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Left to right: Delegate David Bulova, Supervisor Ruth Anderson, Supervisor Frank Principi, Supervisor John Jenkins, Senator Jeremy McPike, Supervisor Maureen Caddigan, Senator Scott Surovell, Lt. Governor Justin Fairfax, Rector Tom Davis, President Ángel Cabrera, Chairman Corey Stewart, Preston Caruthers (land donor), Dean Peggy Agouris, Provost David Wu, Vice President J.J. Wagner Davis, Preston Miller (land donor). Photo credit: Evan Cantwell/George Mason University Creative Services.
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Local Luminaries Turn Out for
Potomac Science Center Dedication
New Center Will Support Watershed Research
On April 12, the George Mason community welcomed another valuable research facility with the dedication of the Potomac Science Center. Dean of the College of Science at George Mason University, Peggy Agouris, said that work at the Center would help to develop "a greater understanding of the ecological conditions of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed."
The Center contains eight laboratories (including the Mason Flood Hazards Research Lab led by Dr. Celso Ferreira, which investigates and develops solutions to increase societal resilience to water related natural hazards), five water gardens, a lecture/events hall, and an outdoor amphitheater classroom.
It is home to Mason's Potomac Environmental Research and Education Center (PEREC). PEREC provides part-time jobs to 30 Mason students each semester, directs award-winning K-12 watershed education programs in Fairfax and Prince William County parks, and since 2009, has engaged 92,000 middle schoolers in ecological field work.
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Goldwater Scholar Rebecca Beuschel in the lab where she researches biomarkers that can detect idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Photo credit: Geraldine Grant.
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Mason Junior is Goldwater Scholar
Rebecca Beuschel, a junior majoring in biology and neuroscience, received one of 211 scholarships presented by the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation for the 2018-2019 academic year. The scholarship provides up to $7,500 per year for tuition, fees, books, and room and board.
In her current research, Beuschel and her mentor, biosciences PhD student Luis Rodriguez, are looking for biomarkers in blood cells that can detect idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). This disease scars the lungs, which makes it difficult to take in enough oxygen.
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Ceres Nanosciences research specialists Brianna Kim (on right) and Jack Warsh working in the Prince William Science Accelerator. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services/George Mason University.
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Science Start-Ups Gain Strong Momentum at the Prince William Science Accelerator
Three start-ups with ties to Mason are expanding in the Prince William Science Accelerator in Innovation Park:
- ISOThrive recently expanded to accelerate its work in leveraging the gut microbiome to prevent and treat cancer, with an initial focus on colon cancer. ISOThrive and Mason collaborate on research.
- Virongy, founded by Dr. Yuntao Wu, Professor of Systems Biology at George Mason University, was recently awarded a Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant for $220,000.
- Ceres delivers innovative diagnostic products powered by its groundbreaking Nanotrap® technology (developed in Mason research labs). Following a successful fundraising round in 2017, Ceres has rapidly expanded both its staff and its facilities to accommodate the growing demand for the novel Nanotrap® particle platform across the life sciences industry.
"Locating in the Prince William Science Accelerator has allowed us to cultivate and leverage strategic partnerships with George Mason University," said Dr. Wu. "Proximity to the university has also allowed us to recruit from its pool of graduates skilled in life sciences.”
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George Mason University Commencement
EagleBank Arena, Fairfax Campus
May 18, 10:00 am; door opens at 9 am for guests
Help us to celebrate the achievements of George Mason University's graduating classes of May and August 2018! The event will feature a keynote address by Unilever CEO Paul Polman.
Learn more
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Bike to Work Day
Freedom Aquatic & Fitness Center
May 18, 2018
On May 18, the Freedom Aquatic & Fitness Center will serve as one of 100 pit stops for the Metro DC area's Bike to Work Day 2018. All pit stops have food, drinks, and raffles, and the first 20,000 registrants will received free t-shirts.
Learn more
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Serious Play Conference
Hylton Performing Arts Center
July 10 -12
Now in its 8th year, the Serious Play Conference is a top leadership conference for individuals who create or use games for education in corporations, classrooms, healthcare institutions, and the government and military.
Learn more
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