GMU Institute for Innovation (IDIA) Industry Day

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GMU Institute for Innovation (IDIA) Industry Day

Innovation. Partnership. Impact.

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

Contact: idia2@gmu.edu

IDIA Industry Day Registration:

https://gmu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4NuTw7eLozgUPP0 



  Date and Time

  Location

  Hosts

  Registration



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  • 3351 Fairfax Dr. Arlington,
  • Arlington, Virginia
  • United States 22201
  • Building: Fuse at Mason Square
  • Room Number: Fuse at Mason Square

  • Contact Event Host
  • Starts 21 November 2025 01:14 AM UTC
  • Ends 02 December 2025 05:00 AM UTC
  • No Admission Charge






Agenda

Industry Day 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)
  • 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)
  • Institute for Biohealth Innovation (IBI)
  • Dr. Leah Nichols, Executive Director, Institute for a Sustainable Earth (ISE)
  • Office of Technology Transfer (OTT)

9:40 AM

Center Spotlights

Short presentations showcasing impactful research and partnership opportunities across Mason’s research centers.

  • Mason Autonomy and Robotics Center (MARC): Dr. 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: Jamil N. Jaffer, Executive Director, National Security Institute, George Mason University
  • Balázs Nagy, Chief Executive Officer, NewPush
  • Sumeet Vij, Head of Applied AI and Engineering, Google Public Sector

12:00 PM

Luncheon & Keynote Address

Lunch will be provided.

  • Keynote SpeakerDr. Gregory Washington, President, George Mason University

Speaker Headshot

1:30 PM

Remarks from the Vice President for Research

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

Speaker Headshot

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.

  • ModeratorDr. 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

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.

  • ModeratorRichard Jacik, Chief Technology Officer, American Institutes for Research

4:00 PM

Closing Remarks and Demo Session