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Regional startups find support at annual Accelerate Investor Conference

Colleen Rich — Mon, 11 Nov 2024 19:15:31 +0000

Regional startups find support at annual Accelerate Investor Conference Colleen Rich Mon, 11/11/2024 - 14:15

In October, ��AV hosted its fourth annual Accelerate Investor Conference in Arlington, Virginia.

From left, Presidential Partner Nicole Washington, Mason Enterprise Entrepreneur in Residence program founder Farhad Chowdhury, US-AID CIO and Executive Director Mohamed Abdel-Kader, George Mason President Gregory Washington, grand prize donor and George Mason alum Manesh Gupta, MS Electrical Engineering ’91, and George Mason AVP for Innovation and Economic Development Paula Sorrell. Photo provided

The Accelerate Investor Conference spurs the region’s innovation and startup ecosystem engagement to a new level and showcases the Virginia, Maryland, and metropolitan Washington, D.C., region as a destination for business development, venture investment, and job creation.

Each year the event grows in size and stature. This year Mason Enterprise, which plans the event, reports there were 480 registered attendees, 19 speakers, 48 company pitches, 72 investors judged and participated, and 14 student teams that pitched.

The competition targeted entrepreneurs with early to mid-seed stage, high-growth businesses with the potential to have an immediate and positive impact on our local economy, as well as student concepts with longer-term business viability. After days of networking, engagement, and education, the winners were selected.

Company Winner: AGED Diagnostics

Student Winners: CarbonSecure, light your path, and DigitAIRE

"Accelerate 2024 has once again showcased the immense talent and innovation within our tech community," said Paula Sorrell, associate vice president of innovation and economic development at George Mason. "We've seen extraordinary companies that will shape the future of our local economy. The level of creativity and ambition has been inspiring."

AGED Diagnostics Founder and CEO Rachel Zayas (left) receives the grand prize for the company pitch competition. Pictured with Tien Wong (center) and George Mason alum Manesh Gupta. The Maryland-based company is using genomic innovation to develop the most accurate blood test for liver disease. Photo provided

The Mason Enterprise team helps recruit companies and investors, curates the program geared toward growing the tech economy in the region, and coaches the companies and students to pitch for funding, said Paula Sorrell.

Local sponsors support the event. Among this year’s sponsors were the nonprofit Smart City Works, GO Virginia, and Marymount University.

Companies that pitched in the first three years of the conference have gone on to raise $72 million in follow-on funding, and two companies have successfully exited.

"We can't wait to see what this new crew of entrepreneurs achieves," said Sorrell.

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A fond, feathery farewell: Students help track wetland birds heading south for the winter

Lauren Reuscher — Wed, 06 Nov 2024 19:55:03 +0000

A fond, feathery farewell: Students help track wetland birds heading south for the winter Lauren Reuscher Wed, 11/06/2024 - 14:55

On a recent field trip to Patuxent River Park in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, undergraduate students from ��AV’s Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation got to view secretive marsh birds up close, including Virginia and sora rail birds.

The Wildlife Ecology and Conservation students learned about a long-term bird banding and radio-tracking study on sora rails and other varieties of birds. Patuxent River Park is part of the Jug Bay Natural Area and Wetlands Sanctuary.

Student Noah Beck holds a sora rail bird, the type of bird tracked for the research study at Patuxent River Park. Photo by Lauren Hughes

The students learned about the annual migratory journey of these beautiful and elusive birds and the efforts to protect them. Soras live in marshes and wetlands throughout North America, and they migrate more than 500 miles to Central and South America for the winter.

Monitoring the movement of species, particularly during migrations, is an essential part of wildlife conservation. During a thorough demonstration from Greg Kearns, senior park naturalist at Patuxent River Park, the students had a chance to watch the important skill of bird banding up close.

