Mason Media Blog

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, someone in the United States is infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, every 9.5 minutes. In fact, of the more than one million people living with HIV, one out of five doesn’t even know they are infected.

The above image shows a portion of the AIDS Memorial Quilt. Photo courtesy of the NAMES Foundation

To bring attention to this growing epidemic, Mason will display more than 100 squares from the AIDS Memorial Quilt. The display is one of many activities taking place during HIV Awareness Week from Monday, Nov. 30, through Friday, Dec. 4, on the Fairfax Campus.

The quilt will be displayed in the Johnson Center’s Dewberry Hall on the Fairfax Campus on Tuesday, Dec. 1, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to commemorate World AIDS Day. World AIDS Day is observed globally to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS.

The AIDS Memorial Quilt, the largest ongoing community arts project in the world, was founded in 1987. Each “block” or section of the quilt measures approximately 12 feet square, and a typical block consists of eight individual 3-by-6-foot panels sewn together. Almost all of the 40,000 colorful panels that make up the quilt memorialize the life of a person lost to AIDS.

For a full schedule of events, click here. More information about the AIDS Memorial Quilt and Mason’s HIV Awareness Week can be found here.

**MEDIA ADVISORY**

While lawmakers on Capitol Hill debate health care reform in America, Knox Singleton, president and CEO of Inova Health System is bringing the discussion to George Mason University. As part of the Johnson & Strachan Distinguished Speaker Series, Singleton will address the current state of our nation’s health care system and the proposed government reform plan.

One of the nations most integrated and most wired health care delivery systems, Inova Health System is also one of the largest in the greater Washington, D.C., area. Through Singleton’s stewardship for the past 26 years, Inova Health System has pursued its not-for-profit mission of providing health care to all, regardless of ability to pay, while offering state-of-the-art medical care to the residents of Northern Virginia. For 13 of the past 14 years, U.S. News & World Report has named Inova Fairfax Hospital, Inova’s flagship facility, as one of “America’s Best Hospitals.”

WHEN:
Tuesday, November 17, 2009, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.

WHERE:
Johnson Center Cinema
George Mason University
4400 University Drive, Fairfax, VA, 22030

About the Johnson & Strachan Distinguished Speaker Series
A free community-based academic initiative, the Johnson & Strachan Distinguished Speaker Series enriches the educational experience of the School of Management’s students, faculty and alumni while building and strengthening relationships with the region’s business community. Focusing on public policy issues, the Distinguished Speaker Series brings a diverse group of corporate leaders, government officials and renowned academicians to George Mason’s Fairfax campus. These exceptional speakers discuss the strategic and operational issues critical to the nation’s ability to sustain and enhance its competitive edge in a global economy. Their ideas and solutions will benefit students, faculty and the community by offering insight and fostering provocative discussion.

RSVP:
Media outlets and reporters interested in attending this event are required to RSVP to Jennifer Edgerly at jedgerly@gmu.edu or 703-993-8699 by 4 p.m. on Tues., Nov. 17.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as many as five million Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s disease and this number is expected to reach 13.4 million by 2050. Presented below are experts at Mason who are searching for new ways to delay, prevent and treat this devastating disease.

Andrew Carle, Assistant Professor, and Director, Program in Assisted Living/Senior Housing Administration

Andrew Carle is an internationally recognized expert on senior housing who has written extensively about the best models of Alzheimer’s care including the 1950s inspired Waveny Care Center in New Canaan, Connecticut.

“Nearly 10 million U.S. caregivers struggle with issues of assisting someone with Alzheimer’s disease — often out of fear of moving the loved one to a long-term care facility. Assisted living has developed some truly innovative facilities for people with Alzheimer’s, but families are exhausting themselves because they think their only choices are between a nursing home or providing the care themselves,” says Carle. “Up to 40 percent of Alzheimer’s caregivers report providing more than 40 hours of help a week, with nearly 60 percent feeling they were ‘on duty’ 24 hours a day during the last year of the afflicted family member’s life. And to make things even more challenging, up to 1.4 million people live more than one hour from the person they are helping.”

Robin Couch, Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Robin Couch is a research scientist who is investigating the development of new therapeutics for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Couch is currently evaluating the effectiveness of neuroprotection, which involves the use of neurotrophins, or molecules naturally produced by resident cells in the brain, to defend the brain cells from death.

