Dateline Rice for Oct. 5, 2017

Editor’s note: Robert Lundin ’00 was identified incorrectly in the Oct. 4 Dateline. He is a Rice alumnus. We apologize for the error.

Interview with Robert Lundin
Alumnus Robert Lundin ’00 is seeking to win a Houston Independent School District trustee seat.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/2fR5XkU

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

Sputnik turns 60: Astronaut Leroy Chiao celebrates 1st satellite
Astronaut Leroy Chiao, lecturer in mechanical engineering, wrote an op-ed on the 60th anniversary of the launch of the world’s first satellite into orbit and its lasting impact on space exploration.
Space
http://bit.ly/2ysstIE
KTRH-AM (Houston)
David Alexander, director of the Rice Space Institute and professor of physics and astronomy, is quoted.
http://bit.ly/2fNecuN
60th anniversary of Sputnik: 10 photos of the space race
President John F. Kennedy’s “Moon Speech,” given at Rice Sept. 12, 1962, is referenced.
International Business Times
http://bit.ly/2xZlt4g
Illustrious alumnus: Former astronaut Thagard recounts thrills of spaceflight
A story on astronaut Norman Thagard mentions Rice.
UT Southwestern Medical Center
http://bit.ly/2ysB8dO

For Tillerson, diplomatic breakthrough with Trump proves elusive
Edward Djerejian, director of Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and former ambassador to Israel and to Syria, is quoted in a story on Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s relationship with President Donald Trump.
New York Times
http://nyti.ms/2fLR3sg

Links between brain ‘communities’ affect how we do stuff
The way a person’s brain is “wired” directly impacts how well they perform simple and complex tasks, according to a new study from researchers at Rice University. Simon Fischer-Baum, assistant professor of psychology, is quoted.
Futurity
http://bit.ly/2xVECF2

Frank Starkey: Renaissance man with a vision for downtown New Port Richey
Alumnus Frank Starkey ’91 is featured.
Tampa Bay Times (This story also appeared in TBO.com.)
http://bit.ly/2xiZkPN

HOUSTON/TEXAS

Ted Cruz, asked if he’s interacting with Texans, says he’s done 17 ‘town halls’ in 2017
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 in a story about Sen. Ted Cruz.
Politifact Texas (This story also appeared in the Houston Chronicle.)
http://bit.ly/2hNuesH
Full show: Political roundup, and the full menu
Mark Jones discusses President Donald Trump’s visits to Puerto Rico and Las Vegas, and a class at Rice titled “City in a City: Community Identity and Houston’s Sprawl” is featured.
Houston Public Media’s “Houston Matters”
http://bit.ly/2klvynn
A fresh look at policymaking in Latin America
Ideas Matter
http://bit.ly/2yJMXsd

Indigenous voices centered on institutional reform re-enter Mexican politics
Baker College sophomore Jolen Martinez authored a blog entry on the National Indigenous Council’s nomination of María de Jesús Patricio Martínez for the 2018 Mexican presidential election, the council’s first foray into the political arena.
Houston Chronicle (This appeared in the Chronicle’s Baker Institute Blog.)
http://bit.ly/2ypi1BJ

History, real estate and politics: Texas universities are stepping into podcasts
Podcasts produced by Rice’s Center for Energy and Environmental Research in the Human Sciences are mentioned, and a link to a recent episode on Russian-American relations is provided.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required.)
http://bit.ly/2geGTBs
http://bit.ly/2xW5FAp

10 Texas universities offering dozens of new $8,000 ‘Aspiring Teacher’ scholarships
Rice, which is participating in the Charles Butt Scholarships for Aspiring Teachers program, is mentioned in a slideshow.
Houston Chronicle (This article also appeared in the San Antonio Express-News, the Beaumont Enterprise and Conexion.)
http://bit.ly/2xTmvzS

Nation’s most elite colleges holding fair in Houston ISD
Rice will participate in Houston ISD’s Top-Tier College Night Oct. 11 at Chavez High School.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required.)
http://bit.ly/2xXHE9E
http://bit.ly/2ge3YEk

10 things to do in Houston for $10 or less (nine free), Oct. 5-11
Rice Theatre will present “Rumors” by Neil Simon Oct. 5 at Hamman Hall. The production will be directed by the head of the Rice Theatre Program, Christina Keefe. Jones College senior Justin Bernard and Lovett College senior Nathaniel Williams star.
Houston Press
http://bit.ly/2yr8c6b

