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911�� and VCU partnership seeks answers to chronic neuropathy pain after breast cancer treatment

Katarina Benson — Fri, 23 Oct 2026 18:47:32 +0000

911�� and VCU partnership seeks answers to chronic neuropathy pain after breast cancer treatment Katarina Benson Fri, 10/23/2026 - 14:47

A new research collaboration between 911�� and Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) aims to improve understanding of peripheral neuropathy, a painful and often life-altering side effect experienced by breast cancer survivors involving damage to the nerves that can interrupt daily function.

With a $200,000 grant from the Commonwealth Health Research Board, the project, “Proteomic and Neuroimmune Signatures of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Breast Cancer,” focuses on chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), a common side effect of chemotherapy that affects more than 50% of patients, with up to 30% experiencing persistent symptoms that can interfere with treatment and become chronic.

Nadine Kabbani. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

Lead by Nadine Kabbani, a professor in 911��’s Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience; Imad Damaj of VCU’s Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology; and Paula Bos of the VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, the project brings together expertise in neuroscience, cancer biology, pharmacology, proteomics, and artificial intelligence.

Damaj is a highly accomplished investigator with extensive expertise in neuropathic pain, including CIPN. Bos brings deep expertise in breast cancer biology and has been instrumental in establishing the team's clinically relevant breast cancer model of CIPN. Together, the investigators provide complementary expertise, with Kabbani leading the proteomics, neuroimmune, and computational systems biology components of the project.

“Bringing a cancer biologist into the neuropathy research space has helped us think about the problem differently,” Kabbani said. “The side effects of any treatment occur within a specific context. We believe understanding that context may change the way the field approaches neuropathy.”

The findings could have broad implications for cancer survivors, clinicians, and researchers working to reduce long-term treatment-related complications.

“Cancer survival rates have improved dramatically, especially for breast cancer,” said Kabbani, a 911�� alumna and neuroscientist whose research focuses on molecular neuroscience, immune signaling, and public health. “But many survivors continue to live with neuropathy long after their cancer treatment ends. Understanding why that happens is critical if we want to improve quality of life after cancer.”

What makes the project distinctive is its focus on the cancer itself—not just the chemotherapy. Historically, many studies have treated chemotherapy as the sole driver of neuropathy. Kabbani and her collaborators theorize that the biological environment created by cancer may also contribute to pain development.

“The prevailing view has been that chemotherapy damages nerves and that damage causes pain,” Kabbani explained. “Our work suggests that the cancer background matters too. The cancer changes the immune environment, and that may influence how neuropathy develops.”

The team has developed a breast cancer model that more accurately reflects the conditions experienced by patients. Researchers will use the model to examine how both cancer and chemotherapy reshape sensory pathways involved in pain perception.

“We’re interested in how the nervous system rewires itself,” said Kabbani. “Chronic pain isn’t simply a response to an injury. It reflects long-term changes in how information is processed. We want to understand the molecular networks that drive those changes.”

Neurons. Photo by Getty Images

In addition to generating new scientific knowledge, the award provides valuable research opportunities for graduate students and early-career scientists at both institutions.

911�� biosciences PhD student Samantha Schwarting, the leading graduate student on the study, has been working with Christopher Lockhart, an assistant professor in 911��’s School of Systems Biology, developing computational approaches to analyze the project’s large-scale datasets.

After taking a machine learning course with Lockhart, Schwarting began applying her newly learned knowledge to develop a new graph of neural networks, a form of artificial intelligence (AI), for analyzing her proteomic data. This AI model now allows Schwarting and the team to evaluate how thousands of proteins interact within complex biological networks rather than focusing only on just individual proteins showing the largest changes as typically done.

Schwarting’s graduate research assistantship is being funded by 911��’s Grand Challenge Initiative-sponsored Quantum Leap project, which champions applying quantum computing to complex biological problems.

“Machine learning allows us to identify the influential players within a complex system,” Schwarting explained. “Sometimes the proteins driving the network aren’t the ones changing the most. AI helps us find relationships we might otherwise miss.”

Those insights could ultimately support the development of more targeted therapies and accelerate efforts to repurpose existing drugs for neuropathy treatment.

“More people are surviving cancer than ever before,” Kabbani said. “That means we need to put equal energy into helping survivors live well after treatment. Understanding the biology of chronic neuropathy is an important step toward that goal.”

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911�� helps teachers bring quantum science into K-12 classrooms

ckearney — Thu, 08 Oct 2026 20:16:20 +0000

911�� helps teachers bring quantum science into K-12 classrooms ckearney Thu, 10/08/2026 - 16:16

Quantum technologies are poised to transform computing, communications, and national security. At 911��, faculty are working to ensure students do not have to wait until college to begin imagining themselves as part of that future.

Through a growing series of professional development opportunities, 911��’s Quantum Science and Engineering Center (QSEC) is partnering with K-12 educators to make quantum science approachable, relevant, and practical for students.

That work accelerated this summer, when educators participated in a three-day professional learning experience supported by the National Science Foundation-funded Quantum in the Middle initiative and the Booz Allen Foundation’s TechXplore initiative. Led by faculty from 911��’s College of Science and College of Education and Human Development, the program helped teachers explore quantum concepts, consider age-appropriate approaches for their classrooms, and examine how quantum learning can build from elementary school through higher education.