“Recent studies have revealed a significant reduction of brain cell death and a reduced rate of cognitive decline with nerve growth factor therapy. While these results are exciting and illustrate the potential of nerve growth factor for Alzheimer’s disease therapy, the most critical drawback is the inability of neurotrophins to travel from the bloodstream into the brain which means that invasive methods, such as direct injection or surgical implantation, are required to introduce nerve growth factors into the brain. To circumvent this problem, scientists are developing drugs that are able to enter into the brain and stimulate the resident cells to increase their natural secretion of nerve growth factor. Our research is helping to facilitate the development of such drugs,” says Couch.

Jane Flinn, Director, Undergraduate Program in Neuroscience

Jane Flinn is examining the role of metals, particularly zinc, iron and copper, in the brain tissue of Alzheimer’s patients. She recently completed a study — conducted in collaboration with the U.S. Geological Survey — that focused on the effects of enhanced zinc on spatial memory and plaque formation in transgenic (or genetically modified) mice.

“We found that iron significantly impairs spatial memory in transgenic mice with early onset Alzheimer’s disease. Zinc caused spatial memory impairments that were partially alleviated by treating the mice with small amounts of copper. This is important because zinc, with copper, is recommended as a treatment for age-related macular degeneration (AMD). As a result, we have begun to examine metal levels in the eyes of people who have AMD,” says Flinn. “Also, as a general comment, mental stimulation and physical exercise are possible preventative measures for Alzheimer’s disease.”

Pamela M. Greenwood, Associate Professor of Psychology

Pamela Greenwood uses behavioral, genetic and computational methods to investigate the cognitive sciences. Her overall goal is to find ways to identify older individuals who are likely to remain healthy and those who are likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease.

“Alzheimer’s disease is the scourge of old age. However, we have reached a real turning point in Alzheimer’s research. For the first time in the history of the disease, there are drugs undergoing clinical trials which are aimed at possible mechanisms of the disease. The path forward is not yet clear but we can now start to eliminate hypotheses,” says Greenwood. “Pathological changes can be detected years before the neuron death which occurs about the time of diagnosis. This provides a window of time during which the disease may be slowed or delayed and investigations into ways to do this could yield real benefits in the near future.”

Dmitri Klimov, Associate Professor, Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology

Dmitri Klimov uses computer simulations to study Alzheimer’s disease. His research focuses on the formation of starchlike protein assemblies that accumulate in body tissues called amyloid fibrils and their role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

“The design of drugs against Alzheimer’s disease requires an understanding of the formation of amyloid fibrils on the microscopic level. The molecular computer simulations performed in our lab have given us a much better understanding of this disease. Studying the interactions of ibuprofen with Alzheimer amyloid fibrils should help us to determine how this drug dissolves them and to develop strategies to enhance ibuprofen’s therapeutic benefit,” says Klimov. “I believe that molecular computer simulations are uniquely positioned to map the development of Alzheimer’s disease on a microscopic level.”

Mark Meiners, Professor of Health Administration and Policy

Mark Meiners specializes in the areas of aging and health, with an emphasis on financial issues. He is nationally recognized as one of the leading experts on financing and program development in long-term care.

“The direct and indirect costs of Alzheimer’s and other dementias to Medicare, Medicaid and businesses amount to more than $148 billion every year. It is time to get a handle on these costs. Finding a cure is the goal, but until then, improved care coordination for Alzheimer’s patients and their families can go a long way toward bending the cost curve,” says Meiners. “Alzheimer’s patients and their families need medical and social service providers to work together in helping them cope with the stress of dealing with our fragmented health care system. Congress is beginning to support care coordination as an important part of health care reform, but care coordination needs to focus on the individual and engage interdisciplinary teams that include both health and social service professionals.”

Raja Parasuraman, University Professor, and Director, Ph.D. Program in Human Factors and Applied Cognition, and Chair, Neuroimaging Core of the Krasnow Institute

Raja Parasuraman is a world-renowned researcher of cognitive neuroscience and human performance in human-machine systems. He has conducted many studies using information-processing paradigms, event-related brain potentials and functional brain imaging both in normal populations and in relation to aging and Alzheimer’s disease.

