Katarina Benson

Honors College

Innovation Awards recognize George �鶹��Ƶ researchers

Colleen Rich — Thu, 26 Jun 2025 15:00:11 +0000

Innovation Awards recognize George �鶹��Ƶ researchers Colleen Rich Thu, 06/26/2025 - 11:00

In May, �鶹��Ƶ celebrated its research enterprise with Innovation Awards. Hosted by the Office of Research, Innovation, and Economic Impact, the event recognized researchers, a start-up, and those who received and/or licensed a patent in the past two years.

From left, George �鶹��Ƶ researchers Lance Sherry, Mikell Paige, and Craig Yu received Innovator Awards. Photo by Ayman Rashid/Office of University Branding

“We're deeply committed to fostering a research environment that encourages innovation and supports discovery,” said Provost James Antony in his opening remarks. “We want to ensure that the faculty have the tools, the partnerships, and the resources that they need to take their ideas further.”

Antony also commended the researchers for mentoring George �鶹��Ƶ students. “You set a powerful example for emerging scholars. You show them what it's like to be both a researcher and a changemaker.”

At the event, the university awarded its second �鶹��Ƶ Lifetime Disclosure Award, which recognizes a researcher with the most innovation disclosures. The first recipient was Lance Liotta, codirector and cofounder of the Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine (CAPMM). It was Liotta who presented this year’s award to his CAPMM cofounder and codirector Emanuel Petricoin.

Petricoin, who joined George �鶹��Ƶ in 2005, is a cofounder of four life science companies: Theranostics Health Inc., Ceres Nanosciences Inc., C-4 Diagnostics Inc., and Perthera Inc. He also is a coinventor on 40+ patents and has published more than 350 peer-reviewed publications.

CAPMM's Kelsey Mitchell with Paula Sorrell, associate vice president of innovation and economic development. Photo by Ayman Rashid/Office of University Branding

This year’s �鶹��Ƶ Start-Up of the Year went to Mingkui Wei, an associate professor in the Department of Cyber Security Engineering, and his company CyberMirage. CyberMirage, which started as a collaborative research project involving researchers in network security with experts from both academia and industry, offers solutions to protect websites against web content theft and copyright infringement.

Three groups of researchers received George �鶹��Ƶ Licensed Technology Awards, which celebrates when a protected intellectual property, such as a patent, is licensed by a company.

Kathryn Laskey of the College of Engineering and Computing (CEC) and Paul Houser of the Geography and Geoinformation Science Department in the College of Science had their prototype system licensed by Global MapAid, a nonprofit working in Africa. The technology maps groundwater to help small farmers locate better wells and create soil conservation programs.
Leading biotechnology tools provider Targeted Bioscience licensed a tissue collection method patented by the CAPMM team of Liotta, Alessandra Luchini, Marissa Howard, and biosciences PhD candidate Purva Gade.
Toronto-based Affinity Diagnostics licensed a method for sequestering and/or isolating analytes of interest from an oral fluid, also developed by a CAPMM team. Researchers Ahana Byne, Fatah Kashanchi, and Kelsey Mitchell joined Luchini, Liotta, and Howard on this award.

The Office of Research, Innovation, and Economic Impact also gave out Innovator Awards in the categories of sustainability, biohealth innovation, and digital innovation.

CEC’s Lance Sherry was recognized with the Innovators Award in Sustainability for his work with contrail mitigation. His pioneering research and technologies have not only enhanced flight safety and operational efficiencies but have also addressed aviation's growing efforts to track and mitigate the environmental impacts and to quantify their CO2 equivalency.

The College of Science’s Mikell Paige was recognized with the Innovators Award in Biohealth Innovation for his groundbreaking work in biochemistry at the interface of synthetic organic chemistry, drug discovery, and molecular design. His work focuses on designing small molecules that target computational modeling and biochemical assays to produce drug development in meaningful and practical ways.

Craig Yu of the College of Engineering and Computing received the Innovators Award in Digital Innovation for developing groundbreaking systems that redefine how people interact with virtual and augmented spaces. Through his research, Yu has developed a more human-centered approach to navigation, designing digital pathways that take into account physical effort and make virtual experiences more natural and inclusive.

