Science and Technology Campus

Nanofabrication Lab opens on SciTech Campus

Martha Bushong — Fri, 17 May 2024 17:15:09 +0000

Nanofabrication Lab opens on SciTech Campus Martha Bushong Fri, 05/17/2024 - 13:15

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TTIP

At ��ӽ紫ý, President Gregory Washington Is Building the Future

Kristin Heydt — Wed, 07 Feb 2024 18:33:24 +0000

At ��ӽ紫ý, President Gregory Washington Is Building the Future Kristin Heydt Wed, 02/07/2024 - 13:33

President Gregory Washington is featured in a profile of his leadership on Mason's campus.

New Mason Nanofabrication Facility will help drive innovation in the commonwealth

Colleen Rich — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 19:45:46 +0000

New Mason Nanofabrication Facility will help drive innovation in the commonwealth Colleen Rich Wed, 01/17/2024 - 14:45

Over the past decade, nanotechnology has taken the world by storm. From health care to electronics, it has radically transformed countless industries.

Shawn Wagoner, nanofabrication manager, gives a tour of Mason's new Nanofabrication Facility on the Science and Technology Campus. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

As a result, nanofabrication, the manufacturing of nanoscale structures, is more important than ever, and proper fabrication has requirements, including both sophisticated equipment and a skilled workforce. In response to the rising demand for nanofabrication services, ��ӽ紫ý stands ready to conduct state-of-the-art research and to help train the next generation of innovators with the opening of the new Nanofabrication Facility (NFF) on its Science and Technology Campus.

“The NFF is the only cleanroom facility and resource for partners in Northern Virginia and offers hands-on nanofabrication workforce training in groundbreaking research and emerging research applications that will accelerate growth of high-tech companies,” said Andre Marshall, vice president of research, innovation, and economic impact at Mason. “Mason is committed to providing many opportunities for students to participate in experiential learning, preparing our workforce for the future and readying them to compete on a global scale.”

Mason engineering professor Ethan Ahn sees the new facility as a perfect opportunity to give students the chance to receive hands-on experience in a nanofabrication lab. Ahn is teaching Mason’s first-ever Nanoelectronics Fundamentals course during the Spring 2024 semester, where students will be asked to create electronic devices in the NFF Class 1000 cleanroom.

The Nanofabrication Facility offers hands-on nanofabrication workforce training. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

“Hands-on experience in this field is invaluable, especially because students can become familiarized with the equipment that they may encounter in their future careers,” said Ahn, an associate professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

Mason also launched the Nano-IMAGINE program with the help of a $3.75 million grant from GO Virginia, a state-funded initiative administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. Through Nano-IMAGINE, in addition to offering undergraduate and graduate courses, Mason plans to provide two workforce-readiness opportunities in 2024: Nanocamp and Nano Boot Camp.

Nanocamp will allow area high school students to take part in experiments designed by Mason researchers and industry experts that use the cutting-edge equipment found inside the NFF. Nano Boot Camp is designed for those who are searching for a new career path or who would like to gain entry-level skills in an in-demand field. Similar to Nanocamp, participants will learn and apply principles used to build micro and nano devices.

The Nano-IMAGINE courses and programs complement statewide efforts led by the newly established Virginia Alliance for Semiconductor Technology (VAST). VAST is a network of semiconductor, microelectronics, and nanotechnology industries and Virginia colleges and universities. As a member of this consortium, Mason aims to promote VAST by educating NFF boot camp members about opportunities offered by the alliance, such as certificate programs that can help advance their careers in nanofabrication, an essential part of the semiconductor field.

"By investing in top faculty, new programs and facilities, and partnerships, Mason is connecting learning and market advancement to drive innovation for all across the state," said Marshall. “We are leading regional collaborations across sectors to bring a better tomorrow.

Learn more about the Nanofabrication Facility

Did you know...

The Nanofabrication Facility is located on ��ӽ紫ý’s SciTech Campus in Manassas, Virginia. The campus is situated in Innovation Park, with neighbors ranging from start-ups to large size tech companies.

Learn more about SciTech >

Meet the Mason Nation: Olga O’Brien, general manager, Freedom Aquatic & Fitness Center

Lauren Reuscher — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 17:37:11 +0000

Meet the Mason Nation: Olga O’Brien, general manager, Freedom Aquatic & Fitness Center Lauren Reuscher Wed, 09/13/2023 - 13:37

Olga O'Brien, general manager of the Freedom Aquatic & Fitness Center. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Olga O’Brien

Job: General Manager, Freedom Aquatic & Fitness Center

Olga O’Brien, general manager of the Freedom Aquatic & Fitness Center, started her journey at ��ӽ紫ý as an international student. O’Brien came to Mason from Prague on a volleyball scholarship. As a student, she started working as a part-time volleyball instructor at the Freedom Center in 1999—the year the center first opened. And she has been there ever since.