Pianist Jon Kimura Parker teams with East Texas Symphony Orchestra for concert Oct. 7 at the University of Texas at Tyler’s Cowan Center
Jon Kimura Parker, professor of piano at Rice’s Shepherd School of Music, will perform with the East Texas Symphony Orchestra Oct. 7 in Tyler.
Tyler Morning Telegraph
http://bit.ly/2xX7tqd

Guest speaker talks biomechanics, human performance
Locomotor Performance Laboratory director at Southern Methodist University Peter Weyand, formerly of Rice, spoke at the Semi-Annual Texas American College of Sports Medicine Lecture Series Oct. 4 in Arlington.
The Shorthorn
http://bit.ly/2fUyQwF

A&M professor seeks to help purify water
Alumnus Shankar Chellam ’91 is featured.
The Battalion
http://bit.ly/2xXBrKG

BROADCAST

‘Great Day Houston’
Lovett College senior Martin Rather and his grandfather, former CBS Evening News anchor Dan Rather, discuss the Rather Prize, a $10,000 annual educational grant to a Texas-based student or educator, along with Caroline Quenemoen, associate dean of undergraduates and director of inquiry based learning. The Rather Prize is presented in partnership with Rice’s Center for Civic Leadership.
KHOU-TV (Houston)
http://bit.ly/2fN3Qeo (Click on the video button to watch the broadcast.)

WBEZ-FM (Chicago)
Rice is mentioned in a story on health care and hospitals in Texas.
http://bit.ly/2yLiESf (Click on the audio button to listen to the broadcast. This story also aired on more than 10 other stations.)

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Nanoscale islands dot light-driven catalyst

Individual nanoscale nuggets of gold, copper, aluminum, silver and other metals that capture light’s energy and put it to work are being employed by Rice University scientists who have discovered a way to build multifunctional nanoscale structures.
Science Daily (This article also appeared in Phys.org, Nanowerk and GenomeWeb.)
http://bit.ly/2wxzrYd

Heavy chemical elements alter theory of quantum mechanics
An article on a Florida State University discovery that the theory of quantum mechanics does not adequately explain how the heaviest and rarest elements of the Periodic Table function mentions contributions by Rice researchers.
Lab Manager
http://bit.ly/2xjJDDe

North American E&Ps: Dispelling debt bubble fears — an issue for a few, but not the many
Alumnus Hassan Eltorie ’11 wrote a blog post on the outlook of the North American oil market.
IHS Markit
http://bit.ly/2hOZckd

Bathrick, Gibbens and Adams named Commercial Drone Alliance ‘Industry Heroes’
A drone camp at Rice hosted by award winner Dyan Gibbens is mentioned.
Unmanned Aerial Online
http://bit.ly/2fNXnzK

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

The rise of the knowledge economy
A story on the Palm Springs iHub and Accelerator Campus mentions Rice.
Palm Springs Life
http://bit.ly/2y2fD2m

Trash matters: Residual culture in Latin America
Gisela Heffes, associate professor of Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American studies, addresses the concept of trash from an environmental and biopolitical perspective.
Duke University
http://bit.ly/2xhdmg2

‘100 years of anti-drug propaganda’
William Martin, the Harry and Hazel Chavanne Senior Fellow in Religion and Public Policy at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is interviewed about the history of drug policy in the U.S.
New York Minute
http://bit.ly/2gcAGG2

Indiepalooza 2017 presented by Houston Writers Guild brings together events and sessions for area writers
Indiepalooza 2017 will be held at Rice Oct. 13-15.
Digital Journal (This article also appeared in Business Wire.)
http://bit.ly/2fNi3YN

Accelerate Learning partners with Tuva to help middle and high school students develop data literacy
An article mentions that Accelerate Learning was founded at Rice.
Digital Journal
http://bit.ly/2xVyD2Z

Open Access Month – Open educational resources in biology
A blog post mentions Rice-based nonprofit OpenStax.
UT Libraries
http://bit.ly/2y2i8Sj

An excerpt from Constance Squires’ ‘Live from Medicine Park’
Rice is mentioned in an excerpt from author Constance Squires’ novel “Live from Medicine Park,” the story of a documentarian’s work with a rock musician making a comeback.
Vol. 1 Brooklyn
http://bit.ly/2hOht17

Written in the stars
A collaboration between IBM Research and Rice University to create the prototype IBM Multi-Purpose Eldercare Robot Assistant, a first-of-its-kind Watson-enabled application designed to aid the elderly and assist caregivers, is mentioned.
Waterford Today
http://bit.ly/2xiRwNX

