Dateline Rice for June 12, 2015

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

Immigration detention update: Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson defends detention program
Illegal immigration across the southwestern border is on pace for the lowest year since 1972, Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said during an appearance Monday at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.
Latin Post
http://bit.ly/1KK9sPZ

It’s official: Louisiana public schools are using the Book of Genesis in high school science classes
Hanszen College senior Zack Kopplin is featured for his activism against teaching creationism in public schools.
Salon
http://bit.ly/1e6mkUj

HOUSTON/TEXAS

Researchers: Colleges’ reported living costs don’t match reality
According to U.S. News & World Report, some universities are underreporting cost-of-living expenses at their schools by thousands of dollars, which can create problems for students on a budget. A slideshow that accompanies this Houston Chronicle article shows the reported cost of living for a number of universities in Texas and their federally reported cost-of-living estimate. Some Texas schools have reported expenses that are more than $4,000 or $5,000 below the estimate. Rice has one of the closest comparisons: It reported $14,550, which is $294 higher than the federal estimate of $14,256.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1IzunTy

Babin becomes Johnson Space Center’s 3rd new ally in Congress
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 Johnson Space Center’s improvement through the attainment of powerful Texas allies and the Texas legislative session.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1I8PMQX
Harris County seats could see crowded primaries
Texas Tribune
http://bit.ly/1JKlppE

RUSMP helps students find balance with STEM
The Rice University School Mathematics Project (RUSMP) participated in the third annual Student Leadership Conference. Alice Fisher, RUSMP director of Technology Applications and Integration, and Brown College sophomore Joy Zhou coauthored this article.
Village News
http://bit.ly/1JOqg7G

Waco-area news briefs: June 12, 2015
Leone Buyse, the Joseph and Ida Kirkland Mullen Professor of Flute and chair of woodwinds, will perform at Baylor University today.
Waco Tribune
http://bit.ly/1SaGE5e

BROADCAST

What is Jade Helm? An historical and political look at the military exercise
Richard Stoll, the Albert Thomas Chair in Political Science and scholar at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, discusses Texas’ participation in an eight-week exercise called Jade Helm 15.
Houston Public Media’s “Houston Matters”
http://bit.ly/1MvREXj

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Tiny gold nanodisks measure conductivity
Researchers at Rice’s Laboratory for Nanophotonics (LANP) have discovered a new way to make ultrasensitive conductivity measurements at optical frequencies on high-speed nanoscale electronic components. Naomi Halas, the Stanley C. Moore Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and a professor of chemistry, bioengineering, physics and astronomy, and materials science and nanoengineering, and Fangfang Wen, a Rice graduate student at LANP, are quoted.
Controlled Environments
http://bit.ly/1JOhrKZ

Update: More about algae, pollution and biofuel
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, is mentioned.
Design News
http://ubm.io/1JObNZr

New noninvasive brain stimulator may help tamp down Parkinson’s symptoms at home
A headband-shaped device that delivers noninvasive brain stimulation to help with symptoms created by Johns Hopkins University students was a finalist in Rice’s Business Plan Competition.
News Medical
http://bit.ly/1B7Lqwt

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

John Glenn, Wayne Memorial Classes of 2015 say farewell
John Glenn High School graduate Jasmine Pickens received a Trustee Distinguished Scholarship to Rice University.
Hometown Life
http://bit.ly/1KHkyD6

Milpitas High School Class of 2015 valedictorian heads off to USC
An article about Milpitas High School graduate Zahra Surani mentions that she was admitted into Rice.
San Jose Mercury News (This article also appeared in Times-Standard, Santa Cruz Sentinel, Daily Democrat and Vallejo Times-Herald.)
http://bayareane.ws/1f6LjXW

SPORTS

Players at North Texas High School quit team in support of teammate they say was mistreated
Former Owls quarterback Tommy Kramer and Tobin Rote, a former NFL quarterback and 1950s Rice standout, are included in a slideshow of local football players’ achievements.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1FOOHNu

Deceptively fast university – Astros debuts
Alumnus Lance Berkman ’98 is mentioned.
CBS Houston
http://cbsloc.al/1QSgQZg

Conference USA postgraduate scholarship winners announced
Conference USA Commissioner Britton Banowsky announced 14 recipients of the Jim Castañeda Postgraduate Scholarships, which are named after the late former Rice faculty member and coach. Rice former women’s basketball player Christal Porter ’15 is one of the recipients.
Conference USA
http://bit.ly/1FOMpOh
Rachel Daniell receives C-USA postgraduate scholarship
Conference USA
http://bit.ly/1f6SuPH