“The number of cases of people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease is reaching epidemic proportions. Research focused on early detection, in adults in their 50s and early 60s, can help reduce the devastating health, economic, and social impact of this disease,” says Parasuraman. “There is hope arising from the convergence of scientific fields — neuroscience, genetics, and psychology — that an integrated, interdisciplinary approach to early detection will help in reducing the number of Alzheimer’s cases. Early detection of those at greatest risk can help in identifying who may best benefit from treatments that delay the onset of the disease. Even a one- to two-year delay in the age of onset can lead to a substantial decline in the number of cases.”

If you would like to speak to any of these faculty members, please contact Marjorie Musick at 703-993-8781 or at mmusick@gmu.edu.

It is election day with a Governor’s seat on the line in Virginia. Get out and vote if you haven’t yet!

Mason professors have been active in the news, providing the most up to date analysis regarding the election. Here’s a sample of what they are saying:

Washington Examiner, “Landslide could elevate McDonnell nationally,” by Bill Myers

Stephen Farnsworth, assistant professor of communication, says that a victory for Bob McDonnell would raise his profile in the Republican Party at a time when they are looking for leadership.

Time, “Virginia Race Gives Republicans a Blueprint for Success,” by Jay Newton-Small

Joseph Taylor, Mason economics student and McDonnell volunteer, gives his assessment of the campaign.

CNN, “Analysis: Anger, frustration fuel Election Day 2009,” by Paul Steinhauser

Mark Rozell, professor in the School of Public Policy, says that a Republican win in Virginia could signal that the party is alive and well and could be in play for future elections.

NewsChannel 8, “Polls Show Virginia Republican Candidates Lead in 3 Statewide Races”

Mark Rozell says that in Virginia, the fortunes of the Democrats and Republicans can change from one year to the next, depending on a number of factors.

Wall Street Journal, “Virginia Race Tests Obama’s Staying Power,” by Corey Dade

Michael McDonald, associate professor of public and international affairs, discusses the canidates’ campaign strategies.

PoliticsDaily.com, “Is Bob McDonnell the Future of the GOP?,” by Jill Lawrence

Mark Rozell discusses Bob McDonnell’s comfort in addressing secular and evangelical communities.

Washington Examiner, “Deeds walks tightrope on Obama popularity, policy,” by William C. Flook

Toni-Michelle Travis, associate professor of public and international affairs, discusses Deeds’ campaign decisions on how they would use the White House.

Todd Kashdan

Our resident curiosity expert Todd Kashdan was featured in a really cool article in this week’s Washington Post magazine. As part of its annual Education Review, the Post highlighted five researchers at area universities doing interesting work, and Todd Kashdan was one of them.

Kashdan recently wrote the book “Curious?“, which aims to show readers that the greatest happiness does not come when we are searching for order and safety, but rather when we relish new, unknown and sometimes scary-seeming experiences.

As director of Mason’s Laboratory for the Study of Social Anxiety, Character Strengths and Related Phenomena, Kashdan is interested in the assessment and cultivation of well-being, curiosity, gratitude, and meaning and purpose in life.

He has been active in the positive psychology movement since 2000, when he taught one of the first college courses on the science of happiness. That course, “The Science of Well-Being,” was featured in an article in the New York Times Magazine.

Besides Kashdan, the Post article highlighted professors (and a student) from the University of Maryland, Washington and Lee University, George Washington University and Washington College.

George Mason University is one of more than 25 universities to receive a grant to participate in the national Freedom Without Walls campaign. Organized by the German Embassy, colleges across the country are hosting a range of events to commemorate the 20^th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Mason's Berlin Wall

As part of these commemorative events, students under the guidance of Walter Kravitz, professor in the School of Art, constructed a replica of the Berlin Wall. The plywood structure stands about 8 feet tall and 16 feet wide and is assembled near the North Plaza clock tower on the Fairfax Campus.

Kravitz and students painted the replica a grayish color and gave it some texture to mimic the surface of the original wall, which was concrete. The wall will be attached to a stage on which students will give speeches and hold debates.

Once the wall was assembled, students painted graffiti on it, as was done on the western side of the original Berlin Wall.

“The idea is not to repeat the social and political statements on the original wall but to make the new graffiti important and poignant within a contemporary context,” says Kravitz.

Ceremonies for the demolition of the Berlin Wall replica will take place on Monday, Nov. 9, at 1 p.m.

