College of Science

Zaakir Khan interned with Old Glory DC on their playoff run

sbrown79 — Mon, 17 Aug 2026 15:56:01 +0000

Zaakir Khan interned with Old Glory DC on their playoff run sbrown79 Mon, 08/17/2026 - 11:56

As a defenseman on 911��’s ice hockey team, rising senior Zaakir Khan knows a thing or two about team sports. But for a recent internship, he stepped off the ice—and out of his comfort zone.

“I've never watched rugby in my entire life, but I just went in determined to learn and figure it out,” said Khan, who spent the summer as an intern for Major League Rugby (MLR) team Old Glory DC, assisting the team as they made their way to the playoffs.

Khan, who is majoring in computational and data sciences in the College of Science, learned how a professional sports organization works, attending the team’s training camps and practices, observing and organizing drills, filming and cutting clips, and breaking down analytics.

Zaakir Khan (right) with an Old Glory Rugby colleague. Photo provided.

“They introduced me to the app, Huddle Sports Code, so I would film parts of the practice, cut clips, and then organize them for the players and coaches to see where they’re succeeding and what they could work on in the future,” Khan said.

The team practiced twice a day, often on 911��’s Fairfax Campus, and was split into two groups: the forwards and the backs.

“The coaches asked me to keep track of game scores and drop balls. I was also able to fly a drone, which was awesome and gave us a nice bird's eye view of the field,” said Khan. “It was a really cool progression from just observing to reporting the whole practice on my own.”

During actual games, there was a bit more pressure.

“I helped set up a computer for our medical tent to re-watch any concussions that potentially happened,” said Khan. “The cameras covered different angles so if any MLR players are injured with a concussion, for example, they go straight to the tent, and medical personnel look on the computer and review the hit to see how egregious it was.”

But Khan’s favorite spot, by far, was the coach’s box. "It was super unbelievable being in that environment and helping to live code the game.” Live coding, Khan explained, involved creating a real-time Excel sheet with all the relevant game statistics.

“Statistics tell a story and the coaches needed those stats—penalties, drops, turnovers—on the fly. With live coding, I was able to get that information to them as quickly as possible,” Khan said. “The sooner you can get this information, the better, but it also has to be accurate because those numbers turned into halftime stats and game reports."

Khan uses the app, Huddle Sports Code, for his internship with Old Glory Rugby. Photo provided.

He credits Craig Esherick, his SPMT 201 Introduction to Sports Management professor with helping him get the internship.

“Professor Esherick was kind enough to help me get my foot into the door,” said Khan, who is working on a minor in sports management. “I got a meeting with the head of the team’s sports analytics department who invited me on for the season.”

“I was very impressed with how quickly Zaakir learned about rugby and the league. It was a lot to learn in a short amount of time,” said Esherick, a professor and the chair of the Sport Management Program in 911��’s College of Education and Human Development. “He developed great relationships with the players and the staff with Old Glory and became an important part of their team this season.”

Although Old Glory’s season ended at the playoffs, Khan didn’t let that stop his momentum. He is currently a data science intern at Peraton, a national security and technology company.

“I’m learning how data, data quality, and data hygiene work. I’m hoping to use this knowledge and transition it into sports analytics after I graduate. I’d say both internships as well as 911�� have really prepared me for that,” Khan said.

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Elizabeth Foy is August Employee of the Month

Katarina Benson — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 20:54:47 +0000

Elizabeth Foy is August Employee of the Month Katarina Benson Fri, 07/31/2026 - 16:54

Elizabeth Foy has been an anchor in the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department at 911�� since 2014. As lab manager, she oversees the preparation and distribution of all chemistry materials required at both the Fairfax and Science and Technology campuses. In recognition of her dedication and excellence while managing nearly 100 lab class sections per week, Foy has been named August Employee of the Month.

President Washington and Employee of the Month Elizabeth Foy. Photo by Adrianna Campos/Office of University Branding

“Ms. Foy is not only an effective manager but also an exceptional mentor and role model,” said Silvia M. Auffret Ayala, assistant lab manager. “Her work is foundational to the success of our teaching labs.”

Mikell Paige, professor and chair of the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, emphasized how hard Foy works, saying “Ms. Foy is an effective leader and valuable member of our team. She helps plan for future needs as we propose new budgets, keeps up with instrument maintenance, and manages complex student employee schedules to keep the labs running on time.”