911�� physics professor Jessica Rosenberg talks to area educators at the Quantum in Your Classroom workshop. Photo by Christopher Hewes/Office of University Branding

“We’re building pathways into quantum and connecting them to the standards and curriculum teachers already use,” said Jessica Rosenberg, professor of physics and astronomy and QSEC director of education. “We want students to encounter these ideas early, build the knowledge they’ll need over time, and be ready for quantum opportunities when they reach college or pursue quantum-adjacent technical careers.”

Teachers are central to developing that pathway. Summer participants explored classroom activities and were invited to test them with their students, giving 911�� faculty an opportunity to learn directly from educators about what works in real classrooms.

“We’re developing a roadmap educators can use from elementary through high school, but we’re developing it with teachers, not simply for them,” said Nancy Holincheck, associate professor of STEM education and QSEC associate director of education. “Their experience and feedback help us identify activities that spark curiosity, build confidence, and give students the foundation to see themselves in future quantum careers.”

Teachers try out some experiments at the Quantum in Your Classroom workshop. Photo by Christopher Hewes/Office of University Branding

That teacher-focused effort continued this fall with Quantum in Your Classroom, a one-day professional development workshop on 911��’s Fairfax Campus. Designed for educators with no previous quantum experience, the workshop introduced quantum concepts and provides classroom resources for grades 6-12. Teachers explored quantum processes through activities including a simple polarization experiment and received curriculum materials adaptable for elementary and secondary classrooms.

Rosenberg and Holincheck want to extend this effort beyond individual workshops or lessons. They envision an educational pathway that allows a student’s first encounter with quantum science to grow into deeper learning, higher education, and ultimately participation in an emerging workforce.

Quantum in Your Classroom gives educators a place to start, while giving 911�� researchers something equally valuable—the perspective of teachers who understand how students learn and can help shape how the quantum workforce journey begins.

By putting teachers at the center of that work, 911�� is helping quantum education reach students where their curiosity begins: in the classroom.

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911��'s quantum vision takes center stage during landmark week

ckearney — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 17:05:12 +0000

911��'s quantum vision takes center stage during landmark week ckearney Mon, 09/28/2026 - 13:05

From its Fairfax Campus in Virginia, to Washington, D.C., to the 2026 Quantum World Congress in College Park, Maryland, 911�� spent the week demonstrating how universities can help turn the promise of quantum technology into research, workforce opportunities, infrastructure, partnerships, and economic impact.

The university’s engagement came at a pivotal moment. Quantum World Congress (QWC26), held September 23-25, brought together leaders from science, industry, government, finance, and education to advance quantum technologies from research toward commercialization and real-world application. Cody W. Edwards, dean of 911��’s College of Science, delivered a QWC26 keynote focused on an important question for institutions and regions: Do we wait for quantum’s transformational technology to take shape or do we build the capacity to help shape the ecosystem now for the future.

The answer was clear: 911�� is relying on its strengths to build.

Cody W. Edwards, dean of 911��’s College of Science, delivered a QWC26 keynote. Photo by FiveStar

“Quantum is now,” Edwards told the audience. Rather than trying to predict which quantum technology will ultimately prevail, he stressed that leaders should invest in the people, partnerships, infrastructure, and institutional flexibility needed to respond as the field evolves. He outlined three imperatives: build capacity ahead of the curve; build ecosystems rather than isolated assets; and begin with consequential problems while building solutions with partners.

That ecosystem-building approach was visible throughout the week.

Just ahead of QWC26, 911�� announced plans to establish the Virginia Quantum Hub, (VQH) supported by a $3.7 million GO Virginia grant, pending final award. Designed as an inclusive public-private quantum ecosystem, the VQH combines shared infrastructure, workforce development, and collaborative technology innovation. Its partners span industry, government, regional economic development groups, and education-focused collaborators including Northern Virginia Community College, Marymount University, Virginia Tech, and public schools in Fairfax, Arlington, and Loudoun County. Check go.gmu.edu/quantum for a current and growing valued partner network listing.

911�� representatives and partners at the 2026 Quantum World Congress. Photo by FiveStar

The Virginia Quantum Hub unveiling builds on another major milestone announced earlier in September: 911��’s partnership with Oxford-based TreQ and Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC) to bring a $7.7 million open-architecture quantum computing system to Virginia. Planned for installation in early 2027 and commissioning by late summer, it will be the first open-architecture quantum computing system in Virginia and the National Capital Region and the first U.S. deployment based on TreQ’s Open Architecture Quantum framework.

As Edwards emphasized in his keynote, the significance goes beyond acquiring a computer. “We are not investing in a machine as an endpoint—we are investing in infrastructure as a platform.”

Open architecture gives researchers, students, startups, and established companies opportunities to build, test and integrate technologies while allowing the platform to evolve with processors, software, networking, and other parts of the quantum stack.

Importantly, the strategy puts people alongside technology. 911��’s Quantum Science and Engineering Center (QSEC) connects 24 faculty across seven departments and several colleges, and the university has launched Virginia’s first interdisciplinary master’s degree in quantum science and engineering to scale up and reskill the necessary quantum workforce.

