George Mason achieves “Top Producing Institution” status from Fulbright Scholars program
George Mason achieves “Top Producing Institution” status from Fulbright Scholars program
Katarina Benson
Mon, 02/24/2025 - 13:27 Body The U.S. Department of State has named George Mason University a “Top Producing Institution” of Fulbright U.S. Scholars in 2024-25. The university has more Fulbrights this academic year—eight—than in any year in its history.
The Life Sciences and Engineering Building on the Science and Technology Campus. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding The “top-producing” designation reflects George Mason’s “deep commitment to international exchange and to building lasting connections between the people of the United States and the people of other countries,” Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Scott Weinhold said in a letter informing the university of the honor. The Fulbright Program was founded in 1946 to increase understanding between people in the United States and 160 countries through academic and cultural exchange. You can find the complete list of 2024-25 Fulbright “Top Producing Institutions” here. The eight honorees this year come from seven George Mason schools and colleges: Guadalupe Correa-Cabrera (Schar School), Carolyn Drews-Botsch (College of Public Health), Amy Fowler (College of Science), Chawky Frenn (Center of Visual and Performing Arts), David J. Gerleman (College of Humanities and Social Sciences), Jennifer Leeman (CHSS), Linda J. Mann (Carter School) and Risto Marttinen (College of Education and Human Development). Frenn also was honored as a Fulbright in 2017-18. These faculty members are sharing and growing their expertise in Hungary, Ireland, Finland, India, Mexico, the Netherlands, and Spain. “This recognition is all about the excellence and dedication of George Mason’s faculty,” said Provost James Antony. “Earning a record number of Fulbright awards in a single year speaks to the incredible work our scholars are doing—not just in their research, but in connecting with colleagues around the world, exchanging ideas, and bringing new perspectives back to our students. That’s what makes George Mason special: a faculty committed to making an impact, here at home and across the globe.” Of George Mason’s 103 Fulbrights, according to the Fulbright Scholar Directory, 27 have come in the past seven years. The previous high for Fulbrights in a year for George Mason was five in 1994-95. George Mason’s first Fulbright was history professor Ernest Cassara in 1975-76, who taught at the University of Munich. George Mason has hosted 98 Fulbrights, according to the organization’s website, including six this academic year. In This Story People Mentioned in This Story Guadalupe Correa-Cabrera Carolyn Drews-Botsch, PhD, MPH Chawky Frenn David J. GerlemanLearn about our 2024 Fulbright Scholars
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The U.S. Department of State has named George Mason University a “Top Producing Institution” of Fulbright U.S. Scholars in 2024-25. The university has more Fulbrights this academic year—eight—than in any year in its history.
The “top-producing” designation reflects George Mason’s “deep commitment to international exchange and to building lasting connections between the people of the United States and the people of other countries,” Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Scott Weinhold said in a letter informing the university of the honor.
The Fulbright Program was founded in 1946 to increase understanding between people in the United States and 160 countries through academic and cultural exchange. You can find the complete list of 2024-25 Fulbright “Top Producing Institutions” here.
The eight honorees this year come from seven George Mason schools and colleges: Guadalupe Correa-Cabrera (Schar School), Carolyn Drews-Botsch (College of Public Health), Amy Fowler (College of Science), Chawky Frenn (Center of Visual and Performing Arts), David J. Gerleman (College of Humanities and Social Sciences), Jennifer Leeman (CHSS), Linda J. Mann (Carter School) and Risto Marttinen (College of Education and Human Development). Frenn also was honored as a Fulbright in 2017-18.
These faculty members are sharing and growing their expertise in Hungary, Ireland, Finland, India, Mexico, the Netherlands, and Spain.
“This recognition is all about the excellence and dedication of George Mason’s faculty,” said Provost James Antony. “Earning a record number of Fulbright awards in a single year speaks to the incredible work our scholars are doing—not just in their research, but in connecting with colleagues around the world, exchanging ideas, and bringing new perspectives back to our students. That’s what makes George Mason special: a faculty committed to making an impact, here at home and across the globe.”
Of George Mason’s 103 Fulbrights, according to the Fulbright Scholar Directory, 27 have come in the past seven years. The previous high for Fulbrights in a year for George Mason was five in 1994-95. George Mason’s first Fulbright was history professor Ernest Cassara in 1975-76, who taught at the University of Munich.
George Mason has hosted 98 Fulbrights, according to the organization’s website, including six this academic year.
