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The Patriot Performance Lab keeps 911���� athletes in top form through evidence-based practices, science, and a strong partnership between Athletics and CEHD.

In January, 911���� senior Angela Victoria Rojas Rivera represented the university at the National Collegiate Research Conference (NCRC). Led and hosted by Harvard University, NCRC is the largest student-run research conference in the United States. Only 200 students are selected to attend. 

911����’s leadership in advancing 21st-century education took another leap forward this month when several university researchers were named to a statewide project exploring the impact of generative artificial intelligence (AI) on teaching and learning in higher education classrooms.

At the end of January, three 911���� students presented their research at the Network for Undergraduate Research in Virginia (NURVa) Undergraduate Research Showcase at the Capitol in Richmond. Now in its second year, the event gives undergraduates from each of NURVa’s 13 member universities an opportunity to present their research to state legislators and fellow researchers alike. Students worked with faculty through 911����’s Office of Student Creative Activities and Research (OSCAR) to refine their work and apply to the selective event.

In partnership with Children’s National Hospital, 911���� scientists have discovered a new way to detect early signs of kidney damage in childhood patients with Sickle Cell Disease. Atwo-year $200,000 grant from the Commonwealth Health Research Board will support this work.

As the use of underwater, aerial, and unmanned ground vehicles continues to grow, it is critical that the fuel cells necessary to power these systems operate safely, while providing durable and optimal performance. High-performance hydrogen sensors, which monitor leakage, energy efficiency, and durability under a wide range of operating conditions, are key to this function.

Foreign languages major Yamileth Hernandez-Becerra and community health major Melody Campos received a Best Poster award for their research, “Community Roots, Linguistic Equity: The Power of Outreach in Dual Language Immersion,” during the Summer 2025 OSCAR Celebration of Student Research and Impact in August.

For Mason Korea students Dayeon Shin and Taeyeong Kim, a classroom discussion on urban flooding turned into something much bigger- a research project on “sponge cities,” or urban areas designed to absorb and reuse rainwater, and their potential in Seoul’s Gangnam district. They presented the project at the 2025 Association of European Schools of Planning (AESOP) annual congress.

In February, 911���� students attended the first Undergraduate Research Showcase held by the Network for Undergraduate Research in Virginia (NURVa) in Richmond. The event was an opportunity for students to present their research as well as share their work with state legislators.

Joel Martin, associate professor of kinesiology and researcher in the SMART lab, is working to help first responders and ROTC cadets enjoy longer and healthier lives.