“At George �鶹��Ƶ, we’re not just advancing research—we’re building a culture of innovation that has real-world impact,” said Andre Marshall, vice president for research, innovation, and economic impact. “These awards are about honoring the bold ideas and the committed people who move the university’s research forward—and outward—into the world. They represent the spirit of innovation that defines our university: impactful, collaborative, and driven by a desire to make a difference far beyond our campus.”

The awards the researchers took home for patents and licensed technologies have a special design. They are Plexiglas hexagons with magnets so researchers can add to their award over the years as they receive patents/licensing.

The researchers and teams behind 19 George �鶹��Ƶ patents were also recognized.

Compositions and methods for laser capture microdissection—Virginia Espina, Lance Liotta, and Alessandra Luchini
Collapsible fluid collection system for point-of-care diagnostics—Marissa Howard, Liotta, Luchini, and Kelsey Mitchell
Honey proteomics for honeybee disease and environmental biomonitoring—Liotta and Luchini
Antimicrobial peptides and related methods—Shravani Bobde
Molecularly imprinted particles—Barney Bishop, Mrinalini Ramanan, and Yaling Zhu
Systems and methods for coordinating travel through traffic lights—Melvin Friedman and Brian Mark
Impactor platform allowing freefall upon impact—David Cerri
Recombinant host cell with heterologous nucleic acids encoding SHREK proteins—Deemah Dabbagh and Yuntao Wu
Methods for breast cancer treatment—Emanuel Petricoin and Julia Wulfkuhle
Anti-fibrotic agent—Mikell Paige and Gregory Petruncio
Using Wi-Fi infrastructure to predict locations and contacts—Janusz Wojtusiak
Methods and systems for system call reduction—Kun Sun
Systems and methods for improved aircraft safety—Lance Sherry
Exertion-aware path generation—Lap-Fai (Craig) Yu
Complex user authentication factor integrating a sequence of fingerprints and a personal identification number—Massimiliano Albanese
Small molecule inhibitors of SLC25A1—Mikell Paige
Mining all atom simulations for diagnosing and treating disease—Mohsin Jafri
Antimicrobial peptides and related methods—Monique van Hoek
Look-up table containing processor-in-memory cluster for data-intensive applications—Sai Manoj and Sathwika Bavikadi

Research at George �鶹��Ƶ

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Research

Tech Transfer

patent

Jenny Chism is the July Employee of the Month

Katarina Benson — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 20:04:55 +0000

Jenny Chism is the July Employee of the Month Katarina Benson Wed, 06/25/2025 - 16:04

Jennifer (Jenny) Chism, assistant dean of Admissions, has been an integral part of �鶹��Ƶ’s Office of Admissions since 2021. She recently led the charge for the Office of Admissions to adopt new and better technology, which has greatly improved both George �鶹��Ƶ’s application process and the office’s efficiency. For her leadership, she is being recognized as the July Employee of the Month.

July Employee of the Month Jenny Chism with President Gregory Washington. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

In their nomination letters, her colleagues emphasized her hard work, dedication, and positive attitude, despite her heavy workload.

“From the moment Jenny arrived, her commitment to enhancing and improving the applicant experience through the application process has been evident,” said Crystal Buckley, director of graduate admissions. “We would not be where we are today without her vision and dedication.”

Stephanie Lowe, associate director of transfer operations, said, “Jenny is not only a forward-thinking innovator but also a compassionate leader. She consistently demonstrates empathy and understanding.”

“Jenny consistently displays strong leadership, tirelessly works to advance the processing efforts of our large team in Admissions, and selflessly gives of her time and her talent well beyond what is expected of her role,” said Melissa A. Bevacqua, director of admissions for transfer recruitment.

Byron Whitehead, document center manager in Admissions, said, “She leads with mutual respect, trusts and cares for her team, and speaks up the moment she has a concern or can see an area for improvement. To put it simply, she is the best boss I’ve ever had, and I cannot imagine what things would be like without her.”

