innovation

New research utilizes machine learning to address social isolation among alzheimer’s caregivers

mthomp7 — Thu, 10 Oct 2024 17:22:37 +0000

New research utilizes machine learning to address social isolation among alzheimer’s caregivers mthomp7 Thu, 10/10/2024 - 13:22

A new study from the College of Public Health at ��AV, led by Professor Janusz Wojtusiak and Health Services Research doctoral candidate Ghaida Alsadah, explores the use of machine learning to predict social isolation among caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders.

This research, which has been selected for funding by the Commonwealth of Virginia's Alzheimer's and Related Diseases Research Award Fund (ARDRAF), marks a significant advance in leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to address a critical public health issue.

Professor Janusz Wojtusiak uses machine learning to predict social isolation among caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders.

Alsadah has played a pivotal role in this study, contributing her expertise as a doctoral candidate to develop and refine machine learning models. These models analyze data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS), and Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) to identify and predict social isolation trajectories among caregivers. The study’s key finding is that AI-driven methods offer a novel approach to detecting social isolation, potentially leading to targeted interventions.

“This research is groundbreaking in its application of machine learning to predict social isolation among caregivers, an area previously underexplored,” said Wojtusiak. “The potential to develop AI-based interventions could significantly enhance the well-being of caregivers who often face profound social and emotional challenges.”

The study aims to construct predictive models for social isolation, adapt them for Medicare claims data, and simulate their application across large populations. The goal is to create a framework for AI-based interventions to address loneliness among caregivers effectively.

The innovation of this work lies in its use of machine learning to analyze and predict social isolation—a new approach with the potential to transform current understanding and interventions. Wojtusiak and Alsadah’s research is set to significantly impact health informatics and caregiver support. “Predicting Social Isolation Among Alzheimer’s Caregivers Using Machine Learning” will be published in an upcoming issue of a leading health informatics journal, emphasizing the importance of innovative approaches to complex public health challenges.

Additional contributors include College of Public Health alumna Mary Louise Pomeroy, a postdoctoral research fellow at Johns Hopkins University, who provided valuable expertise on social isolation and relevant datasets.

Learn more about the College of Public Health

In This Story

Janusz Wojtusiak, PhD

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Artificial Intelligence

College of Public Health

Strategic Direction

MSHI Student Profile

Mason bioengineering PhD achieves her dream of developing a technology that aids in cancer diagnoses

Colleen Rich — Fri, 09 Dec 2022 20:54:03 +0000

Mason bioengineering PhD achieves her dream of developing a technology that aids in cancer diagnoses Colleen Rich Fri, 12/09/2022 - 15:54

Although ��AV doctoral student Shrishti Singh may have faced setbacks, including a pandemic, during her time in the bioengineering PhD program, she didn’t let it get in the way of her dreams. With the support of her Mason mentors, she has achieved her goal of developing a promising new technology that would allow cancer to be visualized in deep tissue and perhaps diagnosed earlier.

Mason PhD grad Shrishti Singh. Photo provided

Using a combination of FDA-approved dyes and photoacoustic imaging, Singh has created an injectable dye that attaches to tumor cells and increases the contrast of those cells against the background tissue. Photoacoustic imaging, a new biomedical imaging technique, then illuminates the cancer cells, even in early stages and deep tissue areas of the body.

“This technology gives patients better diagnostics for colon cancer, pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, and more, and can improve their prognosis,” said Singh, who has a master’s degree in biomedical engineering from the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut and an engineering degree from Ramaiah Institute of Technology in Bangalore, India.

Singh said she credits her advisors, Mason bioengineering professor Remi Veneziano and mechanical engineering professor Jeffrey Moran, for her success and perseverance.

“After the first year of my PhD, I had almost given up on my degree,” said Singh. “When Professor Veneziano became my advisor, he lifted me up. He has given me the confidence to be where I am today.”

She added, “And Professor Moran has helped me with a lot of the logistics of my degree and directing me on how to achieve my goals.”

When Singh first started working with Veneziano, she told him her main goal was to work on translational technologies that “make it from the research bench to the bedside of the patient,” she said.

Bioengineering professor Remi Veneziano and Shrishti Singh in the lab. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services

Veneziano supported her vision, and Singh has spent her PhD not only developing the technology, but ensuring that it is simple and reproducible.

When Singh encountered roadblocks in her research, she said Moran and Veneziano offered two different research perspectives to help her find the best solution. And what was most important to Singh, when things got hard, they supported her.

“In my PhD, I’ve struggled so much with who I am,” she said. “I’ve had people tell me that my kindness and empathy will not get me where I want to be in science, and that was really hard for me.”

