College of Science

�鶹��Ƶ named lead academic partner for Connected DMV’s spaceNEXT

Katarina Benson — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 17:19:04 +0000

�鶹��Ƶ named lead academic partner for Connected DMV’s spaceNEXT Katarina Benson Mon, 02/02/2026 - 12:19

Connected DMV has announced that �鶹��Ƶ, one of the nation’s most innovative and fastest-growing public research universities, will serve as the Lead Academic Partner for spaceNEXT, the inaugural global convening focused on the commercialization of space and a flagship program of Connected DMV’s Potomac Center for the New Space Economy.

Observatory on the Fairfax Campus. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

The spaceNEXT event will take place February 18–20 at Capital One Hall in Tysons, Virginia, and bring together global leaders across industry, government, academia, and the investment community to accelerate what’s next in the space-for-space and space-for-Earth economy.

“George �鶹��Ƶ is the ideal academic anchor for spaceNEXT. Their leadership in space science, satellite engineering, and frontier research perfectly aligns with our mission to build Greater Washington into the global capital of the new space economy,” said George Thomas, president and CEO, Connected DMV. “This partnership brings world-class expertise, talent, and innovation to the main stage, and we couldn’t be prouder to shape this inaugural event together.”

George �鶹��Ƶ’s collaborative and creative research strengths align directly with the new space economy

Advancing space innovation that serves life on Earth—through Earth observation, remote sensing, planetary exploration, and space weather research—is a core focus of George �鶹��Ƶ’s Grand Challenge Initiative, which aligns research, education, and partnerships around solving problems that shape the future of humanity. The university’s growing strengths in robotics and autonomy, artificial intelligence, quantum science, integrated sensing and communication, and sustainable cyberinfrastructure—anchored by Fuse at �鶹��Ƶ Square—support next-generation capabilities such as autonomous spacecraft operations, in-space servicing, on-orbit manufacturing, and resilient space infrastructure that connect scientific discovery to real-world impact.

“Our future in space is a key component to solving humanity’s grand challenge of creating a peaceful, healthy, and prosperous future,” said Andre Marshall, vice president for research, innovation, and economic impact. “George �鶹��Ƶ is forging strategic partnerships and driving novel research across disciplinary boundaries to help shape and secure this bold future, recognizing that it will reach far beyond the Earth’s atmosphere, and we are proud to partner with Connected DMV to further these ambitious goals.”

The George �鶹��Ƶ College of Science’s multi-million-dollar portfolio in Earth- and space-observation research gives the university the region’s strongest capabilities in satellite data, remote sensing, and climate-driven analytics. Home to the Center for Earth Observing and Spatial Research, the  Satellite and Earth System Studies Program, the Center for Geospatial Intelligence, and the second largest observatory on the East Coast, the College of Science maintains research collaborations with NASA, NRL, Department of Energy, Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Air Force Office of Scientific Research, and the Army Research Office, as well as a recent $13M collaboration with the Department of the Navy to study increased solar activity. These fields underpin the expanding market for commercial Earth intelligence, environmental monitoring, and mission-critical geospatial tools, while offering immersive training for tomorrow’s scientists and regional workforce. 

"The future of space commercialization will be driven by institutions like George �鶹��Ƶ that can bridge scientific discovery, facilitate industry collaboration, and drive real-world innovation,” said College of Science dean Cody W. Edwards. “For years, we have invested in the research, facilities, and workforce development infrastructure to become a valued partner in the emerging space economy. We look forward to bringing George �鶹��Ƶ’s research, talent, and entrepreneurial spirit to this global convening—and to helping chart the course for the next era of space exploration and economic growth in the region and beyond.”

George �鶹��Ƶ’s College of Engineering and Computing is also a regional leader in workforce development for the new space economy. Its graduate Small Satellite Engineering program trains engineers in full spacecraft lifecycles—including design, power, communications, sensors, attitude control, and resilient architectures—while the university’s CubeSat Engineering Lab and satellite ground stations (including a 9.1-meter dish) provide students and researchers hands-on experience with small satellite buses, flight systems, and embedded software hardened for the realities of space.

