Science focus on Five of Seven Grand Challenge Initiative First Round Projects Selected

May 6, 2026

As the university’s Grand Challenge Initiative (GCI) enters its second year, George Mason University recently announced funding for seven catalyst research projects and the launch of the Grand Challenge Research Exchange—quarterly convenings for all GCI-related research to accelerate solutions to the grand challenge of our time. Our College of Science is a strong participant in the initiative, leading and collaborating in five of the seven new catalyst projects involving over two dozen of our scientists.

“We have placed our first bets on building a better future for humanity,” said President Gregory Washington. “These awards represent the very best of George Mason faculty research. They sit at a crossroads where the world’s greatest problems meet our faculty’s greatest research strengths to solve them. At a time when the world’s greatest challenges can appear to be winning, today the smart money is on George Mason professors.”

“This round of Grand Challenge Initiative funding reflects what the College of Science does best—bringing together bold ideas, deep expertise, and collaborators across disciplines to tackle problems that truly matter,” said Dean Cody W. Edwards. “From quantum science and space systems, to climate risk and humanitarian forensics, our scientists are not just advancing knowledge—they are building solutions with real-world impact. We’re proud to help lead an effort that positions George Mason at the forefront of shaping a more resilient, just, and prosperous future.”

College of Science projects, in collaboration with the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution, College of Engineering and Computing, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Education and Human Development, College of Public Health, Costello College of Business, Scalia Law School, and Schar School of Policy and Government, and participating faculty include:

George Mason’s Quantum Leap will expand George Mason’s strength in quantum hardware, algorithms, degree and training programs, and workforce development for Virginia’s emerging quantum economy. Principal Investigator: Patrick Vora
George Mason University Space Center will design and launch small satellites that generate data for climate forecasting, disaster preparation, infrastructure protection, and scientific discovery, and expand degree and training programs. Principal Investigators: Anamaria Berea and Ferah Munshi
Toward a Center for Aerial Intelligence and Digital Earth Histories will digitize and analyze unclassified historical aerial archives into usable digital data resources for research, education, and societal impact—laying the groundwork for a future full‑scale center. Principal Investigator: Dieter Pfoser
Industry–University Working Group on Climate Change and Physical Risks will advance understanding of shifting climate hazards and develops practical tools that strengthen physical risk assessment and decision-making for the insurance, reinsurance, and finance sectors of the economy. Principal Investigator: Luis E. Ortiz
Humanitarian Forensics and Peacebuilding will improve how human remains are located, identified, and reunified with families after conflict or disaster. Principal Investigator: Joseph DiZinno

The new seven catalyst projects were selected from 41 proposals, with more than 75 PIs, submitted across every college and school at George Mason, including Mason Korea. More than 35 external partner organizations were represented across submissions; 38 were transdisciplinary, and six involved five or more colleges working together.

“What makes the Grand Challenge Initiative so powerful is its focus on collaboration—across colleges, sectors, and communities—and the College of Science is proud to be a central partner in that work," said Edwards. "These projects not only address urgent global challenges, they also create unmatched opportunities for our students to learn, contribute, and lead at the intersection of science, policy, technology, and society.”

“George Mason's institutional investment underscores our commitment to high-impact, interdisciplinary mission-driven research,” said Andre Marshall, vice president for research, innovation, and economic impact. “GCI positions research to build our enterprise and engage additional funders to deliver real-world change.”

To support all GCI-related research, including the 41-proposal cohort, through stages of development, George Mason is launching new quarterly convenings called the Grand Challenge Research Exchange. The first convening will launch this fall. Designed in partnership with the three Office of Research, Innovation, and Economic Impact (ORIEI) Institutes and Mason Now team, these exchanges will feature industry keynotes, expert guest lecturers, and professional development workshops about leadership development, strategic planning, financial and program management, funding support, proposal and partnership development, and community engagements models.

“The College’s significant financial investment recognizes the strategic value of these efforts, contributing $1.29 million to support faculty hires and project success," Edwards said. "In addition, the ongoing training will be an excellent opportunity for all 18 of our GCI first round submissions to continue our high level of engagement in the Grand Challenge Research Exchange to continue to reap the strategic and professional development benefits going forward.”