Both Veneziano and Moran have since taught her that those people were wrong.

“Working with a new professor takes courage and trust, and I am honored that she put her trust in me,” said Moran. “Shrishti is one of the most resilient, self-motivated, and caring people I have ever met. She is an inspiration to us all.”

“Professor Moran’s greatest advice has been that no matter what is happening around you or what people say, take the opportunity for growth, but don’t change who you are inherently as a person,” said Singh.

And when rejection gets overwhelming, Veneziano advised Singh to take it one day at a time and ask herself “what did I achieve today?”

“Shrishti has an extremely high work ethic,” said Veneziano. “She is dedicated and has a passion for science, and she wants to work on projects that have a positive impact on our society.”

The technology Singh has created also has many other uses that she hopes to explore in the future. For example, it could also be used for surgeons to better visualize the margins of a tumor during surgery.

After graduation in December, Singh hopes to turn her technology into a successful company. With support from her advisors and Amy Adams, executive director of the Institute for Biohealth Innovation, Singh will seek funding for a post-doctoral program and apply for grants to fund more research on her project.

“This experience has shown me the true power of Mason,” says Singh. “I look forward to building more confidence in my work to inspire others on what I do and why I do it.”

Topics

Students

Graduation

Institute for Biohealth Innovation

innovation

doctoral students

Research

Women's History Month

CEC Grad Research

In This Story

Jeffrey Moran

Remi Veneziano

Mason alum’s gift to the College of Engineering and Computing creates Dean’s Technology Innovation Fund

John Hollis — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 16:32:00 +0000

Mason alum’s gift to the College of Engineering and Computing creates Dean’s Technology Innovation Fund John Hollis Wed, 10/26/2022 - 12:32

The gift from Mason alum Mahfuz Ahmed to the College of Engineering and Computing created the Dean’s Technology Innovation Fund. Photo by Creative Services

He’s the head of a thriving global IT company that does better than $1.2 billion in annual revenue and has sat on the Board of Visitors for four years, and ��AV alum Mahfuz Ahmed says his alma mater is to thank for it all.

Pretty heady stuff for a guy who first arrived at Mason many years ago by way of an F-1 visa as an unsure foreign student making his first foray beyond his home in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

“Mason’s inclusive environment enabled me to not only get a great education, but assimilate in the new society,” said Ahmed, BS Electrical Engineering ’93, the CEO of DISYS, a McLean, Virginia-based global managed services and staffing firm.

“I had never worked prior to coming to the U.S.,” he said, and his first job was in the computer lab at Mason. That gave him the foundation for his future career path.

“Without the nurturing of my professors at the engineering department, I don’t think I would have been able to come to the job market with all the skills that were necessary to thrive.”

Now a corporate giant, Ahmed is able to pay it forward with a recent combined $250,000 commitment through his company that will be used to create the College of Engineering and Computing’s Dean’s Technology Innovation Fund.

The commitment is part of the CEC’s upcoming Day of Giving Campaign on December 8, in which alumni donations to the Dean’s Technology Innovation Fund will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $250,000 by Ahmed so as to double the impact that gift makes to the education of CEC students.

“We are very excited and grateful to have this challenge gift,” said Ken Ball, dean of the CEC. “It will help us to raise money to support our strategic plan for the School of Computing and its promise of impact on innovation.

“Mahfuz Ahmed knows how to innovate,” Ball continued. “As a hard-working entrepreneur, he founded and grew a highly successful company. I hope that others will be inspired by Mahfuz’s generous example and contribute to the College of Engineering and Computing Dean’s Technology Innovation Fund. This new fund will allow us to grow our programs and facilities, and encourage future generations to seek solutions through innovation.”

Ahmed’s gift embodies the kind of collective community effort the Mason-led President’s Innovation Advisory Council (PIAC) envisions as it focuses on transforming Northern Virginia into a more inclusive innovation economy complete with a diverse and job-ready talent pipeline.

Mason has led the way in the transformation, beginning with the renaming of its Arlington Campus to Mason Square this spring with plans for it to become an urban destination of learning, collaboration and economic development. Fuse at Mason Square is the technology-forward building that will be the heart of that community.

The PIAC includes community leaders and executives like Ahmed from an array of local organizations, all of whom share a common vision with Mason of transforming Northern Virginia into a vibrant tech hub.

Donations to the CEC Dean’s Technology Innovation Fund will provide financial resources necessary to meet the tech-talent workforce needs of the region and support the commonwealth’s Tech Talent Investment Program, a 20-year initiative aimed at increasing the number of master's degrees in the fields of computer science, computer engineering, and software engineering.