“We find solutions to problems in aerospace engineering that advance the field,” said Kenneth Ball, College of Engineering and Science dean. “Our researchers make air travel safer, satellites smaller, and surfaces stronger. Our students learn to fly airplanes, launch satellites, and explore the multidisciplinary nature of aerospace and aviation from the capabilities of materials to the possibilities of space. Our alumni have traveled in space, driven the Mars rover, and held leadership positions at NASA.”

As part of its powerful portfolio, the university is leading the $19.5 million NASA Landolt Space Mission, which will place an artificial “star” into orbit to calibrate telescopes and significantly advance the precision of space-based observations—unlocking new discovery pathways and supporting commercial applications across astronomy, imaging, quantum materials, space weather, and navigation.

Advancing the mission of the Potomac Center for the New Space Economy

spaceNEXT is a core program of the Potomac Center for the New Space Economy, Connected DMV’s initiative to position the Washington, D.C., region as the heart of the global space economy. The center leverages the region’s unparalleled mix of assets—federal space agencies, aerospace giants, venture investment, world-class universities, national security infrastructure, and diplomatic reach—to build the partnerships, standards, workforce, and innovation pathways that will shape humanity’s next giant leap.

With George �鶹��Ƶ at the helm of the academic program for spaceNEXT, the center strengthens its ability to:

Showcase regional leadership in orbital manufacturing, microgravity research, and logistics;
Bridge federal space policy with the commercial and investment momentum driving new markets;
Catalyze workforce growth through academic pipelines deeply tied to industry demand;
Accelerate commercialization of frontier technologies across satellites, AI, autonomy, Earth intelligence, and in-space services; and
Unite the region’s public, private, academic, and policy talent under one global platform.

George �鶹��Ƶ’s expertise and programs embody the center’s mission: Turn bold ideas into market-shaping realities and ensure that the Washington, D.C., region captures a decisive share of the growing space economy—projected to top $1 trillion by 2040.

A launchpad for the next space economy

With �鶹��Ƶ as Lead Academic Partner, the inaugural spaceNEXT convening will demonstrate how universities, industry, and government can work together to accelerate the space-for-space and space-for-Earth economy—advancing national security, scientific breakthroughs, economic growth, and human progress on a global scale.

Learn more at spacenextglobal.com.

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George �鶹��Ƶ is launching a Space Forward Frontiers Seminar with Northrop Grumman

Domonique Hopkins — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 15:45:36 +0000

George �鶹��Ƶ is launching a Space Forward Frontiers Seminar with Northrop Grumman Domonique Hopkins Mon, 01/26/2026 - 10:45

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�鶹��Ƶ’s College of Science is launching the Space Forward Frontiers Seminar Series in spring 2026, in partnership with Northrop Grumman and George �鶹��Ƶ’s College of Engineering and Computing.

The one-credit, in-person seminar (PHYS 391/590, cross-listed as ME 500) is open to undergraduate and graduate students of all majors interested in the space industry.

Limited to 50 students, the Thursday afternoon seminar features weekly lectures from George �鶹��Ƶ faculty and industry professionals, offering practical and academic perspectives on today’s space sector. Topics include the space industry’s foundations, enabling technologies, policy considerations, and future directions, with the inaugural offering focusing on crowding and events in the space environment.

With no prerequisites or textbooks, the course is highly accessible and connects students to such emerging opportunities as NASA’s Landolt Mission, led by George �鶹��Ƶ faculty. The seminar also supports the university’s Grand Challenge Initiative (GCI), advancing both 21st-century education and pioneering space exploration through industry collaboration.

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Outdoor learning at Burke Lake shows students science career pathways

Sarah Holland — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 14:42:18 +0000

Outdoor learning at Burke Lake shows students science career pathways Sarah Holland Mon, 01/26/2026 - 09:42

Cynthia "Cindy" Smith (left) works with one of the seventh grade students. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Down at the shores of Burke Lake, seventh-grade students squeal in delight and disgust. They've found a collection of invertebrates under a rock. Their field interpreter—a �鶹��Ƶ student—gathers them around to take a closer look and identify what they see. Nearby, another group of students takes water samples. Another group measures the soil compaction around the mossy roots of a tree.