“Elizabeth does an outstanding job training and supporting her team members,” said Megan Erb, an associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry. “All 911�� students enrolled in chemistry lab courses benefit from her strong work ethic and dedication to her job.”

Kenneth W. Foreman, an assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry, said, “Ms. Foy is a fantastic colleague to work with. She is constantly looking to improve the lab experience for students, suggesting potential modifications to the labs to help them run more smoothly and safely.”

“Elizabeth demonstrates excellence through her attention to detail and commitment to high-quality work,” said Fabiola Suarez, fiscal technician in the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department.

How did you come to Mason:

I joined 911�� over 12 years ago because I wanted to be part of an institution that makes a difference through education and research. Throughout the years, I have been fortunate to grow professionally while serving the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department. It has been a privilege to support our faculty, staff, and students by helping create a safe, organized, and successful laboratory environment where learning can thrive.

Best day on the job:

My best days are at the beginning of each semester when all the teaching laboratories are fully prepared, and students are excited to begin their experiments. Knowing that my team's hard work behind the scenes helps create a safe and successful learning experience for hundreds of students each semester gives me a great sense of accomplishment. I also enjoy working with my colleagues to solve challenges and continuously improve our laboratory operations.

What do you like best about working at 911��:

What I like best about working at 911�� is the people and the sense of community. I enjoy working with dedicated faculty, staff, and students who share a commitment to education and excellence. Every day brings an opportunity to learn something new, help others, and contribute to the success of our department. It is rewarding to know that my work supports student learning and helps prepare the next generation of scientists and healthcare professionals.

What do you like to do when you’re not working:

When I'm not working, I love spending time with my family, especially my three beautiful granddaughters, who are 1 month, 1 year, and 4 years old. Watching them grow, playing with them, reading stories, and celebrating life's little moments brings me so much happiness. They remind me every day of the importance of love, family, and creating lasting memories.

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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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Making every drop count at the campus greenhouse

lclarkg — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 17:03:01 +0000

Making every drop count at the campus greenhouse lclarkg Wed, 07/29/2026 - 13:03

A new rainwater harvesting system is coming to 911��’s Presidents Park Greenhouse, thanks to a donation from the Society for a Secure and Sustainable Water Future, a nonprofit organization based in James City County, Virginia, and dedicated to advancing long-term water sustainability through practical solutions, sound policy, and public education.

The Presidents Park Greenhouse, located on the Fairfax Campus, is managed by University Sustainability's Greenhouse and Gardens program. Alexander Jarvis, a graduate student in 911��’s MS in Environmental Science and Policy Program, founded the nonprofit and runs it with his parents, Leslie and Tyrone Jarvis.

The Jarvis family is installing the rainwater harvesting system themselves, in collaboration with Facilities and Campus Operations. Photo by Ariba “Zoa” Sharin/Facilities and Campus Operations

“The project is intended to help demonstrate practical sustainability implementation while contributing to broader conversations surrounding resilience, infrastructure demand, and future environmental planning,” said Jarvis.

The rainwater harvesting system will collect, store, and filter rooftop runoff through a solar-powered pumping system. The nonpotable water will be used to water the nonedible plants at the greenhouse and will be transported to other campus gardens during drought. The Jarvis family is completing the installation themselves in coordination with Facilities and Campus Operations staff.

The amount of rainwater recovered by the system will vary, depending on rainfall amounts, but 911�� students or staff could collect data on the system in the future.

In addition to the donation from Jarvis’s nonprofit, the project received approximately $2,000 from the Patriot Green Fund, an sustainability fund that 911��’s Facilities and Campus Operations unit administers to support sustainable infrastructure improvements and student research projects on campus.

A solar array was installed at the Presidents Park Greenhouse last year. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

The Presidents Park Greenhouse, which uses hydroponics and aquaponics to grow produce, has other sustainable features. With support from student researchers and the Patriot Green Fund, a solar array was installed last year to offset the energy consumption for the equipment and temperature controls in the greenhouse.

The rainwater harvesting system further advances the greenhouse as a model for sustainable agriculture and infrastructure.

“This project brings together sustainability, education, and community partnership in a meaningful way,” said Christine Powell, project manager in Facilities and Campus Operations. “This installation will serve as a living demonstration of how rainwater can be captured, treated, and reused, providing educational value for students, faculty, staff, and visitors.”

