Science Alumni Chapter
George Mason Science Alumni Chapter Board
Michelle Ryan, President
PhD Environmental Science and Policy '15
Michelle Ryan, PhD (GMU 2015), is an environmental program manager and national practice leader with Tetra Tech, Inc., a global firm providing consulting and engineering services in water, environment and sustainable infrastructure. In her role, she works with her Tetra Tech colleagues to solve some of the most pressing issues relating to water, from coastal erosion challenges to safe drinking water delivery. Her background includes more than 25 years working with a variety of federal clients, including most recently the Environmental Protection Agency and other federal agencies focused on resource management. After graduating from Franklin & Marshall College with a bachelor's degree in economics and government, she started her environmental career working as a legal researcher specializing in federal environmental statutes and regulations reviews. She also has experience in the information technology industry where she worked for several decades leading teams engaged in large-scale business systems modernization efforts for a variety of federal agencies. In her spare time, she kept her environmental roots active through her volunteer work in the Chesapeake Bay watershed and other volunteer organizations in the Mid-Atlantic region. She returned to graduate school work as a mid-career pivot, first with a master's degree in natural resources from Virginia Tech followed by a PhD in environmental science and policy from George Mason University where she has also taught both undergraduate and graduate students in the environmental sciences.
Ryan is serving her second term on the College of Science alumni board, her first as president. She is a co-founder of the Mason Science Mentorship program, which aims to connect CoS alumni with current CoS students interested in career development and life skills mentorship opportunities.
In her own words, "I would like to continue contributing to the CoS Alumni Board and represent our alumni group within the George Mason community to provide more meaningful opportunities for our alumni to stay engaged or re-engage with George Mason."
Ida Kondori, Vice President
BA Biology '04
Ida Kondori is a dedicated dentist and healthcare professional with dual expertise in clinical practice and academia. She graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Biology from GMU, and her degree profoundly influenced her career trajectory and personal development. Currently, she serves as an Associate Professor and Clinical Supervisor at the Northern Virginia Community College, where she also guides and mentors future dental hygienists. She also provides dental care in private practice while focusing on enhancing patient outcomes and streamlining operations. Her journey has evolved from treating patients to weaving together strategies, optimizing resources, and integrating key technologies to make a lasting difference.
Per Kondori, her time at Mason enriched her with an invaluable education framework, instilled enduring values, and fostered a vibrant community spirit. These formative experiences at Mason have fueled her enduring passion for continuous learning, innovation, and a commitment to excellence. Her connection to Mason remains strong, and she is deeply committed to giving back to the community that has given her so much. In her new role as vice president, she aims to foster a supportive community that unites alumni and current students through meaningful engagement, strategic partnerships, and volunteerism. Her vision is to facilitate opportunities for mentorship, foster professional development, and encourage collaborative initiatives, ensuring that future generations enjoy the same rich experiences she has had.
Beyond my professional endeavors, she is passionate about serving my community and actively supports initiatives through the Virginia Dental Association, where she is not only a champion for the dental profession but also advocates for the oral health needs of patients across diverse communities. Additionally, as a CPR Instructor for the Northern Virginia Dental Society, she contributes to life-saving education. She also supports sponsorship efforts and event coordination for the Ronald McDonald House of Northern Virginia. Moreover, she enjoys integrating technology into educational content, underscoring her commitment to continuous learning and innovative approaches in healthcare.
In her words, "I look forward to connecting with fellow Patriots who share similar interests and values, and I am excited about the opportunities we can create together to support our alma mater and the GMUAA community."
Seth Ellsworth, Secretary
BS Biology '22
Seth Ellswoth was raised in the South and chose George Mason to expand his multidisciplinary knowledge and to enrich my diversity of multicultural perspectives. During his time at Mason, he was a part of Students Demand Action, the Environment Protection Association, and Chi Psi Greek Fraternity. After graduating with my B.S. in Biology concentrating in Microbiology and a minor in Public Health Advising, he took a gap year to further develop and ease into my transition from college to adulthood. He works as a Certified Ophthalmic Technician with and has his sights set on PA School. In his free time, he enjoys playing piano, writing poetry, reading, hiking, and planning LGBTQIA+ events in Washington DC. He also volunteers for the Prevention of Blindness Society. Ellsworth is an Aries to the core, for better or for worse, and believes it is important to stand up and be passionate about things you love and ways you can make the world a better place.