For some of these Fairfax County Public School (FCPS) students, it’s the first time they’ve been to Burke Lake. Some didn’t know it existed at all, despite being in their proverbial backyards. But through the Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEEs) program, FCPS students get the chance to do hands-on learning outdoors.

Developed as part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) program and Chesapeake Bay Program, MWEEs increase environmental literacy through hands-on experience in indoor and outdoor classrooms. Since 2010, George �鶹��Ƶ environmental science and policy professor Cynthia Smith has worked with FCPS and Fairfax County Park Authority to develop and support her students in delivering MWEEs in waterfront park locations around the county. In her role as outreach director for the Potomac Environmental Research and Education Center (PEREC), Smith integrates PEREC aquatic ecology research into these programs.

The program is an extension of the FCPS seventh-grade life science curriculum, bringing students out of their classroom labs and into the field to gain hands-on experience. With support and guidance from field interpreters, the students move through different stations to learn about the history of development around the lake, test the water chemistry, investigate invertebrate habitats, measure soil erosion and compaction, and examine biodiversity living amongst the trees and leaf litter to gather a holistic look at the health of their local watershed. The data they record during their field excursion is further investigated in the classroom.

George �鶹��Ƶ student and field interpreter Deena Chouaf (right) and one of the seventh grade students. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

“We’re looking at the human impact on the land and how it impacts the water,” Smith explained. “But instead of just hearing a lecture on it, the students are immersed in the environment. When you see it, touch it, measure it, and talk about why you’re doing it, then the learning is just so much more impactful, and you become more invested in protecting and preserving it.”

Smith recruits George �鶹��Ƶ students to serve as the field interpreters, giving them an opportunity to practice their science communication skills in a real-world setting. “They’re explaining challenging concepts to young learners, encouraging them to engage with the data they’ve collected, helping them learn through inquiry," Smith explained. “I’ve seen so many students evolve into incredible leaders and communicators through their experiences as field interpreters.”

“I had never had a job where I had to speak in front of people, and I really couldn’t do it at all when I started,” said Matt Helfinstein, BS Biology ’12. He worked as a field interpreter throughout his time at George �鶹��Ƶ. “But I was able to develop those science communication skills and get much more comfortable with it.”

Now, Helfinstein is camp director of Fish and Explore—a company that offers guided outdoor experiences and summer camps—and continues to work with Smith as the MWEE site manager. Helfinstein met the owner of the company while serving as a field interpreter, which opened the door to his future career.

"We have students go into policy, environmental science, science communication, as well as working for our partners like the Park Authority or Fish and Explore,” said Smith. “Translating science to the public opens up so many opportunities for them that they never thought possible.”

George �鶹��Ƶ student and field interpreter Angelina Seehusan. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

It’s an important opportunity for the middle school students as well. “This is the first time some of them have ever met a college student working outdoors in a park setting,” Smith explained. Because of this, she has her field interpreters introduce themselves not just as George �鶹��Ƶ students, but with their expected career paths: freshwater ecologist, marine biologist, environmental scientist, etc.

“They hear about all these different career fields and areas of study in science, they get excited. They routinely ask field interpreters what they have to do to pursue that same career,” said Smith.

The Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement put forth a new goal in 2025 of increasing elementary, middle, and high school student participation in MWEEs, working toward 75% of public school students enrolled in a school district with MWEEs by 2040.

In 2016, Smith and her collaborators in FCPS and the Fairfax County Park Authority received a Jack Wood Award for Town-Gown Relations in the category of Partnership Initiative for their work. Ten years ago, they had served over 25,000 seventh graders throughout the county. Now, Smith estimates PEREC outreach programs reach more than 10,000 students a year. And more and more, she’s seeing those students enroll at George �鶹��Ƶ and become field interpreters themselves.