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This course turns climate science into real-world impact for Virginia communities

ckearney — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 20:32:10 +0000

This course turns climate science into real-world impact for Virginia communities ckearney Tue, 07/21/2026 - 16:32

What difference does a tree make? That’s what 911�� researcher Luis Ortiz wanted to find out—before it was planted. Cities increasingly experience extreme heat that poses danger to anyone outside. The urban environment, even on a very small scale, can either help alleviate the problem or make it vastly worse.

Professor Luis Ortiz with his Micrometeorological Modeling class. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

“We teach students the fundamentals of how the broader weather interacts with very, very local aspects of the built environment,” said Ortiz, who teaches in 911��’s J. Shukla Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Earth Sciences. “By very, very local, I mean, what happens if I put a certain tree in one location, or if I apply a coating to a building’s surface to reflect the sun.”

Ortiz’s course, CLIM 759 Micrometeorological Modeling for Local Climate Action, targets “hyperlocal” community needs. It’s a way of taking research out of the lab and into the real world where it can have immediate impact. Ortiz and other professors—in collaboration with 911��’s Institute for a Sustainable Earth—piloted a model to create classes that work almost like nonprofit start-ups with municipalities and neighborhood groups as clients.

“We are meeting communities where they are and figuring out what their needs are related to weather hazards on heat, flooding, and air pollution. This is all based on the extensive community engagement that we've been doing with the Virginia Climate Center,” said Ortiz, who is the codirector of the VCC.

This is the second year that Ortiz is offering the graduate-level class, which is open to every major. The students work individually with community groups to study their needs and model the outcomes of various interventions. Last year, students worked with South Side ReLeaf in Richmond to model extreme heat zones around schools and shopping centers. This year, they ran individual projects with the cities of Fairfax, Alexandria, and Arlington, as well as Groundwork USA. These stakeholders were all invited to a day of final presentations at the end of the semester.

“The students are learning urban microclimate physics, as well as the software and models needed to understand them and answer real-world questions,” said Ortiz.

The course is truly interdisciplinary, attracting students majoring in fields from across the university, including GIS, civil engineering, mathematics, and fluid dynamics. They use social science methods to determine the communities’ needs.

Ivy Stempkovski, a climate dynamics PhD student who helped develop the course and is now taking it, created models to evaluate how public water features, such as splash parks, help kids cool down.

“My peers are thinking of things that never would have crossed my radar,” said Stempkovski. “That’s important because the whole goal is to make sure that we're maximizing impact for our community partner and the community themselves. If it weren't for the different perspectives, I think we could risk falling short. For instance, the engineers take a more practical perspective, and the GIS students know more about zoning laws.”

Gavin Middleton, a PhD student in earth and geoinformation sciences, took the course in its first year. His models revealed startling facts about how a lack of green spaces increased citizens’ susceptibility to heat stroke.

“The area I was looking at was an elementary school,” said Middleton. “This school was right next to a six-lane road that had no trees. We found that if kids were walking down that road in the middle of the summer heat, there was about a 5 percent chance that you got a heat stroke on any one kid.”

Other projects showed high risks of heat stroke and asthma attacks around unshaded shopping complexes with large parking lots, as well as bus stops where people would have to wait for long periods with no relief.

“I would say that it was a very important experience to actually get to know the people that my science affected,” said Middleton. “It's definitely not something you see at every university.”

Ortiz built the course as part of his work at the VCC and based it on the lean start-up model for businesses.

"Our students are both learning state-of-the-art modeling techniques and using them to answer important questions for stakeholders in the commonwealth and beyond,” he said. “With this model, students work on real-world problems, and our partners get access to science-backed data and insights to help them build stronger, more resilient communities.”

This research supports the Grand Challenge Initiative's goal of building a more climate-resilient society.

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Air pollution simulation reinforces public health data on the dangers of airborne toxins

sholla4 — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 13:55:43 +0000

Air pollution simulation reinforces public health data on the dangers of airborne toxins sholla4 Fri, 07/17/2026 - 09:55

Hot summer days often lead to poor air quality. High temperatures and high air pressure systems cause pollutant buildups, creating ground-level ozone that can lead to a variety of health issues. And as climate change increases summer temperatures around the globe, being able to track and predict air quality is becoming a public health priority.

