George Mason researchers honored with SCHEV Outstanding Faculty Awards

George Mason University’s Xuesu Xiao, an assistant professor in the Department of Computer Science within the College of Engineering and Computing, and Michael S. Bloom, a professor in the Department of Global and Community Health within the College of Public Health, were among the 12 recipients honored by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) with 2026 Outstanding Faculty Awards. 

Chosen from a pool of 81 nominees and 21 finalists representing the commonwealth’s public and private colleges and universities, the recipients are recognized for their superior accomplishments in teaching, research, and public service. Each will receive a $7,500 award at a March 3 ceremony in Richmond. 

“I am thrilled that two George Mason faculty members have been selected to receive the SCHEV Outstanding Faculty Award this year,” said George Mason Interim Provost and Executive Vice President Ajay Vinzé. “As the highest honor for faculty in the Commonwealth, this award recognizes the exceptional contributions that George Mason faculty make through research that addresses society’s most pressing challenges, as well as through engaging students in impactful teaching and mentoring experiences that foster student success. In addition, these two award recipients are deeply committed to service, innovation, and leadership in their fields. This honor is richly deserved; together, they showcase the best of George Mason.”

Xiao was recognized as a “Rising Star” for his early-career accomplishments. He directs the RobotiXX Lab and works at the intersection of motion planning and machine learning, with a focus on developing highly capable mobile robots that can operate in real-world environments with minimal human supervision. His work has supported search-and-rescue efforts following the Mexico City earthquake, the Greece refugee crisis, and decommissioning efforts at the Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan. In 2025, Xiao received the George Mason Presidential Award for Faculty Excellence in Research.

“This recognition is especially meaningful because it reflects Virginia’s commitment to scholarship that serves the public good,” Xiao said. “It strengthens the commonwealth’s research profile, prepares students to address complex, real-world challenges, and recognizes not only my research contributions, but also the broader vision behind them—advancing robotics research with real impact while educating and mentoring the next generation of engineers and scientists.”

Gurdip Singh, the divisional dean of the Long Nguyen and Kimmy Duong School of Computing within the College of Engineering and Computing, said George Mason was fortunate to have such a talented young researcher as Xiao. 

“His breakthroughs in robotics are making an impact at conferences around the world and establishing our prominence in this rapidly growing field,” he said. “The test bed at the RobotiXX Lab is the only one of its kind in the region, if not the country.”

Bloom teaches graduate-level epidemiology and mentors graduate students, while conducting research on the health effects and sources of exposure to environmental pollutants, with a focus on human reproduction and fetal development. His work is driven by a commitment to addressing health disparities and supporting vulnerable populations.

A reproductive and perinatal epidemiologist, Bloom was recently elected to a five-year leadership role within the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, where he will serve on the Leadership Committee of the Environment and Reproduction Special Interest Group in a series of roles culminating as chair.

Bloom has co-authored more than 200 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters, with research funded by the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Fulbright Program. 

“Receiving this award is an incredible honor,” Bloom said. “It reflects not only my efforts, but also the support and collaboration of colleagues, students, and mentors who have shaped my journey. This recognition reinforces our shared mission as George Mason faculty—advancing education, research, and service that make a meaningful difference.” 

Melissa J. Perry, dean of the College of Public Health, called Bloom’s recognition “a testament to his exceptional scholarship and unwavering commitment to public health.” 

“His expertise in environmental health and his pioneering research on the impacts of endocrine-disrupting chemicals have advanced our understanding of critical health challenges,” she said. “We are proud to have Dr. Bloom as a leader in our college, shaping the future of public health through his research, mentorship, and dedication to improving health for all.”

Bloom said it was humbling to join a long line of accomplished faculty scholars at George Mason and across Virginia, noting that the award reflects a broader tradition of excellence in teaching, mentoring, research, and public service that continues to shape the future of higher education.

Xiao and Bloom become the 30th and 31st George Mason faculty to receive SCHEV Outstanding Faculty Awards since the program’s inception in 1987. Recipients of this award are selected by their institutions, reviewed by a panel of peers, and chosen by a committee of leaders from the public and private sectors.