Dateline Rice for Oct. 30, 2017 (Weekend Edition)

FEATURED ITEM

Russia uses its oil giant, Rosneft, as a foreign policy tool
Francisco Monaldi, a fellow in Latin American energy policy at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted in a story on Russian oil strategy and the deepening recession in Venezuela, a Russian ally.
New York Times (This story also appeared on the front page of the Oct. 30 print edition with a different headline, “Russia’s reliance on oil dependency opens it to risk,” and it appeared in more than 10 other media outlets.)
http://nyti.ms/2A1Nebt
Venezuela crises: $1.3 trillion in oil revenues vanished through a culture of hyper-corruption, oil output could fall by another 800,000 BOPD amid flight of human capital
Oil & Gas 360
http://bit.ly/2hnHQYw

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

Carlyle’s next generation: A deal whiz and a homegrown quarterback
Alumnus Glenn Youngkin ’90 will become co-CEO of Carlyle Group Jan. 1.
Wall Street Journal (Subscription is required.)
http://on.wsj.com/2yfgCOr

Defects actually give lithium-ion batteries a boost
High-performance electrodes for lithium-ion batteries can be improved by paying closer attention to their defects — and capitalizing on them, according to Rice materials scientist Ming Tang and chemists Song Jin at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Linsen Li at Wisconsin and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. They found that a common cathode material for lithium-ion batteries, olivine lithium iron phosphate, releases or takes in lithium ions through a much larger surface area than previously thought.
Futurity (Similar articles appeared in Science Magazine, Phys.org and Nanowerk.)
http://bit.ly/2yfhP8a

Saudi crown prince favors extending OPEC production limits
Jim Krane, the Wallace S. Wilson Fellow for Energy Studies at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted on Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s support for extending an agreement to limit oil output beyond next March.
ABC News (This Associated Press story appeared in more than 100 other media outlets.)
http://abcn.ws/2ltcOTE

‘Read me!’: Students race to craft forceful college essays as deadlines near
An essay written by Brown College sophomore Daniel Uwanamodo is mentioned in an article on college application essays.
Washington Post (This story also appeared in more than 10 other media outlets.)
http://wapo.st/2zibn0q

Energy dominance meets market realities
Ken Medlock, the James A. Baker III and Susan Baker Fellow in Energy and Resource Economics and senior director of the Center for Energy Studies at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and lecturer of economics, is quoted in an article on the U.S. Department of the Interior’s plan to open more areas for oil and gas drilling.
Politico
http://politi.co/2yfTaR2

Advanced wireless network research at NSF
A Rice photo is featured in an article on wireless communications and wireless data networks research.
National Science Foundation
http://bit.ly/2A0Dmi2

Noble Energy adds Rockwater CEO Holli Ladhani to company’s board
Alumna Holli Ladhani ’10 was elected to the board of directors at Noble Energy Inc.
Yahoo Finance (This story also appeared in more than 10 other media outlets.)
https://yhoo.it/2zSBnLR

Space: The final frontier of defense
President John F. Kennedy’s “Moon Speech,” given at Rice Sept. 12, 1962, is mentioned in a story on plans for the U.S. space program.
Washington Examiner
http://washex.am/2zS3Bqr

After a successful career, the heart yearns for the college that made him
Alumnus Randhir Sahni ’71 is featured.
Indo American News
http://bit.ly/2ifRNXC

Why bank stocks could soon be doing the splits
Research by David Ikenberry, a former professor at Rice’s Jones Graduate School of Business, is referenced.
The Globe and Mail
https://tgam.ca/2zjO1Ym

HOUSTON/TEXAS

Rebuild Texas Fund tops $78.3 million
A photo of President David Leebron and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is featured in a story on the Rebuild Texas Fund. A benefit basketball game between the University of Texas and Texas A&M University at Tudor Fieldhouse is mentioned.
Houston Chronicle (This story also appeared in the San Antonio Express-News.)
http://bit.ly/2iMMNxL
http://bit.ly/2z1YMgR

Houston comes together to figure out flooding
Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research and Severe Storm Prediction, Education and Evacuation from Disasters (SSPEED) Center are mentioned as members of the Greater Houston Flood Mitigation Consortium.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required. This appeared in the Chronicle’s “Gray Matters” online magazine.)
http://bit.ly/2gOYz6e

Houston beyond Hurricane Harvey
“Beyond Hurricane Harvey: A Discussion with Jim Blackburn,” held Oct. 24 at the Baker Institute for Public Policy, is reviewed. Blackburn is a professor in the practice of environmental law and the co-director of Rice’s Severe Storm Prediction, Education and Evacuation from Disasters Center.
Space City Weather
http://bit.ly/2z3JnwL