B.H. Baek. Photo provided

B.H. Baek, research associate professor in 911��’s Center for Satellite and Earth Science Research in the College of Science, is developing air quality and emissions modeling systems to help track and predict local and regional air pollutants and their adverse human health impacts.

Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes—collectively known as BTEX—are common air pollutants, originating from various industrial and manufacturing processes, vehicle emissions, and natural sources such as forest fires. This suite of toxic air contaminants is particularly prevalent in urban environments, as well as near industrial facilities such as power plants and factories. Short- and long-term exposure to BTEX compounds can cause a variety of health issues, including elevated risks of cancer, respiratory diseases, neurological effects, and adverse birth outcomes.

Baek is developing high-resolution, year-long ambient concentration fields for the Louisville, Kentucky, region. This project expands on his previous work developing an air pollution simulation model for the U.S. Gulf Region, home to more than 120 petroleum refineries and subsequently elevated BTEX and styrene emissions.

“We know where the power plants and refineries that produce these emissions are located. We have a map of where the people are driving and living. And with that data, we generate this map of our concentration throughout the region based on the observation data, the estimated emission sources that we have, and the meteorologist data,” Baek explained.

Cross-referenced with hospitalization data and blood samples from residents of the Gulf region from 2011 to 2016, the model provided a more complete picture of both exposure to and the impacts of styrene and BTEX on public health outcomes.

Unlike other highly contaminated areas Baek has worked in, historic monitoring of BTEX in Louisville is much more limited. “It’s a smaller city surrounded by trees, so despite the BTEX contamination, public health has not been a major issue,” said Baek. “It has not been monitored to the same extent.”

Baek and his team will use their toxic simulation data to help fill in the gaps. Called “data fusion,” the model will combine observational data from real-time measurements via a novel mobile app—developed by Professor Yue Cheng from Texas A&M University—with emissions data collected from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

"The main benefit is public health,” said Baek. “Epidemiologists need more accurate data for them to link to their studies of the health effects of air toxin exposure. Now, the model can be expanded for the future to come.”

Baek also notes how this model could support air-quality tracking and predictions as climate change progresses. “We’ll be able to see how climate change will impact the regional scale,” he said.

Baek is already using the simulation to help fill the gaps in the EPA’s National Emissions Inventory; this data will be publicly available once published.

“We developed this model to support the EPA’s work in regulating manufacturers,” said Baek. As the model continues to expand and develop over time with projects like these, it will help state and federal leaders make evidence-based decisions and inform advocacy around emissions regulations.

“911�� is at the forefront of toxic air pollution work,” said Baek.

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Faculty philanthropy fuels quantum innovation with $3 million gift

ckearney — Fri, 10 Jul 2026 18:50:35 +0000

Faculty philanthropy fuels quantum innovation with $3 million gift ckearney Fri, 07/10/2026 - 14:50

Quantum science is a revolution in the making, and a recent donation by Department of Physics and Astronomy Professor Paul So has placed 911�� at the forefront of understanding and harnessing its capabilities.

Paul So. Photo by Hamiltonian Artists

Through a generous $3 million gift from So’s SYYK Foundation, 911��’s College of Science will be able to advance the education of the next generation of quantum scientists. The gift will establish an endowed professorship within the Department of Physics and Astronomy. The university seeks an esteemed faculty member to fill this role, with a preference for a scientist who has expertise in quantum sciences, “someone with new ideas,” said So, “who will create a vibrant space in the department.”

“It’s important to think about quantum as a revolutionary and game-changing leap ahead in our ability to compute, to sense the world around us, and to communicate with each other,” said Patrick Vora, associate professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, and director of 911��’s Quantum Science and Engineering Center.

The goal of the professorship is to build a community of learning around quantum technology, said Vora. “It will catalyze new collaborations between faculty members, but always, at the end of the day, our biggest impact is going to be in training our students.”

Quantum mechanics describes the behavior of subatomic particles and their properties. Understanding and controlling those properties could drive significant advances in engineering and technology, said Vora, who is leading 911��’s Quantum Leap, one of seven newly funded catalyst projects in the university’s Grand Challenge Initiative.

“Your phone runs on quantum science, your computer runs on quantum science,” So added. “New materials, new technologies, and new applications will all rely on quantum.” That could include enhanced weather prediction as well as faster drug discovery and development.

