Author: Sarah Bassil

Dr. Paul Houser is the Executive Director of the Center for Resilient and Sustainable Communities and a Professor in the Department of Geography and Geoinformation Sciences at the College of Science.

Dr. Houser is an internationally recognized expert in hydrology and water resources, climate dynamics and prediction, community of practice development, decision support tool design, scientific integrity, and capacity building.

After developing an interest in hydrology at an early age, Dr. Houser spent more than a decade at the NASA-GSFC Hydrological Sciences Branch and the Data Assimilation Office before joining George Mason University in 2005.

As Executive Director, Dr. Houser is particularly proud of C-RASC’s transdisciplinary and co-director structure, noting that the “various Departments complement the complex work we are doing.” Additionally, he points to the STAR-TIDES (Sharing To Accelerate Research – Transformative Innovation for Development and Emergency Support) network as being integral to C-RASC’s mission and impact.

Looking ahead, Dr. Houser is excited for the influence that drones can make in the battle to increase water and energy security, and reduce transportation costs. In regards to research, Dr. Houser is motivated to continue and expand the study of sustainable communities and their response to climate disasters.

 

 

Dr. Kathryn Laskey is the Founding Director and Director Emerita of the Center for Resilient and Sustainable Communities. Before her retirement in May of 2022, she spent decades as a Professor of Systems Engineering and Operations Research at the Volgenau School of Engineering at George Mason University.

Long before the start of her career at George Mason University in 1990, Dr. Laskey was always interested in using math to make the world a better place. Whether it was projects related to artificial intelligence or insider threats, her goal was to use data to understand and find solutions to important and challenging problems. 

When the call for a transdisciplinary center was made in 2018, she and others answered enthusiastically. 

Her passion for combining various disciplines in efforts to find creative solutions was instrumental in the establishment of C-RASC. For many years, she worked tirelessly to ensure that the foundation of the research center was one that would not only withstand the test of time, but thrive under any condition. 

“Having the opportunity to lead C-RASC was the highlight of my career,” said Dr. Laskey.

As mentioned, Dr. Laskey recently retired from George Mason University to spend time with her family, including three beautiful grandchildren. She continues to assist the Mason and C-RASC communities by serving on the STAR-TIDES Advisory Committee and any project that comes her way. 

As part of the 8th Science Summit at the 77th United Nations General Assembly, STAR-TIDES organized a virtual panel discussion entitled “Building Resilient Societal/Communal Responses to Environmental Changes.” Click here to watch a recording of the panel.