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- George Mason men’s and women’s basketball programs riding highGeorge Mason men’s and women’s basketball programs riding high Colleen Rich Tue, 03/11/2025 - 15:17 Body It’s March Madness again, and it’s made for some heady times for the George Mason University basketball program. The Patriots women’s and men’s basketball teams are the talk of Mason Nation and elsewhere after reaching new heights with their play this past weekend. And both teams could ascend higher still. “It’s a great time to be a Patriot,” men’s basketball coach Tony Skinn said. The second-seeded women’s team made history at the Atlantic 10 Tournament on Sunday, downing Saint Joseph’s 73-58 in the championship game at the Henrico Sports & Events Center to claim the first NCAA Tournament berth in program history. Photo by Art Pittman/Athletics Senior guard Paula Suárez scored 23 points and redshirt sophomore forward and A-10 Rookie of the Year Zahirah Walton added 19 as George Mason (27-5) launched itself into the Big Dance in style with its first conference tournament title. Now in her fourth year at the helm after inheriting a program with no conference game wins and just three overall in the season before her arrival, Coach Vanessa Blair-Lewis and team will now await Sunday evening’s televised NCAA Tournament Selection Show in EagleBank Arena to see where they will be paired. “I’m really excited about how this team has come together,” Blair-Lewis said. “It speaks volumes to the camaraderie and the dedication they have to each other to come together and do something good.” The victory is just the latest milestone for a surging Patriots’ women’s basketball team that had already set new school records this season for the most wins in the regular season (24), the longest winning streak (11 games), and for the first consecutive 20-win seasons. The team also matched a year-old mark for conference victories in a season (14) to earn its highest A-10 Tournament seeding ever. The preseason pick to finish sixth in the conference, the George Mason men’s team did team its part in helping to make a magical basketball weekend that Patriot fans won’t soon forget. A 64-60 win at University of Richmond on Saturday gave the Patriots a share of the Atlantic 10 regular season title for the first time ever. Photo by Athletics Senior guard Darius Maddox tallied 15 of his game-high 18 points in the second half to pace George Mason (24-7). “This is truly a blessing,” second-year Head Coach Tony Skinn said following the game. “I said when I got this job that I was going to work my butt off to get us back where we belong. It starts with our leadership. [George Mason President Gregory] Washington boldly chose to give an opportunity to a guy who had never been a head coach. His faith and support, along with [Assistant Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics] Marvin Lewis, are a big part of how we were able to build this roster. This is what can happen when you approach things the right way. I’m so proud of our team.” George Mason enters this week’s Atlantic 10 Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena in nearby Washington, D.C., as the No. 2 seed with its first game at 5 p.m. in Friday’s quarterfinal round. VCU will be the tournament’s No. 1 seed by virtue of its regular season win over George Mason on Feb. 22. There’s a chance that the Patriots men’s team could also reach the NCAA Tournament. “It’s really amazing,” Blair-Lewis said of the success both George Mason programs have enjoyed this season, “and I’m just really proud of both programs. The men’s success is success for us, and vice versa. It’s been really good for the entire university.” Until recently, the two George Mason basketball teams had the best combined record of any program in the country, and that success hasn’t gone unnoticed, with various players and both head coaches receiving accolades of all kinds. But neither Blair-Lewis or Skinn are putting much stock in the outside noise, especially with so much basketball still to be played. “We haven’t been a household name in the league,” Skinn said. “We’re trying to change that narrative.”Topics Topics Campus News Students Athletics Mason basketball
- George Mason women’s basketball wins in A-10 ChampionshipGeorge Mason women’s basketball wins in A-10 Championship Colleen Rich Mon, 03/10/2025 - 10:50 Body The George Mason University’s women’s basketball team delivered a performance for the ages, claiming their first-ever Atlantic 10 Championship with a 73-58 victory over Saint Joseph's at the Henrico Sports and Events Center in Virginia. With the win, the Patriots secured their first NCAA Tournament berth in program history, cementing themselves as a rising power in the conference. Photo by Art Pittman/Athletics From the opening tip, George Mason set the tone with suffocating defense and efficient shooting. Led by a stellar 23-point performance from Paula Suárez and a commanding 19-point, 8-rebound effort from Zahirah Walton, the Patriots executed their game plan to perfection. A pivotal third quarter, in which George Mason outscored Saint Joseph’s 26-12 while shooting an astonishing 90.9% from the field, broke the game wide open and left no doubt about the outcome. The final buzzer signaled not just a championship but a new era for George Mason basketball. With their ticket punched to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history, the Patriots are poised to make even more noise on the national stage. For George Mason fans, this victory is the culmination of years of dedication, resilience, and the unwavering Believing BIG that their team was destined for greatness.More from Women's Basketball at George Mason Related News George Mason men’s and women’s basketball programs riding high March 11, 2025 George Mason women’s basketball wins in A-10 Championship March 10, 2025 George Mason Women's Indoor Track and Field crowned as 2025 A-10 champions March 3, 2025 George Mason recognizes 78 scholar-athletes for academic achievements February 26, 2025 At George Mason basketball game, students ran the show February 21, 2025Topics Topics Campus News Athletics Students