How new, smart design saved the day for some Houston homeowners
A Rice Design Alliance architecture tour titled “H20uston: Living in Floodplains” is mentoned in a story examining three Houston buildings and how they fared during Tropical Storm Harvey. Alumna Jacki Schaefer ’07 is quoted. Nonya Grenader, professor in the practice of architecture, is mentioned. Alumnus Larry McMurtry ’60 is quoted.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required.)
http://bit.ly/2A0ccYT

Will Texas House lurch further to the right with Straus gone?
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 articles about Texas House Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, and the impact his departure will have on the state.
Dallas Morning News (Subscription is required.)
http://bit.ly/2yXGrSn
With Joe Straus gone, will Gov. Abbott board the crazy train or hit the brakes?
Dallas Morning News (Subscription is required.)
http://bit.ly/2zTtlCu

Housing, equity top concerns for HUD money as Houston rebuilds
Leah Binkovitz, staff writer for Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, wrote about the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s waiver process for groups seeking funding in the wake of Hurricane/Tropical Storm Harvey.
Rivard Report
http://bit.ly/2iftqcO

‘Effective Policies for Scaling up Care for Mothers and Newborns in Marginalized Populations’
Farhan Majid, fellow in health and technology policy at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, will introduce speaker Zulfiqar A. Bhutta Nov. 1 at the Baker Institute. Bhutta will discuss government-supported initiatives to combat mortality rates among children in low- and middle-income countries. The Rice 360° Institute for Global Health is a co-sponsoring the event.
TMC News
http://bit.ly/2zZMgMU

Texas Life Science Forum
The Texas Life Science Forum is Nov. 7 at Rice’s BioScience Research Collaborative.
TMC News
http://bit.ly/2A0yRnE

Afghan Whigs heat up Heights Theater in long-overdue Houston return
The author description for two articles by Kristy Loye mentions that she attended Rice.
Houston Press
http://bit.ly/2A033iU
Music melts down as #MeToo movement spreads
Houston Press
http://bit.ly/2ziuyr4

11th Annual ‘A Writer’s Garden’ Literary Symposium and Luncheon
Alumna Pamela Walker ’91 will participate in the Women’s Council of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden’s 11th Annual “A Writer’s Garden” Literary Symposium and Luncheon Nov. 2 in Dallas.
Modern Luxury Dallas
http://bit.ly/2xzpHx4

Houston Grand Opera to present “Glory Denied” at 1940 Air Terminal Museum Hangar
Vocalist Alexandra Smither ’16 will perform in “Glory Denied” Nov. 6 and 9 at the 1940 Air Terminal Museum Hangar at Houston’s Hobby Airport.
Broadway World Houston
http://bit.ly/2yYycTP

Peggie Miller: TUTS holds audition for ‘Memphis’ Nov. 2-3
Alumna Clara Rottsolk ’02 is mentioned in a story about auditions for “Memphis” at Houston’s Theatre Under the Stars.
Houston Chronicle (This story also appeared in the Courier of Montgomery County.)
http://bit.ly/2ltkbun

Inauguration brings in new era: Livingstone officially initiated into Baylor family
A story about the inauguration of new Baylor University President Linda Livingstone mentions her daughter, Will Rice College senior and Rice volleyball player Shelby Livingstone.
Baylor Lariat
http://bit.ly/2igHrHd
Inaugural address: Transformed by the renewing of your mind
Baylor University
http://bit.ly/2zRnWMc

BROADCAST

Curbside recycling returns, and skyrocketing World Series ticket prices: The good, bad and ugly of the week’s news
Vivian Ho, the James A. Baker III Institute Chair in Health Economics at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and professor of economics, discusses the resumption of curbside recycling in Houston.
Houston Public Media
http://bit.ly/2z27ufc

KPRC-TV (Houston)
Tom Stallings, professor in the practice of sport management, discusses the benefits the World Series has on Houston and the Astros.
http://bit.ly/2xz10Ra (Click the video button to watch the broadcast.)

WBZ-AM (Boston)
Professor of History Douglas Brinkley is quoted in a story on President Donald Trump’s decision to withhold some files related to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy while releasing others.
http://bit.ly/2xBb6kJ (Click the audio button to listen to the broadcast, which also aired on KXJZ-FM in Sacramento, Calif., KHPR-AM in Honolulu, WESA-FM in Pittsburgh, WNPR-AM in Hartford-New Haven, Conn., and KQED-AM in San Francisco.)

KTRH-AM (Houston)
Physicist Paul Padley discusses why physicists can’t explain how the universe exists.
http://bit.ly/2zTAwuq (Click the audio button to listen to the broadcast.)