911��’s quantum education opportunities were shared earlier in the week, when President Gregory Washington, QSEC Executive Director Patrick Vora and university representatives participated in the Washington Post’s “Building America: Quantum Innovation” program in Washington, D.C., which extended conversations about quantum innovation into the broader national dialogue.

Vora detailed QSEC’s four-tiered educational development focus building on almost a decade of collaboration with local, regional, and nationally renowned educators, academic partners, and industry leaders, “The Virginia Quantum Hub plans to extend the talent pipeline through K-12 programs, community-college partnerships, professional education, internships and hands-on access to quantum infrastructure, all informed by industry’s quantum workforce needs now and in the future.”

Taken together, the week highlighted a consistent message: Quantum leadership will not come from one university, company, government agency or piece of technology. It will come from connecting talent, infrastructure, research, industry, capital, and mission.

As Edwards said: “911�� convenes. Virginia benefits.” And the ambition extends well beyond the commonwealth: “Anchored in Virginia. Built for the nation. Open to the world.”

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911�� hosts the 2026 Virginia Data Science Teacher Institute

Katarina Benson — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 20:57:45 +0000

911�� hosts the 2026 Virginia Data Science Teacher Institute Katarina Benson Thu, 07/30/2026 - 16:57

In June, more than 225 educators, higher education partners, industry experts, and students gathered at 911��’s Science and Technology Campus in Manassas for the fifth annual Virginia Data Science Teacher Professional Learning Institute. The 2026 theme, “Data Science, Computational Thinking, and Modeling in the Age of AI,” reflected growing demand for data literacy and analytical thinking across industries.

For 911��, the event represents more than professional development. It highlights the university’s role as a statewide convener while advancing its Grand Challenge Initiative solution to support 21st-century education.

Teachers at the fifth annual Virginia Data Science Teacher Professional Learning Institute. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

A central theme throughout the institute this year was that students need strong foundations in data and computational thinking to succeed, especially as artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming nearly every profession.

Dewayne McClary, Virginia deputy superintendent for innovation, student pathways, and opportunities, said students must understand the concepts behind emerging technologies. “They need data literacy. They need skepticism. They need discourse. They need to understand how a model works,” McClary said.

Since the Virginia Board of Education approved a high school data science course in 2022, data science courses have expanded to more than 130 Virginia schools and reached more than 4,000 students.

For conference co-chair Padmanabhan Seshaiyer, the 911�� professor of mathematical sciences who helped develop Virginia’s data science curriculum, the institute’s success reflects years of collaboration among educators, school divisions, state agencies, universities, and industry partners. “What started as a vision has become a thriving statewide movement.”

“The institute's rapid growth underscores Virginia's emergence as a national leader in preparing students to navigate a data-rich world,” said keynote speaker Kate Maxlow, senior advisor to the Secretary of Education for the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The institute offered more than 40 sessions and 10 keynote speakers, as well as the opportunity to earn continuing education credits through 911��.

Keynote speakers and featured leaders included Jenna Conway, Virginia superintendent of public instruction; Conrad Wolfram, co-founder of Wolfram Mathematica; Ben Galuzzo, executive director of COMAP; Eli Luberoff, founder and CEO of DESMOS; Ji Yun Son, co-founder of CourseKata; and Amarda Shehu, 911��’s vice president and chief AI officer. Their expertise in mathematics education, computational thinking, curriculum innovation, and educational technology provided participants with direct access to leaders currently shaping how students learn and reason with data in an AI-driven world.

This year’s institute was cosponsored by the Ambassadors of Teaching in the Age of AI (ATAA) program, co-led by Peng Warweg, research program director in 911��’s College of Engineering and Computing, and aligns with the mission of 911��’s Data Science, Computing, and Applications Lab School partnership.

“Every teacher who leaves this institute takes new ideas, tools, and opportunities back to hundreds of students,” Seshaiyer said. “When educators, state leaders, higher education, and industry work together, we can build pathways that help every student see themselves as problem-solvers, innovators, and future leaders.”

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Collaboration with Children’s National Hospital aims to reduce child mortality rates caused by Sickle Cell kidney failure

Katarina Benson — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 22:12:42 +0000

Collaboration with Children’s National Hospital aims to reduce child mortality rates caused by Sickle Cell kidney failure  Katarina Benson Tue, 01/20/2026 - 17:12

Children with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), a genetic disorder affecting red blood cells, experience terrible bouts of pain when the blood cells contort into a sickle shape and block small blood vessels, hindering oxygen delivery to critical organs. Whenever these bouts occur in the kidneys, the filtration system of the kidneys can be irreversibly damaged. Kidney failure is associated with a 30% death rate in SCD patients. 

In partnership with Children’s National Hospital, scientists at 911�� have discovered a new way to detect early signs of kidney damage in childhood patients with SCD. A recently awarded two-year $200,000 grant from the Commonwealth Health Research Board will support a team led by 911�� systems biologist and research fellow Marissa Howard; Children’s National Comprehensive Sickle Cell Disease Program Director Andrew Campbell, MD; and urinary biomarker expert Oliver John Semmes, of Old Dominion University.

