Dateline Rice for March 14, 2016 (Weekend Edition)

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

The best startup accelerators of 2016
The Seed Accelerator Rankings Project, compiled by researchers from Rice, MIT and the University of Richmond, were announced at South by Southwest (SXSW). Yael Hochberg, the Ralph S. O’Connor Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship, is quoted in some of the articles.
Forbes
http://onforb.es/1pC9ylU
Gener8tor named one of the country’s top 16 accelerators
Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel
http://bit.ly/1QKyHDU
University of Chicago’s new venture challenge ranks among top accelerators nationwide — again
Chicago Inno
http://bit.ly/226Q6z2
Your favorite accelerator programs, ranked
Tech Crunch (This also appeared in IYANN, Tech Sum and Alemi Haber.)
http://tcrn.ch/1QKAicY
SXSW day 1 wrap: Accelerator programs ranked, the world comes to Austin
Austin Business Journal (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1TBacfU
Health tech accelerators Healthbox, HealthWildcatters get props in report
Med City News
http://bit.ly/1TIs34I
Which startup accelerator is best? Here’s one study’s rankings
Upstart Business Journal (This also appeared in the Silicon Valley Business Journal.)
http://bit.ly/1RZGfTH

Douglas Brinkley discusses protest violence on CNN
Douglas Brinkley, professor of history, is quoted about the recent violence at a Donald Trump rally in Chicago. Brinkley is also interviewed about his new book, “Rightful Heritage: Franklin D. Roosevelt and the Land of America.”
CNN
https://youtu.be/KozEaVTkbAE
‘2016 Tucson Festival of Books’
C-SPAN
http://bit.ly/1M2elqP
Birding inspired FDR’s environmentalism
The Daily Beast
http://thebea.st/1ppFom7

Many unfamiliar with health insurance lingo, study says
According to a new report, approximately 25 percent of Texans say they lack confidence in understanding some of the most basic terminology about health insurance plans. Vivian Ho, the James A. Baker III Institute Chair in Health Economics at the Baker Institute and professor of economics, and Elena Marks, a nonresident health policy fellow at the Baker Institute, are quoted.
U.S. News & World Report (This also appeared in 38 other media outlets.)
http://bit.ly/1Rc6cCy
Americans don’t understand basic health terms, let alone Obamacare
Forbes
http://onforb.es/1V6zPER

How hospitals create superbugs
Scientists at the Environmental Protection Agency announced they had discovered a lethal superbug in California sewage plants. Pedro Alvarez, the George R. Brown Professor and chair of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, is quoted.
Gulf News
http://bit.ly/1YGGrtw
Sewage plants a ‘luxury hotel’ for superbugs
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/22dGySV
EPA finds ‘nightmare bacteria’ in California’s treated water
Portland Press Herald
http://bit.ly/1UsRNAM

Don’t bother with zen — stress helps you perform better
Erik Dane, assistant professor of management at Rice’s Jones Graduate School of Business, is quoted in an article about stress.
New York Post
http://nyp.st/1WkESA4
WTAM
http://bit.ly/1RhcMre (Click on the audio button to listen to the broadcast.)

Survival of the prettiest: The mysterious power of attractive people
Rick Wilson, the Herbert S. Autrey Chair of Political Science and professor of statistics and psychology, is quoted about his study on attractiveness.
Maclean’s
http://bit.ly/1YRkKqX

8 ways your smartphone completely messes with your life
Philip Kortum, assistant professor of psychology, is quoted about his research on phone use in classrooms.
The Huffington Post Australia
http://huff.to/1Ut3MP0

Paul Ryan’s House agenda upended by Donald Trump, Ted Cruz
Paul Brace, the Clarence L. Carter Professor of Political Science, is quoted about House Speaker Paul Ryan.
The Chicago Tribune (This also appeared in The Blade, the Yeshiva World News and The Virginian-Pilot.)
http://trib.in/1QSBPik
Paul Ryan’s House agenda upended amid election season by Trump, Cruz
The Daily Herald
http://bit.ly/1M2g5QN

Unexpected? ‘The best cure for low oil prices is low oil prices’
Jim Krane, the Wallace S. Wilson Fellow in Energy Studies at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted about oil prices.
Sputnik
http://bit.ly/1nIXJZv
Iran only in long-term can compete for Qatari gas
Turkish Maritime
http://bit.ly/1U1bHEG

