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George Mason University and the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry (DOLI) are proud to announce the launch of the Mason-DOLI Innovation Lab—a dynamic new partnership aimed at advancing public sector innovation through cutting-edge, AI-enabled predictive analytics.
Spearheaded by the School of Computing, the lab will focus on enhancing operational efficiency and transforming service delivery across state agencies. Its flagship initiative, “SAFETI: Strategic Analysis for Fine-granular Injury and Fatality PrEvenTion Insight,” will be led by Myeong Lee, assistant professor in the Department of Information Sciences and Technology (IST), assistant professor Kevin Lybarger, also from IST, and their PhD students.
“We are thrilled to launch this innovation lab and to connect our faculty’s expertise with the real-world needs of the public sector,” said Amarda Shehu, associate dean for research in the College of Engineering and Computing and George Mason’s vice president and chief AI officer. “This partnership reinforces Mason’s commitment to being a trusted partner for government and to setting new standards of excellence in public administration.”
“DOLI is proud to partner with Mason on this initiative aimed at utilizing cutting edge technology to enhance occupational safety throughout the commonwealth”, said Charles Stiff, CSP, deputy commissioner of the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry. “This partnership enables DOLI’s safety professionals to collaborate with Mason’s predicative analytics experts, fostering a unique collaboration to benefit the commonwealth.”
Lybarger emphasized the lab’s educational impact he said, “This collaboration offers an outstanding opportunity for faculty and students to engage directly with local government—enhancing workplace safety through data-driven decision-making while preparing our students to become future leaders who apply AI for the public good.”
Lee added, “I’m honored to be part of the Mason-DOLI Innovation Lab. I believe this partnership will generate powerful synergies among researchers, students, and government agencies through a community-based research approach.”