“Mason instilled the entrepreneurial spirit in me,” Ahmed said. “I started my company a year after I graduated. Mason was instrumental in my development and success. I am hoping our small donation will help encourage others to follow their dream.”

Topics

Campus News

College of Engineering and Computing

innovation

Fuse at Mason Square

Mason Square

Tech Talent Investment Program (TTIP)

Strategic Direction

Mason among nine schools selected to join the NSF’s network of I-Corps Hubs

John Hollis — Mon, 19 Sep 2022 16:55:11 +0000

Mason among nine schools selected to join the NSF’s network of I-Corps Hubs John Hollis Mon, 09/19/2022 - 12:55

Mason is among the nine schools selected to join the new Mid-South Hub of the NSF’s I-Corps network. Graphic provided

��AV is among the nine partners selected by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to comprise a regional consortium of diverse universities whose aim is to provide experiential entrepreneurial training to academic researchers from all fields of science and engineering.

“As Mason builds the next generation of diverse tech talent in Northern Virginia, this experiential entrepreneurship programming will catalyze new ‘lab to market’ initiatives within the recently announced Fuse at Mason Square (formerly Arlington Campus),” said Andre Marshall, Mason’s vice president for research, innovation and economic impact.

The newly formed Mid-South Hub of the NSF Innovation Corps (I-Corps) Hubs network will pair Mason with lead institution Vanderbilt University and other partner institutions, including the University of Kentucky, Jackson State University, Meharry Medical College, Tennessee State University, the University of Louisville, the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and the University of Virginia.

“Each regional I-Corps Hub provides training essential in entrepreneurship and customer discovery, leading to new products, startups and jobs,” said Erwin Gianchandani, the NSF’s assistant director for technology, innovation and partnerships. “In this way, the I-Corps program will open up new economic opportunities throughout the United States.”

The nine I-Corps Hubs around the nation form the operational backbone of the National Innovation Network, a collaborative effort among universities, NSF-funded researchers, local and regional entrepreneurial communities and other federal agencies to help researchers convert their results to the marketplace.

“Basically, in its essence, the I-Corps program provides experiential entrepreneurial training to researchers,” Marshall said. “It’s an experiential learning program focused on researchers.”

The Mid-South Hub, which will launch in January 2023 with a five-year grant of $15 million, was one of five new hubs recently announced by NSF. Established in 2011, the I-Corps program helps the NSF identify universities that will find the most promising research faculty and students in the country doing research on highly technical fields like cybersecurity that hold the most promise to translate their discoveries into high-impact societal and commercial benefit.

A top-tier research university, Mason is also a top 10 public university in cybersecurity according to US News & World Report. "Working in collaboration with NSF and other universities, Mason will be leading commercial and government partnerships to increase discovery, solutions, new ventures, and economic development in Northern Virginia and Greater Washington Metropolitan area,” Marshall said.

The first five I-Corps Hubs were awarded in 2021, with each hub expanding its reach this year by adding a new partner institution to their region.

“This hub will accelerate the translation of groundbreaking university research outcomes into commercialized ventures that seed emergent, prosperous innovation ecosystems across the Midsouth,” said Vanderbilt’s Charleson Bell and Deanna Meador, the respective director and deputy director of entrepreneurship, biomedical innovation and I-Corps, in a joint statement.

The I-Corps Hubs work collaboratively to build and sustain a diverse and inclusive innovation ecosystem throughout the U.S.

“Mason is among the universities chosen because it is seen as rich in ‘deep-tech’ research activity, leaders in diversity and inclusion, and committed to translating university-based discoveries,” Marshall said, adding that many Mason faculty and students will participate in the Hub, supported by the Mason Enterprise network.

Mason’s selection for the Mid-South Hub also struck a more personal chord for Marshall, as he was among the first teams to have participated in the program in 2012 before being named director of the NSF’s I-Corps program some years later and prior to coming to Mason.

“We are going to be part of a national community of researchers and entrepreneurship experts that values the impact that basic research can have to the economy and to society through innovation and entrepreneurship,” Marshall said.

Vanderbilt plans to host a summit with the Mid-South Hub universities in the near future to build the five-year vision for the hub’s inclusive innovation corridor.

Topics

Campus News

faculty research

National Science Foundation

innovation

Strategic Direction

��AV Awarded $3.75M Grant to Create Nano-IMAGINE Program

Tama Moni — Tue, 26 Jul 2022 19:49:18 +0000

��AV Awarded $3.75M Grant to Create Nano-IMAGINE Program Tama Moni Tue, 07/26/2022 - 15:49

��AV has received a $3.75M per capita grant from GO Virginia, a state-funded initiative administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. The grant, which is the largest award for GO Virginia funding in Region 7, will allow Mason to establish Nano-IMAGINE, a new program that is a response to the exploding nanofabrication industry. By offering high-tech workforce readiness training and accelerating the launch and advancement of nanotech startups, the program is designed to position Virginia as a global leader in the nanotechnology sector.