“Sometimes just seeing one cool thing is life-changing,” Smith said.

Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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NASA-funded wildfire digital twin could save assets and lives with pollution prediction, burn forecasting

Sarah Holland — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 19:29:20 +0000

NASA-funded wildfire digital twin could save assets and lives with pollution prediction, burn forecasting Sarah Holland Thu, 01/15/2026 - 14:29

One year ago, the Palisades and Eaton Fires ravaged the coast of Southern California. Combined, the fires killed 28 people, destroyed more than 16,000 structures, and displaced tens of thousands of residents.

Wildfires are notoriously difficult to predict due to the multitude of factors that affect their growth, spread, and speed. That uncertainty makes it difficult for response teams to know who should be evacuated to avoid both active flames and hazardous air pollution. Mass evacuations require cooperation and communication across numerous departments, and getting those systems activated can take precious time that evacuees might not have if the fire is spreading at a rate of seven and a half football fields per minute as the Palisades fire did.

Chaowei "Phil" Yang. Photo by Office of University Branding.

One researcher at George �鶹��Ƶ is working on a solution. Chaowei “Phil” Yang, professor in the Geography and Geoinformation Science Department in the College of Science, has teamed up with researchers from California State University—Los Angeles (CSU-LA), NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and the City of Los Angeles to develop a wildfire digital twin to understand fire evolution and air pollution impact.

“The goal is to develop an artificial intelligence (AI)-based system that can provide real-time, high-resolution simulation and forecasting of wildfire behavior and model the resulting air pollution and air quality impacts for better informed public health responses,” Yang said.

Air pollution is a critical metric here. “Inhaling wildfire smoke can cause serious and long-lasting damage to the breathing system,” said Yang. “We need to get those people impacted to safety as well as those in direct line of the spreading flames.”

Yang, who is the director of the Center for Intelligent Spatial Computing for Water/Energy Science, has worked on several projects using his knowledge of geospatial cyberinfrastructure and spatial cloud computing to study the impacts of major global events on air quality. When the wildfires hit southern California, Yang felt that his expertise and resources could be used to help mitigate future wildfire disasters.

Yang’s work ties directly to improving human health, well-being, and preparedness, as well as building a climate-resilient society, two key solutions in George �鶹��Ƶ’s Grand Challenge Initiative, the university's research focus to enable us to live in a world of our choosing.

“Looking at the damage increasing because of climate change, to both assets and people’s life and health, that really triggered us,” Yang said. “We really felt that we needed to do something to address it.”

The digital twin will integrate a range of data from a diverse set of sources—such as satellites, UAVs, ground observations, and citizen reports—in order to forecast and simulate the progress of a wildfire and the mitigation of potential interventions. Everything from fuel sources, moisture, load, and consumption to wind speeds and temperatures to real-time sensors for the fire are pulled into the system.

George �鶹��Ƶ’s high-performance computing (HPC) cluster is used to automate the data interpretation process, while machine learning modeling calibrates the data sets to increase accuracy. As more data sets become available, the model’s accuracy will increase.

“When we eventually provide information to firefighters and local agencies, we will give them a range of possibilities and a confidence level in those possibilities, such as ‘the fire will move in this direction with about 90% confidence, or 20% confidence,’” Yang explained. “That’s important for them when they’re trying to make these quick decisions about where to put fire fighters. It makes the information actionable instead of just data sets.”

While working on a bold solution to a grand challenge, the project is also an opportunity for students of all levels—from high school through post-doctoral—to get hands-on experience in cloud computing and digital transformation to address grand challenges.

Anusha Srirenganathan, PhD Earth Systems and Geoinformation Sciences ’25, joined the project during her time at George �鶹��Ƶ. “Working closely with researchers from different disciplines helped me grow as a collaborator, and my work on the project strengthened my abilities in large-scale satellite data processing, spatial cloud computing, and AI/ML modeling for environmental applications,” she said.

“We’re using these capabilities to cultivate the next generation workforce,” said Yang. “It’s eye-opening for the students and paves a path for them to become the future leaders of the nation.”

