Bringing together industry leaders, government, and academia to build lasting partnerships that will advance digital innovations, transdisciplinary research, and workforce development in a rapidly changing world.
Event Information
When: December 2, 2025 @ 8:30AM – 4:30PM
Where: Fuse at Mason Square – 3351 Fairfax Dr. Arlington, VA 22201
Agenda
| 8.45 AM | Welcome and Opening Remarks Dr. Massimiliano Albanese, Executive Director, Institute for Digital Innovation (IDIA) Dr. Rebekah Hersch, Associate Vice President for Research and Innovation |
| 9.00 AM | Advancing Mason’s Innovation Ecosystem An overview of the university’s interconnected innovation ecosystem—including its Institutes (IDIA, IBI, ISE), Technology Transfer and Research Development, Economic Development, and Public-Private Partnerships. Paula Sorrell, Associate Vice President, Innovation and Economic Development, Mason Enterprise Gisele Stolz, Senior Director, Entrepreneurship Programs, The Mason Innovation Exchange (The MIX) David Grossman, Sr. Director, Technology Transfer and Industry Collaboration Dr. Liza Wilson Durant, Associate Provost, Strategic Initiatives and Community Engagement & Director, Commonwealth Cyber Initiative (CCI), NoVa Node Dr. Massimiliano Albanese, Executive Director, Institute for Digital Innovation (IDIA) Dr. Leah Nichols, Executive Director, and Julianna Gwiszcz, Associate Director, Institute for a Sustainable Earth (ISE) Amy Adams,Executive Director, Institute for Biohealth Innovation (IBI) |
| 9.40 AM | University-Government Partnerships for Defense Innovation An overview of the university’s defense-focused research and partnerships. Sarah Campbell, Associate Vice President of Research for Defense and Security |
| 9.55 AM | Center Spotlights Short presentations showcasing impactful research and partnership opportunities across Mason’s research centers. Mason Autonomy and Robotics Center (MARC): Jesse Kirkpatrick, Co-Director Center for Wireless Innovation (WISPER): Dr. Kai Zeng, Site Co-Director Center for Infrastructure Security in the Era of AI (ISEAI): Dr. Massimiliano Albanese, Director The Center of Excellence in Command, Control, Communications, Computing, Intelligence and Cyber (C5I): Dr. Paulo Costa, Director |
| 10.50 AM | Break |
| 11.00 AM | Panel 1: The AI Revolution and the Future of Digital Innovation A discussion exploring how AI is transforming industries and shaping the future of digital transformation. Moderator: Richard Jacik, Chief Technology Officer, American Institute for Research Balázs Nagy, Chief Executive Officer, NewPush Ali K. Raz, Assistant Professor, George Mason University Sumeet Vij, Head of Applied AI and Engineering, Google Public Sector |
| 12.00 PM | Luncheon & Keynote Address Keynote Speaker: Dr. Gregory Washington, President, George Mason University |
| 1.30 PM | Remarks from the Vice President for Research Dr. Andre Marshall, Vice President for Research, Innovation and Economic Impact, ORIEI |
| 1.45 PM | Panel 2: Sustaining Industry–University Collaboration in Times of Uncertainty Exploring resilient partnerships, funding models, and innovation ecosystems amid uncertainty in the federal funding landscape. Moderator: Dr. Jeong Yun Kweun, Deputy Director, Office of Public-Private Partnerships, Virginia Department of Transportation John Blair, Director, National Business Investment, Fairfax County Economic Development Authority Dr. Jonathan Gifford, Director, Center for Infrastructure Public-Private Partnership Policy, Schar School of Policy and Government Lisa Shapiro, Lead Managing Director, GO Virginia Northern Region Council Mourad Yesayan, Managing Director, Paladin Capital Group |
| 2.45 PM | Break |
| 3.00 PM | Industry Roundtable: Partnering for Impact Industry leaders share perspectives on emerging needs and opportunities for collaboration with Mason researchers. Moderator: Richard Jacik, Chief Technology Officer, American Institutes for Research Paul Weiss, Vice President, Digital Solutions, Brillient Corporation John Frechette, Co-Founder & CEO, Moara.io Ujval Gandhi, Digital Transformation Executive, Microsoft Kevin Hamer, CEO, Akiak Holdings LLC |
| 4.00 PM | Closing Remarks and GCI Poster Session |