Marissa Howard with collaborator Andrew Campbell, MD, at Children's National Hospital. Photo provided

The multi-institutional trial leverages unique proteomic expertise blended within the Children’s National SCD Program’s ongoing clinical study of the progress of SCD within pediatric patients over time and will transform kidney disease detection in these SCD patients.

According to the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, SCD is a global health problem that affects an estimated 100,000 people in the United States, with about 2,000 babies annually being diagnosed with the disease at birth. With each SCD crisis, kidney damage accumulates, increasing the risk of total kidney failure mortality for SCD patients. Early detection of kidney damage, especially in childhood, allows for rapid treatment and prevention of long-term kidney damage-related effects.

“Our team will analyze the actual damaged mitochondria, the power houses of the cell, that are crippled by lack of oxygen that occurs during each sickle-cell crisis,” said Howard, who first reported this pathway and methodology to rescue mitochondrially damaged cells in her prior National Institutes of Health-supported and published research.  

“We measure these damaged mitochondria shed by the kidney in a few milliliters of urine so we can develop an early warning system for the onset of kidney damage,” said Howard, an expert in isolation of extracellular vesicles (EVs), small packages of cellular information shed into the urine, and the methods required to complete this analysis. “Our partners at Children’s National are known for identifying innovative approaches to treat SCD. This exciting collaboration is collectively motivated by our ultimate goal of reducing the high mortality rate caused by Sickle Cell kidney failure in children affected by this disease.”   

 Children’s National Comprehensive Sickle Cell Disease Program, among the largest in the country, follows more than 1,500 patients from birth through age 21 and is one of the few centers offering gene therapy treatments for SCD. The program has amassed a large base of patient samples, some of which will be analyzed in this project.  

Campbell, a physician-scientist caring for SCD patients at Children’s National, will oversee the recruitment, consenting, and collection of biological samples throughout the study's duration, as well as coordinate the delivery of these samples to 911��’s CAP/CLIA certified laboratory facilities for analysis. 

While current screening methods rely on established urine tests for albumin, this groundbreaking research will use advanced proteomic analysis to detect kidney injury at its earliest stages—before conventional tests show abnormalities.

“We've watched as silent kidney damage progresses year after year, often going undetected until significant harm has occurred,” said Campbell. “By identifying kidney disease earlier, we can intervene sooner with more effective disease-modifying therapies and curative treatments, potentially preventing or slowing progression to kidney failure.”

According to Campbell, this grant is more than funding—it's a commitment to SCD patients and their families, a collaboration to build the next generation of diagnostics, which can fundamentally change how to manage SCD and protect the health of children and young adults living with this debilitating disease.

“This partnership leverages our collective strengths to address a compelling global challenge that might have a multitude of applications,” shared Lance Liotta, MD, codirector of 911��’s Center for Proteomics and Molecular Medicine (CAPMM), who will certify that all work performed is under CAP/CLIA compliance for the data to be presented to the FDA for future clinical application.  

911�� is highly regarded for offering real world, hands-on learning experiences for its science students, and this medical research project is no exception. As part of 911��’s Office of Student Creative Activities and Research Undergraduate Research Scholars Program, Honors College student Naureen Zahra, who had interned the previous summer at the National Institutes of Health on a project focused on curing SCD with bone marrow transplants, performed portions of this experimental study over the summer.  

 Naureen Zahra interned at the National Institutes of Health. Photo provided

“One of my educational goals was to become an expert in performing key molecular biology techniques such as western blots to analyze the presence of proteins like PINK1, which plays a key role in regulating mitochondrial health,” said Zahra, a neuroscience major. The team worked to isolate EVs from Children’s National patient urine samples and analyze protein data. “Working with these scientists on actual patient samples connected me to real-world outcomes, expanding my sense of empathy for what these children are going through.” 

In addition to its potential to improve the lives of those affected by SCD, this research effort may also have even wider impact.   

“These findings could also serve as a new marker for mitochondrial damage for a variety of diseases including Parkinson’s, heart disease, and diabetic kidney disease,” said Howard. “In addition, urinary biomarkers could offer a predictive tool to guide SCD therapy management and therapy effectiveness more holistically.”

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911��'s Virginia Climate Center releases first-ever statewide climate assessment

ckearney — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 20:33:34 +0000

911��'s Virginia Climate Center releases first-ever statewide climate assessment ckearney Wed, 11/19/2025 - 15:33

911��’s Virginia Climate Center (VCC) has unveiled the commonwealth’s first comprehensive, peer-reviewed climate assessment—a landmark report that provides science-based insights into Virginia’s changing climate and its impacts on communities, infrastructure, and the economy.

The First Virginia State Climate Assessment (VCA) synthesizes decades of research into a single, accessible resource for policymakers, businesses, educators, and the public. Developed by a multidisciplinary team across the commonwealth and the region, this report establishes a critical baseline for understanding how past, present, and future climate conditions will shape life in Virginia.

“This groundbreaking statewide assessment gives us what we've never had before: comprehensive, science-based evidence of the risks we face and the information we need to protect our communities, economy, and natural heritage for generations to come,” said Jim Kinter, VCC director and coordinating author of the assessment.

