Dateline Rice for June 6, 2018

Correction: The June 5 edition of Dateline mistakenly identified Dr. John C. Price as a member of Rice’s class of 1954. We apologize for the error. 

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

Embattled Qatar is rich enough to get by for another 100 years
Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, fellow for the Middle East at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted in an article about the limited success of the continuing diplomatic and economic embargo of Qatar by neighboring Persian Gulf nations.
Bloomberg (This article also appeared in CETUSNews.com.)
https://bloom.bg/2Jvh67P
Qatar accuses Saudis of reckless behavior as Arab row enters 2nd year
Thomson Reuters Foundation (This article appeared in more than 10 other media outlets.)
https://tmsnrt.rs/2JuDUV5

As cities report more rats than ever, scientists find eastside and westside rodents
Michael Kohn, an associate professor in the Department of BioSciences, is quoted in an article about the efforts to genetically identify where different rat families have clustered in four cities in the New World.
The Washington Post 
https://wapo.st/2JxE9yM

Schultz 2020: Other CEOs will be watching closely
History Professor Douglas Brinkley is quoted in an article about business leaders running for president. Brinkley is also quoted in the Lockport Union-Sun & Journal about the legacy of Robert F. Kennedy, who was assassinated 50 years ago this week.
Gulf News (This article also appeared in the Daily Biz Report.)
http://bit.ly/2JuBFRF
CNBC exclusive: CNBC transcript: Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz sits down with CNBC’s Andrew Ross Sorkin on CNBC’s ‘Squawk Box’ today
NBC Universal Media Village
http://bit.ly/2LrIFvW
RFK and the great unknowns
Lockport Union-Sun & Journal (This article also appeared in 10 other media outlets.)
http://bit.ly/2Lr7HLH

It’s an ‘it girl’! The birth of ‘Sex and the City’
Alumna Candace Bushnell ’80, creator of “Sex and the City,” is featured and pictured.
The New York Times
https://nyti.ms/2JuCsSD

Toleration of more civilian deaths hampers US counterterrorism efforts
Richard Stoll, the Albert Thomas Chair in Political Science and scholar at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted in an article about the repercussions of the escalation of U.S. drone strikes in the Middle East.
Asia Pacific Daily
http://bit.ly/2JChRMx

HOUSTON/TEXAS

When Islamophobia backfires
David Brockman, nonresident scholar in the Religion and Public Policy Program at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, authored an article about how anti-Muslim sentiments expressed in a political race did not hinder Pakistani-born Salman Bhojani from becoming the first Muslim elected to the city council in Euless, Texas.
Texas Observer
http://bit.ly/2LogKNx

6 Houston-area schools earn a spot on 2018 Center for World University Rankings report
An article about the global rankings of Texas’ best colleges features Rice. A link to the slide is included below.
Houston Business Journal (A similar article also appeared on KXXV.com and Plainview Daily Herald Online.)
http://bit.ly/2JBddhO
http://bit.ly/2Jvkz6l

Lamar CISD announces valedictorians, salutatorians
An article mentions that Rim Aboulhassane plans to attend Rice.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required.)
http://bit.ly/2Jxv9ty

Newly elected BISD board members sworn in
Alumnus Brent Bishop ’98, who won election to the Bullard Independent School District Board of Trustees, is pictured in the swearing-in ceremony.
Bullard News
http://bit.ly/2JrMjZF

ACC student to work on research skills at Rice University
An article mentions that Belen Torres received the Research Experience for Community College Students internship at Rice.
The Alvin Sun 
http://bit.ly/2JzzwUO

Where to get free, cheap swim lessons
An article mentions that Rice offers affordable swimming lessons for kids.
KPRC Click2Houston
http://bit.ly/2JxuxUz

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Are SAT/ACT scores good predictors of student success?
Yvonne Romero da Silva, vice president of enrollment, is quoted in an article about the debate of just how useful standardized tests are at predicting student success.
Education Dive
http://bit.ly/2LqJaq5