The new program is being established in partnership with Mason’s College of Engineering and Computing, College of Science, and Office of Research, Innovation, and Economic Impact.

“This proposal represents one of the most exciting new opportunities for Northern Virginia’s innovation economy,” said Susan Baker, managing director of GO Virginia. “GO Virginia is delighted to partner with ��AV to create high-paying careers and new talent pathways in nanotechnology for the region.”

Nanoscale products, such as chips that provide memory in electronics, are crucial in many areas, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and health. With supply chain issues causing increased demand, nanotech companies across Virginia have intensified the manufacturing of nanoscale structures. In order to ensure the proper fabrication of these technologies, requirements like a controlled cleanroom and a skilled workforce must be met. Mason has stepped up to the plate both with the Nano-IMAGINE program and its recently constructed addition to its Science and Technology (SciTech) Campus: a 1,946 square foot Nanofabrication Facility (NFF) comprised of a class 1000 cleanroom and a class 100,000 characterization lab.

“The NFF is the only cleanroom facility in Northern Virginia that can offer hands-on nanofabrication workforce training and support groundbreaking research and development activities that will spur the formation, advancement, and growth of high-tech companies,” said Andre Marshall, vice president of research, innovation, and economic impact at Mason. “We are proud to be able to provide students with experiential learning opportunities to prepare them for the economy of the future and serve as a regional resource for nanofabrication innovation.”

Nano-IMAGINE’s workforce readiness program will consist of the development and modification of 26 graduate and undergraduate classes at Mason to address nanotechnologies in the life sciences and engineering, a Nano-Cleanroom certificate class, and the formation of a nano-STEM educational boot camp for high school students. Through its efforts, Mason aims to support companies, like Micron, BAE Systems, and GeneSiC with the creation of a talented workforce pipeline.

“Ensuring a strong pool of local STEM talent is essential to maintaining the industry’s technology development and growth,” said Delbert Parks, vice president, and site executive of Micron Technology Virginia. “We are proud to support this new nanotechnology program that will benefit local high school students, including those who are first-generation, the Northern Virginia Community College and Mason, as well as veterans.”

Building a cleanroom with sophisticated tools is often cost-prohibitive to emerging businesses. Furthermore, nano-entrepreneurs are in need of facilities where they can produce novel nanostructures and prototypes. The NFF will be available to external users, such as startup organizations, at competitive market rates. In conjunction with this, Mason’s SciTech Campus is adjacent to the Northern Virginia BioScience Center, a 30,000-square-foot wet lab building that opened in February 2022 and supplies essential commercial lab space.

U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, who is the chief Senate sponsor of legislation to restore U.S. leadership in semiconductor technology and production and added support to Mason’s initiative, is excited about the opportunities that can be explored through the grant and the fiscal effects on the region and the state at large.

“I was proud to support Mason’s proposal because I know that Northern Virginia’s growing tech corridor needs a skilled, 21st-century workforce to continue to grow,” said Sen. Warner. “I applaud Mason for making strategic investments in our future and working to strengthen Virginia’s reputation as a hub for cutting-edge research and economic growth.”

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Mechanical Engineering capstone day debuts senior design (aka capstone) projects

Rena Malai — Fri, 13 May 2022 16:27:04 +0000

Mechanical Engineering capstone day debuts senior design (aka capstone) projects Rena Malai Fri, 05/13/2022 - 12:27

Right before graduation, George Mason mechanical engineering senior students displayed their capstone projects during their capstone day.

Associate Professor Nathan Kathir congratulates
students on Capstone Day

Students showcased the tremendous efforts made during their senior year, and demonstrated the intricacies of project findings. Laid out around the atrium of the Nguyen Engineering building and the lawn outside, the projects included a remote sensing boat, a wheelchair transfer ramp solution, and an alert system for the hearing impaired, along with several others.

“As the director of capstone projects for the mechanical engineering program, it is a treat to see the students’ year-long hard work come to successful conclusion,” says Associate Professor Nathan Kathir. “Our program has ABET accreditation and ABET criteria require a culminating design experience for students before graduation. Mason provides more than a design experience; with 100 percent of our projects sponsored by external partners, we provide a real-world experience and prepare graduates to enter the engineering workforce.”

Maritime RobotX Challenge

Teams Hermes, Poseidon, and Athena all worked together on the Maritime RobotX Challenge, which is an international, university- level competition. The goal is to create an automated maritime vessel that can be controlled remotely, without the need for on-site human control.

