Skip to main
Mason Science

Academic programs that bring opportunity

Just outside the nation's capital, we've built connections with government agencies and industry partners working at the forefront of scientific research. Combine those with our advanced facilities for getting real-world work experience and options for tailoring your degree, and our students have more opportunity to land jobs, internships, and research collaborations that really help them stand out.

Students work in Deborah Polayes Biology of Microorganisms Lab. Photo by Lathan Goumas/Office of Communications and Marketing

George Mason scientist secures $1.4M DTRA grant to study viruses’ impact on organ health

Department of Biology researcher Aarthi Narayanan recently secured a $1.4M grant from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) to investigate how an infection spreads between organs, and how a therapeutic will impact connected organs. The work will initially focus on mosquito-transmitted viruses while Narayanan hopes to expand the implications from these studies to other human disease states.

Aarthi Narayanan

Doctoral candidate to study the gut health of red pandas

Sarah Huskisson, a PhD candidate in Environmental Science and Policy, is researching the gastrointestinal health of red pandas by measuring short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentrations. She aims to identify differences between healthy and mucoid stools and hypothesize that healthier stools have a balanced SCFA ratio. This research, funded by Potter Park Zoo, will help detect GI distress in red pandas and improve understanding of their overall health.

Image of two red pandas

George Mason scientist studying parasite-derived vesicles in babesia virulence and vaccine development

School of Systems Biology Professor Fatah Kashanchi dives into groundbreaking research on parasite-derived vesicles and their role in Babesia virulence and vaccine development. Babesia, a tick-borne parasite, can lead to serious health issues in humans, but Kashanchi’s work aims to unveil the potential of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in immune response modulation.

Fatah Kashanchi

News and Events

Upcoming Events

More Events
Nov6

Afternoon on the Lawn

Nov 6, 2024, 12:00 - 3:00 PM

Exploratory Hall Lawn

Join faculty, staff, and students for a fun-filled afternoon of games and food. Featuring DJ Assad, the advisor.
Nov6

6 November (CLIM + GEOL) Hönisch, Paleo CO2 & Ocean Acidification

Nov 6, 2024, 1:30 - 2:30 PM

Planetary Hall 224

Bärbel Hönisch, Columbia University Title: The ocean record of atmospheric CO2 and seawater acidity November 6, 1:30pm Planetary Hall 224 and via Zoom (for link, email lortizur@gmu.edu ) Host: Brittany Hupp
Nov7

Center for Infectious Diseases Research Conference

Nov 7, 2024, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Register to attend There is an exciting new conference from colleagues at the Center for Infectious Diseases Research (CIDR) on November 7, 2024 , which covers the latest findings on viral, bacterial and other exotic and emerging pathogens. The meetings in on the Geroge Mason University Science and Technology Campus