collaboration / en Concrete possibilities create 4-VA match /news/2025-11/concrete-possibilities-create-4-va-match <span>Concrete possibilities create 4-VA match</span> <span><span>Katarina Benson</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-11-17T12:32:15-05:00" title="Monday, November 17, 2025 - 12:32">Mon, 11/17/2025 - 12:32</time> </span> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--70-30"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:body" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasebody"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Body</div> <div class="field__item"><p class="Paragraph SCXW16498783 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW16498783 BCX0 NormalTextRun intro-text" lang="EN-US">In the construction trades, engineers and builders are constantly pursuing concrete mixes that provide greater durability and strength. Moreover, concrete adaptations that are biodegradable and nontoxic with reduced greenhouse gas emissions attract even more attention. The potential cherry on top of both would be if the adaptation could result in lower production costs.</span></p> <figure role="group" class="align-right"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/small_content_image/public/2025-11/emma_zhang_thumbnail.jpg?itok=JzRBnAR-" width="350" height="350" loading="lazy"> </div> </div> <figcaption>Xijin “Emma” Zhang. Photo provided</figcaption> </figure> <p class="Paragraph SCXW16498783 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW16498783 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">It was this proposition that brought Xijin “Emma” Zhang, an assistant professor in 鶹Ƶ’s </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW16498783 BCX0" href="https://civil.gmu.edu/" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW16498783 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">Sid and Reva Dewberry Department of Civil, Environmental and Infrastructure Engineering</span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW16498783 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US"> together with Bryan Berger, a professor in University of Virginia’s Chemical Engineering Department.</span><span class="EOP SCXW16498783 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW16498783 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW16498783 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">When Zhang, who specializes in fungi-mediated self-healing concrete, found Berger via the National Science Foundation’s search tool, she immediately recognized that Berger’s extensive experience in producing various biosurfactants from fungi would make him the perfect partner for her 4-VA research team.</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW16498783 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW16498783 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">Zhang’s goal was to test the effect that Superabsorbent Polymers (SAP) would have on concrete. SAPs are hydrophilic polymers used to reduce shrinkage and improve durability. Berger was up for the challenge.</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW16498783 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW16498783 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">To turn the idea into reality, Zhang developed a proposal for 4-VA funding titled “Multifunctional Fungi-Based Biosurfactants for Durable Concrete Structures.” The plan was to do a barrage of experiments injecting a type of biosurfactants known as HFBI, derived from engineered yeast strain, to demonstrate the feasibility of it as a sustainable alternative to conventional air-entraining agents. This research would demand careful study and analysis with particular attention to air content and workability.</span><span class="EOP SCXW16498783 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW16498783 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW16498783 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">Once the proposal was approved, Zhang and Berger assembled a team of students to help deliver the project:</span><span class="EOP SCXW16498783 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <figure role="group" class="align-left"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/small_content_image/public/2025-11/fig._2.jpg?itok=ZgpVSdha" width="339" height="350" loading="lazy"> </div> </div> <figcaption>Testing samples. Photo provided</figcaption> </figure> <p class="Paragraph SCXW16498783 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW16498783 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">Graduate research assistant Junyi Wang from George 鶹Ƶ was responsible for experiment design, mortar testing (workability, air content, compressive strength), data analysis, and draft manuscript preparation.</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW16498783 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW16498783 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">PhD in chemical engineering Mack A. </span><span class="TextRun SCXW16498783 BCX0 NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed" lang="EN-US">Kinkeade</span><span class="TextRun SCXW16498783 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US"> from Berger’s lab at UVA supported biosurfactant extraction and purification.</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW16498783 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW16498783 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">PhD student Lixin Wang, also from George 鶹Ƶ, assisted with sample testing.</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW16498783 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW16498783 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">Two civil engineering undergraduates, Phillip </span><span class="TextRun SCXW16498783 BCX0 NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed" lang="EN-US">Christovaladi</span><span class="TextRun SCXW16498783 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="TextRun SCXW16498783 BCX0 NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed" lang="EN-US">Vasilakopoulos</span><span class="TextRun SCXW16498783 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US"> and Rafferty Houghton, volunteered their time on the project, gaining critical research experience. Both graduated in May.</span></p> <blockquote><p class="Paragraph SCXW16498783 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW16498783 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">“This 4-VA project provided valuable research opportunities for students at multiple levels. Their involvement not only enriched their academic experiences but also helped build a strong pipeline of future researchers,” said Zhang.</span></p> </blockquote> <p class="Paragraph SCXW16498783 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW16498783 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">Following a year of lab work, the </span><span class="TextRun SCXW16498783 BCX0 NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed" lang="EN-US">team did prove</span><span class="TextRun SCXW16498783 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US"> their hypothesis—HFBI is a sustainable alternative to established air-entraining agents in concrete.</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW16498783 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW16498783 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">Zhang was then able to share their results with a variety of interested organizations including the American Concrete Institute, Brookhaven National Lab, and the Federal Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center.</span></p> <figure role="group" class="align-right"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/small_content_image/public/2025-11/fig._7.jpg?itok=LcNEPR1I" width="350" height="226" loading="lazy"> </div> </div> <figcaption>Surface morphology and height cloud map of the three groups of samples under a microscope. The blue-purple coloring on the surface indicates pores. Photo provided</figcaption> </figure> <p class="Paragraph SCXW16498783 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW16498783 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">“These presentations at conferences and national labs helped us connect with industry partners and broadened the impact of our work,” she said.