Wake up Texas. Houston. It’s not a question of if. The question is when.
An investigative report published by ProPublica and the Texas Tribune argues that Houston is not well-prepared for a major hurricane. Phil Bedient, the Herman Brown Professor of Engineering, and Jamie Padgett, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering, are quoted. The Storm Surge Prediction, Education and Evacuation from Disasters (SSPEED) Center at Rice is mentioned.
Daily Kos
http://bit.ly/1V6LG5Z
‘Right up there with the BP oil spill’: A superstorm could trigger massive oil and chemical spills into the Gulf Coast
Herald Democrat
http://bit.ly/1LhhF19
New Houston hurricane plan stirs the pot
WFAA
http://bit.ly/1UsRnKY
Houston is a sitting duck for the next big hurricane. Why isn’t Texas ready?
Grist
http://bit.ly/1P8kY5w

HOUSTON/TEXAS

‘Big data’ drills down into metabolic details
Rice bioengineers have introduced a fast computational method to model tissue-specific metabolic pathways. Their algorithm may help researchers find new therapeutic targets for cancer and other diseases. Amina Qutub, assistant professor of bioengineering, and graduate student Andre Schultz are quoted.
TMC News (This article appeared in the March 14 issue of TMC Today.) 
http://bit.ly/1UVvUL5

A bridge for operatic beginnings
Alumnus Ben Edquist ’15 was in “Prince of Players” at the Houston Grand Opera.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required. This article appeared on the front of the Zest section in the March 13 print edition.)
http://bit.ly/1pj02Uv

Scott Kelly mission a success story for international collaboration
George Abbey, the Baker Botts Senior Fellow in Space Policy at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, authored an op-ed about the return of Scott Kelly to Earth after 11 months in space.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1V6rWzf

Secrets you probably didn’t know about Houston
Valhalla is featured in a slideshow of Houston secrets.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/2502m3j

A courageous voice is silenced in Honduras
Erika de la Garza, program director of the Latin America Initiative at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, authored an op-ed about the assassination of Honduran environmental and indigenous rights leader Berta Cáseres.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1RZBA3U

Event showcases electric bikes to relieve Houston traffic
The Electric Bike Expo was held at Rice.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1SMD3wX
Week in photos March 7-13
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1RJfYGs
‘KHOU 11 News Extra’
KHOU
http://bit.ly/1RZMJSn
‘Eyewitness News Extra’
KTRK
http://bit.ly/1RJrhOV
‘KPRC Channel 2 News at 10 p.m.’
KPRC
http://bit.ly/1TIBeSI

Humble High School students speak out against school assembly
A slideshow of sexual assault statistics from Texas universities mentions that there were two forcible sex offenses reported at Rice in 2013.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1WftXaU
http://bit.ly/229I0SP

Cowboys on horseback at a Whataburger drive-thru is the most Texan thing you’ll see today
A slideshow mentions that medical breakthroughs are one of the best things about Texas. Antonios Mikos, the Louis Calder Professor of Bioengineering and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, is featured.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1nDDY5A

Visitors can view new models, ready homes in Pomona
Advanced educational opportunities at Rice are mentioned in reference to a developing community.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1LgUF2p

Rice scientists synthesize anti-cancer agent
A team led by K.C. Nicolaou, the Harry C. and Olga K. Wiess Professor of Chemistry, has developed a new process for the synthesis of a series of potent anti-cancer agents originally found in bacteria. Postdoctoral research associates Quan Cai, Shugao Zhu and Bo Qin and former visiting student Hongbao Sun are also mentioned in some of the articles.
Bellaire, River Oaks and West University Examiner (This also appeared in the Memorial Examiner, Your Fort Bend News, the Oncology Nurse, the Oncology Pharmacist, Fresh Ghana and the Sugar Land Sun.)
http://bit.ly/21ra8yO
Trioxacarcins: Nature’s cancer fighting superhero
Tech Aeris
http://bit.ly/1LhiPd3

AI program tops world ‘Go’ champ again
Moshe Vardi, director of Rice’s Ken Kennedy Institute for Information Technology, the Karen Ostrum George Distinguished Service Professor of Computational Engineering and professor of computer science, discusses a computer program that has twice beaten the world’s best player in the Asian board game “Go” and the future of artificial intelligence.
KTRH
http://bit.ly/1RcoBbZ
Americans predict robot takeover of jobs, Amazon delivers
Silicon Beat
http://bayareane.ws/1UZbbWI

Lubbock state Rep. Burrows, others able to put partisanship aside to work for common good
Rice’s analysis of the voting records in the Texas legislative sessions is mentioned.
Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
http://bit.ly/1V6BVEM

Texas near bottom among states in primary turnout this year
Mark Jones, the Joseph D. Jamail Chair in Latin American Studies, professor of political science, fellow in political science at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and fellow at Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, is quoted about voter turnout, the Tea Party and the Wilks brothers.
Herald Democrat
http://bit.ly/1SMQJb5
SAEN columnist Brian Chasnoff: Who let the inmates out?
Texas Democrats
http://bit.ly/1TIzGIq
WBEZ
http://bit.ly/1TIAbCr (Click on the audio button to listen to the broadcast. This broadcast also aired on WAMU, KXJZ, WNYC and WDDE.)