KTRH-AM (Houston)
A certified financial planner certification course at Rice is mentioned.
http://bit.ly/2lsXhDd (Click the audio button to listen to the broadcast.)

KPCC-FM (Los Angeles)
Kelly Weinersmith, adjunct faculty member and the former Huxley Fellow in Ecology and Evolution, and her husband, Zach, discuss their new book, “Soonish.”
http://bit.ly/2A04nCv (Click the audio button to listen to the broadcast, which also aired on WBFO-FM in Buffalo, N.Y.)

KPLA-FM (Columbia, Mo.)
Clean environments lead to more ethical behavior, according to a study by Rice University.
http://bit.ly/2yX1VyX (Click the audio button to listen to the broadcast.)

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Nanoscale platform aims to control protein levels
A nanoscale antibody first found in camels combined with a protein-degrading molecule is an effective new platform to control protein levels in cells, according to Rice scientists. The technique could aid fundamental research into cellular dynamics as well as the design of synthetic gene circuits. Rice chemical and biomolecular engineer Laura Segatori, former graduate student Wenting Zhao and alumna Lara Pferdehirt ’16 invented a bifunctional recognition system they call NanoDeg that allows them to target specific proteins in a cell and strictly regulate their degradation.
Phys.org
http://bit.ly/2A1HZZA

Immigrants living in the country without authorization at risk for anxiety and depression
Nearly a quarter of Mexican immigrants who live near the California-Mexico border without legal authorization have a mental disorder, particularly depression or anxiety, according to a new study by Rice. “Mental Disorders Among Undocumented Mexican Immigrants in High-Risk Neighborhoods: Prevalence, Comorbidity and Vulnerabilities” will appear in an upcoming edition of the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. The lead author is Luz Garcini, a postdoctoral research fellow in Rice’s Department of Psychology.
ScienceBlog
http://bit.ly/2A1EbqU

Electrical waveform technology wins startup competition
The Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship co-hosted a competition showcasing energy technology companies during the Society of Petroleum Engineers 2017 Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition in San Antonio.
Journal of Petroleum Technology
http://bit.ly/2yenATT

Strategic initiative on aging: The positive impact of emerging technologies, IBM research
Collaboration between IBM and Rice University on the Multi-Purpose Eldercare Robot Assistant is mentioned.
Elder
http://bit.ly/2yWJ6Mi

Enhanced antibacterial activity through the controlled alignment of graphene oxide nanosheets
Pedro Alvarez, the George R. Brown Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, a professor of chemistry and of materials science and nanoengineering, edited a paper on the interaction of 2-D graphene-based nanomaterials with bacteria using graphine oxide composite films.
PNAS
http://bit.ly/2gVz5YE

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

Frost Bank Tower
An article mentions an urban legend that the owl-like Frost Bank Tower in Austin was built by a Rice alumnus. The article concludes that none of the architects had any connection with Rice University.
Atlas Obscura
http://bit.ly/2gUP0Xg

Not your mother’s chamber music group
Trumpeter Alex Fioto ’11 will perform with Boylan Brass Nov. 5 in Southern Pines, N.C.
The Pilot
http://bit.ly/2yYEsxv

Behind the scenes with Jonathan Glatt and Sara Ossana of O&G Studio
Furniture designer Sara Ossana ’99 is featured in a Q&A.
New York Spaces
http://bit.ly/2ziS3Ab

UM System encourages faculty to use more open educational resources
Rice-based publisher OpenStax is mentioned.
KBIA.org
http://bit.ly/2yXgBhm
Holly Stitt: Avenue HQ owner wears many hats in business community
Jefferson City News Tribune
http://bit.ly/2hniMkw

Church program explores end-of-life legal preparation
Alumnus Roger Clark ’68 will discuss end-of-life issues Nov. 4 in Loveland, Colo.
Loveland Reporter-Herald
http://bit.ly/2yXnoYn

SPORTS

Youth and community details for Game 4 of the 2017 World Series presented by YouTube TV
Members of Rice’s baseball team participated in a “Play Ball” event at the Houston Astros MLB Youth Academy at Sylvester Turner Park.
MLB.com
http://atmlb.com/2hpgi4Y

