College of Science at George Mason University

06/19/2026

What can ancient rocks tell us about Earth’s oceans?

This , we’re spotlighting Geoffrey Gilleaudeau, associate professor in the Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Earth Sciences, who studies Earth’s past through sedimentary rocks and geochemistry. 🌍

Gilleaudeau recently co-authored a paper in Communications Earth & Environment exploring the Ediacaran Shuram Excursion, a major carbon cycle event from more than 500 million years ago.

The research points to intense continental weathering as a possible driver of this global event, offering insight into how changing land, ocean chemistry, and life on Earth are connected.

Read the paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-026-03625-6

Congratulations to Gilleaudeau and the research team! 👏

06/18/2026

Was there ever life on Mars? 🔴

In a new 60-Second Lecture, George Mason physics professor Erdal Yiğit explores what rovers, satellites, and atmospheric models are helping scientists understand about the Red Planet.

From evidence of ancient water to possible biosignatures, Mars continues to offer clues about one of science’s biggest questions: Are we alone?

Watch the lecture on YouTube: https://youtu.be/urLEzRh0bVY?si=J36_3re4B4XU9HsF

The Department of Physics & Astronomy at George Mason University

Where there's water, scientists go looking for signs of life — and ...

06/17/2026

From the lab to real-world impact. 🧬

George Mason PhD graduate Ahana Byne, PhD Biosciences ’26, is helping advance tuberculosis diagnostics that could be more accurate, affordable, and accessible, especially in low-resource settings where traditional testing can be difficult to obtain.

Byne’s doctoral research in the lab of School of Systems Biology Professor Alessandra Luchini focused on exploring urine-based testing and urinary extracellular vesicles as part of a promising new diagnostic approach.

In addition to her academic work, Byne gained industry experience through two summer internships with Ceres Nanosciences in 2024 and 2025, offering a new perspective on how research operates outside academia.

Her work reflects the power of graduate research, hands-on industry experience, and scientific innovation to address urgent global health challenges.

Read more: https://science.gmu.edu/news/george-mason-phd-graduate-advances-more-affordable-accurate-tuberculosis-diagnostics

📷Left to right: Ahana Byne at graduation with School of Systems Biology Professor Alessandra Luchini.

06/16/2026

Early bird tickets are on sale now for the Mid-Atlantic Severe Weather Conference! 🌩️

Join forecasters, chasers, spotters, researchers, and weather enthusiasts for a day focused on severe weather science, forecasting, and preparedness.

📅 November 7, 2026
📍 HUB Ballroom, George Mason University
🎟️ science.gmu.edu/maswc

Presented by the George Mason Weather Club, with support from the Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Earth Sciences.

06/15/2026

Congratulations to the 2026 Department of Environmental Science and Policy student award winners! 🌿👏

These undergraduate and graduate students were recognized for their hard work, academic excellence, teaching, research, and impact across environmental science and policy.

Mason Science is proud to celebrate their accomplishments and the many ways they are preparing to make a difference in environmental research, conservation, health, policy, and beyond.

Read more: https://science.gmu.edu/news/2026-esp-department-student-award-winners

📷Left to right: Dr. Gad Perry, Colin Chadduck, Dr. Esther Peters, Keegan Phillips, Katia Holguin, Kiersten Jewell, Jose Meneses, Tam T. Tran, Breanne Heath, Dr. Amy Fowler, Dr. Younsung Kim, Rowan Heagney, Dr. Jennifer Salerno.

Department of Environmental Science and Policy, George Mason University

06/15/2026

George Mason University has launched a new MS in Quantum Science and Engineering, the first program of its kind in Virginia and one of only a handful in the United States. ⚛️

Designed in response to growing workforce demand, the program prepares students to apply quantum technologies across physics, mathematics, computing, engineering, cybersecurity, chemistry, and biology.

“When we talked to industry, they told us they want experts in STEM fields who also have knowledge of quantum science and engineering,” said Jessica Rosenberg, professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy.

Students will build expertise in quantum computing and algorithms, quantum communications and security, and quantum sensing and measurement technologies.

We’re proud to collaborate with colleagues in the College of Engineering and Computing on this interdisciplinary program.

Learn more at the upcoming virtual information session on Wednesday, June 17, from 3 to 4 p.m.

Register for the info session: https://gmu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_exqfEPGxN4bgM62
Read the news story: https://science.gmu.edu/news/george-mason-launches-new-ms-quantum-science-and-engineering

George Mason University
College of Engineering and Computing at George Mason University

06/12/2026

Welcome back to George Mason, Laura A. Lukes! 👏

Laura joins Mason Science as director of the STEM Accelerator, effective June 29, 2026.

She previously served at George Mason’s Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning and most recently held a role at the University of British Columbia.

Laura brings extensive expertise in geoscience education research and a strong record of advancing evidence-based teaching, faculty development, and student success.

In this role, she will lead efforts to enhance instructional quality, expand faculty and graduate teaching support, and strengthen student outcomes through innovative STEM education initiatives.

“I’m excited to rejoin the Mason community and build on the STEM Accelerator’s momentum,” Lukes said.

Please join us in welcoming Laura back to Mason Science! 💚💛

🔗https://science.gmu.edu/news/laura-lukes-named-director-george-mason-universitys-stem-accelerator

06/12/2026

This , we’re celebrating Maria Emelianenko, professor and chair of the Department of Mathematical Sciences, recipient of the 2026 Peer Leadership Excellence Award.

The award recognizes a Chair or Program Director respected by their peers for outstanding leadership, open communication, and building a supportive, inclusive community among academic leaders across the College.

Emelianenko is an interdisciplinary mathematician whose work applies mathematical theory to real-world problems across science and engineering. She also serves as associate director of Mason’s Quantum Science and Engineering Center.

Congratulations, Maria! 👏

06/10/2026

Congratulations to forensic chemistry graduate student Kennedy Drish on qualifying for the NCAA Outdoor National Championships in Eugene, Oregon this week! 🏆

After capturing both the 2026 Atlantic 10 Indoor and Outdoor pole vault titles and setting school records, Kennedy is ready to compete on the national stage.

Wishing her the best of luck as she represents George Mason! 💚

Photo by George Mason Athletics.

GMU Forensic Science Program

06/10/2026

Scenes from AIRDC26 🌎🛰️

Mason Science was proud to host the 4th Annual Air Quality Research and Development Consortium Workshop at George Mason University’s Fairfax Campus.

AIRDC26 brought together atmospheric composition and air quality modeling collaborators from the greater D.C. region and beyond to share research and discuss emerging work in emissions inventories and modeling, air quality forecasting and applications, observations and data fusion, and air quality-related health impacts.

Thank you to our partners and participating institutions for helping make this year’s workshop possible: Johns Hopkins University, The George Washington University, University of Maryland, Howard University, American University, UMBC, NOAA Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research and NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for a full day of research, collaboration, and conversation around the future of air quality research. 🤝