- George Mason to lead cross-institutional course redesign and experiential learning projectGeorge Mason to lead cross-institutional course redesign and experiential learning project Katarina Benson Wed, 03/05/2025 - 14:50 Body George Mason University Professor Younsung Kim has received a 4-VA grant to conduct collaborative multidisciplinary research with colleagues at partner schools in Virginia. The results will be implemented as learning modules into undergraduate courses. Although 4-VA has awarded Collaborative Research Grants for more than 10 years, the grants have been funded separately by each institution. This new 4-VA effort is the first to be supported collectively by the statewide partnership and has added a course redesign and experiential learning element. The project will include faculty members from George Mason, Virginia Tech, and the University of Virginia and will focus on growing 4-VA’s collaborative research success. Kim’s proposal, “Designing Experiential Learning Modules for Stormwater Management and Climate Adaptation via Spatial Analysis Tools,” plans to use spatial mapping tools to incorporate appropriate green infrastructure to best reduce the effects of stormwater runoff. The team will migrate this information into environmental policy coursework at their respective institutions. They also plan to ultimately make the content available statewide. Kim, who has taught in George Mason’s Department of Environmental Science and Policy for 15 years, will collaborate with B. Brian Park, an engineering professor at the University of Virginia, and Mintai Kim of Virginia Tech’s College of Architecture, Arts, and Design. Also joining the team is George Mason PhD student Colin Chadduck. From left, B. Brian Park, Younsung Kim, and Mintai Kim. Photo provided In reviewing the proposal, 4-VA evaluators noted Kim’s proposition as a standout, citing a number of key factors, including that it “addresses an important topic affecting the state and beyond,” features an “inherent interdisciplinary approach incorporating science policy, data science techniques, and architecture,” and “lends itself to creative cross-school collaborations.” “As climate change is increasing faster than climate prediction models have suggested, it is critical that we place more emphasis on integrating green infrastructure in climate vulnerable regions,” said Kim. “I am delighted and honored to accept this award as we work together across the commonwealth to raise the bar for our faculty and students studying this important work. Together, we can tackle this critical challenge.” “4-VA has a long track record of success with the Collaborative Research Grants program, and we are excited to expand this model to support course redesign initiatives,” said 4-VA’s State Working Group Chair Matt Banfield of UVA. “4-VA collaborative projects have built bridges between our institutions, nurtured hundreds of faculty and student relationships, provided valuable opportunities for experiential learning and hands-on research, and jumpstarted novel research projects that have gone on to receive national and international attention. We are looking forward to supporting this project proposed by Professor Kim and her team.” In This Story People Mentioned in This Story Younsung KimExplore Environmental Science and Policy at George Mason Related News George Mason to lead cross-institutional course redesign and experiential learning project March 5, 2025 Mason scientist orchestrates Moon-based ‘message in a bottle’ for future generations March 3, 2025 George Mason has a “Knack” for tutoring February 26, 2025 George Mason scientist leads $1.8M NSF grant to address mobility challenges from urban flooding February 20, 2025 Temple Grandin discusses her advocacy work with George Mason students February 10, 2025Topics Topics 4-VA at Mason College of Science Campus News innovative classes
- Updates from George Mason BOV meeting on Feb. 27Updates from George Mason BOV meeting on Feb. 27 Colleen Rich Wed, 03/05/2025 - 13:11 Body George Mason University’s Board of Visitors (BOV) on Thursday, Feb. 27, introduced three new board members, discussed the university’s response to the recent executive orders, approved an antisemitism resolution, and provided an update on several key initiatives and future planning efforts. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding The university will lean on its longstanding core values while monitoring and reacting to ongoing executive orders handed down by the White House, George Mason President Gregory Washington said. The BOV had requested that Washington address the executive orders and the effect they are having, or could have, on the university. So far, university leaders have identified about 25 executive orders that could impact George Mason. Washington and his leadership team have developed the George Mason Resilience Plan. The plan calls for the university to be prepared for constant change and to reprioritize as necessary, clearly articulate the common good of existing practices and programs, and to form and strengthen partnerships with industry, government and other institutions of higher education. “First and foremost is to stay true to our core values and our North Star,” Washington said. “There are seven core values that define our institution: Our students come first. Innovation is tradition. We are careful stewards. We thrive together. Diversity is our strength. We honor freedom of thought and expression. And we act with integrity. “At any time when I am challenged and this institution is challenged as an entity, you refer back to those values so that you can get grounded in terms of how you should respond.” Washington said that during the past year-and-a-half the university has extensively reviewed its systems, and an initial review of its policies and practices, the university affirms its commitment to meet all federal mandates as articulated in federal law, as well as recent executive orders and federal agency directives. So far, the executive orders have resulted in 14 research projects out of the university’s 700 active awards being paused or ended. “We are really trying to position ourselves for the long game,” Washington said. “We are putting in systems, mechanisms, and infrastructure to deal with the next executive order, not the current one that’s in front of us. So putting in place systems like we’ve done with research and a number of other areas does not shield us from the effect of the executive order. But what it does do is that it helps us manage and mitigate it.” As he does at each BOV meeting, Washington shared the progress on the presidential performance metrics, goals set for him by the board. He said that George Mason is meeting or exceeding 12 of the 14 performance metrics in the six priority areas. As part of that overview, he pointed out that the university has almost reached the halfway point of the billion-dollar goal in the Mason Now: Power the Possible comprehensive campaign, ahead of schedule, with a total of $497 million as of Feb. 17, further indication of community interest in fueling the university’s success. “Mason has raised over $100 million five times in its existence as a university,” Washington said. “Four of them have occurred over the last five years.” Washington also shared findings from the university-wide Grand Challenges Committee, a group working to pinpoint the research areas in which George Mason has significant expertise and that align with global grand challenges that are likely to attract external research funding in the coming years. “The kinds of things that will be funded are the problems that are most critical to advancing our society and most critical to our way of life,” Washington said. “We need to have our faculty aligned and positioned toward those grand challenges because that’s where the opportunity space will be.” The committee identified six focus areas: Advancing 21st-Century Education for All Building a Climate-Resilient Society Driving Responsible Digital Innovation and Sustainable Cyberinfrastructure Improving Human Health, Well-Being, and Preparedness Pioneering Space Exploration, Research, and Collaboration for Humanity Strengthening Peace, Trust, and Engagement in Democracy “These are not just challenges that we think will be prominent in the world coming ahead of us,” Washington said. “These are challenges that are in alignment with Mason's strengths and are in alignment with our current aspirations. So these are areas [where] we know we can make an impact.” Washington noted that the Life Sciences and Engineering Building, which will celebrate its grand opening on the Science and Technology Campus on March 27, and the Fuse building at Mason Square will be two of the university’s anchors for addressing the grand challenges. “We are making an investment at a time when others will probably be retrenching to reposition our institution to be successful on the back end,” Washington said. “This is not new for us. We made strategic investments during COVID that positioned our institution to be stronger on the back end of COVID than it was going into it.” Washington also provided a preview of his Mason 2050 plan that will be discussed in greater detail at the next full board meeting on May 1. The plan includes several major construction, expansion, and renovation projects for all three Virginia campuses, including a vision for the development of the western part of the Fairfax Campus, commonly referred to as West Campus. The Mason 2050 plan would utilize and build on the university’s strong partnerships with industry, government, and the philanthropy community. == Last week, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin appointed three new members to the university’s Board of Visitors, two of whom are George Mason alumni. The new members are: Charles J. Cooper of Bonita Springs, Florida. He is a founding member and the chairman of Cooper & Kirk, PLLC and served as assistant attorney general for the Office of Legal Counsel under President Ronald Reagan. William D. Hansen, BS Economics ’87, of McLean. He is president and CEO of Building Hope, a nonprofit serving charter schools. He served as deputy secretary of education under President George W. Bush and is vice president of the Virginia State Board of