Dateline Rice for May 4, 2018

FEATURED ITEM

Rice community pushes for change at site of 2 fatal bike crashes
A demonstration calling for increased safety measures for bicyclists and pedestrians near the Sunset-Main and Sunset-Fannin intersections, where two cyclists have been killed, is featured in several articles and broadcasts. A slideshow of the event in the Houston Chronicle pictures graduate students Kathryn Kundrod (image 7) and Trenton Piepergerdes (images 3 and 4). Kundrod and graduate students Ronan O’Connell and Mary Natoli are quoted. Natoli is also interviewed in several broadcasts. Marjorie Corcoran, a professor of physics and astronomy at Rice who was killed Feb. 3, 2017, in a train-cyclist accident, is mentioned. In a Houston Public Media broadcast Lovett College senior Madeleine Pelzel is interviewed and graduate students Cat Majors and O’Connell are quoted. Postdoctoral research associate Debshila Basu Mallick is quoted in the KHOU report.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required. This article appeared in the May 4 print edition with a different headline, “Rice protestors demand improvements at crossing where 2 bicyclists have died.” This article also appeared in the San Antonio Express-News and Houston Patch.)
http://bit.ly/2FHWLG8
https://bit.ly/2HU40g8
Click2Houston
http://bit.ly/2FFkiaZ
CW39 
http://bit.ly/2FHGBgf (Click the video button to watch the broadcast.)
KPRC-TV (Houston)
http://bit.ly/2FIp9rU (Click the video button to watch the broadcast.)
KHOU-TV (Houston)
http://bit.ly/2FKYbA4 (Click the video button to watch the broadcast.)
KTRK-TV (Houston)
http://bit.ly/2jrJusI (Click the video button to watch the broadcast.)
Protesters demand change after 2 cyclists are killed at a problematic Intersection
Houston Public Media
http://bit.ly/2FH8tRH

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

‘I was going to get this over with’: Inside Giuliani’s explosive Stormy Daniels revelation
History Professor Douglas Brinkley is quoted in an article about Rudy Giuliani’s role as President Donald Trump’s lawyer.
Washington Post (This article also appeared in 10 other media outlets.)
https://wapo.st/2JQzmVM

What ancient salt can tell us about life on Earth
Graduate student Laura Carter authored an article on advances in understanding how Earth’s oxygenated atmosphere may have developed.
Salon
http://bit.ly/2js5JPj

‘Exceptional’ research points way toward quantum discoveries
Rice scientists used nanotube films and polarized light to strongly couple light and matter progressively and on demand at room temperature.
Dept of Energy (This article was the top story on the Office of Science home page and appeared in a previous edition of Dateline.)
https://science.energy.gov

At least a dozen countries have the ability to make persistent nerve agents, according to James Tour, the T.T. and W.F. Chao Chair in Chemistry and a professor of computer science and of materials science and nanoengineering. Tour’s research of laser-etched graphene is also discussed on a radio broadcast.
Which NATO members are engaged in ‘Novichok’-type substance research? Mosco asks bloc
RT
http://bit.ly/2FJy647
Czech President’s ‘Novichok bombshell’ undermines London’s credibility in Skripal case
RT
http://bit.ly/2FGdNEF
‘The Loh Down on Science’
KPCC-FM (Los Angeles)
http://bit.ly/2jsp2rJ (Click the audio button to listen to the broadcast.)

HOUSTON/TEXAS

A third act
A profile of Ruth Simmons, the new president of Prairie View A&M University, mentions that Carme Williams, a former fundraiser at Rice, is Prairie View A&M’s new vice president of development. (Editor’s note: Simmons is a Rice trustee.)
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
https://bit.ly/2FE275q

Why I’m scared to walk in Houston
Bill Fulton, director of Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, authored an article about the challenges pedestrians and bicyclists face on Houston’s streets.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required. This article appeared in the Chronicle’s “Gray Matters” online magazine.)
http://bit.ly/2judQL3