“The Virginia Climate Center brought together the commonwealth's leading scientists and experts to tackle one of the defining challenges of our time. This assessment represents unprecedented collaboration across disciplines and institutions—because a problem this complex demands our best minds working together to deliver rigorous, actionable science that serves all Virginians.”

Why Virginia Needs a State-Level Climate Assessment

While national and global climate reports provide broad trends, they cannot capture Virginia’s unique vulnerabilities. The commonwealth’s geographic diversity—from coastal plains to mountainous terrain—combined with rapid population growth and economic expansion creates region-specific risks that require localized solutions.

The VCA addresses these needs by organizing findings across six climate divisions: Tidewater, Eastern Piedmont, Western Piedmont, Southwestern Mountain, Central Mountain, and Northern Virginia. Each VCA chapter includes key messages and traceable accounts, offering clear, actionable insights backed by scientific evidence and confidence assessments.

“Global reports are essential for understanding broad climate trends, but they do not capture how those trends manifest at regional—or local—scales,” said Viviana Maggioni, chapter lead author and professor in 911��’s Sid and Reva Dewberry Department of Civil, Environmental, and Infrastructure Engineering. “Virginia’s wide variation in topography, precipitation regimes, and land-use creates highly localized climate risks. A state climate assessment accounts for such variability and provides insights needed for effective decision-making.”

Three Critical Climate Hazards for Virginia

The report identifies three primary hazards of particular concern for Virginia in the 21st century:

Extreme Heat and Rising Temperatures
Increasing temperatures and more frequent heatwaves pose significant health risks, disrupt labor productivity, and stress agricultural systems.
Extreme Precipitation and Shifting Seasons
Wetter falls and springs increase flood risks, while drier summers and winters heighten drought and wildfire danger. These changes threaten infrastructure and can lead to power grid disruptions and economic losses.
Accelerated Sea Level Rise
Virginia is experiencing faster-than-average sea level rise, compounded by land subsidence and erosion. Coastal flooding and infrastructure damage are growing concerns for Tidewater and other low-lying regions.

“Climate change is already affecting Virginia—from our coastlines to our mountains,” said Kinter. “This assessment empowers every Virginian, from local planners to business leaders to families, with the knowledge to make informed decisions. And as we continue to update and expand this work, we're building a lasting framework for protecting Virginia's future.”

Implications for Virginia’s Economy and Communities

The report underscores the urgent need for integrating climate projections into infrastructure design, land-use planning, and policy development. From transportation networks to energy systems, Virginia’s critical infrastructure must be resilient to evolving climate conditions.

“Weather patterns impact key sectors of the Virginia economy,” said Terry Clower, director of the Center for Regional Analysis at 911��’s Schar School of Policy and Government. “Having data that shows changing patterns of rainfall and temperature is essential for industry leaders—from small-hold farmers to those managing billions in international commerce. This landmark achievement will hopefully spark awareness that consistent, dependable, and localized weather data will give Virginia farmers, businesses, and government entities the ability to better compete and succeed.”

The assessment is dedicated to the late Representative Gerry Connolly, whose visionary leadership made it possible. “He understood that investing in climate science isn't partisan—it's pragmatic,” Kinter said. “His commitment to evidence-based solutions and his unwavering support for the Virginia Climate Center helped make this critical work a reality, and his legacy will benefit Virginians for years to come.”

According to Michael Allen, associate professor of climatology at Towson University and contributing author, “The climate challenges outlined in this report transcend geopolitical borders and disciplinary silos. From the hollers of western Virginia to the Chesapeake Bay and Eastern Shore, the assessment meets the needs of the commonwealth—but it also fills a void for the nation, drawing attention to the science of climate change and the vast impacts it has on communities, our economy, and our well-being.”

Looking Ahead: Future Assessments and the Grand Challenge Initiative

This inaugural report is the first in a planned series of VCC-led assessments that will incorporate finer-scale geographic detail, expand coverage of climate impacts across sectors, and evaluate adaptation effectiveness over time. Future editions will integrate stakeholder input to ensure relevance and applicability.

The VCA also highlights the urgent need for a Virginia State Climate Office, a centralized resource for climate services, data collection, and expert assessment. “This role is typically filled by a state climate office that provides accessible, no-cost climate information essential to a state’s most vital sectors,” Kinter explained. “However, Virginia is one of only two states in the U.S. currently without a functioning state climate office.”

Marking an important new chapter in the history of research and scholarship at 911��, this effort is part of the university’s Grand Challenge Initiative, which aims to address the greatest threats to humanity’s ability to live a peaceful, healthy, prosperous, and just existence. Through multidisciplinary research strengths in education, public health, space exploration, climate resilience, cybersecurity and digital innovation, and peace and democracy, the initiative aligns talent, infrastructure, resources, and partnerships with new ideas to deliver real-world solutions and prepare the next generation of changemakers.

For more information or to request interviews with experts, contact  VAclim@gmu.edu or tmason11@gmu.edu.

Explore 911��’s Grand Challenge Initiative addressing the greatest threats to humanity’s ability to live a peaceful, healthy, prosperous, and just existence.