The Freedom Aquatic & Fitness Center, a 110,000-square-foot facility at Mason’s Science and Technology Campus, operates under a Tripartite agreement including Mason, Prince William County, and the City of Manassas. The university manages all aspects of the daily administration and operation of the facility—its pools, gymnasium, exercise studios, racquetball courts, child care center, staffing, summer camps, and community programming.

O’Brien has served in many roles at the Freedom Center, including programs manager, interim general manager, and general manager since 2017. A two-time Mason alum with a master’s in recreation administration and bachelor’s in physical education and health, O’Brien has had an indelible impact on the Freedom Center community.

Never the same routine. O’Brien said every day is different when working in a community recreation facility—and that’s what she loves about her job. “On a daily basis, I have the opportunity to interact with our members, staff, community partners, and university colleagues,” O’Brien said. “Each day presents different scenarios to navigate. I like the unknown of each day and the new challenges that arise.”

The Freedom Aquatic & Fitness Center is home to many fitness opportunities, such as an indoor track, pools, and basketball courts. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Inspiring one another. The positive atmosphere of the Freedom Center motivates O’Brien and her team. Helping members reach their health and wellness goals is one of the biggest on-the-job rewards—and the endorphins are contagious. “Seeing members’ smiles as they check in to start their work out, or walk out of a group exercise class after pushing themselves to the next level—this inspires my team and me to continue working hard to improve each day,” O’Brien said. “We truly have created a ‘Freedom Family’ and look forward to seeing each other succeed each day.”

Learning from the best. O’Brien said her experiences as a student athlete and her education prepared her for a career in the recreation industry. “In addition to the knowledge learned in the classroom, I was able to grow as an individual and leader to better serve my team and facility,” O’Brien said. She also recognizes those who helped her along the way. “The most significant influence on my work has been my supervisor, mentor, and role model for more than 20 years: Ron Carmichael, director of administration and operations for the SciTech Campus,” O’Brien said. “He has provided opportunities to grow and find my specific leadership and management style, supported my goals and ideas, and shares a common passion for the health and wellness industry.”

Sports and serenity. When she’s not at work, O’Brien keeps pulse of her family’s athletic pursuits. “My sons’ passion for competitive basketball keeps us very busy, between practices and games,” she said. “I find joy and peace with gardening, yoga, playing pickleball, and volleyball.” Finding new places to travel and adventures to experience with her family also top the list.

Learn more about the Freedom Center

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Wexton’s visit to Science and Technology Campus explores research and economic impact

Colleen Rich — Wed, 30 Aug 2023 20:18:31 +0000

Wexton’s visit to Science and Technology Campus explores research and economic impact Colleen Rich Wed, 08/30/2023 - 16:18

Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton visits the ��ӽ紫ý Science and Technology Campus
Photo by Evan Cantwell/��ӽ紫ý

U.S. Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton toured ��ӽ紫ý’s Science and Technology Campus on Tuesday, August 29. The campus is located in Virginia’s 10th Congressional District, which Wexton represents.

During her visit, Wexton delved into Mason’s economic impact and partnerships with Prince William County and the City of Manassas and explored SciTech’s research labs. Neuroscience PhD student Dylan Scarton was among the researchers presenting their work. Scarton shared his endeavors into developing a biomaterial for peripheral nerve regeneration. His findings could lead to optimized recovery outcomes and reduced healing time for those suffering from severe peripheral nerve damage.

Learn more about Mason's Institute for Biohealth Innovation

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‘Topping out’ the new SciTech Campus building

Colleen Rich — Wed, 31 May 2023 21:41:05 +0000

‘Topping out’ the new SciTech Campus building Colleen Rich Wed, 05/31/2023 - 17:41

Life Sciences and Engineering Building under construction on Science and Technology Campus. Photo by EarthCam

Skanska, a leading global development and construction firm, recently reached a milestone by “topping out” ��ӽ紫ý’s new Life Sciences and Engineering Building on Science and Technology Campus.

With a completion date of late 2024, the $83.6 million,132,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility will include specialized instructional labs, classrooms, experiential learning laboratories, and faculty and administrative offices to support growing student and faculty communities on the SciTech Campus.

The topping out ceremony, a tradition passed down for generations throughout the construction industry, honors the construction team’s hard work and signals a time of celebration for the progress made on a project. The effort to achieve the topping out milestone is highlighted by:

Pouring more than 6,278 cubic yards of concrete which is enough to fill two Olympic swimming pools.
Laying more than 700 tons of rebar weighing more than 1.3 million pounds.
Working more than 50,000 hours to date.

When completed, the building will be used by the College of Engineering and Computing, the College of Science, the College of Education and Human Development, and the College of Visual and Performing Arts. It will also be an integral part of the university’s Innovation Town Center, which will provide students at the SciTech Campus with a residential campus experience from their freshman year through their post-graduate work.