Lone Star College to host world-class book festival
The article mentions that a panel at the Lone Star Book Festival will include professors from Rice.
The Atascocita Observer (This also appeared in the Humble Observer, the Kingwood Observer and the Lake Houston Observer.)
http://bit.ly/1Um52Dm

Spring break ‘staycations’ around Houston
The Rice Art Gallery and James Turrell’s “Twilight Epiphany” Skyspace on the Rice campus are included on a list of things to do in Houston.
The Egalitarian
http://bit.ly/1UsWRoX

Cynthia Gary commits to Missouri City Council at Large Position 2 race
The article mentions that a Rice study found Missouri City to be America’s most ethnically balanced city for growing families, small businesses and retirees.
Houston Style Magazine
http://bit.ly/1pGTJdG

Dr. Evan Collins treats the unconventional athlete
Alumnus Evan Collins ’13 is profiled.
Texas MD
http://bit.ly/1ppH8vP

Back in time
Alumnus Duane Hill ’48 is mentioned.
My Plainview
http://bit.ly/1RZFVV1

BROADCAST

Austin’s venture capital scene leads Texas, but startups may start looking elsewhere for funding
Austin leads all other cities in Texas for venture capital in the state, according to a new report by Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy. Edward Egan, fellow of the Baker Institute and director of the institute’s McNair Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, is quoted.
KUT
http://bit.ly/1M2a2Mb
http://bit.ly/1V6HvqQ (Click on the audio button to listen to the broadcast.)

Gonzalez favored to win Democratic runoff for Harris County Sheriff
Bob Stein, the Lena Gohlman Fox Professor of Political Science, is quoted about the Harris County Sheriff race.
Houston Public Media
http://bit.ly/1YRjdBe

CTV Toronto
James McLurkin, former Rice professor, is featured for his work with swarmbots.
http://bit.ly/1P8gXOD

WESA
Quianta Moore, scholar in health policy at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted about “telemedicine” and adolescents.
http://bit.ly/1Rhbe0B (Click on the audio button to listen to the broadcast.)
WHYY
http://bit.ly/1Lmmo1x (Click on the audio button to listen to the broadcast.)

KLBJ
Tony Payan, the Baker Institute for Public Policy’s Françoise and Edward Djerejian Fellow for Mexico Studies and director of the institute’s Mexico Center, discusses marijuana policies in Texas.
http://bit.ly/1UbqTi8 (Click on the audio button to listen to the broadcast.)

‘NewsFix’
A drug enforcement panel discussion was held at Rice.
CW 39
http://bit.ly/1QSztzU

‘FOX 26 Morning News Weekends 5 a.m.’
Stephen Klineberg, professor of sociology and founding director of Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, will deliver a keynote at the Foundation for India Studies’ 10th anniversary celebration March 26.
KRIV
http://bit.ly/1LmmpTg

Xploration Outer Space
President John F. Kennedy’s famous “Moon Speech” delivered at Rice Sept. 12, 1962, is discussed.
http://bit.ly/21rg7DK

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Use gas in power generation, not vehicles: Study
Rice researchers have determined a more effective way to use natural gas to reduce climate-warming emissions would be the replacement of existing coal-fired power plants and fuel-oil furnaces rather than burning it in cars and buses. Daniel Cohan, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering, is quoted and alumnus Shayak Sengupta ’15 is mentioned.
Gas Daily (Subscription required. This appeared on page 6 in the March 10 edition. A correction on the misspelling of Cohan’s last name has been requested.)
http://bit.ly/1U7cW4Q

RigArm shows prototype of technology to oil, gas industry
Rice’s Integrated Systems and Circuits laboratory is mentioned.
RigZone
http://bit.ly/1pl1qqb

At Tri-Con, groups detail NGS-based strategies to detect ctDNA mutations at ever-lower frequencies
The article mentions that a group at Yale University is working with David Zhang, assistant professor of bioengineering.
Genome Web
http://bit.ly/1Um68io

Mostafa El-Sayed recounts ‘the good breaks in my life’
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, is mentioned.
Chemical & Engineering News
http://bit.ly/1UsPuhh