How did you come to �鶹��Ƶ:

I joined George �鶹��Ƶ from St. Louis, Missouri, where I served as the associate vice president of enrollment management at a private liberal arts institution. My journey in higher education began at the University of Missouri – Columbia, and I’ve been passionate about expanding access and driving student success ever since.

Best day on the job:

It’s hard to pick one favorite day on the job. Every day feels like a win when you see your team thriving. Watching them grow in confidence, both personally and professionally, is incredibly rewarding. And when the team is clicking, and the energy is high—when the vibes are right, as the young people say—it’s pretty tough to beat.

What do you like best about working at �鶹��Ƶ:

I love being part of the education community because I know that each day, my work makes a meaningful impact in the lives of individual students and on a broader scale. I remain deeply committed, grounded in the belief in the transformative power of education and its ability to create lasting, positive change in the world.

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

When I’m not working, you’ll usually find me doing something that fills my cup; I love traveling to spend time with our friends and family. At home in Arlington, my husband and I dote on our elderly golden doodle, Bear, FaceTime with our nieces and nephews, and daydream about (or plan!) our next adventure, whether it's domestic or abroad. I also love to cook, bake cookies, dive into topics in counseling psychology and personal well-being, do yoga, and take long walks to unwind. Some of my favorite moments are the simple ones: sitting on our apartment rooftop with a charcuterie board or watching the sunset from the pool after most people have headed home for the day.

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Gilman International Scholarship

Admissions

A record number of George �鶹��Ƶ students chosen as prestigious Gilman Scholars

Katarina Benson — Tue, 24 Jun 2025 16:13:07 +0000

A record number of George �鶹��Ƶ students chosen as prestigious Gilman Scholars Katarina Benson Tue, 06/24/2025 - 12:13

Fourteen �鶹��Ƶ students, from a variety of majors, were chosen as recipients of the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship for study abroad.

The U.S. Department of State’s competitive, merit-based Gilman Scholarship Program supports students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad, providing them with skills critical to our national security and economic prosperity.

The most represented majors among the scholarship recipients included computer science with three awardees and business with two recipients.

Six students will be undertaking Global Internship Programs.

Matthew Nguyen, computer science major currently interning in Japan.

The students are studying in the following countries: Australia, Czech Republic, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea, Spain, and France. The top destination is South Korea.

For many students, this award allows them to fulfill long-held dreams.

“As a first-generation college student, receiving the Gilman Scholarship has been instrumental in supporting both my educational and career goals,” said Bridgette Denley, a kinesiology major studying in New Zealand. “The financial assistance allowed me to fully dedicate myself to my academics, skill development, and professional growth without the added burden of financial stress. I’m deeply grateful for this opportunity.”

“The Gilman award helped me fund my childhood dream to travel and explore abroad,” said computer science major Matthew Nguyen, who is currently interning in Japan.

“Gilman has given me a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I’m deeply grateful to be blessed with an experience I’ll carry with me forever,” said Hulaymatou Chongan, who is spending the summer studying in Granada, Spain.

Hulaymatou Chongon, criminology major participating in the Spanish Language and Culture in Granada: �鶹��Ƶ-Led, Summer program.

“The Gilman Scholarship provided an amazing opportunity for a student like me to be able to afford the privilege to study and immerse myself in a different culture, that farther enriches my global understanding and appreciation," Hoang Nguyen, a civil engineering major studying in Australia.

For Camila Arrazola, a business major who will be attending �鶹��Ƶ Korea in the fall, the Gilman Scholarship means more possibilities. “I was rejected the first time I applied and started to believe studying abroad wasn’t meant for me. Being selected now proves that my story matters and that I belong in global spaces.”

The Gilman Program received a record high of 17,000 applications across the 2024-25 academic year and awarded scholarships to 3,500 undergraduate students from all 50 states and the District of Columbia in spring 2025 to study abroad in more than 170 countries.

Megan Bruening, director of the Office of Fellowships, also reports George �鶹��Ƶ students sent in a record number of applications this year and the university’s success rate went from around 25% to 42%.