In his own words, "Hail to George Mason! Don your Green and Gold! George Mason University is an institution full of fresh opportunities and exciting choices to make. I am excited to be serving on the board because I bring a fresh perspective, have great communication skills, and want to build my professional portfolio. As a recent graduate, I know what the current needs of the student body are. I want to see success for George Mason and the College of Science. As a student during the COVID-19 Pandemic, I bring a unique perspective to the board."
Nida Sharief, Treasurer
MS Data Analytical Engineering '22 and BS Biology '19
Nida Sharief is a double graduate of George Mason University. She completed her master's in Data Analytical Engineering. She enjoyed her time interning at a medical research lab, studying MATLAB in class, and also serving on the Community Adjudication Board at the time. During COVID she worked full time and also full time as a student, mason was very flexible with her work schedule. She is currently working in the data science field, specifically as a senior data science consultant for Guidehouse supporting the National Security sector. She currently builds dashboards and creates analytics for clients to support actionable decisions that are a priority. She loves to learn more about predictive modeling and its usage in applicable workforce management issues as there are so many areas of growth that can be expanded through prediction modeling. She also loves to read, is a bit of a tv and movie junkie, enjoys spending time with family, traveling, and is currently learning tennis.
In her own words, "I understand the critical role financial management plays in the success of the Alumni Board. Effective treasury management is essential for safeguarding the organization's financial health, and ensuring transparency, accountability, and fiscal responsibility. By serving as Treasurer, I am committed to optimizing financial decision-making, supporting alumni initiatives, and fostering long-term sustainability within our community."
George Dodson, At Large
BSc Physics '73
George Dodson is a 1973 George Mason University graduate who currently resides in East Tennessee who is serving his second term on the alumni board. Dodson has a PhD in Nuclear Physics from the College of William and Mary. Before retiring he worked at Boston University, MIT, and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Currently, he is a Research Affiliate at MIT. Having spent a large fraction of his professional life in academia he brings of wealth of knowledge to the bard.
In his own words, " I am passionate about understanding how the universe works. What we call the Standard Model is incomplete. There are currently many observations of phenomena that we simply cannot explain with the current framework. So, there is a revolution coming and I want to be a part of it. That is why I continue to work, after retirement from ORNL, with MIT as a Research Affiliate, We are currently working to measure properties related to the decay of the neutron. "
Mark Monson, At Large (Past President)
BS Biology '74
Starting his career as a laboratory technician for Fairfax County government, Mark is retired from Virginia state government in Richmond after nearly 40 years of service to the citizens of the Commonwealth. While in Richmond, he served many state agencies where his responsibilities included all aspects of administrative, finance, and support services, ranging from training to budgeting and accounting to strategic planning and disaster recovery to procurement and contracting to human resources and information systems to fleet and physical plant management to the operation of state government offices in foreign countries. Mark retired from the Department of Health Professions in 2014 where he served as Deputy Director, responsible for the agency’s administration, finance, licensing, and support services. Mark served 2 terms (2015-2022) as a citizen member of the Virginia Board of Nursing, first appointed by Governor Terry McAuliffe and then reappointed by Governor Ralph Northam. In addition to being a recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award from George Mason University’s College of Science, Mark is a recipient of the Patrick Henry Award for distinguished service to the Commonwealth, given by Governor James Gilmore.
Mark received his BS in Biology from George Mason University in 1974, an MSA with a concentration in Public Administration from The George Washington University in 1977, and a certificate in Information Systems from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1990. Mark is also a graduate of the Commonwealth Management Institute, the Virginia Collaborative Leaders Program, and the Virginia Executive Institute.
Mark is a very active Mason alumnus, currently serving on the Board of Trustees and is the past president of the College of Science Alumni Board. As a donor, Mark has established 3 endowments through the GMU Foundation. A firm believer in life-long learning, he takes classes at Mason each semester through the Senior Citizens Tuition Waiver program.
Mark is the first of 8 of his extended family who are Mason alumni, including his brother, his 2 children, his son-in-law, and his step daughter. Mark lives in Fairfax with his partner Alice and has two grandchildren (whom he hopes will both be Mason alumni one day).
Kellie Perry, At Large
PhD Biosciences-Microbiology and Infectious Diseases '16
Dr. Kellie Perry is an infectious diseases and biosciences technical expert who is dedicated to making strong contributions and developments that will ensure the safety of the United States and its citizens by implementing novel practices and
policies that will prevent, curtail, or counteract emerging infectious diseases and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) epidemics or incidents and to assist in furthering advancements of pretreatments and therapeutics for infectious diseases research to improve the overall quality of life for health challenged and health compromised individuals. Perry is an adjunct professor
who has taught at the undergraduate and graduate levels. She is committed to helping kids and young adults stay engaged and excited about various bioscience disciplines. She's also a mentor to undergraduate students and has volunteered for the USA Science and Engineering Festival. She is a molecular microbiologist by training who holds a doctorate in Biosciences- Microbiology and infectious diseases, a MS in Medical Research and Technology- Biotechnology, and a BA in
Biology.