</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW16498783 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW16498783 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">Zhang sees the 4-VA experience as a success on many levels, including relationship building.</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW16498783 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW16498783 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">“The 4-VA@鶹Ƶ funding was instrumental in launching a meaningful and sustained collaboration with Dr. Berger at UVA,” Zhang said. “Since the start of this project, we have co-developed and submitted 3-4 research proposals to National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, and USDA over the past year, some of which were directly inspired by the findings of this 4-VA initiative.”</span></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:call_to_action" data-inline-block-uuid="ac4bd25e-e2ae-4fe4-8b2f-91358da75f35"> <div class="cta"> <a class="cta__link" href="https://4va.gmu.edu/"> <p class="cta__title">Learn more about 4-VA at George 鶹Ƶ <i class="fas fa-arrow-circle-right"></i> </p> <span class="cta__icon"></span> </a> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:news_list" data-inline-block-uuid="8981518e-2952-4ab7-926b-94f5db5a589b" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blocknews-list"> <h2>Related Stories</h2> <div class="views-element-container"><div class="view view-news view-id-news view-display-id-block_1 js-view-dom-id-8cd93474b9ab264154e8cd31e2a9ab3d833cab54da3236a8d84e39d70e445b71"> <div class="view-content"> <div class="news-list-wrapper"> <ul class="news-list"> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a 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</div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_content_topics" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-content-topics"> <h2>Topics</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Topics</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/9201" hreflang="en">4-VA at 鶹Ƶ</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/3071" hreflang="en">College of Engineering and Computing</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/17631" hreflang="en">collaboration</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/271" hreflang="en">Research</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Mon, 17 Nov 2025 17:32:15 +0000 Katarina Benson 344376 at Teaming up: College of Public Health and Athletics partner to support athletes holistically /news/2025-10/teaming-college-public-health-and-athletics-partner-support-athletes-holistically <span>Teaming up: College of Public Health and Athletics partner to support athletes holistically</span> <span><span>Taylor Thomas</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-10-27T08:57:51-04:00" title="Monday, October 27, 2025 - 08:57">Mon, 10/27/2025 - 08:57</time> </span> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--30-70"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_associated_people" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-associated-people"> <h2>In This Story</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-associated-people field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">People Mentioned in This Story</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/profiles/mbinks" hreflang="en">Martin Binks PhD, MBA </a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/profiles/mperry27" hreflang="en">Melissa J. Perry, Sc.D., MHS, MBA</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:body" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasebody"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Body</div> <div class="field__item"><p class="Paragraph SCXW86640975 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW86640975 BCX0 NormalTextRun intro-text" lang="EN-US">A new partnership between the College of Public Health (CPH) and the Athletics Department is taking shape at 鶹Ƶ, starting with a shared commitment to boost nutrition support for student-athletes.</span><span class="EOP SCXW86640975 BCX0 intro-text">&nbsp;</span></p> <figure role="group" class="align-right"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/medium/public/2025-10/bestof048.jpg?itok=fazcMUFd" width="560" height="441" loading="lazy"> </div> </div> <figcaption>Photo by Rafael Suanes/George 鶹Ƶ Athletics</figcaption> </figure> <p class="Paragraph SCXW86640975 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW86640975 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">“From the start, we saw an opportunity to merge two strengths at George 鶹Ƶ: our expertise in public health and Athletics’ commitment to student well-being,” said </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW86640975 BCX0" href="https://publichealth.gmu.edu/profiles/mperry27" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW86640975 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">Dean Melissa Perry</span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW86640975 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US"> of the College of Public Health. “This collaboration was part of the vision when we recruited Dr. Martin Binks, knowing his leadership could help connect nutrition science directly to the needs of our student-athletes.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW86640975 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW86640975 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW86640975 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">“At George 鶹Ƶ, we believe in developing champions in every aspect of life, which means investing in the holistic well-being of our student-athletes,” said </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW86640975 BCX0" href="https://gomason.com/staff-directory/marvin-lewis/504" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW86640975 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">Marvin Lewis,</span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW86640975 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US"> assistant vice president and director of Intercollegiate Athletics. “This partnership with the College of Public Health reinforces that commitment by bringing expert support in nutrition, wellness, and education—helping our Patriots thrive in competition and beyond. We’re proud to build this model of collaboration and grateful to the College of Public Health leadership for their shared vision and partnership.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW86640975 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW86640975 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW86640975 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">Currently, the nutrition department is assisting Athletics as they hire a full-time registered dietitian, who will serve as both a direct resource for student-athletes as well as a preceptor for dietetics students completing supervised practice hours in the </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW86640975 BCX0" href="https://nutrition.gmu.edu/academics/graduate-programs/ms-nutrition-dietetics-concentration" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW86640975 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">Graduate Program in Nutrition and Dietetics</span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW86640975 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">.</span><span class="EOP SCXW86640975 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW86640975 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW86640975 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US"></span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW86640975 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW86640975 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">The department is also designing a new athlete-focused section </span><span class="TextRun SCXW86640975 BCX0 NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed" lang="EN-US">of</span><span class="TextRun SCXW86640975 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US"> one of its most popular courses, </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW86640975 BCX0" href="https://cehd.gmu.edu/courses/NUTR-295/" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun SCXW86640975 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">NUTR 295: Fundamentals of Nutrition</span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW86640975 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">. The class will keep its general nutrition framework while folding in case studies and other content tailored to athletic performance, designed in consultation with coaches and trainers.