Education. Maureen Ohlhausen, JD ’91, of Annandale. She is a partner at Wilson Sonsini and served as Federal Trade Commission (FTC) commissioner under President Barack Obama and as acting FTC chairman under President Donald Trump. She is a former adjunct professor in the Antonin Scalia Law School. Cooper and Ohlhausen attended the BOV meeting. == The BOV approved an antisemitism resolution with four key directives for the university. The revised resolution says the university will produce a fact sheet about antisemitism and align its antisemitism stance with other nondiscriminatory language, ensure that antisemitism is part of employee onboarding and annual training, not sponsor or endorse known antisemitic activities, and state that its policy is to prohibit discrimination based on Jewish ancestry or Israeli national origin and that allegations of such discrimination will be acted on within established disciplinary processes. The vote followed a robust discussion that included input from Faculty Senate President Solon Simmons on behalf of faculty on both sides of the issue as well as questions from trustees and nonvoting student body representatives. The resolution is available in the board book posted at bov.gmu.edu. == Marvin Lewis, assistant vice president for Athletics, presented the new athletics strategic plan to the BOV development committee, including his goal of raising $35 million to elevate the program and modernize facilities to enhance recruiting and help ensure sustained athletics success. “Sixteen- and 18-year-old kids shop with their eyes,” Lewis said during his presentation. “So if you don't have facilities, support services, the resources to attract 16- to 18-year-old kids, it’s going to be a challenge. We are asking for support so that we can take our program from being good to great.” The project areas include developing a sports performance ecosystem and a Patriots Pathway Program to prepare student-athletes for successful lives and careers. This past fall, George Mason athletes collectively achieved a 3.32 GPA, with 78 Provost scholars, a distinction for student-athletes with a 3.75 GPA or higher. Lewis was joined at the presentation by men’s basketball player Darius Maddox, a senior majoring in integrative studies with a concentration in social justice and human rights. Maddox is the team’s leading scorer. “I've grown in so many ways as Mason has prepared me for life after college,” Maddox told the board. “This happened through the many experiences I had, professional relationships, mentors and leaders who have all poured into me and my experience.” George Mason has enjoyed success in several sports since joining the Atlantic 10 Conference in 2013, including the women’s indoor track and field team claiming the A-10 championship March 1. The men’s and women’s basketball teams are each in 2nd place in the A-10. The women’s team begins A-10 championship play at 5 p.m. Friday, March 7. The men’s team beat LaSalle Wednesday at EagleBank Arena, finishing 9-0 in conference play at home, and has clinched its first A-10 Tournament double bye in school history. George Mason is one of only two A-10 Conference members that has not reached at least one NCAA men’s basketball tournament since 2013. == Other items: The university has launched AI2 Nexus, a new model for advancing responsible artificial intelligence across university operations, learning and research, as previously reported. The BOV approved a 2.5% increase in room and board for the 2025-26 academic year to help the university meet rising expenses. The increase will cost most students about $350. The 2.5% figure includes a 1.5% increase for housing and a 4% increase for dining meal plans. The 4% increase is slightly below the food Consumer Price Index. Andre Marshall, vice president for Research, Innovation, and Economic Impact, reported that the university again has achieved the Carnegie Classification of “very high research activity,” commonly referred to as “R1.” Less than 4% of U.S. universities earn that designation. Marshall also noted that research expenditures are up 8.9% from this time last year. Washington said that George Mason plans to opt in to the House v. NCAA settlement that entails compensating student-athletes. This will result in the NCAA withholding about $400,000 per year from the university in revenue distributions for the next 10 years. Opting in will help the university recruit and retain athletic and coaching talent, be competitive nationally, and provide a compliant manner in which to deliver name, image, and likeness (NIL) benefits to George Mason student-athletes. The university closed the MS degree program in marketing. The full BOV meeting recording and transcript is available at bov.gmu.edu/live/.Find meeting schedules, recordings, and more on the Board of Visitors website Related News George Mason men’s and women’s basketball programs riding high March 11, 2025 George Mason women’s basketball wins in A-10 Championship March 10, 2025 George Mason to lead cross-institutional course redesign and experiential learning project March 5, 2025 Updates from George Mason BOV meeting on Feb. 27 March 5, 2025 George Mason sets in motion a plan to harness AI for responsible adoption and societal impact March 3, 2025Topics Topics Board of Visitors Campus News
