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Professor of Global and Community Health Amira Roess has been recognized for her excellence in community involvement, teaching, and research during the COVID-19 pandemic and Mason’s safe return to campus.
Amira Roess, an epidemiologist and professor of Global and Community Health, has received Mason’s Outstanding Achievement Award. Every year, George Mason University recognizes employees for significant achievement in their contributions to Mason. The Outstanding Achievement Award is given to individuals whose outstanding work exemplifies Mason’s values.
With expertise in infectious disease epidemiology and pandemic response, Roess has played a vital role in Mason’s response to COVID-19 and the safe return to campus. When the coronavirus led to the shutdown of businesses and campuses across the country, Roess led a team to create and launch the nation’s first online COVID-19 symptom and exposure tracker. This tool, the Mason COVID Health Check™, has been vital to the university’s randomized testing and surveillance protocol. Last June, Dr. Roess was requested by the Virginia Council of Presidents to share the Mason COVID Health Check™ with all Virginia universities.
Roess has also served on several committees that have informed Mason’s safe return policies and protocols. These committees involved coordinating efforts on screening, contact tracing, testing, and vaccinations. Her contributions have been foundational to Mason’s response to COVID-19 and these successful strategies have played a big role in Mason’s low positivity rate. Furthermore, Roess is the recipient of two extramurally funding grants on COVID-19 transmission.
“These time-intensive initiatives of service to the University and the community are in addition to countless hours she has dedicated to ensure accurate translation of COVID-19 health information to various communities,” said Dean of the College Germaine Louis on Roess’ extensive work in the Mason community and beyond.
Additionally, Dr. Roess is also directing the new PhD in Public Health degree program within the Department of Global and Community Health, teaching a course on epidemiology, and working with several students on COVID-19 related projects in the disciplines of public health and engineering.
Her tireless, multifaceted work demonstrates a clear commitment to excellence in the face of adversity. Congratulations to Roess on this well-deserved honor.