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Four 911�� faculty members inducted into the Virginia Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine

Katarina Benson — Fri, 03 Oct 2025 15:39:19 +0000

Four 911�� faculty members inducted into the Virginia Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine Katarina Benson Fri, 10/03/2025 - 11:39

Four 911�� faculty members have been elected to the Virginia Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (VASEM) and were recognized at the 2025 VASEM’s annual summit held at the Virginia Tech Institute for Advanced Computing in Alexandria, Virginia.

Since 1863, the National Academies have tapped the expertise of the country’s most accomplished and innovative leaders in science, engineering, and medicine, and tasked them with providing nonpartisan, objective guidance to decision-makers across the nation.

In 2013, with the support of Senator Mark Warner, National Academy members and other key individuals from Virginia formed a similar group to serve the commonwealth by providing nonpartisan, objective guidance to decision-makers in Virginia. According to its website, the VASEM is charged with informing and educating the state’s executive branch agencies, as well as its residents, on issues related to policy, the economy, and quality of life. The organization also promotes research, the application of knowledge, and engagement of future generations.

The 2025 elected class includes two College of Science professors and two College of Engineering and Computing professors.

Missy Cummings. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

Missy Cummings

Professor, College of Engineering and Computing, Director of the Responsible AI Program and Mason Autonomy and Robotics Center

Cummings’ research interests include the application of artificial intelligence to safety-critical systems, assured autonomy, human-systems engineering, and the ethical and social impact of technology. She holds faculty appointments in the Departments of Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Computer Science. A naval officer and military pilot from 1988 to 1999, she was one of the U.S. Navy’s first female fighter pilots. She is a fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and recently served as the senior safety advisor to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Lance Liotta. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Lance Liotta, MD

Distinguished University Professor, College of Science, School of Systems Biology

Prior to joining 911�� in 2005 as the codirector of the Center For Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine, Liotta served in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Cancer Institute as chief of the Laboratory of Pathology, chief of the Section of Tumor Invasion and Metastasis, and NIH deputy director of intramural research. As a highly cited ISI investigator, he is recognized internationally for his pioneering work in the molecular mechanisms of cancer invasion and metastasis, and as an inventor of medical research analytical tools in the fields of laser microdissection, proteomics, biomarker discovery, and personalized therapy. He received the NIH PHS Distinguished Service Award and Commendation Medal, and the U.S. Surgeons General Medallion. He received the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) Outstanding Faculty Award in 2015, the 911�� Dean’s Challenge Award in 2021, and 911��’s Lifetime Innovation Award in 2023. He is a Fellow in the American Institute for Medical and Biomedical Engineering.

Elise Miller-Hooks. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Elise Miller-Hooks

Professor, College of Engineering and Computing, Bill and Eleanor Hazel Endowed Chair in Infrastructure Engineering, Chair of the Sid and Reva Dewberry Department of Civil, Environmental, and Infrastructure Engineering

Miller-Hooks was a program director at the National Science Foundation and is a former faculty member at the University of Maryland, Pennsylvania State University, and Duke University. Her research applies operations research concepts to transportation and infrastructure, with emphasis on disaster protection and resilience. Miller-Hooks served on the U.S. Congress-initiated Transportation Resilience Metrics Committee for the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine and as chair for the 2023 Roundtable on Transport System Resilience at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development’s International Transport Forum. She is founding editor-in-chief of Sustainability Analytics and Modeling and has advised the World Bank.

Jagadish Shukla. Photo by Lathan Goumas/Office of University Branding

Jagadish Shukla

Distinguished University Professor Emeritus, College of Science, Atmospheric, Oceanic and Earth Science

During his time at 911��, Shukla founded the Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Earth Science and the Climate Dynamics Doctoral Program. His research on monsoons, deforestation, and climate predictability led to the concept of predictability in the midst of chaos, and he contributed to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report, which shared the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize. Shukla has authored more than 250 scientific papers and received honors including India’s Padma Shri Award, the Walker Gold Medal, NASA’s Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal of the Indian Meteorological Society (IMS), the Rossby Medal, and the International Meteorological Prize. He serves as a fellow of the IMS and an associate fellow of the World Academy of Sciences and the Indian Prime Minister’s Council on Climate Change. Shukla and his wife, Anastasia, founded Gandhi Degree College in his home village in India to empower rural students, especially women, through education.

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Getting to Know College of Science Dean Cody W. Edwards

ckearney — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 20:10:13 +0000

Getting to Know College of Science Dean Cody W. Edwards ckearney Mon, 09/15/2025 - 16:10

Before his appointment as the dean of the College of Science, Cody W. Edwards served as interim dean for the college since July 2024. During his time at 911��, Edwards has held numerous leadership positions, including executive director of the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation and senior associate dean of academic and faculty affairs in the College of Science. Edwards also serves as associate provost for 911��’s Institute for Sustainable Earth and is a faculty member in the Department of Biology.

Cody Edwards. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

Tell us about yourself and what brought you to 911��?

I’m a first-generation college student who grew up in a rural part of West Texas. My path to science wasn’t linear, but it was fueled by curiosity and encouragement from key mentors. Eventually, I earned my PhD, became a professor, and later joined Mason in 2004 as a faculty member in the Department of Environmental Science and Policy. I’ve worked in various administrative roles for both the College of Science and across the university in the Provost’s Office, including leading the unique learning opportunities at the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation for the past eight years. I’ve been fortunate to work with some of the best minds in science here, and now, as dean, I’m focused on creating opportunities for students including those with similar nontraditional paths.