“The record number of awardees demonstrates that George �鶹��Ƶ is dedicated to promoting international education as a key part of the college experience and making international education accessible for all,” said Bruening.

“Both the increase in applications and success rate could be attributed to the Global Education Office and the Fellowship Office doing more to promote the opportunity and provide avenues for students to discuss their applications and seek advice,” said Marie alice Arnold, associate director of strategic initiatives and experiential learning. “The students, even those who were not awarded, had wonderful applications and are doing some very interesting things.”

Gilman Scholarship Recipients:

Hasan Al-Aayedi, Czechia, Computer Science

Camila Arrazola, South Korea, Business

Jocelyn Atya, Honors College, Italy, Neuroscience

Hulaymatou Chongan, Spain, Criminology, Law, and Society

Sophia Colby, Honors College, Finland, Environmental and Sustainability Studies

Bridgette Denley, New Zealand, Kinesiology

Riya Ghotra, Honors College, South Korea, Computer Science

Saida Ladhari, Ireland, Government and International Politics

Maria Lopez-Lopez, Spain, Psychology

Hoang Nguyen, Australia, Civil and Infrastructure Engineering

Matthew Nguyen, Japan, Computer Science

Brynne Severns, Honors College, Netherlands, Forensic Science

Emily So, France, Business

Susannah Stevenson, Honors College, South Korea, Global Affairs

Additional reporting by Marie alice Arnold.

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Joy Sobieralski is June Employee of the Month

Katarina Benson — Thu, 29 May 2025 17:08:42 +0000

Joy Sobieralski is June Employee of the Month Katarina Benson Thu, 05/29/2025 - 13:08

Since 2007, Joy Sobieralski has been an essential part of �鶹��Ƶ as the financial reporting manager. Before her transition to Fiscal Services, she worked as a senior internal auditor in the Internal Audit Office. For her expertise and dedication, she is recognized as the June Employee of the Month.

Joy Sobieralski's Employee of the Month ceremony took place virtually. Photo provided

Nusrat Sultana, director of financial reporting in Fiscal Services, emphasized the importance of Sobieralski’s work, saying, “she has played a pivotal role in launching several critical initiatives in the department and has consistently contributed innovative solutions. She ensures that we are careful stewards of university resources."

Amid significant changes in accounting regulations and the accounting department over the past few years, Teresa Klock-Taube, associate vice president and controller in Fiscal Services, and Claire Wurmfeld, associate controller, have found Sobieralski 's expertise and consistent dedication to be a testament to her resilience and unwavering commitment to George �鶹��Ƶ's success.

“Joy's expertise in navigating increasingly complex accounting standards and implementing new regulations with precision has firmly established her as a trusted leader,” Klock-Taube said.

“Joy is an asset to the unit and the university,” said Wurmfeld.

Colleagues also said they value Sobieralski 's willingness to go above and beyond to meet deadlines and to ensure that the university's accounting records and financial statements are accurate and complete.”

“Joy’s deep understanding of the university's and [�鶹��Ƶ] Foundation's complex financial data and rating agency ratios has been invaluable in ensuring successful communication of its financial situation to the rating agencies,” said Monica Michaud, now-retired director of Finance and Debt Management. “Her technical proficiency makes her an indispensable member of the team, and her work continues to have a significant, positive impact on the university’s and foundation's ratings.”

How did you come to �鶹��Ƶ:

I grew up in Reston and always knew about George �鶹��Ƶ, but it was after my husband started at the university and spoke so positively about the environment that I decided to explore opportunities here.

Best day on the job:

I look forward to the financial statement submission date each year because it is a culmination of a huge team effort and meeting the deadline provides a great sense of accomplishment.

What do you like best about working at �鶹��Ƶ:

Definitely the people. Being surrounded by supportive, driven, and talented colleagues makes every day enjoyable and rewarding. Their collaboration, encouragement, and shared sense of purpose creates an environment where I feel valued and motivated to contribute my best work.

