Dateline Rice for May 11, 2015 (Weekend Edition)

FEATURED ITEMS

Home-cooked meals, comfy chairs and Netflix on Mars? It could happen
With help from NASA, Rice students designed furniture for habitats on the moon and planets. Will Rice College senior Alex Schmidt is quoted. The article includes a video produced by Rice’s Brandon Martin.
NBC News
http://nbcnews.to/1F8XDQT

Candidates, public see different routes to solve gridlock
According to the 2015 Kinder Houston Area Survey from Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, residents are increasingly concerned about traffic. Stephen Klineberg, professor of sociology and the institute’s founding director and Bob Stein, the Lena Gohlman Fox Professor of Political Science, are quoted.
Houston Chronicle (This appeared on the front of the City & State section. Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1F971Ux

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

Is the Islamic finance industry a success or a failure?
Mahmoud El-Gamal, the Chair of Islamic Economics, Finance and Management, professor of economics and statistics and Rice Scholar at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted about modern Islamic finance in a collection of opinions from critics.
Gulf News
http://bit.ly/1PBZX4z

Maurice Flanagan, 86, dies; made Dubai a hub with Emirates Airline
Jim Krane, the Wallace S. Wilson Fellow in Energy Studies at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, reflects on the successes of Maurice Flanagan, founding manager of Emirates, who died in London at age 86.
New York Times
http://nyti.ms/1QC3Jgu

How a cultural moment becomes a college course: The case of ‘Deflategate’
University of New Hampshire will offer a course on “Deflategate,” the pro-football scandal about the allegations against the New England Patriots concerning the inflation of their footballs. Rice is mentioned for its intro course on Batman.
The Chronicle of Higher Education
http://bit.ly/1QBhFHx

Sharp drop in uninsured Texans since Obamacare rollout: Survey
The percentage of Texans without health insurance dropped 31 percent since enrollment began in the Affordable Care Act’s Health Insurance Marketplace, according to a report released April 30 by Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and the Episcopal Health Foundation. Vivian Ho, the James A. Baker III Institute Chair in Health Economics at the Baker Institute and professor of economics, is quoted about the study.
U.S. News & World Report
http://bit.ly/1cpRkgv

Interview with Liane Brouillette, author of ‘Help Your Child to Thrive’
Alumna Liane Brouillette ’69 is featured for her new book, “Help Your Child to Thrive.”
Examiner.com
http://exm.nr/1Pe08bg

HOUSTON/TEXAS

Newsmakers: Week of May 11
University Representative Y. Ping Sun was honored at the Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council’s annual Success to Significance luncheon for her contributions to the community and her inspiration to young girls. Houston City Council member Ellen Cohen presented a proclamation from Mayor Annise Parker ’78 that declared April 23 “Y. Ping Sun Day” in Houston.
Texas Lawyer
http://bit.ly/1F2ePGC

The story behind those endangered-species signs and stickers
Postdoctoral fellow Matthew Schneider-Mayerson authored an op-ed about “Fossilized Houston,” a campaign of climate art seen around Houston.
Houston Chronicle (This article appeared in the Houston Chronicle’s “Gray Matters” online magazine and was featured on the front of the Extra section. Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1zT1Qb4

Magazine names Eastside one of nation’s top farmers markets
Rice’s Farmers Market is included in a slideshow of Houston’s most popular farmers markets.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1GZ2JMD

Rice grad’s red carpet style – This forgotten day in Houston
James Mischka ’85 is featured for his co-owned design label, Badgley Mischka.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1GY2Vvj

Spotlight finds Abbott, and it’s not flattering
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, comments on the backlash of Gov. Greg Abbott’s decision to order the Texas State Guard to monitor the U.S. military and the use of social media in politics.
The Texas Tribune (This article also appeared in Midland Reporter-Telegram and Gilmer Mirror.)
http://bit.ly/1KXd9Ae
Abbott has foray into national spotlight, and it’s not flattering
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
http://bit.ly/1QBmzVd
Abbott in the spotlight
Longview News-Journal
http://bit.ly/1HcOb1b
Capitol action is easy to follow
San Angelo Standard-Times
http://bit.ly/1KXjuLM
Matthew Waller: Tips for wading through legislature’s legislation
Abilene Reporter-News
http://bit.ly/1EthPt4

AmbuLink strengthens connections between doctors, ambulance crews
Rice University engineering students combine off-the-shelf hardware and custom software to maximize critical communications between Texas Children’s Hospital doctors and ambulance crews. McMurtry College senior Adam Bloom, Duncan College senior Christopher Buck and Lovett College senior Chase Stewart are mentioned. McMurtry College senior Supreeth Mannava is quoted.
Texas Medical Center News (This article is featured in today’s newsletter from the Texas Medical Center.)
http://bit.ly/1cbkQ9E
http://bit.ly/1F2oqNE