George Mason’s Grand Challenge Initiative is a five-year campuswide initiative with an initial $15 million investment to mobilize interdisciplinary expertise and drive bold solutions for a changing world. The six solutions are advancing 21st-century education; building a climate-resilient society; driving responsible digital innovation and sustainable infrastructure; improving human health, well-being, and preparedness; pioneering space exploration; and strengthening peace, trust, and engagement in democracy. GCI will fund more than 20 solutions-based catalyst research projects over the next four years.

GCI Catalyst Projects Principal Investigators from the College of Science share their perspectives on the newly funded projects:

George Mason’s Quantum Leap: PI Patrick Vora
“Quantum represents a generational opportunity to make the next great technological revolution accessible to all, inspiring government, academic, and industrial stakeholders from across the Commonwealth to coalesce around this project,” explained George Mason Associate Professor of Physics and Astronomy, Patrick Vora.

“Within Mason, the Quantum Leap transdisciplinary team has members from seven colleges and organizations across science, engineering, education, business, and technology, and externally, our effort benefits from strong partnerships with leading technology companies, local and regional economic development authorities, community colleges, and a non-profit research corporation, establishing a deep bench of expertise critical for the Quantum Leap’s success,” Vora said.

“We have an unprecedented opportunity to bring quantum computing concepts to new fields, expand educational programming and access, and attract new talent to the university. We are excited to establish this quantum hub for the Commonwealth through close collaboration with our industry and government partners," Vora enthused.

George Mason University Space Center: co-PI’s Anamaria Berea and Ferah Munshi
“More than traditional academic centers or institutes, this Space Center has at its core tiered and modular space missions; by definition, a space mission brings together researchers, engineers, business practitioners, students, from all fields, including AI and social sciences, and more,” said George Mason Associate Professor of Computational and Data Sciences, Anamaria Berea. “The long-term vision is to become a major institution for everything related to space on the East Coast, with its strength coming from the wide areas of expertise of our team, faculty and students, to create communities focused on inspiring goals which can have benefits back on Earth, in education, society, and other fields,” Berea declared.

“The Grand Challenges Initiative empowered us to think bigger and bolder, and the George Mason University Space Center is exactly the kind of forward-looking, collaborative effort the GCI was designed to spark,” explained George Mason Associate Professor of Physics and Astronomy, Ferah Munshi. “We’re bringing together expertise across disciplines to build something bigger than any one program — a space center that connects discovery, innovation, and workforce development to address real challenges and opportunities in the space sector and burgeoning space economy. This investment will allow us to not only advance discovery, but also prepare students to tackle the complex challenges that shape humanity’s future in space." Munshi said.

Industry-University Working Group on Climate Change and Physical Risks: PI Luis Ortiz
"The insurance, reinsurance, and finance sectors are where the rubber meets the road when it comes to climate change, and we all literally pay the price when insurance and finance markets can't adequately assess their physical climate risks,” suggested George Mason Assistant Professor of Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Earth Sciences, Luis Ortiz.

“Our Catalyst grant will enable us to put together experts from the private and public sector with a cross-disciplinary team of George Mason researchers to not only identify the fundamental science challenges that are plaguing industry, but to ideate the solutions to address them,” Ortiz said.

Toward a Center for Aerial Intelligence and Digital Earth Histories: PI Dieter Pfoser
“This project seeks to transform vast historical aerial film archives, collections including more than 170 million film frames spanning over 80 years, into digital, georeferenced, AI-ready resources for research, education, and public benefit,” said George Mason Professor and Department of Geography and Geoinformation Science Chair, Dieter Pfoser.

“With partners in the U.S. and abroad, our ambition is to build a nationally significant capability to digitize, analyze, and activate these collections at scale, providing an extraordinary long-term visual record of how landscapes, cities, infrastructure, and environments have changed on our planet. By combining advanced digitization workflows, geospatial AI, and interdisciplinary research, we can create capabilities and both undergraduate and graduate student learning opportunities at Mason that are rare, and potentially unique, in the United States,” Pfoser declared.

Humanitarian Forensics and Peacebuilding: Co-PI Joseph DiZinno
“By integrating scientific precision with community-centered practices, we seek to build a multidisciplinary program that improves how human remains are located, identified, and reunified with families after war, disaster, or violence,” said George Mason Forensic Science Associate Professor, Joseph DiZinno.

“Our university’s experts in forensic science, public health, peacebuilding, and international law will also launch a needs assessment and summer training program in the South Caucasus, along with a new course at George Mason,” explained DiZinno.

To learn more about how the College of Science is advancing bold solutions, visit science.gmu.edu/gci.