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

My son plays baseball, so my husband and I spend a lot of time at the baseball field. He graduates from high school this year and will play in college, so we are looking forward to visiting new places and watching him compete. I also enjoy reading and spending time with our French bulldog, Cooper. If you’ve been on a call with me, you’ve probably heard him snoring in the background.

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Department of Sociology and Anthropology

Senior of the Year champions kindness

Katarina Benson — Tue, 13 May 2025 18:36:17 +0000

Senior of the Year champions kindness Katarina Benson Tue, 05/13/2025 - 14:36

Senior of the Year Haley White said double majoring in business and art history was one of the best decisions she made during her time at �鶹��Ƶ. Her second best decision was joining the �鶹��Ƶ Chooses Kindness initiative.

White, who is from Lynchburg, Virginia, has been a driving force behind �鶹��Ƶ Chooses Kindness since 2023. “The idea behind the initiative really spoke to me,” she said. “I was raised to be polite, give back, and be kind, and I feel like we can always benefit from more kindness to ourselves and others. It’s not always about giving a compliment or holding a door—though those things are great, sometimes it’s about doing hard things, and �鶹��Ƶ Chooses Kindness really seemed to understand this.”

Haley White. Photo provided.

For her dedication to kindness in both her personal and professional life, White was named Senior of the Year by the �鶹��Ƶ Alumni Association. She will be recognized at the association’s annual Celebration of Distinction this fall.

During her four years at George �鶹��Ƶ, White has been very active with the Costello College of Business, where she works as a business engagement assistant. She was one of the main contributors and design lead on Costello's 47-page handbook on implementing well-being projects and co-authored an article on Costello’s introduction of kindness into their course curriculum.

“We do not know what we will do without her [when she graduates],” said Gretchen Hendricks, term instructor at Costello. “Haley has been an instrumental part of the ‘goodwill team’ within the Costello College of Business.”

In November 2024, White led 75 students, faculty, staff, and alumni volunteers and helped organize the largest Day of Service event in Costello’s history, resulting in 3,000 lbs. of food packed to support the Patriot Pantry.

“Haley embodies the best of George �鶹��Ƶ students,” said Christine Landoll, BS Accounting ’89, MS Taxation ’92, director of business engagement at Costello and White’s mentor. “She is strong academically, strong civically, strong philanthropically, and a kind and compassionate human.”

White said she fell in love with art history when she enrolled in ARTH 101 Introduction to Visual Arts to meet a �鶹��Ƶ Core requirement. First, she added art history to her coursework as a minor and then realized she needed to just add it as a second major.

Looking forward to where the road after graduation takes her, White said she hopes to travel more and “be happy with what I am doing. I have a lot more to learn, and I hope in 10 years I can look back and be proud of myself for all it took to get me there.”

And of course, kindness will be a part of that future. “I have become more intentional and more aware of what kindness looks like, and it is something that I am going to take into my future work and continue being an ‘ambassador’ for in my personal life,” she said.

Being kind to oneself is a core piece of White’s advice for incoming freshmen.

“It can be easy to beat yourself up when you get a question wrong or feel like you are behind others or not doing ‘enough,’” she said. “You don't have to be perfect every day or even do as much as you did yesterday—focus on being kind to yourself, doing the best you can each day, and even if you are afraid, reach out for help when you need it. Extending yourself kindness every day is a worthwhile practice.”

In This Story

Christine Landoll

Learn about �鶹��Ƶ Chooses Kindness

Anthropology student digs deep at Department of Commerce internship

Katarina Benson — Wed, 07 May 2025 19:40:46 +0000

Anthropology student digs deep at Department of Commerce internship Katarina Benson Wed, 05/07/2025 - 15:40

Zain Alzubaidy, a senior anthropology major at �鶹��Ƶ, recently completed an internship with the United States Department of Commerce. He worked in the Advocacy Center, a government service that provides commercial diplomatic support to American businesses in foreign markets.

The majority of Alzubaidy’s internship focused on potential partners for the Advocacy Center. He was responsible for researching applicants and presenting his findings to his colleagues, who ultimately decided if they would partner with the company.