SPORTS

Key for Rice defense versus Army? Stay in your lane
Rice defensive tackle Zach Abercrumbia and head coach David Bailiff are quoted in a story on the Owls football team’s matchup with Army Oct. 7 at Rice Stadium.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required.)
http://bit.ly/2z0q9p6
UH, SMU may trade insults but rivalry missing on the field
The Rice-University of Houston rivalry is mentioned.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required.)
http://bit.ly/2xUUlo0

How TCU’s Kelsey Patterson is leading an effort for hurricane relief
A story on Kelsey Patterson, wife of Texas Christian University head football coach Gary Patterson, mentions TCU opening its athletic facilities to the Rice football team after Hurricane/Tropical Storm Harvey.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
http://bit.ly/2xk4Qww

America at Large: Hollywood finally tips its hat to ‘Battle of the Sexes’
A story on Billie Jean King’s 1973 tennis match against Bobby Riggs at the Astrodome mentions members of the Rice track and field team carried King to the court on a throne.
The Irish Times
http://bit.ly/2knm3E8
The true story behind Battle of the Sexes
College and University
http://bit.ly/2fUh9NG

Jimmy Bevan inducted into ASU Hall of Fame
Rice women’s track and field head coach Jim Bevan was inducted into the Adams State University Athletics Hall of Fame Sept. 29 in Alamosa, Colo. He will be inducted into the Rice Athletics Hall of Fame Oct. 6.
Center Post-Dispatch
http://bit.ly/2y1D3Vy

Tech throwback ticket options available
The Rice men’s basketball team will face Texas Tech University Dec. 16 at Lubbock Municipal Coliseum, where the Red Raiders played before moving into United Supermarkets Arena.
Daily Toreador
http://bit.ly/2xWbkUj

NEWS RELEASE

Ecuador’s energy sector is topic at Rice’s Baker Institute Oct. 6
Carlos Perez, Ecuador’s minister of hydrocarbons, will discuss the country’s key objectives and goals for increasing investments in its energy sector at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy Oct. 6. Hosted by the Baker Institute’s Latin America Initiative and Center for Energy Studies, the event is free and open to the public but registration is required.
http://bit.ly/2yJh5UC

Brain wiring affects how people perform specific tasks
The way a person’s brain is “wired” directly impacts how well they perform simple and complex tasks, according to a new study from researchers at Rice University. The brain is organized into different subnetworks, or “modules,” that support distinct functions for different tasks, such as speaking, memorizing and expressing emotion. The researchers examined how high or low brain modularity — the degree to which the modules communicate with one another — impacts performance of simple and complex tasks.
http://bit.ly/2fN6bpu

Rice Business Plan Competition to ring Nasdaq closing bell Oct. 10
The 2017 winner of the Rice University Business Plan Competition (RBPC) — Forest Devices from Carnegie Mellon University — will ring the Nasdaq Stock Market closing bell at 3 p.m. CDT Oct. 10. Forest Devices CEO Matt Kesinger will be joined by Brad Burke, managing director of the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship, which hosts the annual business competition, as well as Peter Rodriguez, dean of Rice’s Jones Graduate School of Business.
http://bit.ly/2fNiT7I

New test opens path for better 2-D catalysts
Rice University researchers have taken a deep look into atom-thick catalysts that produce hydrogen to see precisely where it’s coming from. Their findings could accelerate the development of 2-D materials for energy applications, such as fuel cells. The Rice lab of materials scientist Jun Lou, with colleagues at Los Alamos National Laboratory, developed a technique to probe through tiny “windows” created by an electron beam and measure the catalytic activity of molybdenum disulfide, a two-dimensional material that shows promise for applications that use electrocatalysis to extract hydrogen from water.
http://bit.ly/2hQKetL

Director of continuing ed and online learning at UNC named dean of continuing studies at Rice University
Rice University has named Robert Bruce Jr., a higher education leader with 25 years of experience in administrative and academic roles, the new dean of the Susanne M. Glasscock School of Continuing Studies. Bruce currently serves as director of the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill’s William and Ida Friday Center for Continuing Education and as director of UNC-Chapel Hill’s Carolina Office for Online Learning (COOL). Bruce also serves as a teaching assistant professor in the Department of English and Comparative Literature.
http://bit.ly/2z00Cwn