IDIA Industry Day

Welcome and Opening Remarks

• Dr. Massimiliano Albanese, Executive Director, Institute for Digital Innovation (IDIA)
• Dr. Rebekah Hersch, Associate Vice President for Research and Innovation

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)

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

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

Break

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

Luncheon & Keynote Address

Lunch will be provided.

• Keynote Speaker: Dr. Gregory Washington, President, George Mason University

Remarks from the Vice President for Research

• Dr. Andre Marshall, Vice President for Research, Innovation and Economic Impact, ORIEI

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

Break

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

Closing Remarks and GCI Poster Session