One of his most memorable projects was crafting a persuasive letter to a foreign head of state on behalf of the Secretary of Commerce at the time, making the case for a business to be awarded a multi-trillion-dollar contract.

Zain Alzubaidy. Photo provided

“It’s one thing to read about these deals in the news, but it’s entirely different to take part in them. Assignments like those made me proud that I was part of something notable,” he said.

His passion for understanding people and cultures is what initially led him to take anthropology at the international baccalaureate level as a senior at Annandale High School. He enjoyed it so much that he decided to major in the subject at George �鶹��Ƶ.

“I can recall being astounded by how people have such different ways of thinking and living,” he said. “My experience in that class stuck with me, and when I got to George �鶹��Ƶ it felt an easy decision to study anthropology.”

He specifically credits his writing classes with teaching him the skills necessary for his role. “I developed strong research and writing skills [in those classes], which I absolutely needed to use in the Advocacy Center. If I didn’t have the writing and research skills that I developed at George �鶹��Ƶ, I would not have been able perform my job to the best of my ability. "

Alzubaidy graduates this May and his future goals include doing further diplomatic work, possibly in the same vein as his Advocacy Center work, and maybe even running for public office down the road.

“I feel like I have not only the competency and capability to do well in those areas, but also the right intentions,” he said. “Helping others will always be a goal of mine, so I will try my best to do that wherever I decide to work.”

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Students

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Graduation

Patricia King is May Employee of the Month

Katarina Benson — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 15:47:05 +0000

Patricia King is May Employee of the Month Katarina Benson Wed, 04/23/2025 - 11:47

For the past two years, Patricia King has been the office manager in Research and Innovation Initiatives in the Office of Research, Innovation, and Economic Impact (ORIEI). During that time, she has taken on incredible amounts of responsibility with ease and revolutionized the office. Her Employee of the Month nomination included nine letters of support from her colleagues.

President Gregory Washington with May Employee of the Month Patricia King. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

“If ORIEI had its own employee of the month award, Patricia would have been a worthy choice in almost any month over the last two years. As much as any employee I have worked with in 14+ years at George �鶹��Ƶ, Patricia's daily conduct and demeanor exemplify integrity, careful stewardship, and thriving together,” said Christopher DiTeresi, associate vice president for Office of Research Integrity and Assurance (ORIA).

Rebekah Hersch, associate vice president of Research and Innovation Initiatives, said, “You know when you interact with Patricia, you will be met with graciousness and an openness to address your question or concern.”

David Myers, animal care program manager for ORIA, echoed Hersch’s praise “For the two years I have been working with Patricia, I have been very fortunate to have the support she brings to my unit. Patricia is extremely hard-working, dedicated, friendly, and supportive. She has always responded with enthusiasm and a smile even when I knew she already had a bunch of other tasks on her plate.”

“Patricia listens attentively to our problems, engages in thoughtful discussions on best practices and solutions, and keeps us informed every step of the way,” said Peng Warweg, assistant director of research operations in the Center for Advancing Human-Machine Partnership. “On numerous occasions, we had faced situations where new knowledge and skills were needed. Patricia takes on these challenges by seeking advice from experts or learning new skills on her own.”

Andre Marshall, ORIEI vice president, said, “Ms. King has provided leadership during an incredibly difficult time of transition... She has been critical to our continued support of researchers throughout the university.”

“Patricia consistently demonstrates exceptional work ethic and integrity by going above and beyond to support and help her colleagues. When I reach out to Patricia with a question about a process or adjacent office matter, Patricia doesn’t simply tell me what I need to do, she initiates the legwork and provides a personal introduction to the person with whom I need to connect,” said Heather Arnold, research development associate, who also called working with Patricia “a bright spot in my work week.”

Alison Landsberg, a professor in the Department of History and Art History and director of the Center for Humanities Research (CHR), said, “I’ve worked on a range of tasks with Patricia and in every case she has performed above and beyond expectations. We at the CHR have benefited enormously from her ever-growing skillset, and her positive attitude. �鶹��Ƶ is lucky to have her!”“Over the years that we have worked together, I found Patricia to be a dependable, honest, and enthusiastic colleague. Even in these times of change and uncertainty, Patricia manages to stay on track with deadlines, ensuring the ORIEI units continue to operate efficiently. She is currently supporting three large units under ORIEI which is an incredibly heavy lift!” said Heather Aleknavage, administrative assistant and project coordinator in the Office of Risk, Safety, and Resilience.

