College of Public Health’s Katherine Scafide joins Mason's Grand Challenge Initiative project

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. The College of Public Health is a participant in the initiative and collaborating in one of the seven new catalyst projects. 

“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.” 

The College of Public Health is participating in the Humanitarian Forensics and Peacebuilding project with the Carter School, College of Science, and Scalia Law School. The project will improve how human remains are located, identified, and reunified with families after conflict or disaster. College of Science Associate Professor Joseph DiZinno is the principal investigator, and College of Public Health Professor Katherine Scafide is one of the co-investigators.  

Scafide is a nationally-recognized expert in forensic nursing for her alternate light source bruise studies, which significantly improved the detection of bruises over current practices across diverse skin tones. The collaboration reflects George Mason’s commitment to advancing health, preparedness, and peace through impactful research 

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.  

“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.    

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.