Dateline Rice for April 3, 2015

FEATURED ITEM

Restroom hot air dryers not up to the task at hand
Doug Natelson, professor of physics and astronomy, of electrical and computer engineering and of materials science and nanoengineering, is cited for his blog post that analyzes the physics of drying methods after hand washing.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1EQtaIB

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

Researchers use wastewater to grow algae for biofuels
In one of the first studies to examine the potential for using municipal wastewater as a feedstock for algae-based biofuels, Rice University scientists found they could grow high-value strains of oil-rich algae while simultaneously removing more than 90 percent of nitrates and more than 50 percent of phosphorous from wastewater. Meenakshi Bhattacharjee, faculty fellow and executive director of applied algal research, and Evan Siemann, the Harry C. and Olga K. Wiess Professor of BioSciences, are quoted.
Breitbart (This article also appeared in UPI.com.)
http://bit.ly/1D0zA5H
Algae from wastewater solves 2 problems
Phys.org (This article also appeared in United Press International, Nanowerk, Press-news.org, ScienceNewsline, News Reality, e! Science News and Techspy.)
http://bit.ly/1P3Oo8M
Algae from wastewater solves 2 problems: Biofuel and clean-up
Science Daily
http://bit.ly/1ar68v8
Biocarburanti e depurazione acque reflue economici grazie alle alghe
GreenStyle (An English translation is not available.)
http://bit.ly/1BW2dMx

Crude oil price declines mean steady loss of oil, gas jobs
American oil and gas companies are slowing production and cutting labor costs. Peter Hartley, professor of economics, is quoted.
International Business Times
http://bit.ly/19Ox5aQ

Does fast-growing Houston need a master plan?
Houston Mayor Annise Parker ’78 announced Houston’s first general plan, which includes goals for the city to accommodate its rapid growth. Rice’s 2012 Houston study is cited.
Forbes
http://onforb.es/1Hs2oUr

US oil reserves, resources and unlimited future supply
Rice is cited for its study on the United States’ potential recoverable oil in an article that explains the difference between a “reserve” and a “resource” in the energy business.
Forbes
http://onforb.es/19Q3wpK

HOUSTON/TEXAS

Anime convention: Victorian fashion meets Japanese pop culture
The annual Anime Matsuri convention will be held this weekend at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Baker College senior Cris Amador is quoted and pictured.
Houston Chronicle (This is featured on the front of the Star Living section. Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1MLfqmF

How to turn your yard into an ecosystem
Glenn Olsen, instructor at the Glasscock School for Continuing Studies, co-authored an op-ed on how to transform a yard into an eco-friendly space.
Houston Chronicle (This article appeared in the Houston Chronicle’s “Gray Matters” online magazine and is featured on the front of the Extra section. Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1IUGYQN
http://bit.ly/1Dru8L6

Student blog — Mexican microcredit: A casualty of neoliberalism?
Will Rice College junior Alex Haer authored a blog post about the benefit of microcredit lending helping the poor get out of poverty.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1CBLPnV

Census: Major shift in US demographics by 2045
Steve Murdock, the Allyn and Gladys Cline Professor of Sociology and director of Rice’s Hobby Center for the Study of Texas, discusses the shift in America’s demographics, which is projected to see Hispanics, Asians and African-Americans become a little more than half of the population.
KTRH-AM (This article also appeared in KODA-FM.)
http://bit.ly/1P5dxQg

After loss, US Rep. Pete Gallego to reseek seat in 2016
Former U.S. Rep. Pete Gallego announced that he will try to regain his West Texas congressional seat in 2016. 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.
El Paso Times (This article also appeared in Las Cruces Sun-News.)
http://bit.ly/1yKkH2c

Rice University robbery suspect arrested
A man suspected of robbing a Rice student was arrested Thursday and charged with robbery. Rice University Police Chief Johnny Whitehead is quoted.
KHOU.com (This article also appeared in Journal & Courier and Herald Times Reporter.)
http://bit.ly/1IaiVQl

Classical music moments in women’s history, part 4
Alumna Gabriela Frank ’94 is featured.
Houston Public Media
http://bit.ly/1xIKoFb

BROADCAST

KTRH-AM
Bob Stein, the Lena Gohlman Fox Professor of Political Science, compares Sen. Ted Cruz’s campaign strategy to President Barack Obama’s.
http://bit.ly/1IaHZqp

