Dateline Rice for Jan. 17, 2014

FEATURED ITEM

What about the athletes?
Rice President David Leebron is quoted in an article about the inclusion of student-athletes in the new National Collegiate Athletic Association’s Division I governance structure.
Inside Higher Ed
http://bit.ly/1ddSFQ9

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

Zap from optical antenna ‘detunes’ buckyballs
Rice graduate student Yajing Li and Douglas Natelson, professor of physics and astronomy and of electrical and computer engineering, found that it’s possible to soften the bonds between atoms by applying a voltage and running an electric current through a single buckyball.
Futurity
http://bit.ly/K9ZI68
Researchers ‘detune’ a molecule: Rice University experiment shows how to soften atomic bonds in a buckyball
Nanotechnology News (This article also appeared in RF Globalnet, Photonics Online, Science Codex, Nanowerk, Science Newsline and Product Design & Development.)
http://bit.ly/1jaUp4V
Researchers ‘detune’ a molecule: Experiment shows how to soften atomic bonds in a buckyball
Phys
http://bit.ly/Ka1pQZ
Researchers ‘detune’ a molecule: Scientists control the bonds between atoms in a buckyball
Science Daily
http://bit.ly/LfnIVw
Scientists unbound carbon-60 molecular bonds
Latin Post
http://bit.ly/1kGF4uL

Obama to speak on NSA surveillance controversy
Christopher Bronk, fellow in information technology policy at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted.
Scientific American (This article also appeared in Yahoo! News and TMCnet.)
http://bit.ly/1eQtKqK
Target apologizes to hacked customers
KTRH-AM
http://bit.ly/1dBJOOn

Rouhani to woo business in Davos but Iran hurdles abound
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani will court global business in Davos next week after winning an easing of some economic sanctions, but any trade bonanza depends on the long-term success of nuclear diplomacy. Jim Krane, the Wallace S. Wilson Fellow for Energy Studies at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted.
Reuters India
http://reut.rs/1fFjPaq

Texas-sized campaign cash flows in governor’s race
Mark Jones, the Joseph D. Jamail Chair in Latin American Studies, professor and chair of political science and fellow in political science at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted in an article about donor funds given to Texas political candidates. Jones is also quoted in an article on Mayor Annise Parker’s recent marriage to her longtime partner.
ABC News (This Associated Press article also appeared in Bloomberg BusinessWeek and more than 100 other affiliates.)
http://abcn.ws/1md30nJ
Greg Abbott starts 2014 with big cash edge over Wendy Davis
Austin American-Statesman
http://bit.ly/1avv5P0
3 GOP lieutenant governor candidates have big money to spend; in governor’s race, Davis details some contributions
Express News
http://bit.ly/1dbi90A
Davis fundraising a big concern for GOP?
KTSA-AM (San Antonio)
http://bit.ly/1dbii4b
Houston Mayor Annise Parker marries longtime partner in California wedding
KTRK-TV
http://bit.ly/1eOWTCC

Obama says US produces more oil than it imports for 1st time in nearly 20 years
Kenneth Medlock III, the James A. Baker III and Susan Baker Fellow in Energy and Resource Economics at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, senior director of the Center for Energy Studies at the Baker Institute and lecturer on economics, is quoted in an article about oil production.
PolitiFact
http://bit.ly/1eGR8ER

Computer hackers and bio-medical engineers collaborate to create human organs from scratch
One of the most significant items to come from a 3-D printer is coming in 2014: a human liver, the world’s first 3-D-printed organ. Jordan Miller, assistant professor of bioengineering, is quoted.
NewsWorks
http://bit.ly/1j8nZWm

University continues provost search
Alumna Deborah Kochevar ’78 is one of five candidates for university provost at Michigan State University.
State News
http://bit.ly/1eQFgCB

Marijuana legalization opponent Kevin Sabet brings his message to Oregon
Portland legalization advocate Russ Belville’s debate with legalization opponent Kevin Sabet at Rice is referenced.
Oregon Live
http://bit.ly/LbEvsI

HOUSTON/TEXAS

Houston young professionals named among Forbes ’30 Under 30′
Genevera Allen ’06, the Dobelman Family Junior Chair of Statistics and assistant professor of statistics and electrical and computer engineering; Jocelyn Brown ’10, senior program associate at Rice 360°: Institute for Global Health Technologies; and Daniel Paul Hashim, graduate student in materials science and nanoengineering, were chosen for Forbes magazine’s coveted 30 Under 30 in Science and Health Care. Rice alumna Allison Lami Sawyer ’10 also made the list, and the article notes that the company for which she is CEO – Rebellion Photonics – was created at Rice University.
Houston Business Journal
http://bit.ly/Lltx4s
Houston young professionals get national magazine love: A ’30 Under 30′ with a Bayou City bent
CultureMap
http://bit.ly/Ka4Wi5

Priestley science lecture: ‘Global Change by Humans: Narrowing Choices for our Future Climate’ by Ron Sass
Ron Sass, the Harry C. and Olga Keith Wiess Professor Emeritus of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, will present a lecture Jan. 19.
CultureMap
http://bit.ly/1avyjCb