Securing a safer future for both the current and future generations is what drives Yang in his work. And he sees this work on a wildfire digital twin as only the beginning of what’s possible with the technology.

Yang said his team is already working on a Chesapeake Bay digital twin project to develop more accurate flood forecasting, and collaborating with Daniel Rothbart at the Carter School on a conflict resolution digital twin with an alert system. “There could be possibilities for this technology to help predict other natural disasters or forecasting conflict as it evolves,” Yang said. “It’s exciting to get the chance to utilize our knowledge and tools to address the grand challenges we’re facing today to hopefully save lives and reduce asset loss.”

“This experience has shown me that research can provide real value when it matters most,” Srirenganathan said.

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George �鶹��Ƶ team earns $2.1M to study seizure dynamics

Teresa Donnellan — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 15:06:52 +0000

George �鶹��Ƶ team earns $2.1M to study seizure dynamics Teresa Donnellan Tue, 01/13/2026 - 10:06

In This Story

John Cressman

Parag Chitnis

Remi Veneziano

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) awarded a �鶹��Ƶ research team $2.1 million to create a system that could revolutionize the study of seizures.

The project combines the expertise of Parag Chitnis and Remi Veneziano (Department of Bioengineering), and Rob Cressman (Department of Physics and Astronomy) to develop an imaging and sensing system for identifying areas of the brain with potassium ion dysregulation.

“Potassium is one of those ions that actually inhibits activation of cells. If there's a dysfunction in those ions, you get runaway signaling. A seizure is an example of that,” said Cressman, who has studied epilepsy since his postdoctoral work. “We’re trying to develop tools that help us understand that better.”

From left, Parag Chitnis, Rob Cressman, and Remi Veneziano. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding.

When the biocompatible nanosensors, made of DNA and light-sensitive dye, encounter a local change in potassium concentration, they change their shape resulting in a change in their near-infrared fluorescence signal.

“We want to detect even very small changes in potassium,” said Veneziano, whose work involves synthesizing new nanomaterials from DNA particles, proteins, and lipids. “The system we’ve built is modular, versatile, and highly sensitive.”

These signals can be mapped in real-time using a near-infrared imaging device to understand dynamic changes in ion concentration.

One of the most promising applications is image-guided surgical intervention for epilepsy. By pinpointing seizure foci through potassium mapping, surgeons may be able to perform precise tissue ablation, removing only the affected areas.

“If you can identify the focus and remove that part of the tissue, you can sometimes stop the seizures,” said Cressman.

The four-year NIH-funded project, previously funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), builds on years of research supported by George �鶹��Ƶ’s Center for MedTech Innovation.

“This grant allows us to translate our NSF-funded feasibility work into real-world applications,” said Chitnis, who studies brain-body interactions using light and ultrasound. “We’re not just studying disease—we’re building tools that could guide future interventions.”

The toolkit will be tested across multiple platforms—from cell cultures to brain slices to intact mammalian models—allowing researchers to study bioelectrical activity at various scales.

The team also sees potential for assessing functional recovery after traumatic brain injury. Scar tissue can disrupt potassium regulation, and the nanosensors may help identify regions at risk of developing seizure foci. As the research progresses, the team hopes to open new pathways for understanding and treating complex brain disorders.

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This George �鶹��Ƶ alum mapped her future

Katarina Benson — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 21:21:58 +0000

This George �鶹��Ƶ alum mapped her future Katarina Benson Thu, 11/20/2025 - 16:21

In 1998, Brennan Collier, nee Snyder, graduated from �鶹��Ƶ—and used it as a springboard for everything that came next. She walked off campus with two BA degrees: one in geology, a tried-and-true science path, and the other in environmental science, a program she built herself when the existing offerings didn’t quite match her ambitions.

Collier wasn’t chasing diplomas—she was focused on impact. That same year, she locked down a certificate in environmental management, a fast track to the tools and know-how she’d need in the field. Internships and agency employment followed, giving her a front-row seat to the evolving world of environmental protection—exactly where she wanted to be.