</span><span class="EOP SCXW86640975 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW86640975 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW86640975 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US"></span><span class="TextRun SCXW86640975 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">“Athletics is proactively supporting the whole student, not just their athletic performance. Our department shares that philosophy and is ready to support it,” said </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW86640975 BCX0" href="https://publichealth.gmu.edu/profiles/mbinks" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun SCXW86640975 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">Martin Binks</span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW86640975 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">, chair of the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies (NFS) at CPH.</span><span class="EOP SCXW86640975 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW86640975 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW86640975 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">On the CPH side, for students enrolled in the MS in Nutrition’s </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW86640975 BCX0" href="https://publichealth.gmu.edu/program/nutrition-ms-non-dietetics-concentrations" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun SCXW86640975 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">Nutrition and Performance concentration</span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW86640975 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">, the partnership opens more doors for applied learning and collaboration. Internships and practicums with Athletics will place them alongside the university’s strength and conditioning staff, trainers, and teams.</span><span class="EOP SCXW86640975 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW86640975 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW86640975 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">Binks has joined the</span><span class="TextRun MacChromeBold SCXW86640975 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US"><strong> </strong></span><span class="TextRun SCXW86640975 BCX0 NormalTextRun CommentStart" lang="EN-US">George 鶹Ƶ Athletics Medical Review Team</span><span class="TextRun MacChromeBold SCXW86640975 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US"><strong>,</strong></span><span class="TextRun SCXW86640975 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US"> a strategically assembled advisory group tasked with evaluating and improving the standard of sports medicine care available to student-athletes. “It’s the first time the College of Public Health has had representation in that process,” Binks noted.</span><span class="EOP SCXW86640975 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW86640975 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW86640975 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">These initial steps </span><span class="TextRun SCXW86640975 BCX0 NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed" lang="EN-US">lay</span><span class="TextRun SCXW86640975 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US"> the groundwork for broader connections between CPH and Athletics in the future. During a September CPH kickoff meeting, faculty and athletics leaders also discussed opportunities in social work and mental-health support, as well as immersive learning using virtual reality and augmented reality to enhance anatomy and physiology education. Additional plans include workshops and seminars on a range of wellness topics related to self-care, sleep, and stress management, as well as topics centered on leadership and life after student athletics.</span><span class="EOP SCXW86640975 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em>Thumbnail photo by Ayman Rashid/Creative Services/鶹Ƶ.</em></p> </div> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_content_topics" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-content-topics"> <h2>Topics</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Topics</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/5361" hreflang="en">Nutrition</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/746" hreflang="en">Student Athlete</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/761" hreflang="en">鶹Ƶ Athletics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/17226" hreflang="en">College of Public Health</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/17631" hreflang="en">collaboration</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/336" hreflang="en">Students</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Mon, 27 Oct 2025 12:57:51 +0000 Taylor Thomas 344106 at Powerful community partnerships help combat public health challenges /news/2025-10/powerful-community-partnerships-help-combat-public-health-challenges <span>Powerful community partnerships help combat public health challenges </span> <span><span>Taylor Thomas</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-10-10T13:06:05-04:00" title="Friday, October 10, 2025 - 13:06">Fri, 10/10/2025 - 13:06</time> </span> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--30-70"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:body" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasebody"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Body</div> <div class="field__item"><p class="Paragraph SCXW9539927 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW9539927 BCX0 NormalTextRun intro-text" lang="EN-US">The </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW9539927 BCX0" href="https://publichealth.gmu.edu/mapclinics" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW9539927 BCX0 NormalTextRun intro-text" lang="EN-US">鶹Ƶ and Partners (MAP) Clinics</span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW9539927 BCX0 NormalTextRun intro-text" lang="EN-US">’ Empowered Communities program’s success is driven by dynamic partnerships between 鶹Ƶ and community organizations that are </span><span class="TextRun SCXW9539927 BCX0 NormalTextRun CommentStart intro-text" lang="EN-US">transforming public health outcomes</span><span class="TextRun SCXW9539927 BCX0 NormalTextRun intro-text" lang="EN-US"> in underserved communities.&nbsp;</span><span class="EOP SCXW9539927 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW9539927 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW9539927 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">Initiatives convene networks of nurses, peer specialists, community health workers, and students to bring acute and chronic health care services, immunizations, school health exams, substance misuse treatment, mental health services, and more to low-income, uninsured, or refugee populations. For example, the Empowered Communities Opioid Project helps people involved with the justice system who struggle with opioid use disorders </span><span class="TextRun SCXW9539927 BCX0 NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed" lang="EN-US">connect</span><span class="TextRun SCXW9539927 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US"> with health care providers and community resources.</span><span class="EOP SCXW9539927 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <figure role="group" class="align-left"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/medium/public/2025-10/empoweredcommunitiesconference2025_photobyemilyroscher_53.jpg?itok=HgFtRAKw" width="485" height="560" loading="lazy"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>Photo by Emily Roscher.</em></figcaption> </figure> <p class="Paragraph SCXW9539927 BCX0"><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW9539927 BCX0" lang="EN-US"></span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW9539927 BCX0" href="https://www.empoweredcommunities.com/" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW9539927 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">Empowered Communities</span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW9539927 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="TextRun SCXW9539927 BCX0 NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed" lang="EN-US">programs</span><span class="TextRun SCXW9539927 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US"> exemplify how college-community alliances can directly improve highly targeted public health issues. These collaborations are foundational to </span><span class="TextRun SCXW9539927 BCX0 NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed" lang="EN-US">delivering</span><span class="TextRun SCXW9539927 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US"> sustainable, person-centered care where it’s needed most. By combining academic expertise with on-the-ground community insight, these partnerships are creating scalable models for building healthier communities.