BROADCAST

Stephen Klineberg on ‘Hola Houston’
Stephen Klineberg, professor of sociology and founding director of Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, discusses the 2015 Kinder Houston Area Survey. Fort Bend County is mentioned for being the most ethnically diverse county in Houston.
My Fox Houston
http://bit.ly/1EwZyKo
KTRK-TV
http://bit.ly/1ARZKU1

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Ultrafast laser pulses induce atoms in gold nanodisks to vibrate
Research featured in Nature Communications could open doors for new applications of photonics ranging from molecular sensing to wireless communications. Stephan Link, associate professor of chemistry and of electrical and computer engineering, and research scientist Wei-Shun Chang are quoted. Naomi Halas, director of the Richard E. Smalley Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology and the Rice Quantum Institute and the Stanley C. Moore Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and a professor of chemistry, bioengineering, physics and astronomy, and materials science and nanoengineering; Peter Nordlander, professor of physics and astronomy and in electrical and computer engineering; graduate students Fangfang Wen, Bo Shuang and Man-Nung Su; and temporary research assistant Wei-Shun Chang are mentioned.
AZO Nano
http://bit.ly/1cIsk58

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

How the brain separates our ability to talk and write
Simon Fischer-Baum, assistant professor of psychology, collaborated with scientists to study five stroke victims with aphasia and found that writing and speaking are supported by different parts of the brain.
Yuma News Now
http://bit.ly/1F8Yb9x

John Daugherty, Realtors’ team participates in Avon 39
Avon’s Walk to End Breast Cancer participants ended their first day of the Avon 39 walk at Rice.
Connecticut Post (This article also appeared in Greenwich Times, Dairen News and the Advocate.)
http://bit.ly/1JCfgbE

Chad Rudy, John Hoxie win Frisco ISD board of trustees seats
Alumnus Chad Rudy ’01 won place 3 on the Frisco Independent School District board of trustees.
Community Impact
http://bit.ly/1HcCSpS

SPORTS

Beazant feels the vibe after great run at Rice
Hanszen College senior Natalie Beazant is featured for her successful Rice tennis career.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1HcTFZR

Colleges: Rice, UH win baseball series to remain atop C-USA, AAC
Rice baseball beat Florida Atlantic University in a three-game series in Florida. Players John Clay Reeves, Blake Fox and Matthew Ditman are mentioned.
Houston Chronicle (Similar articles appeared in over 50 other media outlets. Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1EwWDBn
Rice takes over 1st place in C-USA behind brilliant pitching
Examiner.com
http://exm.nr/1KAQuJ2
College Baseball Central top 25: May 11
College Baseball Central
http://bit.ly/1J5KgCJ
Baseball: Owls swept by Rice in final home series
University Press
http://bit.ly/1cIQJY5
Rice sweeps FAU, ending Owls’ chances at C-USA title
Sun Sentinel
http://bit.ly/1GYWLeB

TU women’s tennis falls to Rice in 1st round of NCAA Championships, 4-2
Rice women’s tennis beat University of Tulsa 4-2 and fell to Baylor University 2-4 at the NCAA Championships in Waco, Texas. Players Natalie Beazant, Liat Zimmerman, Lindsey Hodge and Alison Ho are mentioned.
Tulsa World (Similar articles appeared in over 70 other media outlets.)
http://bit.ly/1GYWPLq
Colleges: Rice, UH win baseball series to remain atop C-USA, AAC
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1EwWDBn

Ultimate teams set sights on nationals
Rice women’s ultimate Frisbee team will play against St. Olaf College at the Division III Nationals in Illinois.
Manitou Messenger
http://bit.ly/1KXkNud

CFL draft picks, including SFU’s Lemar Durant, get noticed in US
The Houston Texans drafted Rice football player Christian Covington.
The Vancouver Sun
http://bit.ly/1cIFoHw
Houston Texans rookies acclimating to Houston and life in the NFL
BattleRedBlog.com (This article also appeared in Palm Beach Post Online, WPXI-TV, WHIO-TV, WFTV-TV and WSOC-TV.)
http://bit.ly/1EwAvXK
Defensive tackle Christian Covington 1st Canadian taken in NFL draft
Lillooet News
http://bit.ly/1EtJ2vE

Crosby edges Nederland 2-0; leads the best of 3 one game to none
Nederland High School baseball played against Crosby High School at Reckling Park.
Texan Live
http://bit.ly/1PBUUB1

NEWS RELEASES

A crib for Tweety
A group of five Rice freshmen engineering students worked with the Houston Zoo to create an inexpensive home for exotic baby birds in need of protection.
http://bit.ly/1F2hmAu

Is it time to ditch annual performance reviews?
Psychologists at Rice reinforce the importance of continuous feedback on employee performance.
http://bit.ly/1J5RXZw

Mexico’s future in focus at Rice’s Baker Institute May 18
Cuauhtémoc Cárdenas Solórzano, former leader and founding member of Mexico’s Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD), will share his perspective on the country’s upcoming elections at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy May 18.
http://bit.ly/1F2gQCt