Collier. Photo provided

After increasingly successful positions with public agencies, Collier is now senior vice president of strategic sales and part owner of ATCS, a Virgina-based engineering consulting firm that works with regional public and private clients in transportation planning and roadway design, traffic engineering studies, construction management, and other aspects of transportation infrastructure. You have probably traveled on a roadway in Northern Virginia whose route was determined by her research.

The Chantilly, Virginia, native began her journey in higher education at North Carolina State University, transferring closer to home to George �鶹��Ƶ as a sophomore to enroll in the geology program.

"I fell in love with earth sciences in ninth grade,” she said. “And I wanted to do something in environmental science, which was emerging at the time.”

With no environmental science bachelor’s program available—it is now—she worked with counselors in the Bachelor of Individualized Study (BIS) program to select courses across the campus to satisfy her goals.

Two of her professors were particularly inspiring: Geology professors Julia Nord and Richard Diecchio, both now retired. “They really helped me fall in love with what I was doing,” she said.

Also inspirational was a 1998 winter break to the Caribbean, where she performed geological field work at the Bahamas Environmental Research Center on Andros Island. The university was then a partner with facility located on a largely undeveloped island.

“The experience has definitely stuck with me,” she said, “and I appreciate how George �鶹��Ƶ was giving back to the community there, especially the young children that would follow us around curious as to what we were doing and why.”

In addition, she was “really lucky to be able to find some internships and part-time positions by just being in the Washington, D.C., area while I was in school,” she said, referencing George �鶹��Ƶ’s proximity and access to key institutions in the nation’s capital.

She landed a paid position with Reston, Virginia’s U.S. Geological Survey, where she worked on one of the very first Geographic Information Systems. “I actually digitized the state geological map of Virginia [while a student].”

She also worked with the Environmental Protection Agency in environmental compliance and, as she was finishing up her degree programs, she found a part-time position with the Virginia Department of Transportation’s (VDOT) Northern Virginia District. That experience turned into a full-time job after graduation.

Each of these positions equipped Collier with the skills she continues to use today.

“[VDOT] is where I learned to study the environmental impacts of road and bridge projects, from wetland delineations to obtaining permits to looking at endangered species that might be at risk.”

Collier was the consultant deputy project manager for the Environmental Impact Statement required for the widening of Interstate 64 from Richmond to Hampton in Virginia, a popular highway leading to military bases and beach destinations along the Chesapeake Bay. It’s been 14 years since she started the environmental study and the project, currently under construction in segments, is valued at around $1.3 billion.

“I remind myself as an environmentalist that I’m doing good in the industry in trying to shape some of the decision making so that roads are placed where they need to be,” she said. “We’re not going down the middle of farms like we used to in the early 1950s and ‘60s when they built the original interstate.”

In fact, she frequents the I-64 corridor as she travels from her home in Richmond to her beach house in Cape Charles, Virginia.

“I annoy my 14-year-old daughter all the time because I point out things,” she said. “I say, ‘Hey, you see Camp Peary over there? Do you know the historic significance? [It was a CIA spy school.] Do you know why they felled the trees to widen the road and just left them there? That’s because of the time-of-year restrictions for tree clearing to protect threatened and endangered bats.’

“It’s nice to drive through that and know I had a piece of it, even though it was a small piece.”

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George �鶹��Ƶ's Virginia Climate Center releases first-ever statewide climate assessment

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

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

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

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

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

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

Why Virginia Needs a State-Level Climate Assessment

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

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

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

Three Critical Climate Hazards for Virginia

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

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

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

Implications for Virginia’s Economy and Communities

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

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

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

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

Looking Ahead: Future Assessments and the Grand Challenge Initiative

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

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

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

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

Grand Challenge Initiative

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

Read the Virginia Climate Assessment

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Air Force veteran finds new mission in environmental science

Katarina Benson — Tue, 11 Nov 2025 19:13:04 +0000

Air Force veteran finds new mission in environmental science Katarina Benson Tue, 11/11/2025 - 14:13

In �鶹��Ƶ’s College of Science—where nearly 16% of students are connected to the military—Air Force veteran Rylee Ledoux is using her public health experience and passion for the environment to support fellow veterans and pursue a future in environmental science. A former Air Force public health technician, she now serves as the senior military transition coordinator in �鶹��Ƶ’s Office of Military Services while completing her bachelor of science in environmental science and policy.