Agilent Technologies invests in sequencing firm Lasergen
Rice is mentioned.
Chemical & Engineering News
http://bit.ly/1Rh6h7L

New OTC event, d5, inspired energy professionals to connect the dots
The article mentions that d5 will be held at Rice May 6.
Oil and Gas Republic
http://bit.ly/1RhengG
Offshore Technology Conference 2016
Hydraulics & Pneumatics
http://bit.ly/1RZVGeq

7 black faculty members appointed to new posts
Alumna Larycia Hawkins ’94 was named the Abd el-Kader Visiting Faculty Fellow at the University of Virginia.
Journal of Blacks in Higher Education
http://bit.ly/1nJ2ySQ

Whaley named AATCC’s Young Entrepreneur of the Year
Rice’s Business Plan Competition is mentioned.
Textiles Update
http://bit.ly/1nJ2ZfH

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

Just say ‘yes’ to Nancy Reagan
Former U.S. Secretary of State James Baker III, honorary chair of Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted about the death of former First Lady Nancy Reagan.
The Item
http://bit.ly/1YRf28u

Perception problems could hinder people with autism
Dora Angelaki, adjunct professor of electrical and computer engineering and adjunct professor of psychology, is quoted in an article about autism.
The Augusta Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1WkF8PD

Petroleum Institute organizes panel discussions for Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy 
The External Relations and Collaborations Department at the Petroleum Institute hosted presentations and a panel discussion at Rice.
Mena FN (This also appeared in WAM.)
http://bit.ly/1ppvIZ0

Top 10 least expected products to use nanotechnology
Artificial nanomachines will play a critical role in the future of nanotechnology by building nanoscopic devices that cannot be built by successive miniaturization technologies. James Tour, the T.T. and W.F. Chao Professor of Chemistry, professor of computer science and of materials science and nanoengineering, is mentioned.
About My Planet
http://bit.ly/22fOFuW

Energy Department announces Denver as next location for Solar Decathlon Competition in 2017
Rice is listed as one of the teams that will participate in the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2017 competition.
Global Renewable News
http://bit.ly/1RhdVz9

Student to work with top medical scientists in summer internship
The article mentions that a student will work with Rebecca Richards-Kortum, the Malcolm Gillis University Professor, director of the Institute of Biosciences and Bioengineering and of Rice 360°: Institute for Global Health Technologies.
FIU News
http://bit.ly/1RJmc9s

Society for Clinical Investigation honors Geraci, Means
Alumnus Robert Means Jr. ’79 was awarded the Founders Medal by the Southern Society for Clinical Investigation.
Johnson City Press
http://bit.ly/1TIufZW

Bronze statues of students still stand at school 75 years later
The article mentions that David Parsons taught at Rice.
Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel
http://bit.ly/1nINLri

Who is the real Heidi Nelson Cruz?
Sen. Ted Cruz’s mother, alumna Eleanor Darragh ’56, is mentioned.
The Daily Caller
http://bit.ly/1YRjEvk
More clarity about Cruz’s eligibility
Before It’s News
http://bit.ly/1U18i94

Boardman native Tom Conroy musical director of Big Band Show Set at Packard March 22
Alumnus Thomas Conroy ’06 is musical director and pianist for the show “In the Mood,” which will be performed March 22 in Warren, Ohio.
Boardman News
http://bit.ly/1M2iivH

Super lauds next-generation science program
Rice is mentioned.
Needles Desert Star
http://bit.ly/1MijYMo

OSX participará en el Festival Chaikovski
Alumnus Anthony Kitai ’00 is mentioned.
Plumas Libres (An English translation is not available.)
http://bit.ly/1MhRwdu

SPORTS

Tyler Stehling eyeing Rice starting QB job after years as backup
The article previews Rice football’s upcoming season. Head coach David Bailiff and players Driphus Jackson, Tyler Stehling, J.T. Granato and Jackson Tyner are mentioned.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1nIF00n