In her own words, "Mason has a sense of community that extends beyond graduation. I've been a member for a few years and have volunteered for College of Science day to speak to undergrad students about what the Alumni Board has to offer after graduation and alternative careers in bioscience. I'm also a Mason Science mentor. I've enjoyed working with the Board and the students over the years and would like to take a more active role."
Emma Gregory, MEAN Committee Chair (non-elected/non-voting)
BS Environmental Science and Policy '20
Alumni Spotlight: Dr. Patrick O'Neil
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the COS Alumni Chapter?
The College of Science (COS) Alumni Chapter was established in January 2014 as a conduit for graduates, families, and supporters of the college to network and discover new business and professional relationships and opportunities. Our goal is to strengthen our professional link and community between our alumni, industry and current students.
What kind of events does the chapter host?
The chapter hosts several events throughout the year to help build the College of Science community and our professional relationships. The DC area Alumni Chapter has hosted regular happy hours, Science Industry Networking with University Career Services, and annual Alumni Weekend events.
How can I get involved?
Whether you are an alumnus/a or student, please e-mail our Chapter via cosalum@gmu.edu.
We always welcome additional committee participation and student liaison representatives!
Join the conversation: use #MasonScience to talk about your COS experiences and related news.
Am I a member?
Yes! If you graduated from a COS program, from the dawn of the University and onward, you are automatically a COS alumni chapter member. We welcome the participation of both current and future alumni. Bonus note: Chapter membership is free!
How do I hear more about events?
- Opt-in to the University Alumni community at alumni.gmu.edu
- Sign up for the listserv at cos.gmu.edu/alumni
- Website: cos.gmu.edu/alumni
- LinkedIn Group
- Twitter: @GMU_COS
Chapter Board Officers
Board Members:
President: Michelle Ryan, PhD Environmental Science & Public Policy '15
Vice President: Ida Kondori, BA Biology '04
Treasurer: Sharief Nida, MS Data Analytical Engineering '22; BS Biology '19
Secretary: Seth Ellsworth, BS Biology '22
Members-At-Large
George Dodson, BS Physics '73
Mark Monson, BS Biology '74
Kelly Perry, PhD Biosciences-Microbiology and Infectious Diseases '16
Committee Chairs
Emma Gregory, BS Environmental Science '20 - Mason Environmental Alumni Network (MEAN) Committee
How can I stay in touch with my classmates and with the College of Science community?
The College of Science has multiple ways for alumni to stay connected:
- The College of Science LinkedIn group – Stay connected with classmates via the COS Alumni and Friends Network. Share articles, and discuss new research and developments in health, physical, and computational sciences.
- Alumni Online Community – The University’s Alumni Online Community includes an alumni directory to help you search for classmates, and view class notes. Stay informed of your classmates’ accomplishments, and submit news of your own.
What College of Science publications will I be able to access?
- The Scroll – The University Alumni Newsletter monthly email
- MasonScience Annual Report – The annual report for the College of Science
How can I submit a class note for the website and Alumni Newsletter?
We are happy to publish news and announcements of both a professional and personal nature. Please use the Alumni Class Notes form to submit your updates. Your note may be edited before publication.
Where can I update my contact information?
You can update your contact information filling out an alumni information update form.
Mason Environmental Alumni Network
We are excited to announce that the Mason Environmental Alumni Network is now active and open to any interested Mason alumni. Our goal is to build a community of Mason alumni, from both inside and outside the College of Science, who are pursuing careers and other opportunities to help our environment, ecosystems, sustainability, climate, and related things we cherish. The goals of this community are to improve the sharing of ideas and resources, increase collaboration and change-making capacity, and provide encouragement, support and mentorship for current students and life-long alumni learners. If you are interested in joining, please fill out this information form here. Questions? Email committee chair, Emma Gregory at ecoalumn@gmu.edu .
Alumni and Friends Newsletter Archive
The College of Science Development and Alumni Relations Team with periodically send out a newsletter to alumni, friends, and community partners with updates about Mason Science. See past editions below, and if you'd like to be added to the list to receive this newsletter please email us at cosalum@gmu.edu .