Hermes team lead Yasmin Alamin says this project seemed the coolest out of all the capstone projects because of the international component and the chance to demonstrate the autonomous boat in Australia.

“I felt the team lead experience puts me in a place to pursue a career in engineering consulting,” says Alamin. “We went through a lot of experiences with this project like programming learning curves (as MEs), technical challenges, and managing everyone’s time effectively.”

Jafar Hussainy, Poseidon team lead, says the project made him appreciate boats a lot more and the competition is an opportunity to put Mason on the map, and of course, win.

“This will be Mason’s first year participating in the Maritime RobotX Challenge,” says Hussainy. “Being on this project taught me to be more flexible in my mindset and ask others for help.”

It was an interesting project to work on, says Athena team lead Reginal Lockhart.

“I enjoy engineering in all its forms, and this was an interesting challenge to partake in,” he says. “We had a Navy captain offering assistance and contacts in the CIA. It was a cool project.”

The Maritime RobotX Challenge will take place November 2022 in Sydney, Australia.

Wheelchair Transfer Solutions

Designing a light, portable, and easy-to-carry wheelchair transfer device was the objective of capstone project Wheelchair Transfer Solutions (WTS.)

The team designed an aluminum U-shaped transfer system that could be taken apart and put together simply. The device comes with a portable ramp so wheelchair users can use the system for a variety of purposes, such as getting in and out of a car with more ease.

“We chose aluminum as the construction material because it’s lightweight and durable,” says team member and mechanical engineering senior Joe Barbazette. “It’s useful for travel and being on the go.”

The system safely supports up to 400 pounds, is weather resistant, and it can adjust the wheelchair up to six inches of height vertically.

Autonomous Vehicles Alert Systems

As their capstone project, Team Spider-Sense and Team Vibe-Vision worked on a sound recognition system for drivers with hearing impairments. The goal is to enable smooth adoption of autonomous vehicles by the deaf population and to improve safe driving conditions.

The alert system works by detecting sounds from potential hazards, like a siren, and alerting the driver of where the sound is coming from by a real-time visual displayed on a screen near the console. Simultaneously, the driver’s seat cushion will vibrate.

The system has a sound library which the team augmented to include additional sounds such as barking dogs, police sirens, gunshots, and car horns.

Team member and mechanical engineering senior Faiza Al-Bahrani says she uses a cochlear hearing implant and for her, the autonomous vehicle alert system has a 90 percent accuracy.

“I can’t always hear everything going on, and this is a great safety feature while driving,” she says.

The feature basically does the listening for you, she adds, and it can detect the location of a sound so drivers can maneuver around the potential hazard.

According to the team, the alert system is targeted to integrate into any type of vehicle.

A podcast episode featuring capstone day student interviews is available under The Mason Mechanical Engineer title, on most podcasting platforms.

Topics

Senior Capstone Project

mechanical engineering

Students

innovation

36 hours of innovation: Two hackathons at Mason inspire students to dream big

Mariam Aburdeineh — Mon, 28 Feb 2022 17:25:31 +0000

36 hours of innovation: Two hackathons at Mason inspire students to dream big Mariam Aburdeineh Mon, 02/28/2022 - 12:25

In This Story

Kamaljeet Sanghera

HackOverFlow's Presidential Committee. Back row from left to right: Siddharth Veluvolu and Sai Srivatsav Gutala. Front row from left to right: Nicholas Paschke, Abegail Aquiro, and Josh Merriman. Photo provided.

There’s no shortage of creativity at ��AV, and from March 11-13, students will accelerate innovation at the university’s annual hackathon. This year, two events will take place simultaneously: PatriotHacks, the signature hackathon focused on software programming, and HackOverFlow, a new hackathon with a focus on hardware engineering.

“PatriotHacks…has been drawing hundreds of students to a 36-hour hackathon for the last three years,” said Kammy Sanghera, executive director of Mason’s Institute for Digital InnovAtion (IDIA). “With the addition of HackOverFlow, we will be able to extend the opportunity to students who want to create prototypes or work on hardware solutions.”

"Robot Spider." An example of a hardware project students could create at HackOverFlow.

That could include robotics, wearable devices, or anything with a mechanical component, said Sai Srivatsav Gutala, a member of HackOverFlow’s presidential committee.

“My long-term vision for HackOverFlow is to have students come in with crazy ideas, no matter how big, no matter how impossible the world may think they are,” said Gutala, a senior studying electrical engineering.

The hackathons, hosted by IDIA’s TechConnect DC, will be held in Horizon Hall. College students of any major, from any institution, and recent graduates, are welcome to register individually or in teams.