How did you come to �鶹��Ƶ:

I came to �鶹��Ƶ after 12 years working in the Virginia Community College System. I was excited by the opportunity to work with and support research at �鶹��Ƶ. I grew up in Northern Virginia and was very much aware of George �鶹��Ƶ’s excellent reputation and was particularly attracted to the idea of supporting the amazing research work being done by the university.

Best day on the job:

My best day on the job was the day I found out I would be receiving this award. I was very surprised, and I am deeply touched that members of the team I support took time from their very busy schedules to submit nominations on my behalf. I am grateful to work with my team and deeply appreciate this award.

What do you like best about working at �鶹��Ƶ:

What I like best about working at �鶹��Ƶ would be the employees and students I work with. My colleagues are brilliant, professional, and kind people. Respect and kindness are modeled by the leadership in ORIEI, and they set the tone and serve as examples for our employee team. We support each other and work to help each other be successful in our jobs. I frequently work with other George �鶹��Ƶ offices, and I have been fortunate to meet many good people who are willing to help when needed and are happy to collaborate. Working with the student employees is also very rewarding. Our student employees bring energy and fresh ideas with them and are a joy to work with.

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

I love to read. I also enjoy puzzles and board games. I am a novice knitter. I love both cats and dogs, and enjoy spending time with my feline companion Louie, and my grand dog Rodeo. I love music and I collect vinyl records. I enjoy genealogy, and I am a big fan of Finding Your Roots with Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr. I also enjoy UK comedy panel shows.

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College of Engineering and Computing

Computer science major uses multiple internships to prep for dream career in tech

Katarina Benson — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 18:27:11 +0000

Computer science major uses multiple internships to prep for dream career in tech Katarina Benson Wed, 04/09/2025 - 14:27

�鶹��Ƶ computer science major Nasrin Ali has a unique accomplishment—she has completed two internships with Microsoft and begins her third this summer. She was part of the Xbox team, first as a product manager and software engineer explore intern and then as a software engineering intern. This summer she’ll be a technical program management intern.

Ali's interest in computer science began in sixth grade in Prince George’s County, Maryland, when she participated in Technovation Girls, a program that teaches girls to become tech entrepreneurs and leaders through learning to code mobile apps. She fell in love with the subject. In high school she participated in Columbia University’s Girls in STEM Initiative, Kode with Klossy, Exelon STEM Academy, Google Code Next, Jane Street Unboxed, and Google Computer Science Summer Institute. Recognizing her high level of motivation, she joined George �鶹��Ƶ's Honors College upon admission.

When she was a freshman at George �鶹��Ƶ, a LinkedIn recruiter found her profile and reached out to her to encourage her to apply to the Microsoft Explore internship program. The program, a 12-week summer internship designed for freshmen and sophomores that focuses on software development, changed her life.

Ali at Microsoft. Photo provided

“My internships didn’t just shape my career—they shaped me.” she said. “They gave me clarity, connections, and experiences I never would’ve gotten otherwise. I learned so much about my work style, what actually excites me, and the different types of work I can see myself doing long term. And beyond just personal growth, you get to do work that actually matters. Seeing something you worked on ship, getting feedback from real users, or just knowing you contributed to something bigger—it’s a crazy feeling.” At Microsoft, she worked on front-end development. Her teams created an AI-generated game description feature for Xbox.com and worked to improve user experiences and Xbox’s game concept submission process.

Ali is also extremely involved on campus, which she credits with improving her confidence and people skills. She has served as president of the National Society of Black Engineers, president of Minorities in Computing, vice president of the Black Student Alliance, and secretary of the Black, African, and Caribbean Heritage Coalition. She was also a student athlete, serving as coxswain of the women’s rowing team, and a Resident Assistant.