What are your top priorities for the College of Science over the next few years?

Science is more vital now than ever. One priority is aligning our programs with emerging fields like artificial and geo intelligence, machine learning, quantum and data sciences while continuing to offer well-established pathways in pre-medical and foundational sciences. Another priority is enhancing student outcomes with innovative approaches to learning and research—ensuring our graduates are not just academically prepared but also ready to solve real-world challenges. We are doubling down on access and educational excellence, welcoming students from all backgrounds and ensuring every student has the tools and support to succeed.

How does the college stand out in terms of research and innovation?

We have nationally and internationally recognized research in areas like space exploration, biohealth and biotechnology, mathematics, and climate resilience. Our students and faculty are involved in everything from satellite missions to Mars to drug development and climate modeling with community impact. We’re also leading in digital twin technology and forensic science—our programs offer unmatched hands-on learning environments.

What role does mentorship and student engagement play in your vision?

It’s everything. My scientific trajectory was shaped by mentors who believed in me, and I want our students to have that same experience. Our faculty are deeply committed to student success—both in the lab and in the classrooms, through experiential learning and meaningful undergraduate and graduate research opportunities. Our mentorship can start as early as elementary and middle school for mathematics, quantum science, space exploration, and STEM exploration, and high school in programs like our dual enrollment partnerships and signature Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program. Meaningful mentorship is also received within and offered by those in our master’s and doctoral programs and postdoc experiences.

What do you want students to know about the College of Science?

We don’t pride ourselves on how many students we reject; we pride ourselves on how many we lift up. This college is a family—diverse, driven, and passionate about using science to shape a better world. And we’re here to help every student thrive. If this resonates with you, you belong here.

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New lab school brings work-based learning to Shenandoah Valley students

ckearney — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 17:21:54 +0000

New lab school brings work-based learning to Shenandoah Valley students ckearney Thu, 09/04/2025 - 13:21

Commonwealth, public school and higher education leaders joined community members, parents and students Wednesday for the opening of the Shenandoah Valley Rural Regional College Partnership Laboratory School for Data Science, Computing, and Applications (DSCA Lab School).

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin and Lt. Governor Winsome Earle-Sears helped kick off the academic year for the new Shenandoah Valley Rural Regional College Partnership Laboratory School. Photo by Liz Roll Photography

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, Virginia Secretary of Education Aimee Rogstad Guidera, Virginia Commissioner of Virginia Works Nicole Overley and Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears joined 911�� College of Science Dean Cody W. Edwards and school leadership at the Dowell J. Howard Center in Winchester, Virginia, to kick off the school year.

The DSCA Lab School is collaborative partnership between 911�� and Frederick County Public Schools, as well as six rural and rural-fringe school districts in the Shenandoah Valley including Clarke County, Fauquier County, Page County, Shenandoah County, Warren County, and Winchester Public Schools, along with Mountain Vista Governor’s School and Laurel Ridge Community College. The Governing Board of the DSCA Lab School is co-chaired by Edwards and George Hummer, superintendent of Frederick County Public Schools and includes College of Science Chief Business Officer Meghan St. George.

One of 16 Virginia lab schools created by Youngkin and the second for 911��, this DSCA Lab School will support 10th- through 12th-grade students through academic programming that fosters data literacy and showcases the latest innovations in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Academic pathways will focus on data science and computing through research opportunities, apprenticeships and internships, experiential and project-based learning, certifications and microcredentials in data analytics, offering opportunities to earn an associate’s degree and college credits, as well as work-based learning.

The 911�� team with DSCA students. Photo by Liz Roll Photography

In the era of expanding demand for skilled data science professionals, Edwards explained in his remarks that the DSCA Lab School’s innovative data science curriculum offers a real-world, problem-based learning environment with focused educational experiences shaped directly by workforce needs and student interests.

Students will work on specific, student-led research projects with peers, faculty, and other researchers. Mentorship is offered to students throughout the program by Big Data business and industry partners through a choice of work-based experiences to equal a minimum of one high school credit per year. Global and multicultural experiences are integral to the program as well, and students will interact with peers from U.S. territories, including Puerto Rico, and developing countries.

The lab schools are part of 911��’s Grand Challenge Initiative, showcasing how the university is advancing 21st century education for all, as well as the university’s commitment to workforce readiness.

“With the launch of today’s lab school, even more Virginia high school students in the Shenandoah Valley will be able to seize and benefit from a great educational opportunity catered to their interests.” said Youngkin. “By creating personalized pathways where students can pursue their interests and chase their dreams, we are empowering the next generation with the data-literacy skills they need to succeed in an increasingly data-driven workforce.”

“Data science is the fastest-growing industry in Virginia, projected to grow 18.2% in the next five years,” said Secretary Guidera, noting that the lab school will provide critical “exposure, experience and expertise” to Virginia students.

“This school’s distinctive learning approach connecting learning to real-world challenges can drastically enhance students’ educational trajectories,“ Edwards said. “Instead of beginning with theories, students are using data to find answers.” For instance, to determine the safest places in the Shenandoah River for swimming, students could collect and test water samples, analyze the results and interpret their findings.

