George Mason University - College of Science

The College of Science at George Mason University has had a rewarding year full of innovative ideas, accomplishments, and bold aspirations. Our innovative approaches to research and discovery continue to push into new frontiers of science. Thanks to our collective mission: A vibrant future for all, informed by science. Read our latest #AnnualReport: https://lnkd.in/gUMp93b6 #MasonScience #AnnualReport2023 #AllTogetherDifferent #PowerThePossible #MasonNation

CLIM 759: Learn the scientific facts about important societal issues and the quant skills to positively impact the future.

This #FacultyFriday highlights Kathleen Hunt, Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology, who recently earned funding for the project, "From Stress To Health: Evaluating Linkages From Comprehensive Physiological Stress Panels to Cetacean Health." Hunt is a dedicated physiologist and endocrinologist whose research focuses on the effects of environmental stress on wildlife health and reproduction. From whales and seabirds to sea turtles, Hunt’s innovative hormone assays offer noninvasive ways to monitor species across the globe. 🐋🐦🦎 Her work spans diverse ecosystems—from bowhead whales in Alaska to endangered birds in Hawaii—paving the way for crucial conservation efforts worldwide. Learn more about Hunt and her research: https://lnkd.in/egytwi_T #MasonScience #FacultyFriday #MasonBiology #ConservationScience #WildlifeResearch #EndangeredSpecies

🎃 Hair-raising Halloween Myth-Buster! 🎃 Ever wonder if hair and nails keep growing after you die? 🧟♂️ According to George Mason University's forensic expert, Emily Rancourt, it’s all an eerie illusion! As the body decomposes, skin retracts, making it seem like nails are twisting and hair is growing. But don’t be tricked—after death, your cells stop producing new ones. It’s all just a spooky side effect of dehydration. ☠️ Uncover more of the chilling science behind this phenomenon: https://lnkd.in/ef2akAss #MasonScience #ForensicScience #Halloween #HalloweenScience #MythBusted #SpookyTruths

In honor of #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth, we highlight some of the extraordinary work of George Mason University researchers, driving breakthroughs in breast cancer treatment. 🩷 Through personalized multi-omics trials led by Mariaelena Pierobon, Mason scientists tailor treatments to patients' unique tumor profiles, improving survival rates. 🩷 In the I-SPY 2 trial, Rosa Isela Gallagher, Emanuel Petricoin, and Julia Wulfkuhle identified key protein biomarkers to overcome drug resistance, particularly in triple-negative breast cancer, enhancing treatment outcomes. 🩷 A collaboration with Rutgers Cancer Institute, supported by a U.S. Army Breakthrough Award, focuses on HER2 biomarker tests to refine therapies, minimizing risks while maximizing treatment benefits. 🩷 Mason scientist Marissa Howard's research on extracellular vesicles has uncovered novel communication systems in tumors, offering promising new diagnostic tools and treatment strategies. 🩷 CAPMM licensed a patent for a treatment of pre-invasive breast cancer, utilizing autophagy inhibitors like chloroquine, to Targeted Pharmaceuticals, a cannabinoid-focused company. Together, these efforts push the frontiers of precision oncology, offering hope to breast cancer patients worldwide. 🌟 #BreastCancerAwareness #Research #Hope #PrecisionMedicine #MasonScience

🌿 Celebrating 1 year of Foragers’ Forest at George Mason University! 🌳 This month, organizers planted endangered American chestnut trees, marking a major milestone for this edible forest project. Led by Environmental Science and Policy alumna Sarah Roth, Professor Dann Sklarew, and Greenhouse and Gardens program manager Doni Nolan, this initiative helps restore native species, including the once-functionally extinct American chestnut. 🌰 In collaboration with the The American Chestnut Foundation, the project thrives with the help of volunteers and George Mason classes. Despite this summer’s drought, the forest is flourishing! 🌱 #ForagersForest #MasonNation #AmericanChestnut #Conservation #Sustainability #EnvironmentalScience https://lnkd.in/e8wQAtvM

The Mason Energy: ONE summit kicks off tomorrow! 🔋 Join us to hear from leaders and experts from the private and public sectors to create an open dialogue on clean #energy, society, and the future of our planet. 🌎 There's still time to register: https://lnkd.in/eJ23ihCq

Today's #FacultyFriday highlights Ziheng Sun, research assistant professor, Center for Spatial Information Science and Systems (CSISS), Geography and Geoinformation Science. Sun's research falls at the intersection of AI and geoscience. He, alongside George Mason University - College of Engineering and Computing professors Mingrui Liu and Keren Zhou, are breaking new ground in snow water equivalent (SWE) forecasting—essential for sustainable water resource management. Funded by a $518K National Science Foundation (NSF) grant, this project uses advanced graph neural network models with physics-based constraints to improve SWE forecasts and leverages the GeoWeaver platform to make AI workflows accessible and reusable. 🌍 From interdisciplinary workshops to hands-on AI learning, Sun and his team are fostering collaboration and tackling climate challenges one snowflake at a time. ❄️ Learn more about Sun and his research: https://lnkd.in/edQJunhr #MasonScience #FacultyFriday #MasonResearch #CSISS #AI #SWE #NSF #Snow

Assistant Professor of Physics and Astronomy, Ferah Munshi, leads a groundbreaking study on Low Surface Brightness (LSB) galaxies, which make up nearly 50% of the universe. 🌌 Using supercomputer simulations, she and her team aim to uncover the formation and evolution of these mysterious galaxies and their dark matter content. This project will also support the #MasonScience Women Leaders in STEM by bringing expert speakers to campus. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/ecBvThFy #MasonScienceNews #MasonResearch #DarkMatter #STEMLeadership #WomenInSTEM #NSFGrant #LSBGalaxies

🔋🌍 Join us at the Mason Energy: ONE summit on October 29-30 at the Mason Square Campus in Arlington! Leaders from government, industry, and academia will gather to discuss clean energy and the future of our planet. Don’t miss this chance to be part of the conversation. Let’s shape a sustainable future together! Registration is open until October 28: science.gmu.edu/energy #MasonScience #MasonEnergy #MasonEnergyONE #CleanEnergy #Sustainability #FutureOfEnergy #EnergySummit