So founded SYYK with his brother Peter, a professor of mechanical and biological engineering at MIT, to continue their mother’s philanthropic efforts after her death in 2021. The charitable nonprofit has a broad mission but prioritizes gifts to educational and cultural institutions.

“Even when we were growing up in Hong Kong, my parents supported local schools,” So said. “They appreciated that education was the foundation of a kid’s future, the foundation of society’s future.”

So believes that strengthening the quantum science program at 911�� will attract top students to the university and encourage more cross-pollination between disciplines like math, computer science, and engineering.

“One of the biggest challenges of realizing quantum technology is less about the ‘quantum’ and more the people,” Vora said. “Developing the science into an industry will require a significant expansion of the workforce. The only way that you can do that is by expanding representation in the workforce. And there are few things that 911�� does as well as providing opportunity for people who may not have had it before.”

So is optimistic that the investment in quantum will better position students to take advantage of the unique opportunity 911�� offers. “We’re right here in the National Capital region, near so many tech companies,” he said, “and there’s a lot of support from the government to develop quantum.”

Indeed, the federal government recently announced that it would inject $2 billion into quantum development, funding nine domestic computer companies to build quantum infrastructure. The White House, meanwhile, also issued executive orders to accelerate the migration of federal computing systems to systems that can protect them from quantum cyberattacks. Quantum-related job postings have tripled in the last 15 years with an average salary of $131,000.

The structure of the new professorship is a novel one at 911��. The professor’s salary will be covered by the College of Science, while proceeds from the endowment will serve as discretionary funding to support graduate students. The donation also includes a percentage of the gift applied as “current use” funds, available now to provide support while the endowment yield grows.

“Paul So’s extraordinary generosity gives 911�� the ability to move with both urgency and ambition in quantum science,” said Cody W. Edwards, dean of the College of Science. “This endowed professorship will help us recruit a field-shaping scholar, support graduate students, and accelerate the collaborations needed to prepare the next generation of quantum scientists and innovators. It is a gift with immediate impact, long-term vision, and profound significance for the College of Science, 911��, and the commonwealth.”

Given the surge in quantum investment and jobs around the country, So hopes the gift will encourage additional giving to support quantum at 911��. “Compared to what is needed, this is just the start,” he said.

“We’re talking about a generation-scale technological shift,” said Vora. “Bringing on this new faculty member, around which our current and future faculty members can collaborate and coalesce, will really change what it looks like to be a quantum scientist in the future.”

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911�� authorized to host State Climate Office

ckearney — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 19:40:01 +0000

911�� authorized to host State Climate Office ckearney Wed, 07/08/2026 - 15:40

911�� is authorized to host the Virginia State Climate Office, thanks to a provision in the new state budget effective July 1, 2026. The office is charged with developing and delivering data, analyses, assessments, and expertise about Virginia’s weather- and climate-related impacts, risks, and risk management options to state and local government agencies, businesses, and communities across the commonwealth. The office will also represent Virginia in national meteorological, climatological, and hydrological associations, strengthening federal partnerships and interstate collaboration on real-time weather and environmental challenges.

James Kinter. Photo provided

911�� is home to one of the largest communities of faculty in the country who are dedicated to climate research. The new office will be anchored in the university’s Virginia Climate Center (VCC), based in the College of Science and directed by James Kinter, professor of climate dynamics, who also leads the university's Center for Ocean-Land-Atmosphere Studies.

“Every Virginian deserves access to reliable, localized climate information, whether they’re a farmer on the Eastern Shore, an emergency manager in Southwest Virginia, or a family deciding where to buy a home. The State Climate Office makes that possible,” said Kinter. “911�� is the ideal home for this work. We’ve spent the past three years building the scientific capacity, the community partnerships, and the trust across the commonwealth that a state climate office needs from day one.”

VCC launched in 2023 with funding through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a congressionally directed project championed by the late U.S. Representative Gerry Connolly. Since then, the center has built exactly the kind of university-based, community-engaged model a state climate office requires with scientists, municipalities, and business leaders working together on practical solutions.

In November 2025, VCC delivered the inaugural Virginia Climate Assessment, the commonwealth's first comprehensive, peer-reviewed evaluation of how changing climate conditions affect Virginia and its people. The assessment, which organized findings across six climate divisions from Tidewater to the Southwestern Mountains, called directly for the creation of a state climate office. Less than a year later, the General Assembly answered.