Rice’s comeback effort falls short against Louisiana Tech
The Rice football team lost to Louisiana Tech University 42-28 Oct. 28.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required.)
http://bit.ly/2zRilWn
http://bit.ly/2yXrmQM
Louisiana Tech scores 14 points in final minute, wins 42-28
Houston Chronicle (This Associated Press story appeared in more than 100 other media outlets.)
http://bit.ly/2zjZLtW
Oct. 28: Louisiana Tech 42, Rice 28
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/2ziKDNj
KTRK-TV (Houston)
http://bit.ly/2gWHz1Q (Click the video button to watch the broadcast.)
KIAH-TV (Houston)
http://bit.ly/2zZpm8m (Click the video button to watch the broadcast.)
KPRC-TV (Houston)
http://bit.ly/2gWAnmu (Click the video button to watch the broadcast.)
KSLA-TV (Shreveport, La.)
http://bit.ly/2lsOZLJ (Click the video button to watch the broadcast.)
KTRH-AM (Houston)
http://bit.ly/2xyDfsz (Click the audio button to listen to the broadcast.)
La. Tech survives scare from Rice
LaTechSports.com
http://bit.ly/2A1n1tu

Best in Texas: TCU remains on top despite loss, Texas A&M barely edges out Texas for second
Rice is No. 11 in a ranking of Texas college football teams.
Dallas Morning News (Subscription is required.)
http://bit.ly/2iOfCtp

Rice’s Emmanuel Ellerbee is fueled by doubt
Rice linebacker Emmanuel Ellerbee is featured.
Flo Football
http://bit.ly/2lq4eVH

Texans’ Christian Covington out for season
Former Rice football player Christian Covington ’15, who plays for the Houston Texans, suffered a season-ending biceps injury in an Oct. 29 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required.)
http://bit.ly/2yX3DAn
http://bit.ly/2iO1Gj3

2017-18 C-USA basketball preseason poll announced
Rice’s men’s basketball team was picked to finish 13th in Conference USA. The women were picked to finish fifth. Voting was done by the conference’s head coaches.
ConferenceUSA.com
http://bit.ly/2zQEzrC

3 tied for 2nd in Pac-12, 3 tied for 1st in ACC, big A-10 win for VCU
The Rice volleyball team’s Oct. 29 victory over the University of North Carolina at Charlotte is mentioned.
Volleyball Magazine
http://bit.ly/2zjGAQO

Soccer remains dominant at home, thanks to Sebazco’s late goal
The Rice women’s soccer team tied the University of North Texas 1-1 Oct. 27 in Denton, Texas.
North Texas Daily
http://bit.ly/2gMBlh8

Florida Gators 2017-18 basketball team preview and prediction
A preview of the University of Florida men’s basketball team mentions former Rice player Egor Koulechov ’17, who now plays for the Gators.
Athlon Sports & Life
http://bit.ly/2yX9KCa

Watch rapper Bun B sum up the atmosphere in Houston at World Series Game 3
Bernard “Bun B” Freeman, former distinguished lecturer at Rice, is interviewed at Game 3 of the World Series between the Houston Astros and Los Angeles Dodgers.
MLB.com
http://atmlb.com/2yfV83X

NEWS RELEASES

Nanoscale platform aims to control protein levels
A nanoscale antibody first found in camels combined with a protein-degrading molecule is an effective new platform to control protein levels in cells, according to Rice scientists. The technique could aid fundamental research into cellular dynamics as well as the design of synthetic gene circuits. Rice chemical and biomolecular engineer Laura Segatori, former graduate student Wenting Zhao and former undergraduate Lara Pferdehirt invented a bifunctional recognition system they call NanoDeg that allows them to target specific proteins in a cell and strictly regulate their degradation.
http://bit.ly/2A0GLO4

Immigrants living in the country without authorization at risk for anxiety and depression
Nearly a quarter of Mexican immigrants who live near the California-Mexico border without legal authorization have a mental disorder, particularly depression or anxiety, according to a new study by Rice. “Mental Disorders Among Undocumented Mexican Immigrants in High-Risk Neighborhoods: Prevalence, Comorbidity and Vulnerabilities” will appear in an upcoming edition of the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. The lead author is Luz Garcini, a postdoctoral research fellow in Rice’s Department of Psychology.
http://bit.ly/2yf5Kjx

Microscopic defects make batteries better
High-performance electrodes for lithium-ion batteries can be improved by paying closer attention to their defects — and capitalizing on them, according to Rice materials scientist Ming Tang and chemists Song Jin at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Linsen Li at Wisconsin and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. They found that a common cathode material for lithium-ion batteries, olivine lithium iron phosphate, releases or takes in lithium ions through a much larger surface area than previously thought.
http://bit.ly/2zQFYOJ

Rice event to focus on gender and faith at work
“Gender and Faitg at Work,” a Nov. 1 panel hosted by Rice’s Religion and Public Life Program, will focus on the intersection of gender and religion in the workplace. The event is free and open to the public. Katelyn Beaty, editor-at-large with Christianity Today, and Andrea Ramirez, the executive director of the Faith and Education Coalition for the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, will speak.
http://bit.ly/2ydNWoF