</span><span class="EOP SCXW9539927 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW9539927 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW9539927 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">Prince William County and MAP Clinics partner </span><span class="TextRun SCXW9539927 BCX0 NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed" lang="EN-US">on</span><span class="TextRun SCXW9539927 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US"> several initiatives, including the Jail Medication-Assisted Treatment Program, the Peer Internship Project, and Community MAT efforts. The collaboration is rooted in shared goals of expanding access to treatment, strengthening peer support services, and promoting recovery within justice-involved populations. Their remarkable collaboration was recognized with the </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW9539927 BCX0" href="https://publichealth.gmu.edu/news/2025-05/mason-and-partners-map-clinics-receive-jack-wood-award-partnership-initiatives" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW9539927 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">Jack Wood Award for Town-Gown Relations</span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW9539927 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US"> in the category of Partnership Initiative.</span><span class="EOP SCXW9539927 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW9539927 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW9539927 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">“Partnerships like these are essential for building coordinated, comprehensive responses to the opioid epidemic, substance use, and behavioral health challenges in Prince William County, City of Manassas, and Manassas Park. By working together, we can leverage collective expertise, align resources, and deliver consistent, person-centered care across systems</span><span class="TextRun SCXW9539927 BCX0 NormalTextRun CommentStart" lang="EN-US">,</span><span class="TextRun SCXW9539927 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">” said Sara Wheeler, division manager of the Adult Behavioral Health and Recovery Services in the Prince William County Government.</span><span class="EOP SCXW9539927 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <h4><span class="TextRun MacChromeBold SCXW210292728 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US"><strong>Harnessing Tech Partners to Improve Health</strong></span><span class="EOP SCXW210292728 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></h4> <p class="Paragraph SCXW210292728 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW210292728 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">Sri Vasireddy, co-founder and CEO of </span><a href="https://www.reanfoundation.org/"><span class="TextRun SCXW210292728 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">REAN Foundation</span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW210292728 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">, leads an organization dedicated to using technology to improve access, affordability, and efficiency in health care. Together, REAN and the MAP Clinics created 鶹Ƶ HealthLink, an AI companion that allows patients to self-manage their own care by connecting them with resources, practitioners, and updated care plans. Their partnership exemplifies the intersection of technology and health care.</span><span class="EOP SCXW210292728 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW210292728 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW210292728 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">“There is tremendous need for what we do and there's a lot that we need to put together. I am a technology entrepreneur, and I have little direct knowledge </span><span class="TextRun SCXW210292728 BCX0 NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed" lang="EN-US">in</span><span class="TextRun SCXW210292728 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US"> health care,” said Vasireddy. "What I know comes from working with organizations and partnerships, meeting people, and learning about their communities’ needs. On the technology side, the technology people process aspects of building a platform. But we need nursing staff and community workers and volunteers to help </span><span class="TextRun SCXW210292728 BCX0 NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed" lang="EN-US">answer</span><span class="TextRun SCXW210292728 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US"> is this contextualized, is this personalized? It’s not just one discipline. We need psychology, we need science, we need technology, we need business in terms of the operations."</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW210292728 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW210292728 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">These partnerships—between academic institutions, local governments, and technology innovators—are the foundation of Empowered Communities’ success. They demonstrate how collaboration across sectors can drive sustainable public health solutions and improve outcomes for underserved populations.&nbsp;</span><span class="EOP SCXW210292728 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW210292728 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW210292728 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">Over the past two years, the Empowered Communities has hosted a conference that served as a platform for these partners to showcase milestones and reaffirm their shared commitment to providing resources to those most in need.</span><span class="EOP SCXW210292728 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW210292728 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW210292728 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">“Gatherings like the Empowered Communities Conference foster connection, knowledge sharing, and inspiration across sectors. They provide a platform to highlight innovative practices, celebrate progress, and strengthen the collective commitment to recovery, equity, and community resilience,” said Wheeler.</span><span class="EOP SCXW210292728 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <figure role="group"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/extra_large_content_image/public/2025-10/empoweredcommunities2025groupphoto_photobyemilyroscher_61.jpg?itok=ye5sLqXz" width="1480" height="987" loading="lazy"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>Photo by Emily Roscher.</em></figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_content_topics" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-content-topics"> <h2>Topics</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Topics</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/18851" hreflang="en">Empowered Communities</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/6606" hreflang="en">鶹Ƶ and Partners (MAP)</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/19541" hreflang="en">partnerships</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/17631" hreflang="en">collaboration</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/3206" hreflang="en">Public Health</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/11006" hreflang="en">Community Health</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/6746" hreflang="en">School of Nursing</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/116" hreflang="en">Campus News</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/20826" hreflang="en">GCI-Grand Challenge Initiative</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Fri, 10 Oct 2025 17:06:05 +0000 Taylor Thomas 343786 at George 鶹Ƶ and Virginia Tech collaborate to build science policy connections /news/2025-01/george-mason-and-virginia-tech-collaborate-build-science-policy-connections <span>George 鶹Ƶ and Virginia Tech collaborate to build science policy connections </span> <span><span>Katarina Benson</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-01-13T13:50:00-05:00" title="Monday, January 13, 2025 - 13:50">Mon, 01/13/2025 - 13:50</time> </span> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--70-30"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:body" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasebody"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Body</div> <div class="field__item"><p><span class="intro-text">Today, Virginia is one step closer to bridging the gap between science and policy—a critical relationship necessary to navigate a range of socio-technical issues including climate change, biodiversity loss, pandemics, and poverty. This connection was the result of a yearlong research project to identify U.S. and Virginia-based science policy programs that engage STEM-H scientists and engineers in science policy, with the goal of helping both elected officials and others access technical information to assist in decision making.