“Virginia was one of only two states in the nation without an operational state climate office. That gap left localities, farmers, and businesses without a central, no-cost source of climate information that most other states take for granted,” said Delegate David Reid of Loudoun County, who sponsored the budget amendment in the House establishing the State Climate Office at 911��. “Hosting this office at 911�� puts proven scientists to work for every corner of the commonwealth, and we are committed to collaborating to ensure improved strategic planning, data collection and analysis, and avoided losses.”

Graduate students in CEIE 445/645 Flood Hazard Engineering and Adaptation course develop flood risk maps and conduct analyses to help real clients in local communities improve their flood resilience. Photo provided

The Virginia Climate Assessment identified three hazards of particular concern for the commonwealth this century: extreme heat and rising temperatures, which threaten public health, labor productivity, and agriculture; extreme precipitation and shifting seasons, with wetter falls and springs increasing flood risks while drier summers heighten drought and wildfire danger; and accelerated sea level rise, compounded by land subsidence, which puts Tidewater communities and coastal infrastructure at growing risk.

“The office will ensure that Virginia has a seat at the national table to collaborate with groups like American Association of State Climatologists and play a vital role working with localities to ensure a brighter future for the next generation of families across the commonwealth and the nation,” added Senator Stella Pekarsky, a 911�� alumna who shepherded the budget amendment.

VCC already partners with localities across the commonwealth, and the State Climate Office will extend that reach. Current projects include flood modeling for the City of Fairfax, urban flood resilience work in Arlington County, nature-based flood protection in Belle Haven on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, climate planning in the West Piedmont region, and a Northern Virginia heat data collection campaign launching this summer. 911�� student engineers are also supporting flood hazard mitigation projects, gaining hands-on experience while serving Virginia communities.

“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. “Consistent, dependable, and localized weather data will give Virginia farmers, businesses, and government entities the ability to better compete and succeed.”

The university’s strength in climate resilience is part of 911��'s Grand Challenge Initiative, which draws on expertise across the university, including the Institute for a Sustainable Earth; the Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Earth Sciences; the Center for Climate Change Communication in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences; and the Schar School's Center for Regional Analysis.

“Building a climate-resilient society is one of six research priorities in 911��’s Grand Challenge Initiative, and it’s one where our faculty are collaborating across colleges to deliver solutions communities can actually use,” said Andre Marshall, vice president for research, innovation, and economic impact. “The State Climate Office turns that research strength into a public service for all Virginians. This is what a public R1 university is for.”

For more information, visit gmu.edu/grandchallenge or vaclimate.gmu.edu.

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911�� and Phase Inc. receive NSF grant to advance 3D-printed microfluidic technology

Martha Bushong — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 18:37:20 +0000

911�� and Phase Inc. receive NSF grant to advance 3D-printed microfluidic technology Martha Bushong Wed, 07/01/2026 - 14:37

911�� and Phase Inc. have received a National Science Foundation (NSF) STTR grant to advance a new generation of 3D-printed microfluidic devices that could help move the technologies from the research lab toward broader commercial and scientific use.

Ramin M. Hakami and Remi Veneziano. Photo provided

The project combines the expertise of College of Science Professor Ramin M. Hakami’s group in extracellular vesicle (EV) biology, and that of College of Engineering and Computing Associate Professor Remi Veneziano’s group in bioengineering and materials characterization, at 911�� with Phase’s vision to create an end-to-end, automated microfluidic platform that brings together custom device design, scalable 3D-printed polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) chip manufacturing, and automated fluid handling. Specifically, this project leverages the microfluidic EV platform jointly developed and published by the Veneziano and Hakami groups.

Microfluidic devices use tiny channels to control small amounts of fluid and recreate environments on a cellular scale. They model human biology more realistically than flat cell cultures, making them important for drug discovery, disease research, and toxicology. Microfluidics are especially timely as the FDA has announced plans to phase out some animal testing requirements and encourage more human-relevant methods.

Today, producing complex PDMS microfluidic devices often requires cleanrooms, manual optimization, and repeated trial-and-error. The NSF-supported work is designed to reduce that bottleneck by using thermal and curing models to predict how PDMS will behave during printing, then optimize print parameters before a device is manufactured.