Greg Kearns, senior park naturalist at Patuxent River Park, holds and examines a Virginia rail bird. Photo by Lauren Hughes

In bird banding, expert scientists humanely trap the birds, record information about their characteristics, and place a unique aluminum band on each bird’s leg before releasing it. If the birds are recaptured in the future, scientists can gather important information about their migratory habits and lifespan. The sora rails are tagged with a tiny radio transmitter, and their movements are recorded by the Motus wildlife tracking system, giving detailed insight into their long journey south.

Photo by Lauren Hughes

Students receive hands-on training in innovative technologies to monitor species and habitats in the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia. The institute recently set up a new bird banding station, giving students the opportunity to observe bird banding in action. The station is administered by scientists from the Smithsonian’s Migratory Bird Center, part of the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute.

Learn more about bird banding from the Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.

Student Elle Farina holds a Virginia rail. Photo by Lauren Hughes

More about the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation

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Running, walking, and thriving together

Lauren Reuscher — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 15:35:17 +0000

Running, walking, and thriving together Lauren Reuscher Thu, 10/24/2024 - 11:35

The annual Mason Nation Thriving Together 5K and 1-mile run/walk took place on ��AV’s Fairfax Campus on Saturday, Oct. 19. This year, more than 400 people registered for the event.

The race was open to students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members. Proceeds from the event will benefit student mental health and well-being programs.

Photo by Eduardo Macedo/Office of University Branding

The first Thriving Together 5K was hosted in 2020 as a “virtual” race during the pandemic. For the past few years, the event has been hosted on campus with the option to participate from anywhere.

��AV President Gregory Washington helped kick off the race. Photo by Eduardo Macedo/Office of University Branding

The proceeds from this year’s race will benefit the following programs for students:

New and improved MindSpa spaces where students can relax, practice self-care, and improve their overall wellbeing.
Installing soundproof pods that students can use for telehealth appointments in locations where more private, quiet space is needed.
Providing funding to offset the costs of psychological testing for students who are seeking accommodations.
Scholarships for students who serve in the Peer Empowerment Program, a volunteer opportunity for students to help promote mental health awareness at George Mason.

Photo by Eduardo Macedo/Office of University Branding

The Thriving Together 5K planning committee included faculty and staff from across the university, including University Life, Mason Recreation, the College of Education and Human Development, Parking and Transportation, and Mason Police.

Learn more about mental health and well-being resources at George Mason.

Photo by Eduardo Macedo/Office of University Branding

Learn more about mental health and well-being resources

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Mason Korea's incoming class has students from 15 countries

Colleen Rich — Fri, 30 Aug 2024 17:32:28 +0000

Mason Korea's incoming class has students from 15 countries Colleen Rich Fri, 08/30/2024 - 13:32

Photo provided

More than 150 students, faculty, and staff gathered at Mason Korea's Fall 2024 Convocation to celebrate the arrival of a new international cohort at the IGC Banquet Hall.

“You represent a truly global cohort, coming from 15 different countries,” said Joshua Park, Mason Korea's new campus dean.

Students in this newest class hail from South Korea, the United States, China, the Dominican Republic, Mongolia, Nigeria, Cambodia, Canada, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and the United Kingdom.

“This entering class of Fall 2024 will be the only group that I will be able to say that we started our George Mason journey together,” Park added, concluding with “Let’s make this journey ‘All Together Different.’"

Kelley Chung, associate dean for admissions and government affairs at Mason Korea, also welcomed the incoming class, noting that 2024 has been a significant year for Mason Korea. Not only did the campus celebrate its 10th anniversary, but it also reached its target enrollment quota of 300 students. "These 300 students represent a diverse range of academic interests, backgrounds, and passions," she said.

Shannon Davis, associate dean for faculty and academic affairs, and Student Government President Sherlin Amaya Medrano also shared congratulatory remarks.

The event concluded with the Mason Korea Spirit Awards, recognizing students for their contributions and positive attitudes during the two-day Mason Mingle welcome activities.