Bluebonnets photo spots around Houston
Rice is mentioned in a list of places to find bluebonnets inside the loop.
KPRC-TV
http://bit.ly/1FpGKzZ

Atlanta Opera’s ‘Marriage of Figaro’ introduces new Susanna
Alumna Lauren Snouffer ’09 discusses her upcoming role in Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro.”
WABE.org (Atlanta)
http://bit.ly/1F9236a

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

ROMCO invites transportation policymaker to infrastructure roundtable
Rice hosted a transportation roundtable discussion with House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster.
Construction Equipment Guide
http://bit.ly/1F94MN0

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

7 must-see Texas museum exhibitions during Dallas Art Fair
Artsy’s list of seven must-see museum exhibitions in Texas includes Rice Gallery’s “Shotgun” installation by Rice School of Architecture students under the guidance of Jesús Vassallo, assistant professor of architecture, and the Tokyo firm Atelier Bow-Wow.
Artsy.net
http://bit.ly/1CkQ9nK

Rice University’s Halas to discuss opportunities in emerging technologies
Naomi Halas, director of the Richard E. Smalley Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology and the Stanley C. Moore Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and a professor of chemistry, will deliver a talk for University of Delaware’s Distinguished Lecture Series April 22.
UDel.edu
http://bit.ly/1DuDiXk

Objects of desire
Douglas Brinkley, professor of history and fellow in history at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, comments on Don McLean’s “American Pie,” which will be for sale in complete working manuscript form at Christie’s.
Christies.com
http://bit.ly/1IZNg1v

Religion News: Indiana Republicans to amend ‘religious freedom’ law
Elaine Howard Ecklund, the Herbert S. Autrey Chair and Professor of Sociology, co-director of the Boniuk Institute for the Study and Advancement of Religious Tolerance and director of Rice’s Religion and Public Life Program, is cited for her 2015 Religious Understandings of Science survey.
The Mexico Ledger (This article appeared in more than 400 other media outlets.)
http://bit.ly/1IvCWgP

Walking among giants
Jon Kimura Parker, professor of piano, will perform with the Cape Symphony as part of its “Walking Among Giants” concert April 12.
The Barnstable Patriot
http://bit.ly/1Ivp2vm

Student entrepreneurs chosen for top worldwide competition
Forty-two teams hailing from some of the world’s top universities will vie for more than $1 million in prizes at the 15th annual Rice Business Plan Competition at Rice University’s Jones Graduate School of Business April 16-18.
WSU News
http://bit.ly/1MLdMS6

Chicago Council on Global Affairs exec to celebrate NIU school
Alumna Michele Wucker ’89 will present “Belonging to Global Chicago: Reflections on Being a Citizen of the City and the World” at Northern Illinois University April 22.
NIUToday.com
http://bit.ly/1IZKVUu

SPORTS

Shaka Smart goes to Texas, what’s next for VCU?
Men’s basketball head coach Mike Rhoades is profiled.
MidMajorMadness.com (This article also appeared in Springfield News-Sun and 10 other media outlets.)
http://bit.ly/1xIzPlw
WRIC-TV (Richmond, Va.)
http://bit.ly/1IaIMaU

Track and field off to Houston for Victor Lopez Bayou Classic
Several universities will compete at Rice’s Victor Lopez Bayou Classic April 3-4.
UALR Trojans
http://bit.ly/1CBQuGl

Women’s tennis hosting pair of conference foes this weekend
Tennis player Natalie Beazant is mentioned.
GoTigersGo.com
http://bit.ly/1Ivodmb

Ennis to depart Villanova as postgraduate transfer
Former Rice basketball player Dylan Ennis is leaving Villanova University following commencement to complete his final season of eligibility at another university.
Villanova.com
http://bit.ly/1Iax5Rq
Could Villanova transfer Dylan Ennis be a fit for Illinois basketball?
The Champaign Room
http://bit.ly/1G9d90t

NEWS RELEASE

Rice economists Flavio Cunha and Ken Wolpin available to discuss Social Impact Bonds legislation
The Committee of Investments and Financial Services of the Texas State Legislature is currently considering a bill to authorize government agencies to issue Social Impact Bonds (SIB) — financial tools that allow private investors to provide the resources to implement new or expand existing social programs that benefit not only individuals that receive the services, but also society in general. Rice economists Flavio Cunha and Ken Wolpin are available to discuss this legislation.
http://bit.ly/1IaQpOk