PatriotHacks will also be in hybrid format this year, with online and in-person participation.

Both events are about fostering innovation and solving challenges, the students said, but you don’t have to be an expert to join.

Jared Ponmakha. Photo provided.

“If you’ve ever had an idea for a project but didn’t know how or where to start, this event is the catalyst to make your idea into reality,” said Jared Ponmakha, a senior studying computer science, and one of PatriotHacks’ directors. “Students benefit by being given the technical resources and mentorships to idealize their projects fully.”

In addition to the hackathon itself, there will be workshops, talks and social events, the students said, including a resume-building workshop and a Mario Kart tournament.

Participating also has career advantages, Gutala said, mentioning that sponsors and representatives from tech companies will be in attendance.

“Submitting projects gives students the ability to show the sponsors what they learned at the event,” Ponmakha said. “[The hackathons] give more personable job opportunities than a standard career fair.”

“It is a professional development opportunity for our students where they are not bound by grading criteria,” Sanghera said. “It allows them to think outside the box, be creative, and be confident to ask questions as they seek solutions for local, regional, or global issues.”

Prizes are another incentive.

“We offer 10 tracks to earn prizes, including ‘Most Likely to be a Startup’ to ‘Best Hardware Hack,’” said Ponmakha. “Prizes include fast tracks to internships and even a hacker goodie bag.”

The leadership team from both hackathons said they’re excited for what’s the come.

“There’s no greater feeling than working on a product you’ve been pouring your sweat and tears into,” Gutala said. “That happiness inspires us to give more opportunity to students so they can work on problems and create solutions that could be used in the real world.”

Topics

Hackathon

Students

Campus News

Institute for Digital InnovAtion (IDIA)

computer science

Electrical Engineering

innovation

career fair

Disruptors Welcome in the Virtual Reality and Simulation Lab

mthomp7 — Fri, 24 Sep 2021 18:42:36 +0000

Disruptors Welcome in the Virtual Reality and Simulation Lab mthomp7 Fri, 09/24/2021 - 14:42

In This Story

Cheryl Oetjen, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC

Bethany Cieslowski, DNP

Simulation Lab Coordinator Bethany Cieslowski harnesses technology to enhance interprofessional clinical education.

“The learning really comes from the pre- and post-simulation briefings where students receive feedback and learn from the actions that result from critical thinking processes,” says Cieslowski, simulation and VR coordinator.

Bethany Cieslowski joined the College in July 2021 as the Simulation and VR Coordinator, with the mission to re-envision the College’s approach to virtual, augmented, and simulated learning for the interprofessional student body. “Preparing our students for the future of healthcare requires completely new ways of defining a “classroom,” says Cieslowski. “Virtual and augmented reality allow us to bring the learning experience to our students across all our degree programs – delivering hands-on learning in an immersive environment conducive to applying and acquiring skills.”

Cieslowski received a Doctorate in Nursing Practice from Duke University, but she considers simulation and informatics as her passion. She seeks to integrate both into every aspect of nursing to improve the quality of care, provide students with high-quality clinical experiences, and deliver career-ready graduates to the workforce. Her most recent experience prior to joining Mason includes integrating training for virtual health visits and using telehealth technology in the BSN and MSN curriculum – a much-needed skillset for today’s clinicians, given the mainstream adoption of telehealth during the pandemic.

When observing Cieslowski in action, her experience in leading VR and simulation training and debrief is evident. She easily navigates various scenarios—such as teaching students how to triage mass casualties in a ‘low-frequency high consequence’ event, such as a simulated mass shooting, and helping a high school student avert hypoglycemia by assessing the situation and providing adequate carbohydrates to elevate his blood sugar – all in a virtual space.

The simulation technology fits into a backpack – making it logistically and financially possible to prepare students for scenarios that were previously difficult to access. “For example, obstetric and pediatric clinical opportunities are often limited for students– but with simulations, every student can participate in delivering a baby. The technology is not only cool but can help students complete their clinical requirements more efficiently,” says Cheryl Oetjen, interim department chair for the School of Nursing at Mason.

“The technology is not the innovation—the technology enables the innovation,” says Cieslowski. “The learning really comes from the pre- and post-simulation briefings where students receive feedback and learn from the actions that result from critical thinking processes.” She is eager to work with the faculty, staff, and students to bring the full potential of VR and simulation to the College. She looks forward to publicly launching the Virtual Reality and Simulation Lab in the upcoming months and is currently training students, faculty, and staff on the new simulation platform SimX which will be deployed to students throughout the Fall and Spring semesters.