Photo provided

“This partnership helps us move one step closer to a fully automated, scalable microfluidic platform,” said Jeff Schultz, principal investigator and co-founder of Phase, which is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. “Our goal is to make microfluidic technology more reproducible and more accessible to researchers and companies working to develop better human-relevant models.”

911�� researchers will help characterize the printed devices for dimensional accuracy, surface quality, batch-to-batch consistency, and biological function. The team will also test a device designed to study EV function. EVs are nanoparticles that are released by cells and play critical roles in intercellular communication. They have been shown to carry important regulatory functions in various human diseases, such as cancer, infectious disease, and neurological disorders, and are also highly advantageous for use in drug delivery.

“Being able to rapidly and cost‑effectively prototype and fabricate custom microfluidic devices will significantly enhance our capacity to design relevant microphysiological systems and will help broaden access to this technology to many research laboratories” said Veneziano.

“Our microfluidic device empowers researchers to conduct functional EV studies with ease and under physiologically relevant conditions. Through our partnership with Phase to 3D print the chips, we will be able to deliver more reliable, cost-effective, and commercially viable tools to the EV scientific community,” said Hakami, co-director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research at 911��.

For Phase, the NSF grant builds on a growing base of support from federal and private sources. The company has already received more than $3.5 million in nondilutive funding, including support from the National Institutes of Health, the One North Carolina Small Business Program, the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, NSF, and private-sector partners. Previous research partners include Harvard Medical School, Georgia Tech, and Virginia Tech.

By pairing 911��’s biological and engineering strengths with Phase’s manufacturing platform, the project is positioned to advance both scientific discovery and commercialization. The result could be a more reliable path for producing the microfluidic tools needed to support the next wave of biomedical research, organ-on-a-chip development, and human-centered bio-innovation.

This research supports the Grand Challenge Initiative's goal of improving human health, well-being, and preparedness

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911��’s Center for Molecular Engineering receives $1 million in federal funding for a high-resolution mass spectrometer

sbrown79 — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 16:28:37 +0000

911��’s Center for Molecular Engineering receives $1 million in federal funding for a high-resolution mass spectrometer sbrown79 Mon, 06/29/2026 - 12:28

A new high-resolution mass spectrometer is coming to 911��’s Center for Molecular Engineering (CME) this fall, thanks to $1 million Community Project Funding.

Mikell Paige. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

The federal funding was by sponsored by Congressman Suhas Subramanyam (10th District) and emphasizes 911��’s place as one of only six Virginia universities with Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education’s R1 designation. 

The spectrometer, which will be housed at 911��’s Science and Technology Campus, will be instrumental in expanding regional research capacity and workforce training. Curricula utilizing the spectrometer is currently in development.

“I want to thank Congressman Subramanyam and his staff for securing this federal funding. With the mass spectrometer, we can train students in data acquisition and analysis tools,” said Mikell Paige, director of CME and chair of 911��’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry in the College of Science. “Our center has also been working with local biotechs, government agencies, and other universities. Researchers in these partner facilities rely on us for data analysis, and 911�� students will be able to go into these local industries that require these skillsets after they graduate.”

Through the center, Paige has built a robust group of collaborators including institutions, such as Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Capital Biosciences, and Amerimmune, and universities, such as Virginia Tech, University of Virginia, Old Dominion University, Georgetown, and the Max Planck Institute in Munich, Germany.

911��'s Center for Molecular Engineering team. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Paige has a background in synthetic chemistry and works in drug discovery, meaning he can synthesize novel, small molecules and design drug molecules as potential medicine. His work has centered on antibacterial and antiviral efforts, and areas such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pulmonary fibrosis—areas where small molecules are necessary for the research process. 

When Paige came to 911��, he wanted to build a program where he could conduct and expand this research alongside his students. Their work on mass spectrometry prompted their need for the high-resolution component for small molecules. 

“We will also have a continuing education component where local industries could send their companies to come train with our faculty and students to learn how to do the data analysis on their own, as well as provide the core services where they can do a fee-for-service running of samples,” said Paige.

“This opportunity makes our center an amazing place for us all to meet other academics and collaborate.”

“There is tremendous research and discovery happening right here in our region,” said Subramanyam. “I can’t wait to see what the mass spectrometer will allow Professor Paige and 911�� students to accomplish as they work toward improving our understanding of medicine.”

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911��’s Center for Molecular Engineering receives $1 million in federal funding for a high-resolution mass spectrometer