- George Mason sets in motion a plan to harness AI for responsible adoption and societal impactGeorge Mason sets in motion a plan to harness AI for responsible adoption and societal impact Colleen Rich Mon, 03/03/2025 - 15:07 Body At last week’s Board of Visitors meeting, George Mason University’s Vice President and Chief AI Officer Amarda Shehu rolled out a new model for universities to advance a responsible approach to harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) and drive societal impact. George Mason’s model, called AI2Nexus, is building a nexus of collaboration and resources on campus, throughout the region with our vast partnerships, and across the state. AI2Nexus is based on four key principles: “Integrating AI” to transform education, research, and operations; “Inspiring with AI” to advance higher education and learning for the future workforce; “Innovating with AI” to lead in responsible AI-enabled discovery and advancements across disciplines; and “Impacting with AI” to drive partnerships and community engagement for societal adoption and change. Shehu said George Mason can harness its own ecosystem of AI teaching, cutting-edge research, partnerships, and incubators for entrepreneurs to establish a virtuous cycle between foundational and user-inspired AI research within ethical frameworks. As part of this effort, the university’s AI Task Force, established by President Gregory Washington last year, has developed new guidelines to help the university navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of AI technologies, which are available at gmu.edu/ai-guidelines. Further, Information Technology Services (ITS) will roll out the NebulaONE academic platform equipping every student, staff, and faculty member with access to hundreds of cutting-edge Generative AI models to support access, performance, and data protection at scale. “We are anticipating that AI integration will allow us to begin to evaluate and automate some routine processes reducing administrative burdens and freeing up resources for mission-critical activities,” added Charmaine Madison, George Mason’s vice president of information services and CIO. George Mason is already equipping students with AI skills as a leader in developing AI-ready talent ready to compete and new ideas for critical sectors like cybersecurity, public health, and government. In the classroom, the university is developing courses and curriculums to better prepare our students for a rapidly changing world. In spring 2025, the university launched a cross-disciplinary graduate course, AI: Ethics, Policy, and Society, and in fall 2025, the university is debuting a new undergraduate course open to all students, AI4All: Understanding and Building Artificial Intelligence. A master’s in computer science and machine learning, an Ethics and AI minor for undergraduates of all majors, and a Responsible AI Graduate Certificate are more examples of Mason’s mission to innovate AI education. New academies are also in development, and the goal is to build an infrastructure of more than 100 active core AI and AI-related courses across George Mason’s colleges and programs. The university will continue to host workshops, conferences, and public forums to shape the discourse on AI ethics and governance while forging deep and meaningful partnerships with industry, government, and community organizations to offer academies to teach and codevelop technologies to meet our global society needs. State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) will partner with the university to host an invite-only George Mason-SCHEV AI in Education Summit on May 20-21 on the Fairfax Campus. Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has appointed Jamil N. Jaffer, the founder and executive director of the National Security Institute (NSI) at George Mason’s Antonin Scalia Law School, to the Commonwealth’s new AI Task Force, which will work with legislators to regulate rapidly advancing AI technology. The university’s AI-in-Government Council is trusted resource for academia, public-sector tech providers, and government for advancing AI approaches, governance frameworks, and robust guardrails to guide AI development and deployment in government. Learn more about George Mason’s AI work underway at gmu.edu/AI. More informaton on the Board of Visitors' February meeting is forthcoming and will be published in Thursday, March 5, George.Listen to the episode Interested in more from Amarda Shehu? Listen to her discuss AI's risks and rewards on the Access to Excellence podcast. Discover more Artificial Intelligence research from George Mason Related News George Mason sets in motion a plan to harness AI for responsible adoption and societal impact March 3, 2025 Engineering professors develop human-AI colorization tool for cartoonists March 3, 2025 George Mason alumnus launches AI software startup for law enforcement training March 3, 2025 Keeping data safe by keeping it separate February 25, 2025 George Mason PhD student looks at deception and human-robot interactions February 13, 2025Topics Topics Campus News Research Artificial Intelligence