Topics

Tech Talent Investment Program (TTIP)

TTIP

Mason leads Virginia in innovation and diversity as engineering numbers climb in latest U.S. News rankings

Mariam Aburdeineh — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 20:33:10 +0000

Mason leads Virginia in innovation and diversity as engineering numbers climb in latest U.S. News rankings Mariam Aburdeineh Mon, 09/13/2021 - 16:33

In This Story

Gregory Washington

Kenneth Ball

First day of classes at ��AV, 2021. Photo by: Shelby Burgess/Strategic Communications/��AV

��AV is the most diverse and most innovative institution in Virginia according to the latest rankings by U.S. News & World Report for its 2022 Best Colleges List, reflecting the university’s mission of providing access to excellence. Six programs made the top 100, including engineering, which rose 16 spots in the past year.

Mason also rose in its social mobility rankings (graduating Pell Grant students), to No. 127 (up from 144). Over the past five years, Mason grew its number of Pell Grant-receiving students by the fifth largest total in the country.

“Universities have a responsibility to equip graduates with the knowledge and skills they need to make a difference in their communities,” said Mason President Gregory Washington. “These rankings highlight that Mason has taken that a step beyond, providing access to excellence for students of all walks of life, and positively impacting not only the region, but the nation through our innovative research and leadership.”

In addition to being best in Virginia, Mason ranked No. 9 among public institutions for innovation and No. 18 nationally, up from No. 35 in 2020, when the institution tied with Virginia Tech.

“Mason’s rapid increase in research over the last five to seven years has been significant, especially as one of the youngest R1 research institutions,” said Paula Sorrell, associate vice president of Mason’s Office of Research. “The research that the faculty is doing is leading to technologies that are very market-related, and Mason has always done a good job in working with its partners to better understand their needs, both from an academic and research perspective.”

Sorrell added that the rating also speaks to the work of Mason’s Small Business Development Center, the recently launched Institute for Digital InnovAtion (IDIA), its growing entrepreneurial programs, and community partnerships across the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The university, which ranked No. 148 overall (No. 67 among publics), also maintained its top ranking in Virginia for ethnic diversity (No. 21 overall; No. 12 among publics).

“This ranking is a reflection of Mason’s commitment to build a community where all feel welcome and supported, and provides affirmation of the quality of our programs, as well as the achievements of our students, faculty, and staff,” said Sharnnia Artis, vice president at the Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the university’s chief diversity officer. “We are very pleased U.S. News has recognized our university’s approach to inclusive excellence.”

For cybersecurity, Mason ranked No. 28 (15 among publics). For undergraduate engineering at schools that offer a doctoral degree program, Mason is ranked No. 86 (up from 102).

“Our programs, enrollment, and research are all growing along with our impact on the nation and the commonwealth,” said Kenneth Ball, dean of the College of Engineering and Computing. “While we have long been known for our cybersecurity expertise, our other programs are now being recognized for their outstanding quality, resulting in higher rankings.”

In partnership with the commonwealth’s Tech Talent initiative and to support Amazon’s HQ2 and other regional employers, the university has been expanding its programs in computer science and related fields.

“We’re on a fabulous trajectory, and I am very excited about our future,” Ball said, adding that Mason is the largest producer of tech talent in Virginia.

The university was also named a top 100 best school for veterans (No. 86, up from No. 100) and is listed as an “A+ School for B Students.”

In 2020, Mason began offering undergraduate teaching degrees for the first time. The program has already claimed a spot in U.S. News’ top 100. The program is No. 20 among public institutions, tied with University of Virginia.

“This ranking reflects the impact of Mason’s education programs resulting from our exceptional faculty, comprehensive curriculum, and school-based field experiences,” said Robert Baker, interim dean of the College of Education and Human Development. “Through cutting-edge research, outstanding instruction, and top-notch partner school systems, our diverse student population is readied to assume leadership roles in the evolving educational environment.”

U.S. News added a new category this year for undergraduate nursing, for which Mason also made the top 100.

“The latest rankings for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing reflect Mason’s commitment to providing students with interprofessional learning experiences in culturally diverse and underserved populations,” said Germaine Louis, dean of the College of Health and Human Services. “Upon graduation, Mason nurses are prepared to become health care leaders in many roles including clinicians, educators, researchers, and administrators and across employment sectors.”

Mason also ranked in these U.S. News categories, released Monday, Sept. 13.