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Mason alum Debbie Jones reflects on 32 years of leadership at Prince William County Chamber

Colleen Rich — Fri, 09 Dec 2022 21:52:11 +0000

Mason alum Debbie Jones reflects on 32 years of leadership at Prince William County Chamber Colleen Rich Fri, 12/09/2022 - 16:52

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Business advocate. Connector. Artist. Proud Mason alumna.

Those are a few words that describe Prince William Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Debbie Jones, BA ’78. After more than 32 years of service in the Chamber of Commerce, Jones is retiring this December.

Debbie Jones. Photo provided

She began her Chamber career in 1990 as the communications coordinator at the Prince William County–Greater Manassas Chamber. She was promoted to president and CEO in 1993.

“As an art major who never took a business class, I never expected to spend most of my career running a business organization,” said Jones.

Mason’s hallmarks of innovative problem-solving and collaborative teamwork are universal, Jones said, and students across every discipline learn and carry them with them into the workforce.

Jones reflected, “I pride myself on always finding creative ways to solve a problem, work with others, and form a team to get things accomplished.”

In 2010, she faced one of the greatest challenges in her career—managing the merger of the Prince William–Greater Manassas and the Prince William Regional Chambers of Commerce. As chief operating officer, she worked to transition Chamber members, staff, and Board of Directors into the newly created Prince William Chamber of Commerce. In July 2014, she was promoted to the Prince William Chamber’s top job, president and CEO.

Jones is a renowned connector. “Over the years, I helped to connect the business community, governments, educators, and not-for-profit organizations.” She’s most proud of the work that’s been accomplished at the Prince William Chamber to make it a go-to resource for organizations seeking collaborative relationships and partnerships.

Her work with the Prince William Chamber expanded her relationship with Mason. She is the membership chair of Mason’s Science and Technology Campus Advisory Board, where she has been a member since the board’s inception in 1999.

The Prince William Chamber has also sponsored SciTech Campus events, such as the 50th Anniversary Celebration that was held earlier this fall.

“Debbie and the Prince William Chamber are big supporters of Mason,” said Molly Grove, associate director of community and local government relations at the Science and Technology Campus. “Through Debbie and the Chamber, we’ve been able to make connections to key regional partners that have positioned Mason for success in the years to come. She’s a real gem and a great partner. She’s a special friend!”

Jones’s impact also extends to Mason students. Mason School of Recreation, Health and Tourism students have held internships at the Chamber, where they can apply their classroom knowledge in the real world.

She encourages all students to “take advantage of every opportunity, take chances, do new things, and meet people. You never know whom you will meet and how they will change your life.”

In 2019, Mason’s Alumni Association recognized Jones’s accomplishments with the Thomas W. Iszard IV, Distinguished Alumni Award from the College of Visual and Performing Arts. She calls upon fellow alumni to, “Make a difference! Get out there, meet people, and give back—your time, treasures, and talent.”

What’s next on the horizon for Jones?

The next phase of her life, “Debbie 2.0,” features plenty of self-care, specifically walking and traveling, spending time with family and friends, devoting more time to her art, and making time to relax and regroup.

While her time at the Chamber is concluding, Jones plans to continue to use her connections and skills to make a difference.

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Students

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Mason’s SciTech Campus celebrates and looks ahead to the future

John Hollis — Mon, 19 Sep 2022 18:34:37 +0000

Mason’s SciTech Campus celebrates and looks ahead to the future John Hollis Mon, 09/19/2022 - 14:34

��ӽ紫ý’s Science and Technology Campus teamed up with the Prince William Chamber of Commerce last week to hold a Mason 50th Anniversary celebration at the Hylton Performing Arts Center.

More than 100 faculty, staff, students, alumni and members from the community attended the Science and Technology Campus' 50th Anniversary Celebration. Photo by Sierra Guard/Creative Services

The event was attended by more than 100 guests, including students, faculty, staff, alumni and members from the community.

“Partnership and collaboration are in the SciTech DNA, and we reinforced that important fact again [on Sept. 15],” said Ron Carmichael, the director of administration and operations for the SciTech Campus.

From left, SciTech Director of Administration and Operations Ron Carmichael with Mason alumni State Senator Jeremy McPike, Erika Spalding, Debbie Jones, Sean Connaughton, Lovey Hammel, Rex Parr, Tina Laguna, and Afnan Ali. Photo by Sierra Guard/Creative Services

Carmichael opened the evening with remarks touting the strong partnerships the campus has established with Prince William County and the City of Manassas. The spotlight then shifted to the distinguished alumni committee members attending the event, including State Senator Jeremy McPike, Sean Connaughton, Lovey Hammel, Debbie Jones, Tina Laguna, Rick Nishanian, Rex Parr, Erika Spalding, and Afnan Ali.