“In addition to developing students’ data literacy, this learning approach also strengthens competencies of communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity, the very competencies future employees need to successfully lead,” he added.

DSCA Lab School lead Padhu Seshaiyer, a 911�� professor of mathematical sciences, explained, “Students from rural and rural-fringe school divisions will gain the expertise needed to make informed decisions, contribute to their communities, and thrive in a data-driven world—empowering a data-literate next-generation workforce prepared for the demands of the modern economy and essential for workforce readiness.”

Learn about 911��'s Grand Challenge Initiative

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Mason scientist orchestrates Moon-based ‘message in a bottle’ for future generations

Katarina Benson — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 18:54:16 +0000

Mason scientist orchestrates Moon-based ‘message in a bottle’ for future generations Katarina Benson Mon, 03/03/2025 - 13:54

Early Sunday, March 2, the ASPIRE ONE Lunar Record made a successful Moon landing as part of the Ghost Riders in the Sky Lunar mission that launched on January 15 from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

A message from Anamaria Berea's team that is now on the Moon. Photo provided

This mission, a part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services within the Artemis program, is carrying 10 NASA experiments and the ASPIRE ONE Lunar Record, the work of an interdisciplinary research team, led by 911�� researcher and alumna Anamaria Berea.

This ASPIRE ONE Lunar Record intends to preserve Earth’s cultural and scientific heritage for posterity with this specially designed payload, which includes a digital portion that mirrors the concept of the Voyager Golden Records. The archive will serve as a time capsule for future humans, offering them a glimpse of life on Earth during the early 2020s.

The creation of this lunar archive was a collaborative effort that began in early 2023 when Nick Searra, founder of the Interstellar Foundation, invited Berea to lead the project. Despite having no initial team or funding, Berea quickly gathered a group of scientists, philosophers, and linguists from such prestigious institutions as Barnard College, Columbia University, and the University of Cambridge. The team also received support from notable figures, including astronaut Scott Kelly and Jonathan Jiang from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

With a tight six-month deadline, the team created a message that could fit within the strict digital space limitations of the payload. The biggest challenge was deciding what to include. The team wanted the message to be a “dry-run” for future, more extensive interstellar messages, and ultimately settled on content that would be meaningful to archeologists or future pioneers.

The archive, delivered on special physical mediums designed for space provided by mission partner LifeShip, contains a wealth of wide-ranging content, including videos, scientific materials, global aspirations, historical records, and cultural artifacts. “The payload will reside on the Moon for eternity,” said Berea, who teaches in Department of Computational and Data Sciences of the College of Science.

The ASPIRE ONE Lunar Record includes a 1GB microchip containing videos, images, and texts that highlight humanity’s journey on Earth and the Moon, incorporating materials that reflect Earth’s cultural, scientific, and historical achievements. Among the key items is a 24-minute “Daily Life” video that showcases global snapshots of contemporary life. Each minute represents one hour from various parts of the Earth, from morning to night, and includes scenes of families cooking, children in school, workers in offices and fields, and people participating in cultural events. This “visual quilt” stitches together snapshots from world cultures, including indigenous communities, showcasing daily routines from all corners of the planet.

The archive also includes an “Aspirations” video, where individuals from around the world share their hopes for the future in their native languages. In addition, the payload houses images and content from UNESCO and Getty archives, including a representation of the COVID-19 pandemic. Other materials include the constitutions of 192 countries on Earth, the Apollo 11 launch codes, historical works, art, music, and scientific texts, such as works by Newton, Curie, and Asimov.

Berea even included a personal touch with an engraving of her name and affiliation with 911��, symbolizing her contribution to this historic effort.

“The goal of the project was not to tell the story of famous individuals or events but to encapsulate a broader representation of human life,” Berea explains.

According to Berea, the project team chose a video format, blending video, subtitles, and code, as they believed it would be more easily understood by future beings, whether human or otherwise.

In addition to the digital content, the team took precautions to ensure the message could survive for millennia. In case digital technology becomes obsolete, parts of the message were engraved in analog nano-fiche and synthetic DNA on a 1MB capsule. This forward-thinking approach ensures that future civilizations, regardless of technological advancement, can access the message.

One of the most significant aspects of the ASPIRE ONE Lunar Record is the ethical responsibility of leaving a message for future generations. The team grappled with questions such as who the “receiver” of the message would be and what content would best represent humanity. “Who speaks for Earth?” they asked, recognizing the great responsibility of crafting a message that would stand the test of time.

“I have been honored and fascinated to collaborate with this interdisciplinary team of the most amazing scientists, humanists, artists and people from all walks of life,” said Berea. “I am forever grateful to my team and our collaborators for their trust, their dedication, their passion and their support to this project that will give us a tiny place in our interstellar future history.”

Listen to the episode

Interested in more from Anamaria Berea? Listen to her discuss the chances of intelligent life beyond Earth on the Access to Excellence podcast.

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Tell us about yourself and what brought you to 911����?

What are your top priorities for the College of Science over the next few years?

How does the college stand out in terms of research and innovation?

What role does mentorship and student engagement play in your vision?

What do you want students to know about the College of Science?

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Tell us about yourself and what brought you to 911��?