GMU Institute for Innovation (IDIA) Industry Day
#Networking
#technology
#innovation
#leadership
#AI
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:
Date and Time
Location
Hosts
Registration
-
Add Event to Calendar
- 3351 Fairfax Dr. Arlington,
- Arlington, Virginia
- United States 22201
- Building: Fuse at Mason Square
- Room Number: Fuse at Mason Square
- 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 Speaker: Dr. Gregory Washington, President, George Mason University
1:30 PM
Remarks from the Vice President for Research
- Dr. Andre Mashall, Vice President for Research, Innovation and Economic Impact
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
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
4:00 PM