&nbsp;</span></p> <figure role="group" class="align-right"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/medium/public/2025-01/akerlof_bankstonv2_121024_002.jpg?itok=9lBnznCK" width="500" height="285" alt="Bankston and Alerof" loading="lazy"> </div> </div> <figcaption>Adriana Bankston and K.L. Akerlof. Photo provided</figcaption> </figure> <p>This work was completed thanks to a coalition of faculty and students supported though a <a href="https://4va.gmu.edu/">4-VA@鶹Ƶ grant</a>. The team was led by K.L. Akerlof in 鶹Ƶ’s Department of Environmental Science and Policy and Todd Schenk, chair and associate professor in the Urban Affairs and Planning Program of the School of Public and International Affairs at Virginia Tech and director of the Science, Technology and Engineering in Policy Program.&nbsp;</p> <p>“This funding supported our cross-institutional collaboration and ability to conduct baseline research and networking that have been fundamental to understanding how the landscape of science policy training programs is evolving across the United States,” Akerlof said.&nbsp;</p> <p>The team created a database of U.S. science policy programs and conducted a case study of those in Virginia through surveys and interviews with their leaders, with the goal of advancing best practices for professional mentorship of early career researchers and building capacity for training researchers to engage in public policy. Akerlof and Schenk were assisted in the study by science policy expert Adriana Bankston; George 鶹Ƶ students Kelsey Mitchell, Kate Saylor and Aniyah Syl; and Kenneth Dewberry at Virginia Tech.&nbsp;</p> <p>Following the yearlong collaboration, the results of their research have been developed and are featured on a <a href="https://scipolprograms.org/" target="_blank">new website</a>—along with program blogs and a listserv—created to support this emerging network of science policy programs.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>The results showed that the majority—57%—of U.S. science policy programs are state based. These programs include student organizations, government placements and fellowships, academic certificates, degrees, and other training. However, it was recognized that there is a limited ability to implement evidence-based approaches within these programs.&nbsp;</p> <p>The team compared program outcomes from Virginia’s science policy programs with those described in academic literature. Academic and professional scholarship in science communication and public affairs suggests that curricula for engaging scientists and engineers should broadly cover communication and policy processes, which could be improved.&nbsp;</p> <p>In addition, they found that training programs would benefit from evaluation models and measures, although the lack of consistent theoretical foundations across this highly multidisciplinary scholarship reduces their utility. It was concluded that a common framework, which includes shared terms and relationships, is needed to promote the growth of the field.&nbsp;</p> <p>With the results of their analysis in hand, the team, including George 鶹Ƶ undergraduate student Aniyah Syl and PhD student Kelsey Mitchell, helped lead a state webinar on science policy programs featuring Virginia program leaders. Syl co-presented on the project at a Virginia Sea Grant Symposium which was also the topic of an American Geophysical Union e-lightning talk.&nbsp;</p> <p>Master’s student Kate Saylor successfully defended her thesis on the Commonwealth of Virginia Engineering and Science (COVES) Policy Fellowship and subsequently presented her results to James Aylor, president of the Virginia Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine.&nbsp;</p> <p>The first of two research articles based on the project has just been accepted by the journal Evidence &amp; Policy. A second article has also been submitted for publication. Syl and Mitchell participated as co-authors on the publications.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>The team is also in conversation with the leadership of the Virginia Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine about the development of a new weeklong science policy program for undergraduate students from across the commonwealth’s public universities.&nbsp;</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:call_to_action" data-inline-block-uuid="32481ff9-36e5-4349-816f-cd9429cdc17c"> <div class="cta"> <a class="cta__link" href="/admissions-aid"> <p class="cta__title">Join the 鶹Ƶ Nation <i class="fas fa-arrow-circle-right"></i> </p> <span class="cta__icon"></span> </a> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:text" data-inline-block-uuid="98bc1ad1-3df6-485a-a193-0a462acb94c8" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blocktext"> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:news_list" data-inline-block-uuid="58d7f84e-699b-4c02-9441-499bf1c8f8fc" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blocknews-list"> <h2>Related News</h2> <div class="views-element-container"><div class="view view-news view-id-news view-display-id-block_1 js-view-dom-id-89b77dae3d694060d6c28c90b9e76405ebfb8264fc580d09a85d09725c81449e"> <div class="view-content"> <div class="news-list-wrapper"> <ul class="news-list"> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-12/george-mason-and-uva-researchers-look-future-hydrogen-sensors" hreflang="en">George 鶹Ƶ and UVA researchers look into the future of hydrogen sensors </a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">December 11, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-11/george-mason-alum-mapped-her-future" hreflang="en">This George 鶹Ƶ alum mapped her future</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">November 20, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-11/george-masons-virginia-climate-center-releases-first-ever-statewide-climate-assessment" hreflang="en">George 鶹Ƶ's Virginia Climate Center releases first-ever statewide climate assessment </a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">November 19, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-11/concrete-possibilities-create-4-va-match" hreflang="en">Concrete possibilities create 4-VA match</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">November 17, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-11/air-force-veteran-finds-new-mission-environmental-science" hreflang="en">Air Force veteran finds new mission in environmental science </a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">November 11, 2025</div></div></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_content_topics" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-content-topics"> <h2>Topics</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Topics</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/9201" hreflang="en">4-VA at 鶹Ƶ</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/291" hreflang="en">College of Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/17631" hreflang="en">collaboration</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/271" hreflang="en">Research</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/17356" hreflang="en">Strategic Direction</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Mon, 13 Jan 2025 18:50:00 +0000 Katarina Benson 115306 at Mechanical engineering students build motorized Vitruvian man for a School of Music performance /news/2024-04/mechanical-engineering-students-build-motorized-vitruvian-man-school-music-performance <span>Mechanical engineering students build motorized Vitruvian man for a School of Music performance </span> <span><span>Shayla Brown</span></span> <span><time datetime="2024-04-08T16:23:35-04:00" title="Monday, April 8, 2024 - 16:23">Mon, 04/08/2024 - 16:23</time> </span> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--30-70"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_associated_people" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-associated-people"> <h2>In This Story</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-associated-people field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">People Mentioned in This Story</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/profiles/lbillin1" hreflang="und">Dr. Lisa Billingham</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/profiles/nkathir" hreflang="und">Nathan Kathir</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:body" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasebody"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Body</div> <div class="field__item"><p><span class="intro-text">A group of 鶹Ƶ <a href="https://cec.gmu.edu/program/mechanical-engineering-bs" target="_blank">mechanical engineering</a> students are building a motorized Vitruvian man for a <a href="https://cfa.gmu.edu/about" target="_blank">Center for the Arts</a> (CFA) performance of <a href="https://cfa.calendar.gmu.edu/university-singers-quot-flying-to-the-stars-davinci-and-beyond-quot%22HYPERLINK%20%22https://cfa.calendar.gmu.edu/university-singers-quot-flying-to-the-stars-davinci-and-beyond-quot" target="_blank">"Flying to the Stars,"</a> a choral concert dedicated to the beginnings of flight from the time of Leonardo da Vinci to the exploration of space.</span></p> <figure role="group"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/medium/public/2024-04/20240321_team_polymath-2.jpg?itok=PBOulq6c" width="560" height="476" alt="Team members Kevin Kuck (left) and David Gosselin working on their project in the Machine Shop. Photo provided." loading="lazy"> </div> </div> <figcaption>Team members Kevin Kuck (left) and David Gosselin working on their project in the Machine Shop. Photo provided.</figcaption> </figure> <p><a href="https://music.gmu.edu/profiles/lbillin1" target="_blank">Lisa Billingham</a>, director of choral activities at the Dewberry Family School of Music, said she wanted the concert to be an immersive experience for the audience, and reached out to the <a href="https://cec.gmu.edu/" target="_blank">College of Engineering and Computing</a> (CEC) for help. There she connected with <a href="https://volgenau.gmu.edu/profiles/nkathir" target="_blank">Nathan Kathir</a>, a mechanical engineering professor, who shared the project idea with his students. &nbsp;</p> <p>“This project is exciting because we are partnering with another unit at 鶹Ƶ outside of CEC,” said Kathir, who is the director of senior capstone projects for mechanical engineering students.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>“There is already a lot of art involved in engineering, and this collaboration between music and our department will be very inspiring for future students,” said Kathir.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>The four students assigned to the project are working in the Machine Shop on the SciTech Campus and call themselves The Polymaths.&nbsp;</p> <p>“We were thinking about the show’s theme of Leonardo da Vinci and we knew that the Vitruvian man is kind of his staple,” said Mellany Ayala, a senior mechanical engineering student. “I drew a very rough sketch of the Vitruvian man inside a gyroscopic figure, and it ended up being what our team decided to build.”&nbsp;</p> <p>The device, which will hang from center stage throughout the show, has two spotlights as well as projections that will shine down on the students as they perform.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>“We’re aiming for something similar to the immersive Van Gogh experience in D.C.,” said Kevin Kuck, a senior mechanical engineering student and the team leader. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>The Polymaths met once a week with Billingham and her student research assistant and choir member, Ross Calvin, to discuss the project and work on a proposal for funding. They applied for and received a grant from 鶹Ƶ’s <a href="https://provost.gmu.edu/about/administrative-units/university-life" target="_blank">University Life.</a> &nbsp;</p> <p>Billingham also created a QR code fundraiser on Facebook and received anonymous donations, she said.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>“Hopefully these cool project collaborations keep happening in the future. It was really refreshing to work with people from CVPA; they were so easygoing and in such happy spirits,” said Ayala.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Polymaths worked with the CFA’s electrician and did a run-through a week before the performance. They will also give a presentation about the project on <a href="https://mechanical.gmu.edu/hands/senior-design-capstone" target="_blank">Capstone Day</a> to showcase the final product. &nbsp;</p> <p>“This project has been one of the more hands-on experiences I’ve had at 鶹Ƶ so far,” said Kuck. “Being able to build something with my own hands was a lot of fun, and I really enjoyed seeing it go from an idea on a page to something real. I think that's been the most satisfying part for me.”&nbsp;</p> <p>During the concert, students will perform Jocelyn Hagen's “The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci” and “Leonardo Dreams of his Flying Machine” by Eric Whitacre.&nbsp; A piece by alum Peter Kadeli will also be performed.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> </div> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_content_topics" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-content-topics"> <h2>Topics</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Topics</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/6476" hreflang="en">senior capstone projects</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/5246" hreflang="en">Center for the Arts</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/7131" hreflang="en">Dewberry School of Music</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/4706" hreflang="en">mechanical engineering</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/17631" hreflang="en">collaboration</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/17321" hreflang="en">STEAM</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/336" hreflang="en">Students</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/166" hreflang="en">innovative classes</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/7171" hreflang="en">Tech Talent Investment Pipeline (TTIP)</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/18541" hreflang="en">TTIP</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/19491" hreflang="en">Tech Talent Investment Program</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Mon, 08 Apr 2024 20:23:35 +0000 Shayla Brown 111461 at Strengthening global partnerships: Professor Amira Roess collaborates with international researchers to strengthen pathogen discovery    /news/2024-01/strengthening-global-partnerships-professor-amira-roess-collaborates-international <span>Strengthening global partnerships: Professor Amira Roess collaborates with international researchers to strengthen pathogen discovery&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span> <span><span>Mary Cunningham</span></span> <span><time datetime="2024-01-26T17:06:19-05:00" title="Friday, January 26, 2024 - 17:06">Fri, 01/26/2024 - 17:06</time> </span> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--30-70"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_associated_people" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-associated-people"> <h2>In This Story</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-associated-people field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">People Mentioned in This Story</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/profiles/aroess" hreflang="und">Amira Roess, PhD, MPH</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:body" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasebody"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Body</div> <div class="field__item"><p>Since the first trade routes were established thousands of years ago, pathogens traveled along them spreading infectious diseases from once-isolated parts of the world. Today, global interconnectedness continues to rapidly spread infectious diseases across the world, transcending state, national, and continental boundaries. Consequently, the importance of understanding and preventing the transmission of pathogens relies on global cooperation and necessitates collaborative efforts among researchers.