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Picture This: Salamander Safety 101

Lauren Reuscher — Thu, 06 Jun 2024 13:23:28 +0000

Picture This: Salamander Safety 101 Lauren Reuscher Thu, 06/06/2024 - 09:23

Three in hats. Two in t-shirts, two in rain jackets. Two wearing glasses. But what's one thing that all of these ��AV students are wearing? Well-fitted, sterile, hypoallergenic, slightly moistened gloves.

Photo by Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation

Some creatures like salamanders absorb oxygen through their skin. Even small amounts of oils on our bare hands, as well as chemicals present in soaps, lotions, hand sanitizers, and first-aid supplies, can harm the delicate salamander.

Photo by Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation

These students participated in the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation’s two-week course CONS 440/540 Field Skills in Ecology course in Front Royal, Virginia, where they practiced ecological research techniques like habitat evaluation, sampling, and identifying wildlife populations.

Photo by Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation

Another must-do for salamander safety: If you must pick one up, put it back exactly where you found it!

Photo by Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation

Learn more about the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation

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Nikki Giovanni shares her remembrances of James Baldwin

Colleen Rich — Tue, 14 May 2024 17:03:02 +0000

Nikki Giovanni shares her remembrances of James Baldwin Colleen Rich Tue, 05/14/2024 - 13:03

Poet Nikki Giovanni signing books after her lecture. Photo by Aster Equine Photography

Poet and civil rights activist Nikki Giovanni delivered the second annual Busboys and Poets Lecture: “Jimmy and Me—and Our Interconnected Future as Americans,” on April 23 before an audience of more than 350 at Sherwood Center in Fairfax as part of ��AV’s yearlong Baldwin100 program.

In 1971, Giovanni taped a two-hour “dialogue” with author James Baldwin and for a public TV show called “Soul!” At 47, Baldwin was already a legend for his novel The Fire Next Time and other writings. Giovanni, then 28, was a luminary of the Black Arts Movement as the author of the 1968 poetry collection Black Feeling, Black Talk. Their conversation was subsequently published in book form.

The Baldwin100 is a yearlong program from George Mason’s Alan Cheuse International Writers Center designed to encourage students and the community at large to engage with the late author’s work around what would have been his 100th birthday.

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George Mason's Spring 2024 Commencement in pictures

Lauren Reuscher — Thu, 09 May 2024 19:22:24 +0000

George Mason's Spring 2024 Commencement in pictures Lauren Reuscher Thu, 05/09/2024 - 15:22

Spring 2024 Commencement at ��AV on May 9 at EagleBank Arena celebrated nearly 11,000 graduates and certificate recipients. Graduates hailed from 114 countries and 50 states. Mason photographers captured the excitement and spirit of the day.

Photo by Evan Cantwell/��AV

George Mason President Gregory Washington delivered Commencement remarks to an arena packed with graduates. Photo by Ron Aira/��AV

Photo by Evan Cantwell/��AV

Graduate Anissa Clay Zelaya sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” during Spring 2024 Commencement at EagleBank Arena. Photo by Evan Cantwell/��AV

Photo by Evan Cantwell/��AV

Photo by Ron Aira/��AV

Photo by Evan Cantwell/��AV

Photo by Ron Aira/��AV

Interim Provost and Executive Vice President Ken Walsh, student Commencement speaker Zayd Hamid, Rector Horace Blackman, and President Gregory Washington. Photo by Ayman Rashid/��AV

Photo by Evan Cantwell/��AV

Congrats, Grads! Visit the Alumni Association site

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The wheels on the bus go round and round, thanks to Mason’s transit drivers

Lauren Reuscher — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 13:26:27 +0000

The wheels on the bus go round and round, thanks to Mason’s transit drivers Lauren Reuscher Thu, 03/21/2024 - 09:26

Catch a Mason Shuttle

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To mark Transit Driver Appreciation Day, the ��AV community expressed gratitude for the public transit drivers who help the Mason Nation get to school, work, and around town.