Spring Branch MUD adds insult to injury [Opinion]
Jim Blackburn, a professor in the practice of environmental law and the co-director of Rice’s Severe Storm Prediction, Education and Evacuation from Disasters Center, authored an op-ed voicing concerns about the recent approval by the Houston City Council to develop housing in designated flood plains.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required. This article appeared in the May 4 print edition with a different headline, “MUD approval for housing plan adds insult to injury.”) 
http://bit.ly/2KzSvMI
https://bit.ly/2JWdubE

Where health happens: Housing’s impact on health and quality of life
Wiess College senior Hannah Todd and Quianta Moore, a fellow in child health policy in Rice’s Baker Institute’s Center for Health and Biosciences, co-authored an article about how substandard housing, which influences well-being more than access to health insurance, affects stress, parenthood and child development.
Texas Housers
http://bit.ly/2FImZIE

Houstonian Jessie Dugan’s jewelry mimics Houston art and architecture
Jewelry inspired by James Turrell’s “Twilight Epiphany” Skyspace on the Suzanne Deal Booth Centennial Pavilion is featured.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required.)
http://bit.ly/2jshVj6

New Preserve gym a peaceful oasis for workouts
The business venture of alumna Molly Carter ’14 is featured.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required.)
http://bit.ly/2KAomwL

Determined design: Inside the home and mind of interior designer, philanthropist Lucinda Loya
An article mentions that Javier Loya’s sibling attended Rice.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required.)
http://bit.ly/2FIFPzB

Must List: Troker, ‘Ma Rainey’ and Mastodon
Portions of the Palestine Film Festival will take place at Rice’s Media Center.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required.)
http://bit.ly/2Kyuo0Q

BROADCAST

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 interviewed in two broadcasts about what to expect from the May 11 debate between Democratic gubernatorial runoff candidates Lupe Valdez and Andrew White.
KLBJ-AM (Austin) 
http://bit.ly/2FGz69p (Click the audio button to listen to the broadcast. This segment also aired on KUIK-AM Portland.)
KRLD-AM (Dallas) 
http://bit.ly/2FEXV5v (Click the audio button to listen to the broadcast.)

‘Houston Life’
Alumna Amy Lin ’09 and Lulu Fang are featured in a segment on their business, Honey Art Cafe. Lin is interviewed.
KPRC-TV (Houston)
http://bit.ly/2FIhHwQ

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

‘Boardrooms’ Best’
Tom Kolditz, director of Rice’s Doerr Institute for New Leaders, is interviewed in the “Boardrooms’ Best” podcast.
Board Bench
http://bit.ly/2FKpdHs

United Airlines names Josh Earnest chief communications officer
Alumnus Josh Earnest ’97 has been named senior vice president and chief communications officer for United Airlines.
Business Insider (This article also appeared in the Chicago Business Journal, STAT Times and ASIATravelTips.com.)
https://read.bi/2jsr2Ap
WDAF-TV (Kansas City, Mo.)
http://bit.ly/2FKUwCk

New software to quickly automate sports analytics
Students at Rice have designed a first-of-its-kind software called Cherrypick that provides automated sports analytics in an hour. Hesam Panahi, lecturer in entrepreneurship at Rice’s Jones Graduate School of Business, Duncan College’s James Grinage and Will Rice College’s Connor Heggie are quoted. Grinage, Heggie, Rebecca Lee, Victor Gonzalez, Sachin Jain and Betty Huang are pictured. Ashutosh Sabharwal, professor of electrical and computer engineering is mentioned. A Rice video is included
Tech Explorist 
http://bit.ly/2KB6LVE

Pepperdine alumna wins Metropolitan Opera competition
Rice is mentioned.
Broadway World
http://bit.ly/2FHPKWb

2U Inc. reports first-quarter 2018 financial results
An article mentions that 2U Inc. will partner with Rice for business-focused online short courses, which are expected to launch this fall.
IT News Online–Markets Insider (This article also appeared on StreetInsider.com.)
http://bit.ly/2FJg9Tk