After graduating high school, Ledoux joined the military after seeing her sister’s experience in the Army and the opportunities it offered to see the world. “The Air Force felt like a good way to learn, grow, and set myself up for something meaningful,” she said.

Ledoux worked in several public health sectors in the U.S. Air Force. Photo provided

That decision led her to Little Rock Air Force Base in Arkansas, where she rotated through several areas of public health, including occupational health, deployment medicine, and communicable disease.

Then COVID-19 hit.

“Overnight the workload exploded,” she recalled. “I was assigned to a mission in Washington, D.C., for COVID operations, and that set the tone for the rest of my Air Force experience. I spent the remainder of my service in communicable disease, and it shaped a lot of how I see public health and the environment today.”

That experience became the foundation for Ledoux’s next chapter after completing four years in the Air Force. Drawn to the intersection of science and policy, she chose George �鶹��Ƶ for its strong environmental programs, proximity to the nation’s capital, and reputation as a leading research institution.

“Working in communicable disease shows you really quickly how connected environmental health is to human health,” she said. “I wanted to study the root causes instead of only reacting to symptoms.”

Now, as part of Environmental Science and Policy professor Changwoo Ahn’s wetland ecology lab, Ledoux is learning to design and conduct research focused on restoration and ecosystem resilience. “I’m learning how to be precise in the field and how to understand ecological systems in a more meaningful way,” she said. “My goal after my master’s is to become a wetland ecologist and hopefully do restoration work.”

Ledoux works in the wetland ecology lab and hopes to do restoration work in her career. Photo provided

Ledoux will graduate this fall with her bachelor’s degree and, through George �鶹��Ƶ’s Bachelor’s-to-Accelerated-Master’s pathway, will continue into the environmental science and policy master’s program.

Her commitment to community extends beyond the lab. She serves on the College of Science Dean’s Student Advisory Council and, through her work in the Office of Military Services, supports military-affiliated students as they transition to academic life.

“My biggest advice for veterans is to ask questions early and reach out to the Office of Military Services,” she said. “Community is everything at George �鶹��Ƶ, especially for veterans. Once you lean into that community and participate in it, it gives you support, connection, and direction.”

That same sense of community and curiosity continues to guide her own journey. Beyond academics, Ledoux encourages others to embrace opportunities like studying abroad. She has participated programs in both Nepal and New Zealand.

“Seeing different cultures and ecosystems changed how I think about the world and my work,” she said. “I always tell people to take any chance they have to study abroad because it genuinely broadens your horizons.”

Looking back, Ledoux credits her military service with shaping both her resilience and sense of purpose. “It grounded me,” she said. “It taught me how to manage tough situations without losing focus. It was challenging, but it made me more disciplined, resilient, and goal oriented. I’m a better person because of it.”

Connect with the Office of Military Services

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Meet the �鶹��Ƶ Nation: Amanda Haymond Still

Katarina Benson — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 14:31:35 +0000

Meet the �鶹��Ƶ Nation: Amanda Haymond Still Katarina Benson Mon, 11/10/2025 - 09:31

Amanda Haymond Still

Job: Director of Undergraduate Student Research Initiatives and Internships, College of Science

Amanda Haymond Still, BS Chemistry ’13, PhD Biochemistry ’17. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Amanda Haymond Still, BS Chemistry ’13, PhD Biochemistry ’17, came to �鶹��Ƶ in 2009 as a University Scholar in the Honors College and never left. There are many reasons why she stayed, but she now has a new one: She’s leading the College of Science’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP). “As a postdoc and faculty member, I really enjoyed the mentoring process, so when a position opened up to do that full time, I decided to put my name in the hat.”

