensive than today, impacting marine ecosystems profoundly. The research underscores the importance of understanding past events to predict future climate scenarios, emphasizing that human activity might lead to unprecedented changes in ocean health.
The George Mason scientists also collaborated with colleagues from the University of Maryland, Duke University, and Caltech who developed models to run computational simulations to come up with estimates. Photo provided.
George Mason physicist explores Virginia energy policy with COVES Fellowship
by Laura Powers
Laura Akesson discovered a passion for physics and mathematics as an undergraduate at the University of Richmond, which continued during her 22-year teaching career. As she pursues her PhD in Physics at George Mason, the Commonwealth of Virginia Engineering and Science (COVES) Fellow, took her STEM interests to the Capitol. During the fellowship, Akesson worked in Senator Ghazala Hashmi’s office, focusing on renewable energy regulations in Virginia. This role allowed her to apply her scientific knowledge to influence policy, an area she finds particularly engaging.
Previously an Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow with the Department of Energy, Akesson conducted research highlighting the need for greater diversity and support for underrepresented groups in STEM education. Motivated by these findings, she decided to pursue her doctorate and became a graduate assistant under Jessica Rosenberg, associate professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy.
“There are humans behind every scientific achievement, and the science being done often depends on the questions those people are asking,” said Akesson. “Without a diverse pool of scientists, we’re limiting those questions and topics of understanding. I want science to reflect the reality of our world. It’s representation and those varying perspectives that will push STEM forward.” Photo provided.
Capturing the colored world that animals see
by Tracy Mason
A team of scientists led by biology professor Daniel Hanley developed an innovative camera system that allows ecologists and filmmakers to create videos reflecting the colors as perceived by different animals. The study, published in PLOS Biology, involved Hanley, George Mason students Anna Siegle, Mark Lowell, Juliana Villa, Quentin Jamison, Pavan Kumar Reddy Katta, and Pushyami Bhagavathula, as well as Vera Vasas from the University of Sussex. “We’ve long been fascinated by how animals see the world,” said Hanley, who is also a National Geographic Explorer. “Modern techniques in sensory ecology allow us to infer how static scenes might appear to an animal; however, animals often make crucial decisions on moving targets like detecting food items and evaluating a potential mate’s display. Here, we introduce hardware and software tools for ecologists and filmmakers that can capture and display animal-perceived colors in motion.”
The camera records in four color channels—UV, blue, green, and red—to create accurate, dynamic videos of how animals see colors, surpassing traditional, time-consuming methods like spectrophotometry. The new system achieved more than 92 percent accuracy in predicting perceived colors. This technology, housed in a modular 3D-printed casing and supported by open-source software, promises to advance research and filmmaking, offering new insights into animal vision.
Hanley’s work made headlines in outlets around the world including CNN, NBC, BBC, The New York Times, Popular Science, New Scientist, Phys.org, Live Science, Scientific American, New York Post, The Globe and Mail, Business News, The Business Standard, Science Friday, Smithsonian Magazine, Australian Geographic, Live Science, and WFMZ-TV. Photo by Evan Cantwell, Creative Services, George Mason University.
New Nanofabrication Facility will help drive innovation in the commonwealth
by Katie Maney and Tracy Mason
Over the past decade, nanotechnology has revolutionized numerous industries, from healthcare to electronics. This surge has underscored the importance of nanofabrication, the process of manufacturing nanoscale structures, which requires advanced equipment and a skilled workforce.
In response to the growing demand for these services, George Mason University has established the Nanofabrication Facility (NFF) on its Science and Technology Campus
“The NFF is the only cleanroom facility in Northern Virginia that provides hands-on nanofabrication training and supports groundbreaking research, accelerating the growth of high-tech companies,” said Andre Marshall, George Mason’s vice president of research, innovation, and economic impact.
Advancing modern computing technologies necessitates the miniaturization of components and innovative methods. “Physics at the nanoscale differs significantly from macroscopic physics, resulting in unique electronic and magnetic behaviors driven by quantum physics,” noted Gabriele Belle, associate professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy.
“The semiconductor industry’s future depends on nurturing talent that understands nanoscale devices and their fabrication,” Belle emphasized, highlighting the NFF’s role in preparing young physicists for this field.
In Spring 2025, the Department of Physics and Astronomy will introduce a course on Semiconductor Material and Processing Technology (PHYS 310) at the NFF, aimed at undergraduate students interested in microchip manufacturing.
Additionally, Mason is launching the Nano-IMAGINE program with a $3.75 million GO Virginia grant, offering workforce readiness opportunities like Nanocamp for high school students and Nano Boot Camp for career seekers, further enhancing skills in this vital sector. Photo by Evan Cantwell, George Mason University.
Major Research Centers in the College of Science
Research centers are chartered organizations in the university. They are foci for larger groups of scientists and support staff organized around specific research areas. Our research mission is to produce science that enhances society, creates clear career pathways for students, and supports development in the region and the nation.
Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine (CAPMM)
Center for Collision Safety and Analysis (CCSA)
Center for Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
Center for Earth Observing and Spatial Research (CEOSR)
Center for Geospatial Intelligence (CGEOINT)
Center for Infectious Disease Research (CIDR)
Center for Intelligent Spatial Computing for Water/Energy Science (CISC)
Center for Mathematics and Artificial Intelligence (CMAI)
Center for Molecular Engineering (CME)
Center for Ocean-Land-Atmosphere Studies (COLA)
Center for Social Complexity (CSC)
Center of Spatial Information Science and Systems (CSISS)
Environmental Science and Technology Center (ESTC)
MicroBiome Analysis Center (MBAC)
Potomac Environmental Research and Education Center (PEREC)
Virginia Climate Center (VCC)
Get the latest research, student achievements, and innovation news happening in Mason’s College of Science by following our various digital channels. Email cosnews@gmu.edu to sign up for our newsletter and to share your science success stories.
Main Page | Collaborative Thinking, Bold Discoveries | Our Science Community