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

Schools shouldn’t be kissing celebrities’ butts by giving honorary degrees
An article mentions that Rice does not award honorary degrees.
The Morning Call
http://bit.ly/2KBnFDm

University of Limerick lecturer delivers his inaugural lecture
Kevin Murphy, who formerly taught at Rice, is featured and pictured.
Limerick Post
http://bit.ly/2rkplbL

New PBS series explores science with Talithia Williams
Alumna Talithia Williams ’07, who will host “NOVA Wonders” on PBS, is featured and pictured.
Los Angeles Sentinel
http://bit.ly/2jv4hf7

DSA Global Summit 2018 drives the industry forward on how to realize shared spectrum access
Edward Knightly, professor of electrical and computer engineering and computer science and chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, has won the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance Award, which honors the efforts of individuals in furthering innovation, increasing inclusion and pursuing new opportunities in dynamic spectrum access.
ACROFAN
http://bit.ly/2KBBth7

2nd Congressional District candidate Gavin Clarkson
An article mentions that Gavin Clarkson attended Rice.
Albuquerque Journal
http://bit.ly/2KEk0oe

Stanford Concert Network staff on organizing the Frost Music & Arts Festival|
Alumnus Dante Zakhidov ’15 is featured and pictured. 
Stanford University News
https://stanford.io/2jvN3Oy

LAMF presents Schubert’s cello quintet
Alumna Rebecca Corruccini ’07 is featured and pictured. Kathleen Winkler, the Dorothy Richard Starling Professor of Classical Violin, is mentioned.
Brainerd Dispatch
http://bit.ly/2FJqkau

Author/historian David McCullough to keynote PC commencement
Larry Rachleff, the Walter Kris Hubert Professor of Orchestral Conducting, will receive an honorary degree from Providence College.
SouthCoastToday.com
http://bit.ly/2FJe0qS

SPORTS

Rice University honoring O.J. Brigance with Courage award
Former Rice football player O.J. Brigance, who was diagnosed with ALS in 2007, is featured and pictured. Rice will honor Brigance with a “Celebration of Courage” event May 5 on campus to benefit his charitable foundation as part of ALS Awareness Month.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required.)
http://bit.ly/2FGe7n2

Heading into C-USA Championship, track and field aims for bounce-back performance
An article mentions that Rice will host the Conference USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships May 11-13.
North Texas Daily
http://bit.ly/2jv7F9W

The top high school baseball recruits in Houston
Two top high school baseball prospects who have signed with Rice, Brandon Deskins (image 26) and Benjamin Content (image 39), are pictured in a slideshow.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required.)
http://bit.ly/2FFaL3J

Former Rice pitcher Jon Duplantier, now a prospect in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization, is mentioned in two articles from Minor League Baseball.
Farm system storylines: April edition
MiLB.com
https://atmilb.com/2KDI4rA
Southern notes: Long enjoys leading role
MiLB.com
https://atmilb.com/2jsZFWE

Very deep sleeper: Luke Willson (Fantasy Football)
Former Rice football player Luke Willson is featured and pictured.
FantasyPros
http://bit.ly/2FHZUGj

Rice Owl Godber drafted third overall in CFL Draft by BC Lions
Former Rice football player Peter Godber is featured and pictured.
Boxscore (This article also appeared in The Province, Vancouver Sun and the National Post.)
http://bit.ly/2KBrPeH
Primer: What you need to know about the 2018 CFL Draft
CFL.com
http://bit.ly/2FF7D7G

NEWS RELEASE

Baker Institute expert available to comment on Tunisia’s first municipal elections
For the first time, Tunisia will hold municipal elections May 6, and these elections will also be the first of their kind in North Africa. The polls will give remote corners of the country representation for the first time and include diversity quotas for female, young and disabled candidates. A.Kadir Yildirim, fellow for the Middle East at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is available to discuss with the media the elections and their ramifications for a country that was the cradle of the revolutions that swept the Arab world in 2011, a period known as the Arab Spring.
http://bit.ly/2KAGneB