- Mason scientist orchestrates Moon-based ‘message in a bottle’ for future generationsMason scientist orchestrates Moon-based ‘message in a bottle’ for future generations Katarina Benson Mon, 03/03/2025 - 13:54 Body Early Sunday, March 2, the ASPIRE ONE Lunar Record made a successful Moon landing as part of the Ghost Riders in the Sky Lunar mission that launched on January 15 from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. A message from Anamaria Berea's team that is now on the Moon. Photo provided This mission, a part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services within the Artemis program, is carrying 10 NASA experiments and the ASPIRE ONE Lunar Record, the work of an interdisciplinary research team, led by George Mason University researcher and alumna Anamaria Berea. This ASPIRE ONE Lunar Record intends to preserve Earth’s cultural and scientific heritage for posterity with this specially designed payload, which includes a digital portion that mirrors the concept of the Voyager Golden Records. The archive will serve as a time capsule for future humans, offering them a glimpse of life on Earth during the early 2020s. The creation of this lunar archive was a collaborative effort that began in early 2023 when Nick Searra, founder of the Interstellar Foundation, invited Berea to lead the project. Despite having no initial team or funding, Berea quickly gathered a group of scientists, philosophers, and linguists from such prestigious institutions as Barnard College, Columbia University, and the University of Cambridge. The team also received support from notable figures, including astronaut Scott Kelly and Jonathan Jiang from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. With a tight six-month deadline, the team created a message that could fit within the strict digital space limitations of the payload. The biggest challenge was deciding what to include. The team wanted the message to be a “dry-run” for future, more extensive interstellar messages, and ultimately settled on content that would be meaningful to archeologists or future pioneers. The archive, delivered on special physical mediums designed for space provided by mission partner LifeShip, contains a wealth of wide-ranging content, including videos, scientific materials, global aspirations, historical records, and cultural artifacts. “The payload will reside on the Moon for eternity,” said Berea, who teaches in Department of Computational and Data Sciences of the College of Science. The ASPIRE ONE Lunar Record includes a 1GB microchip containing videos, images, and texts that highlight humanity’s journey on Earth and the Moon, incorporating materials that reflect Earth’s cultural, scientific, and historical achievements. Among the key items is a 24-minute “Daily Life” video that showcases global snapshots of contemporary life. Each minute represents one hour from various parts of the Earth, from morning to night, and includes scenes of families cooking, children in school, workers in offices and fields, and people participating in cultural events. This “visual quilt” stitches together snapshots from world cultures, including indigenous communities, showcasing daily routines from all corners of the planet. The archive also includes an “Aspirations” video, where individuals from around the world share their hopes for the future in their native languages. In addition, the payload houses images and content from UNESCO and Getty archives, including a representation of the COVID-19 pandemic. Other materials include the constitutions of 192 countries on Earth, the Apollo 11 launch codes, historical works, art, music, and scientific texts, such as works by Newton, Curie, and Asimov. Berea even included a personal touch with an engraving of her name and affiliation with George Mason University, symbolizing her contribution to this historic effort. “The goal of the project was not to tell the story of famous individuals or events but to encapsulate a broader representation of human life,” Berea explains. According to Berea, the project team chose a video format, blending video, subtitles, and code, as they believed it would be more easily understood by future beings, whether human or otherwise. In addition to the digital content, the team took precautions to ensure the message could survive for millennia. In case digital technology becomes obsolete, parts of the message were engraved in analog nano-fiche and synthetic DNA on a 1MB capsule. This forward-thinking approach ensures that future civilizations, regardless of technological advancement, can access the message. One of the most significant aspects of the ASPIRE ONE Lunar Record is the ethical responsibility of leaving a message for future generations. The team grappled with questions such as who the “receiver” of the message would be and what content would best represent humanity. “Who speaks for Earth?” they asked, recognizing the great responsibility of crafting a message that would stand the test of time. “I have been honored and fascinated to collaborate with this interdisciplinary team of the most amazing scientists, humanists, artists and people from all walks of life,” said Berea. “I am forever grateful to my team and our collaborators for their trust, their dedication, their passion and their support to this project that will give us a tiny place in our interstellar future history.” Listen to the episode Interested in more from Anamaria Berea? Listen to her discuss the chances of intelligent life beyond Earth on the Access to Excellence podcast. Related News Poetry Alive! expands services to Prince William County March 11, 2025 George Mason to lead cross-institutional course redesign and experiential learning project March 5, 2025 Mason scientist orchestrates Moon-based ‘message in a bottle’ for future generations March 3, 2025 New coaching course in the College of Public Health motivates students of all majors March 3, 2025 Storytelling Through Sound with Juan Megna March 3, 2025Topics Topics College of Science Campus News Alumni Space