Annual research mixer highlights Rice’s strengths

BY AMY HODGES
Rice News staff

For the fourth year in a row, Rice University students “mixed” it up during the Student and Graduate Student associations’ Research Mixer.

Held Oct. 7 outside Rice Memorial Center, the mixer featured more than 20 displays of research highlighting projects from numerous departments, research groups and organizations throughout the university.

The research mixer featured more than 20 displays of research highlighting projects from numerous departments, research groups and organizations throughout the university. Photo by Jeff Fitlow

“It’s a really fantastic event,” said Michael Sinai, the graduate student coordinator for the mixer. “Undergraduates and graduate students have the opportunity to network in an informal setting. Graduates get to display their research and gain exposure, and undergrads get to learn about graduate student life and the possibilities after graduation.”

“It’s a chance for both groups of students to mingle and have conversations about a topic that brings them together – research,” said Nicole Zhao, the SA coordinator for the event.

Dean of Undergraduates John Hutchinson said the annual mixer highlights the strengths of Rice. “We offer opportunities for students of all levels and in all areas to participate in research, and because of our small size, we are able to have students of all levels and from all areas engage with each other about research,” he said.

The event was sponsored by the Student Association (SA) and Graduate Student Association (GSA), with support from the offices of the Dean of Undergraduates and the Dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

Students who want more information on research opportunities at Rice can visit http://research.rice.edu and click on the “students” tab at the top.