Rice takes series with 4-run 8th, 4-1
Rice baseball won two of three games against East Carolina University. Players Andrew Dunlap, Ryan Chandler, Dominic DiCaprio, Charlie Warren, Grayson Lewis, Ford Proctor, Glenn Otto, Connor Teykl and Dayne Wunderlich are mentioned.
WNCT (A correction on the misspelling of DiCaprio’s first name has been requested.)
http://bit.ly/1MhRQsH
10 thoughts: Friday, March 11
D1 Baseball
http://bit.ly/1QRG5gE
16th ranked East Carolina falls to Rice, 7-2; Series all even heading to Sunday
WNCT
http://bit.ly/1MhZO51
Rice takes game 2 evening series with No. 16 ECU, 7-2
ECU Pirates
http://bit.ly/1pGH4r8
BSB: Rice evens series with No. 25 ECU
WRAL Sports Fan
http://bit.ly/1LmjObZ
No. 16 ECU takes game 1 at Rice, 10-1
WNCT
http://bit.ly/1pGHD4i
BSB: No. 25 ECU drubs Rice, 10-1
WRAL Sports Fan
http://bit.ly/1QSwXts
Dunlap delivers in Rice’s win over No. 16 East Carolina
Examiner
http://exm.nr/1V6D3IG
The ouch list, March 13
D1 Baseball
http://bit.ly/1nIQAbC

‘All-Louisiana’ college baseball rankings — March 11
Rice baseball is mentioned.
My New Orleans (This also appeared in Full Sport Press.)
http://bit.ly/1QKMQ3Q
Texas State back in friendly confines once more, host Louisiana-Monroe in abbreviated series
San Marcos Daily Record
http://bit.ly/1SMGVOw

Owls can’t snap Tech streak
Rice women’s tennis fell to Texas Tech University.
The Katy Rancher
http://bit.ly/1TIxYH3

Skeeters acquire Major League infielder Andy Laroche
The article mentions that Andy LaRoche was going to attend Rice before he signed with the Dodgers.
Our Sports Central
http://bit.ly/1QNvyEC
Sugar Land Skeeters re-sign 3, trade for LaRoche
The Katy Rancher (This also appeared in The Potpourri Magnolia Edition, the Spring Observer, the Cypress Creek Mirror, The Potpourri Tomball Edition, the Bellaire, River Oaks and West University Examiner, the Memorial Examiner, Your Fort Bend News and the Sugar Land Sun.)
http://bit.ly/1QSuHCu

With Ian Desmond gone, Anthony Rendon is stepping up
Alumnus Anthony Rendon ’12 is mentioned.
The Washington Post
http://wapo.st/1nIP1uo

Cajuns to play in CollegeInsider.com tournament, will host Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in first round Wednesday
Rice men’s basketball is mentioned.
The Advocate
http://bit.ly/1MhRXV8
UL will play in CollegeInsider.com tourney
The Advertiser
http://bit.ly/1V6wjKG
Report: Cajuns to face TAMU-CC in CIT Tournament
KPEL
http://bit.ly/1pj5dUp

The NFL draft report — Is new signee Keenan Robinson the Giants’ new man in the middle?
Rice football is mentioned.
Sports Blog
http://bit.ly/1RZFBFB

Penn tennis squads take rough losses on western swing
Rice women’s tennis fell to the University of Pennsylvania 3-4.
The Daily Pennsylvanian
http://bit.ly/1ppvt01

Where will Johnny Manziel resurface next?
Johnny Manziel was suspended for half of the 2013 Rice-A&M University season opening game.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/24ZQrmd

Vaqueros baseball sweeps Arlington Baptist
The Victor Lopez Classic will be hosted at Rice March 25.
The Brownsville Herald
http://bit.ly/1QXW3E5

Where are they now?
Alumnus Sam McGuffie ’13 is mentioned.
VYPE Houston
http://bit.ly/1RhfE7J

Big brother is watching your favorite college athletes
Alumnus Andrew Murphy ’14 is mentioned.
The Kernel
http://bit.ly/1RJx334

NEWS RELEASES

Religious and civic rights were important components of a ‘Muslim nation’
Prophet Muhammad believed that freedom of religion and civic rights were important components of a “Muslim nation,” according to a Rice University analysis of the prophet’s covenants with Christians. Craig Considine, a lecturer in Rice’s Department of Sociology, argues that the covenants can be used to develop a stronger democratic partnership between Muslims and Christians in the Islamic world and elsewhere.
http://bit.ly/1U1jjav

Rice experts available to discuss March 15 primaries
March 15 is shaping up to be a truly decisive date for all four of the Republican candidates still standing, according to two Rice University political scientists who are available to comment on the primary scheduled for that date.
http://bit.ly/1RJATJs

Seed Accelerator Rankings unveiled at SXSW
Eight seed accelerators — 500 Startups, Alchemist, Amplify LA, Angelpad, Chicago New Venture Challenge, MuckerLab, Techstars and Y Combinator — landed the coveted top spots in the 2016 annual Seed Accelerator Rankings announced at South by Southwest (SXSW) by entrepreneurship and management experts from Rice University, MIT and the University of Richmond.
http://bit.ly/1V6Sosx