Expert to discuss Israel’s security challenges
Israeli politician Avi Dichter is giving a presentation at Rice’s Kelly International Conference Facility, James A. Baker III Hall Jan. 27.
Jewish Herald-Voice
http://bit.ly/1detjBP

Need a lemon tree or raspberry bush? Get yourself to Rice University on Saturday
Urban Harvest will host its fruit tree sale at Rice’s Greenbriar parking lot Jan. 18 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Houston Press        
http://bit.ly/1fF1TNg
Urban Harvest’s 14th annual fruit tree sale
CultureMap
http://bit.ly/1deck2y

BROADCAST

6 weeks before primaries, political ads hitting airwaves
Bob Stein, the Lena Gohlman Fox Professor of Political Science, is quoted.
KHOU-TV (This article also appeared in Yahoo! Canada.)
http://bit.ly/1mgi588

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

RAMBO, a small but powerful magnet
Rice scientists have pioneered a tabletop magnetic pulse generator that does the work of a room-sized machine – and more. Junichiro Kono, professor of electrical and computer engineering and of physics and astronomy, is quoted.
National Science Foundation
http://1.usa.gov/1jbgC2O

Synthetic genetic clock checks the thermometer
Rice researchers are leading a study on the counter effects of temperature on synthetic gene circuits. Matthew Bennett, assistant professor of biochemistry and cell biology, is quoted.
National Science Foundation
http://1.usa.gov/1dtgGq0

Texas public schools are teaching creationism
Rich Smith, the George and Nancy Rupp Professor of Humanities and professor of history, is quoted.
Slate
http://slate.me/1gR0MGR

Duncan named OSA senior science advisor
Alumnus Michael Duncan ’75 is now a senior science advisor for the Optical Society.
Photonics
http://bit.ly/1mgNJ5n

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

Megachurch leader asks: ‘Am I too white to be your pastor?’
Stephen Klineberg, professor of sociology and co-director of Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, is quoted.
Christian Post
http://bit.ly/1dBJrn5

2014 predictions for your wallet
Jill Foote, senior lecturer in finance at Rice’s Jones Graduate School of Business, comments on the stock market and economical improvement.
Wallet Hub
http://bit.ly/1de4wxO

Nationally ranked energy group joins Mercer Thompson, establishes Washington, D.C. office
Alumna Renu Gupta ’89 has joined Mercer Thompson LLC as counsel.
North Fork Vue (This article also appeared in CityBizList.)
http://bit.ly/1kGG4Pm

Former Jackson High basketball star David Holmes, Henry Grayson highlight Jackson College’s Martin Luther King Jr. celebration
Alumnus David Holmes ’93 is featured.
Jackson Citizen Patriot
http://bit.ly/1b2yysj

Pianist Spangler returning to Pawnee City
Alumna Kenya Patzer ’02 will perform in Pawnee City Jan. 26.
Beatrice Daily Sun
http://bit.ly/KnmyH1

SPORTS

Auburn’s Malzahn named Paul ‘Bear’ Bryant Coach of the Year
Rice football coach David Bailiff is featured in an article about being among the top five finalists for the Paul “Bear” Bryant Award for Coach of the Year.
WAVE-TV
http://bit.ly/1gVnIEM

Green Wave basketball overwhelmed in loss to La. Tech
Rice men’s basketball will play Tulane Jan. 18.
Tulane Hullabaloo
http://bit.ly/LfUrKm

Young LSU men’s tennis team set to face Rice
Rice men’s tennis will play Louisiana State University Jan. 19.
The Daily Reveille
http://bit.ly/1cA5Afq

Baseball program releases upcoming schedule
Rice men’s baseball will play Florida International University March 14.
FIUSM
http://bit.ly/1jaYlCJ

Owls fall to Southern Miss in 1st road Conference USA game
Rice’s men’s basketball fell to Southern Miss 84-62.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/LfleGH
Recap: Southern Miss vs. Rice
Charlotte Observer (This article also appeared in Sun News, the Herald, Sun Herald, Lexington Herald-Leader, Centre Daily Times, the Telegraph, News & Observer and Merced Sun-Star.)
http://bit.ly/LfLNM9
Rice (5-10) at Southern Miss (14-3)
Herald (This article also appeared in Sun News.)
http://bit.ly/1mb7NU2

Canadian Luke Willson proves to be big catch for Seahawks
Alumnus’s Luke Willson ’12 and Vance McDonald ’13, former Rice teammates and roommates, are playing against each other on opposing teams Jan. 19.
Globe and Mail
http://bit.ly/1eQxGYs

Fetterman: Houston race barometer for D-FW runners
Alumna Becky Wade ’12 is one of five starters for the USA Half Marathon Championships.
Dallas Morning News
http://dallasne.ws/1maUQti

Rice athlete forced to retire from sport she loves
Rice senior Britton Cartwright retired from soccer due to nerve damage from multiple concussions.
NewsFix
http://bit.ly/1jaWvSA

Kuster breaks Rice rebounding record in victory over La Tech
Rice women’s basketball player Jessica Kuster broke the school record for rebounds.
Examiner
http://bit.ly/1jaUp4V