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Dear Patriots,
It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic news of the death of Michael Buschmann, Eminent Scholar and Chair of Mason’s Bioengineering Department in the College of Engineering and Computing. A scholar, university leader and man of compassion and integrity; his untimely death saddens all who knew and loved him.
Professor Buschmann came to Mason in 2017 with his wife Caroline Hoemann, a bioengineering professor in the College of Engineering and Computing, after a 20-year career at École Polytechnique in Montreal.
Buschmann recently formed the start-up AexeRNA Therapeutics Inc., in partnership with the university’s Office of Technology Transfer (OTT). He and his team had licensed the commercial rights of four patent applications to the company. The technology would make mRNA vaccines such as the COVID-19 vaccines less costly, with fewer side-effects and more available worldwide.
We know this news has shocked and saddened many. We urge you to take advantage of the free, confidential services Mason makes available to its community.
EAP: Employees on Mason’s health plans can take advantage of free employee assistance programs. Information about each specific program is available on the Human Resources website.
CAPS: Mason students may reach out to Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) for free access to mental health services. An emotional support telephone line 703-215-1898 is open from 8:30 a.m. – 8: 30 p.m., seven days a week. For more information, visit the Center for Psychological Services Emotional Support Resources website.
Mason is committed to helping support the well-being and mental health of its entire community and encourages anyone in need of assistance to reach out.
There will be more information in the coming days on Mason’s plans to celebrate the life of Professor Buschmann. In the meantime, please keep the Buschmann-Hoemann family in your thoughts.
Sincerely,
Gregory Washington, President
Mark Ginsberg, Provost and Executive Vice President
Ken Ball, Dean, College of Engineering and Computing