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://publichealth.gmu.edu/profiles/aroess" target="_blank">Amira Roess</a>, 鶹Ƶ professor of public health, has been collaborating with colleagues in Bangladesh since 2002 on topics such as the impact of antibiotic use in animals on human health and the burden of pneumococcus, once a leading cause of neonatal infectious disease deaths in low-and-middle-income countries and once a leading cause of pneumonia in the United States. <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/pneumo/public/index.html" target="_blank">Pneumococcus infections have significantly decreased due to the introduction of vaccines globally.</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <figure role="group" class="align-right"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/small_content_image/public/2024-01/international_collaboration_roess.jpg?itok=d51dMt1H" width="350" height="263" alt="Drs. Janecko, Saha, and Roess" loading="lazy"> </div> </div> <figcaption>Drs.&nbsp;Nicol Janecko,&nbsp;Senjuti Saha, and Amira Roess</figcaption> </figure> <p>In 2018, colleagues from the United Kingdom joined the U.S.-Bangladesh collaboration when the team, led by Roess, received a <a href="https://philanthropynewsdigest.org/news/gates-foundation-awards-1.2-million-for-bacterial-research" target="_blank">$1.2 million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation</a>. With the grant, the team studied campylobacter, the leading bacterial cause of diarrheal diseases in the U.S. and Europe, which causes an estimated 400 million infections per year globally.&nbsp;</p> <p>“Collaboration across countries is critical to learn about and reduce the spread of infectious diseases. Universities play a crucial role in maintaining long-term global collaborations that withstand the constant changes in political alliances between nations,” said Roess. “Studying rapidly emerging infectious diseases requires that scientists from across the world work together and share data and technology. By uniting our efforts, we can protect each other against the spread of diseases, creating a global shield that transcends borders and protects the health and well-being of all."&nbsp;</p> <p>In 2023, Nicol Janecko from the Quadram Institute in the United Kingdom and Roess received a £50,000 <a href="https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/bbsrc-united-states-partnering-award/" target="_blank">Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council United States Partnering Award</a> to expand existing collaboration between researchers in the UK and the U.S.&nbsp;In January 2024, Janecko and Senjuti Saha visited 鶹Ƶ’s SciTech campus to share their knowledge and learn from other 鶹Ƶ researchers focused on discovering more about the transmission of infectious diseases.&nbsp;</p> <p>Saha and Janecko spoke with 鶹Ƶ faculty and student researchers about “Applying metagenomics to understanding complex transmission dynamics of zoonotic pathogens.” Saha spoke about the Child Health Research Foundation’s research and outreach on meningitis in Bangladesh and Janecko shared research about campylobacter.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>Saha and Janecko also met with 鶹Ƶ students and faculty who have common research interests, including Professor <a href="https://science.gmu.edu/directory/virginia-espina" target="_blank">Ginny Espina,</a> Professor <a href="https://science.gmu.edu/directory/iosif-vaisman" target="_blank">Iosif Vaisman</a>, 鶹Ƶ’s Institute for Biohealth innovation Executive Director <a href="https://ibi.gmu.edu/person/amy-adams/" target="_blank">Amy Adams</a>, Professor <a href="https://science.gmu.edu/directory/patrick-gillevet" target="_blank">Patrick Gillevet</a>, and Associate Professor <a href="https://science.gmu.edu/directory/aarthi-narayanan" target="_blank">Aarthi Narayanan</a>. The visiting researchers also toured 鶹Ƶ’s <a href="https://brl.gmu.edu/" target="_blank">Biomedical Research Laboratory</a>, 鶹Ƶ’s <a href="https://ibi.gmu.edu/research-centers/mbac/" target="_blank">MicroBiome Analysis Center</a>, 鶹Ƶ's <a href="https://capmm.science.gmu.edu/" target="_blank">Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine</a>, and 鶹Ƶ’s other public health laboratory facilities.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_content_topics" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-content-topics"> <h2>Topics</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Topics</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/17631" hreflang="en">collaboration</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/3206" hreflang="en">Public Health</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/6816" hreflang="en">GCH Faculty</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/18511" hreflang="en">CPH research</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/271" hreflang="en">Research</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Fri, 26 Jan 2024 22:06:19 +0000 Mary Cunningham 110431 at A Contemporary Composer Fuels a New 鶹Ƶ Collaboration /news/2023-03/contemporary-composer-fuels-new-mason-collaboration <span>A Contemporary Composer Fuels a New 鶹Ƶ Collaboration</span> <span><span>Emily Schneider</span></span> <span><time datetime="2023-03-07T14:19:10-05:00" title="Tuesday, March 7, 2023 - 14:19">Tue, 03/07/2023 - 14:19</time> </span> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--30-70"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_associated_people" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-associated-people"> <h2>In This Story</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-associated-people field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">People Mentioned in This Story</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/profiles/ljackson" hreflang="en">Lawrence M. Jackson</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/profiles/wlake" hreflang="en">Dr. William Lake, Jr.</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:body" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasebody"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Body</div> <div class="field__item"><p><span><span><span><span class="intro-text">Growing up in the Black church, Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Concert Bands, <strong>Dr. William Lake, Jr.</strong>, deeply understands the power of music and movement. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>After hearing <em>Come Sunday</em> by composer <strong>Omar Thomas</strong>, Lake dreamed of bringing this work to life with movement, bringing together the 鶹Ƶ Bands and the School of Dance.&nbsp; Working on such a project would not only expand his students' musical vocabulary but also create an authentic and expansive cultural experience for the 鶹Ƶ community. Associate Professor of Dance, <strong>Lawrence M. Jackson</strong>, had similar experiences, growing up in “the southern Black church, a very charismatic church” and reflected on his own upbringing and research into African diasporic dance forms. This collaboration came to life onstage in the Center for the Arts on 鶹Ƶ’s Fairfax Campus </span>on February 28<span>.</span></span></span></p> <figure role="group" class="align-left"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/extra_large_content_image/public/2023-03/Come%20Sunday%20Concert%20featuring%20School%20of%20Dance%20Students%20with%20鶹Ƶ%20Wind%20Symphony%201.png?itok=ICgcfHeY" width="1350" height="900" alt="鶹Ƶ School of Dance students pose center stage during the performance of Omar Thomas's &quot;Come Sunday&quot; with the 鶹Ƶ Wind Symphony on February 28 in the Center for the Arts. Photo by Will Martinez" loading="lazy"> </div> </div> <figcaption>Students from 鶹Ƶ's School of Dance performing with the 鶹Ƶ Wind Symphony to Omar Thomas's <em>Come Sunday</em> on February 28. <strong>Photo by Will Martinez.