Both Innovation Town Center developers were on hand to explain their projects and discuss future development of their projects.

In addition, Carmichael announced that the Mason Alumni Association planned to establish a Prince William Chapter for the 11,000 Mason alums who live in the county.

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Science and Technology Campus

Retro Mason: Science and Technology Campus dedicated 1997

Colleen Rich — Thu, 15 Sep 2022 20:53:52 +0000

Retro Mason: Science and Technology Campus dedicated 1997 Colleen Rich Thu, 09/15/2022 - 16:53

In 1994 ��ӽ紫ý broke ground on 120 acres in Prince William County that was donated by IBM, local real-estate developers, and private families. Originally called the Prince William Institute, that parcel, now the Science and Technology Campus, anchors the Innovation Park in that county and is home to the Biomedical Research Laboratory, a Biosafety Level 3 research facility that is one of only 12 in the country, and an outdoor forensic science research laboratory that is one of only eight in the world.

In this photo from the campus dedication and opening of the first building on September 24, 1997, are former President George Johnson, Prince William County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathleen Seefeldt, State Senator Charles J. "Chuck" Colgan, Delegate Harry Parrish, and President Alan Merten.

Photo credit: University Libraries' Special Collections Research Center, ��ӽ紫ý Photograph Collection, 1950s-1999

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Science and Technology Campus

Learning Communities Tackle Mason’s EDGE Challenge Course

Andrew J Schappert — Mon, 12 Sep 2022 19:57:30 +0000

Learning Communities Tackle Mason’s EDGE Challenge Course Andrew J Schappert Mon, 09/12/2022 - 15:57

In This Story

Members of the Democracy Lab and International Relations Policy Task Force at the EDGE. Photo by Gretchen Curry/Schar School of Policy and Government

On a brutally hot day in August, more than 50 Schar School students participating in the Democracy Lab and International Relations Policy Task Force learning communities, plus a few game professors, tackled ��ӽ紫ý’s EDGE team-building climbing course at the Science and Technology Campus in Manassas, Virginia. The EDGE provides powerful and positive experiential learning experiences—not to mention a bit of intimidation—that turn disparate students into bonded classmates. From the looks of things, mission accomplished!

An ambitious student scales the fearsome Alpine Tower to the top while Learning Communities director Jennifer Victor awaits at the top. Photo by Olivia Hollenbach/Democracy Lab

Associate Professors Jennifer Victor, Eric McGlinchey, Matthew Scherer, and Assistant Professor Christopher Berk didn’t just watch, they climbed with the students.

Celebrating survival with an intense “rock-paper-scissors” competition. Photo by Eric McGlinchey/Schar School of Policy and Government

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Nanofabrication Lab opens on SciTech Campus

Read More About the Ribbon Cutting

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At ��ӽ紫ý, President Gregory Washington Is Building the Future

New Mason Nanofabrication Facility will help drive innovation in the commonwealth

Learn more about the Nanofabrication Facility

Did you know...

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Wexton’s visit to Science and Technology Campus explores research and economic impact

Learn more about Mason's Institute for Biohealth Innovation

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‘Topping out’ the new SciTech Campus building

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Mason alum Debbie Jones reflects on 32 years of leadership at Prince William County Chamber

Read about more Mason Alumni

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Mason’s SciTech Campus celebrates and looks ahead to the future

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Learn more about the SciTech Campus

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Retro Mason: Science and Technology Campus dedicated 1997

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Learning Communities Tackle Mason’s EDGE Challenge Course

In This Story

Topics

Science and Technology Campus

Nanofabrication Lab opens on SciTech Campus

Read More About the Ribbon Cutting

Topics

At ���ӽ紫ý, President Gregory Washington Is Building the Future

New Mason Nanofabrication Facility will help drive innovation in the commonwealth

Learn more about the Nanofabrication Facility

Did you know...

Related News

More from Mason Spirit Magazine

Meet the Mason Nation: Olga O’Brien, general manager, Freedom Aquatic & Fitness Center

Learn more about the Freedom Center

Read more faculty and staff news

Read more Meet the Mason Nation

Topics

Wexton’s visit to Science and Technology Campus explores research and economic impact

Learn more about Mason's Institute for Biohealth Innovation

Topics

‘Topping out’ the new SciTech Campus building

Topics

Mason alum Debbie Jones reflects on 32 years of leadership at Prince William County Chamber

Read about more Mason Alumni

Topics

Mason’s SciTech Campus celebrates and looks ahead to the future

Related News

Learn more about the SciTech Campus

Topics

Retro Mason: Science and Technology Campus dedicated 1997

Topics

Learning Communities Tackle Mason’s EDGE Challenge Course

In This Story

Topics

At ��ӽ紫ý, President Gregory Washington Is Building the Future