Pictures of the Berlin Wall replica can be found here.

The story of the Northwest pilots who overshot their destination because they were paying more attention to their laptops than to their flying brings up many questions about the way humans interact with automated systems. If the pilots didn’t have an auto-pilot setting, would this mistake have happened?

Raja Parasuraman

Raja Parasuraman, professor of psychology at George Mason University, has been studying human performance in human-machine systems, particularly the role of human attention, memory and vigilance in automated and robotic systems. His research lab has been investigating pilot and air-traffic controller performance with advanced automation.

“There have been many automation-related incidents lately,” says Parasuraman. “It can be dangerous when people tune out when using these systems.”

Parasuraman was quoted by the Washington Post earlier this year after a Metro car accident that killed nine and injured more than 80 people. He believes that automated systems should be designed to enhance the performance of human operators, and not supplement their tasks and duties.

Parasuraman is director of the Graduate Program in Human Factors and Applied Cognition. He served as a member of the National Research Council’s Panel on Human Factors in Air-Traffic Control Automation from 1994 to 1998. He is on the editorial board of several journals, including Ergonomics, Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied and Human Factors.

If you are interested in speaking with Dr. Parasuraman, please contact Tara Laskowski at 703-993-8815 or tlaskows@gmu.edu.

Often considered the deadliest conflict in modern history, World War II raged on for six long years. After it ended, the world realized that some of the greatest atrocities in its history had been committed.

As a significant piece of history dies with the last remaining veterans of WWII, the Mason University Scholars Program continues its “Never Forget” focus with events that celebrate WWII veterans.

Megan Fowler

Megan Fowler, a history and theater major, is spearheading the planning. After the success of the Holocaust Remembrance events that she helped organize in spring 2008, Fowler began planning for a reprise of the “Never Forget” program. This year the event will encourage individuals to reach out to WWII veterans to better understand the war and how it continues to influence society today.

“After last year’s event, I received so many positive responses from members of the community who wanted to learn more and were interested in the topic for the next event,” says Fowler.

“Deciding on an event that focused on WWII veterans was a personal choice for me because I had a family friend who served in the Pacific theater. When he passed away, I realized I had missed the opportunity to learn from him about some of the most crucial battles during the war that helped shape the future.”

More information about the “Never Forget” program and a full schedule of events can be found here.

According to the new Poets & Writers issue (November/December), George Mason University’s MFA in Creative Writing Program is ranked #37 in the Top 50 programs in the country.

Though the complete list is only available in the print edition of the magazine, you can read about some of the rationale behind the rankings here.

Mason’s MFA in Creative Writing program, started in 1980, offers three concentrations. Each concentration—fiction, nonfiction, and poetry—requires 48 semester hours and takes at least three years to complete. Course work blends writing workshops with craft seminars and the study of literature. Each concentration also requires completion of a thesis (a book-length manuscript). Faculty publications total more than 65 books, and alumni and students publish with both small and major presses.

For more information about Mason’s MFA program, visit their web site.

With baby boomers starting to turn 65 in only two years, the U.S. Census Bureau projects the nation’s older population will double to 71.5 million by 2030. Created in response to this population shift, the new Partnership for Education in Gerontology (PEG) at Mason will prepare the nursing faculty to train students to manage the unique needs of older adults.

Robin Remsburg, associate dean of the School of Nursing in the College of Health and Human Services, notes that older patients who are hospitalized are much more likely to develop conditions such as delirium, hospital-acquired infections and adverse reactions to medication that can prolong their hospitalization and exacerbate the original medical issues for which they were being treated.

“As we join forces with community stakeholders and partners, the School of Nursing will do our part to fend off a potential public health crisis in Northern Virginia by helping older patients in hospitals or nursing homes receive the best possible care. Ultimately, patients will benefit, and that’s what this is all about,” says Remsburg.

Prior to joining Mason, Remsburg  served as the long-term care statistics branch chief and the deputy director of the Division of Health Care Statistics at the National Center for Health Statistics. As a nationally certified gerontological clinical nurse specialist, a past president of the National Gerontological Nursing Association, a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, a member of the editorial board of Geriatric Nursing, and a member of numerous advisory groups for nursing and long-term care, Remsburg is available to comment on the looming nursing shortage and other gerontological issues.