Overall ranking

Nationally: 148

Publics: 67

Most Innovative Schools

Nationally: 18 (Best in Virginia; up from 35)

Publics: 9 (up from 13 in 2020)

Ethnic Diversity

Nationally: 21 (Best in Virginia)

Publics: 12

A+ School for B Students

(Selection, no rankings)

Undergraduate Business

Nationally: 84

Publics: 52

Undergraduate Nursing (new category for 2022)

Nationally: 96

Publics: 71

Undergraduate Computer Science

Nationally: 82

Publics 45

Cybersecurity

Nationally: 28

Publics: 15

Best School for Veterans

Nationally: 86 (up from 100)

Publics: 62

Best Value Schools

Nationally: No. 137

Publics: No. 45

Undergraduate Engineering (for schools with a doctoral program)

Nationally: 86 (up from 102)

Publics: 51

Top Performers on Social Mobility (graduating Pell Grant students)

Nationally: 127 (Up from 144)

Publics: 66

Undergraduate Teaching

Nationally: 71

Publics: 20

Editor’s note: This story may be updated as more information is released.

Topics

Rankings

Campus News

U.S. News & World Report

Access to Excellence

Office of Research

innovation

Small Business Development Center

Institute for Digital InnovAtion (IDIA)

College of Engineering and Computing

CEHD

College of Education and Human Development

Nursing

CHHS

College of Health and Human Services

Mason’s new tech initiative is set to be an automatic game changer

Mariam Aburdeineh — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 18:57:24 +0000

Mason’s new tech initiative is set to be an automatic game changer Mariam Aburdeineh Mon, 09/13/2021 - 14:57

In This Story

David Rehr

David Rehr, Mason alumni, and other industry professionals discuss careers in the RPA industry as part of Mason's new RPA Initiative. Photo provided.

David Rehr said he has spent his entire life thinking about how government can be more efficient and effective.

The ��AV alumnus and director of Mason’s Center for Business Civic Engagement at the Schar School of Policy and Government spent 25 years as a lobbyist on Capitol Hill. Before that, he was a child growing up in the Midwest, the son of a hardworking postman who didn’t attend college.

His time in government, he said, made him a bit cynical, feeling that citizens’ hard-earned tax dollars, like his father’s, weren’t being used the most resourcefully.

Rehr said he learned about Robotic Process Automation (RPA)—what he believes could be the key to solving government and public sector inefficiencies—when he met someone from global software company UiPath in 2020.

That led to Rehr co-founding Mason’s RPA Initiative, in partnership with UiPath, in January.

“This gives Mason a really unique opportunity to help the public sector, and to make programs work better for citizens,” said Rehr, who earned a PhD in economics from Mason in 1998. “We’re the only university I could find that has such a program.”

“Mason has a history of innovation, technology, and studying public policy,” said Bobby Patrick, UiPath CMO. “We believe the partnership is a great fit and will benefit citizens seeking greater value in public-sector programs and initiatives.”

Rehr spoke over the phone about the initiative and its benefits.

What is RPA and how is it used?

RPA is an easy-to-use, commercial off-the-shelf technology that can automate repetitive, rules-based tasks.

During COVID, RPA greatly reduced the time it took to receive COVID test results. Another application analyzed photos of infected lungs…the robotics could determine within about a minute if you were going to have a complication.

There’s a digital assistant where if you have to fill out HR paperwork, you can scan your driver’s license and all your paperwork is filled out for you. For W-4 forms that multiple people have to sign, RPA can automatically send it to your supervisors, who are signaled by the technology that they have something to approve. It’s continuous from there.

Tell us about Mason’s RPA Initiative.

At the Schar School, we’re always focusing on how we can be innovative in our teaching and make an impact in the world.

The mission of the initiative is to research, educate, and communicate how the adoption of technologies can improve productivity, operations and service delivery for traditional and novel challenges of the public sector.

What can we look forward to with the initiative?

We’re hoping to be able to hire more students to work on projects, to further educate through webinars and instruction, do research, and communicate the benefits of RPA to the public sector.

The [School of Business] also has an RPA class. We’re hoping to take a multidisciplinary approach: how can we use all the Mason resources to make sure our students are aware of the opportunities and get hired when they graduate.

Will RPA replace human labor?

There’s not a substitution effect; there’s a complementary effect. This technology will help programs work better for people and more efficiently. It liberates workers from mundane things, which don’t appeal to their imagination. Using RPA will allow people the freedom to think about high value work priorities and unleash greater economic growth, greater prosperity, make everyone’s lives better, and help people have more fulfilling lives.

Where can people go to learn more about RPA?

The initiative produced a paper aimed at non-IT workers in June that’s been picked up around the world. We include examples of what’s happening globally with RPA, and explain the technology in a non-technical way. Those interested in getting involved can visit the RPA Initiative website.

Topics

Schar School

Schar School Faculty

robotic process automation (RPA)

Alumni

Business

Costello College of Business

Center for Business Civic Engagement

innovation

Campus News

Schar School News September 2021

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��AV Awarded $3.75M Grant to Create Nano-IMAGINE Program