</strong></figcaption> </figure> <p><span><span><span><span>As a composer, arranger, and educator, </span></span><a href="https://www.omarthomas.com/"><span>Omar Thomas</span></a><span><span> works with some of the most respected names in composition and education, including multiple GRAMMY-winning composer and bandleader </span></span><a href="/news/2022-05/grammy-winning-composer-and-mason-artist-residence-maria-schneider-led-events-across"><span>Maria Schneider</span></a><span><span>, Ken Schaphorst, and Frank Carlberg. Born to Guyanese parents in Brooklyn, New York, Thomas pursued music diligently, completing his Master of Music at Berklee College of Music and becoming the first Black composer to ever receive the National Bandmasters Association/Revelli Award for <em>Come Sunday</em>. His compositions are described as “thought-provoking, multi-layered masterpiece[s],” which made embarking on a partnership around this piece even more exciting for Jackson and Lake. </span></span></span></span></p> <figure class="quote"><span><span><span><span>“I really hold dear my experiences as a musician in the Black church (I started playing the piano for my children’s choir around age 6) to my musical upbringing.&nbsp; Since I know gospel and other sacred music intimately, I can infuse the music with the extra nuances that can’t be described using notation but are true to the style. This piece has been performed by many great ensembles across the country… however, there hasn’t been a performance that centers movement and these great sounds.” said Lake.</span></span></span></span></figure> <p><span><span><span>Professor Jackson’s career often includes collaborations, a hallmark of his practice at other universities before coming to 鶹Ƶ in the fall of 2022. While the invitation to work with Dr. Lake at the end of the fall semester was a surprise, it also felt reassuring to find this partnership so early on and to begin exploring what this experience would mean for 鶹Ƶ students from both the School of Dance and the Dewberry School of Music.</span></span></span></p> <figure role="group" class="align-left"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/extra_large_content_image/public/2023-03/Come%20Sunday%20Concert%20featuring%20School%20of%20Dance%20Students%20with%20鶹Ƶ%20Wind%20Symphony%203.png?itok=l7pXNso9" width="1350" height="900" alt="A student from the School of Dance smiles at the audience during the performance of &quot;Come Sunday&quot; by Omar Thomas, performed by the 鶹Ƶ Wind Symphony. Photo by Will Martinez." loading="lazy"> </div> </div> <figcaption>A student from the School of Dance smiles at the audience during the performance of "Come Sunday" by Omar Thomas, performed by the 鶹Ƶ Wind Symphony. <strong>Photo by Will Martinez.</strong></figcaption> </figure> <p><span><span><span>Building a vocabulary for the dancers was an opportunity for Jackson’s students to explore the storied culture of the Black church's sacred space and develop an understanding of the types of movement vocabulary that would reflect the energy and history of these spaces and traditions. From watching Alvin Ailey’s <em>Revelations</em> and clips of a particular scene from the movie <em>Blues Brothers</em>, Jackson offered context to his creative process, “blending contemporary dance forms, African diasporic dance forms, and pedestrian movement that is derived from the Black church, all merged into an amalgamation of movement vocabulary uniquely designed for this work.”</span></span></span></p> <figure class="quote"><span><span><span>“The 鶹Ƶ School of Dance students are excited to work with the musicians,” said Jackson. “These dancers, most of them, if not all of them, have never had the experience of working alongside a symphony or a band. I’m excited for them to experience the unique energy of the symphony and adapt in the moment.” All of the dancers performing in this piece are seniors in their final semester with the School of Dance, which made Jackson that much more eager to share this experience with them before they embark on the next stage of their careers.</span></span></span></figure> <p><span><span><span>The dancers are not the only ones expanding their understanding and skills with this performance. “The jazz and gospel musical vocabulary is foreign to my students,” said Dr. Lake.</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>“It’s inspiring to see how invested our students are in something that they realize is new and different.&nbsp; My hope is that through music and collaborations, my students have a gateway to appreciate cultures different than their own,” Lake adds. </span></span></span></p> <figure role="group" class="align-left"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/extra_large_content_image/public/2023-03/Come%20Sunday%20Concert%20featuring%20School%20of%20Dance%20Students%20with%20鶹Ƶ%20Wind%20Symphony%202_0.png?itok=aw1L3XvK" width="1350" height="900" alt="Dancers from 鶹Ƶ's School of Dance perform Professor Lawrence M. Jackson's original choreography to &quot;Come Sunday&quot; by Omar Thomas, performed by the 鶹Ƶ Wind Symphony on February 28. Photo by Will Martinez" loading="lazy"> </div> </div> <figcaption>Dancers from 鶹Ƶ's School of Dance perform Professor Lawrence M. Jackson's original choreography to <em>Come Sunday</em> by Omar Thomas, performed by the 鶹Ƶ Wind Symphony on February 28. <strong>Photo by Will Martinez.</strong></figcaption> </figure> <p><span><span><span>Unlike most concerts, the Wind Symphony will be moved further upstage than normal and without the acoustic shell to allow for the choreography to be presented downstage.&nbsp; This has resulted in the assistance of the Center for the Arts Artistic Staff to add audio, lighting, and stage-managing support.&nbsp; This unique concert has been chosen as one of the 鶹Ƶ Arts at Home features that will be captured via six cameras in the hall and even GoPros! Dr. Lake shared, “I’m jealous of the audience, I won’t get to experience the concert from their vantage point – I’m thankful that the School of Music and the College of Visual and Performing Arts have agreed to record, edit, and professionally mix our hard work”.</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span>The duo is optimistic that this is just the beginning of collaborations between the 鶹Ƶ School of Dance and the Dewberry School of Music. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5lF3Sasr18" title="Video Interview with Dr. Lake and Professor Jackson on YouTube"><strong><span><span><span><span>You can watch an in-depth interview with Jackson and Lake on the College of Visual and Performing Arts YouTube channel, including behind-the-scenes footage of rehearsals leading up to the performance.</span></span></span></span></strong></a></p> <p><span><span><span>The Wind Symphony’s performance from February 28, 2023, including <em>Come Sunday</em> featuring the School of Dance,&nbsp;</span><a href="https://masonartsathome.gmu.edu/browse">will be available to watch from March 28 through April 28, 2023 exclusively through <strong>鶹Ƶ Arts at Home</strong></a></span></span><strong><span><span><span>. </span></span></span></strong></p> </div> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_content_topics" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-content-topics"> <h2>Topics</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Topics</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/871" hreflang="en">College of Visual and Performing Arts</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/17616" hreflang="en">鶹Ƶ Arts</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/7131" hreflang="en">Dewberry School of Music</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/4821" hreflang="en">College of Visual and Performing Arts School of Dance</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/5246" hreflang="en">Center for the Arts</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/17646" hreflang="en">鶹Ƶ Bands</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/17621" hreflang="en">Wind Symphony</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/17626" hreflang="en">choreography</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/17636" hreflang="en">Omar Thomas</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/17641" hreflang="en">digital performance</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/4431" hreflang="en">鶹Ƶ Arts at Home</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/17631" hreflang="en">collaboration</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/116" hreflang="en">Campus News</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Tue, 07 Mar 2023 19:19:10 +0000 Emily Schneider 104611 at