Founded in 2007, ASSIP provides opportunities for high school and undergraduate students to work one-on-one with faculty researchers across many disciplines. In summer 2025, nearly 400 students participated in person and remotely in the eight-week program. They came from the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area and about 17 states, including California, Texas, New York, and Washington State.

Embracing Online Access: Still said ASSIP’s pivoting to online during the pandemic had a plus side—they realized that, for certain types of research projects, remote works great. Now that people can participate from anywhere, applications have exploded—this year they received more than 3,300—and they have had interns from as far away as Hungary, Kazakhstan, and �鶹��Ƶ Korea. “It's administratively challenging but also very exciting.”

Opportunity for Further Expansion: The number of participants each year is driven by researchers’ needs and capacity. When students apply to ASSIP, they read through a list of researchers and projects and rank who they would like to work with. Then those researchers go through the applications and make decisions. “Even with remote participants, there are only so many hours in a day,” she said. “The best way to grow the program is to involve more George �鶹��Ƶ faculty.” Currently 23 academic departments at George �鶹��Ƶ participate.

All in a Day’s Work: During those eight weeks, Still said she is tied her email, solving problems as they arise. There are also safety trainings and paperwork as many interns are working in labs. As director, Still conducts a weekly seminar for the interns where they learn how to be a scientist. Most of the topics she covers are basic research information like how to write an abstract or prepare a scientific poster, which interns do before the summer is over. Each session ends with a poster presentation where they present their findings. “They get very excited,” Still said. “And it's fun to see how much students can get done in eight weeks.”

Try and Try Again: Still also talks to the aspiring scientists about failure, “which they always love to hear,” she jokes. But the reality is, in research, you never know how things are going to go. She said week 5 is a critical point in the program. That’s when the students realize things aren’t working the way that they thought they would, and their resilience kicks in. “If you're working on something at the cutting edge of science, it might not go well, and that's okay,” Still said. “This is part of learning how real discovery and inquiry works.”

Not a Summer Camp: Still emphasizes that “internship” is an important part of the ASSIP title. “These aren't demonstration projects. This is real independent research,” she said. And hard work does pay off. Many participants have had their names included when the work is published in scientific journals and presented at research conferences. Some have even been named on patents.

Joining the �鶹��Ƶ Nation: For the past two years, Still has run a pilot program in which students can get college credit for their ASSIP participation. �鶹��Ƶ 10% participate. “Part of the reason we do this program is we hope that some of the students stay with us and come to �鶹��Ƶ,” she said. “They're on campus, they’re getting credit, they are George �鶹��Ƶ students for a little while.”

Inquiring Minds: Still’s research career started like many of the students she’s mentoring. There was an option in the chemistry major to do undergraduate research for course credit, which Still wanted to do but didn’t know anyone. So she consulted the department directory. “I was literally cold emailing all of the professors with research groups,” she said. When she got to the C’s, she connected to her mentor and dissertation director Robin Couch of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.

Aiming for ‘Targets’: Still spent her George �鶹��Ƶ career pursuing scientific questions in enzymology. “I was looking at enzymes found in bacteria that are not found in us, with the goal of using those as new antibiotic drug targets,” she said. “The field of antimicrobial drug discovery is really exciting. It's very much like you versus ‘the invaders.’” When Still was defending her dissertation, one of the people in the audience was Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine codirector Lance Liotta. “He offered me a postdoc on the spot.”

An Inventor in Her Own Right: Through her work at George �鶹��Ƶ, Still has garnered a few patents over the years. Her most recent application is for DNA protein hybrid molecules that Still built with Rémi Veneziano in the College of Engineering and Computing. “We built these really cool hybrid molecules for cancer drugs.”

Best Part of the Job: Still said one of the things she loves about running ASSIP is getting to see “kids get the bug for scientific research.” She also has never doubted her decision to remain at George �鶹��Ƶ. “It doesn't grow old, no matter how many years you're here,” she said. “There's always something new happening.”

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George �鶹��Ƶ's Virginia Climate Center releases first-ever statewide climate assessment

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