“To me, these organizations mean everything. I am very passionate about art, STEM, and community building. Being a part of them, whether as a leader or a member, has allowed me to advocate for underrepresented communities in the STEM field, build communities on campus, and bring opportunities to my peers,” she said.

Alongside her school and work commitments, she’s a part of Rewriting the Code and ColorStack, nonprofit organizations that focus on uplifting minorities in tech, is a mentor in the Head Start organization, and works as an EduTutorVA tutor. She is also a participant in Break Through Tech’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning Program, where she worked on a project for Nestlé and is currently competing in the Equitable AI for Dermatology Challenge that focuses on building AI models that promote fairness in dermatology.

In the future, she hopes to find a career that combines what she loves: tech, law, creativity, and giving back. “And on a more personal note, I fully plan on having a really nice garden in my yard.”

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Tech Talent Investment Program (TTIP)

Honors College

Johnnie Hall is April Employee of the Month

Katarina Benson — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 13:59:41 +0000

Johnnie Hall is April Employee of the Month Katarina Benson Mon, 03/31/2025 - 09:59

Science and Technology Campus machine shop manager Johnnie Hall embodies �鶹��Ƶ value “students come first.” The machine shop is regularly used by registered student organizations, researchers, and students alike, and Hall frequently works evenings and weekends to work with their schedules. He is also a mentor to Mechanical Engineering Department’s capstone design students, who often comment that they would not be able to complete their projects on time if not for his assistance.

Employee of the Month Johnnie Hall and President Washington. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Hall also helped facilitate the department’s move to the new Life Sciences and Engineering Building (LSEB). “It would not have been possible without Johnnie's efforts packing and labeling, disassembling equipment, fielding questions from the project team, fielding questions from faculty, students, and staff, all the while maintaining a positive, collaborative attitude and staying on top of his typical duties running the machine shop,” said Leigh McCue-Weil, professor and chair of the Mechanical Engineering Department.

One notable moment during the move was when the loading docks were snowed in, and he personally began clearing snow until he could flag down a snowplow to assist. “Rather than complaining, Johnnie simply grabbed a shovel and began digging out the loading dock before the movers and riggers arrived,” added McCue-Weil.

“Johnnie has been a reliable ‘jack of all trades’ for the College of Engineering and Computing always willing to step in where needed in support of our strategic goals,” said Arthur B. Pyster, professor and associate dean for research in the college. “He was one of the first technicians to lend his expertise to �鶹��Ƶ's Nanofabrication Facility and the College of Engineering and Computing's Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM).”

Joyce Rose, CEC’s operations manager, said, “Johnnie is exemplary. We wish we had more employees just like him! During Johnnie's time at �鶹��Ƶ, he has gone above and beyond what was expected of him.”

Johnnie Hall works in the machine shop at the Science and Technology Campus. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

“In my mind, Johnnie can be considered ‘employee of the day’ every day of the year. Whenever you ask him for a favor, you can count on him 100%,” said mechanical engineering professor Nathan Kathir.

Volgenau School of Engineering Divisional Dean Ariela Sofer said, “I constantly get comments about how great Johnnie is!”

How did you come to �鶹��Ƶ:

I started working at �鶹��Ƶ in August of 2018 as a part-time machine shop technician. Before working at �鶹��Ƶ, I had gone through a trades program focused on welding at my local community college on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. I jumped at the chance to apply my skills and learn more along the way. Since then, I have had the chance to be a part of some amazing student and research projects.

Best day on the job:

My favorite day has always been our Mechanical Engineering Department's senior Capstone Day. It's such a rewarding experience getting to showcase all of our students' hard work that I have had the opportunity to be a part of.

What do you like best about working at �鶹��Ƶ:

My favorite part about working at �鶹��Ƶ is being able to give students a chance to try new things they might have never had the chance to. It's such a great feeling seeing our students learn new skills in our workshop that they can take with them in life.

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

When I am not working, I enjoy playing music at home on my synthesizer. I also enjoy taking car rides in my 1985 Toyota Celica.

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