Data ‘hashing’ improves estimate of the number of victims in databases
Researchers from Rice and Duke University, in collaboration with Human Rights Data Analysis Group, used a data-indexing method called “hashing with statistical estimation” to efficiently estimate the number of identified victims killed in the Syrian civil war. Graduate student Beidi Chen and Anshumali Shrivastava, assistant professor of computer science, are quoted.
Phys.org (This article also appeared in Infosurhoy, Science Magazine, Jersey Tribune and Homeai.)
http://bit.ly/2LpVXsS

Simpler model gets to the point with proteins
Computational models have come a long way in their ability to simulate the most basic biological processes, such as how proteins fold. A new technique created by Rice researchers should enable scientists to model larger molecules with greater accuracy than ever. Graduate student Justin Chen is quoted and Cecilia Clementi, professor of chemistry and chemical and biomolecular engineering, is quoted and pictured.
Phys.org (This article also appeared in Nanowerk, Tech Explorist, Science Daily and the Jersey Tribune.)
http://bit.ly/2LnS6wv

Neurons ripple while brains rest to lock in memories
Caleb Kemere, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering, is quoted in an article about his research, which demonstrated that even minimal data harvested from the brain during periods of rest can be used to explore big ideas about how memories are formed and retained.
Science Daily (This article appeared in 10 other media outlets.)
http://bit.ly/2LsFCnk

2018 ACM Richard Tapia Celebration of Diversity in Computing Conference announces plenary speakers
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, will be a keynote speaker at the Association for Computing Machinery’s Richard Tapia Diversity Conference Sept. 19. The conference is named for Richard Tapia, University Professor, the Maxfield-Oshman Professor in Engineering and a professor of computational and applied mathematics. Rice is also mentioned as a sponsor of the conference.
IT Business Net 
http://bit.ly/2LruuqZ

5 things I wish someone told me before I became the CEO of Red Hat
Alumnus Jim Whitehurst ’89 is featured and pictured.
Thrive Global
http://bit.ly/2Lsda52

AICPA recognizes top CPA exam performers in 2017 with Elijah Watt Sells Award
Alumnus Travis Marin Guzzardo ’16 is mentioned.
Buffalo Business First (This article appeared in 70 other media outlets.)
http://bit.ly/2LsuqXT

I am known by many names, but it’s all SCRAMBLEd
Alumnus Thomas Clements ’17 authored an article on a new form of directed evolution.
PLoS 
http://bit.ly/2LtGpVd

Podcast: ‘Women in Energy’ Ep. 2 — ‘Navigating the Roadblocks’
Regina Mayor, a former adjunct professor at Rice’s Jones Graduate School of Business, is interviewed on a podcast about women in the energy sector.
Unconventional Oil and Gas Center
http://bit.ly/2JAvUlq

Telemark Asset Management stake in 2U (TWOU) raised by $12.18 million
An article mentions that 2U Inc. will partner with Rice for business-focused online, master’s-level short courses, which are expected to launch this fall. 2U currently partners with Rice’s Jones Graduate School of Business to power MBA@Rice, an online MBA program.
Wolcott Daily (A similar version of this article also appeared in Key Gazette.)
http://bit.ly/2LqVeYl

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

New pill could radio doctors about gut health
Scientists have developed a small, ingestible capsule that mixes synthetic biology and electronics to detect bleeding in the digestive tract, but the sensors may need to be much more sensitive to reliably measure chemicals in the gut, according to Jeffrey Tabor, assistant professor of bioengineering and of biosciences.
South-South News (This article also appeared in NewsGram.)
http://bit.ly/2JzAbWc

Arvada’s Teuscher awarded Fulbright
An article mentions McMurtry College senior Alexa Teuscher.
Arvada Press
http://bit.ly/2LrvOtX

Recent editorials from Texas newspapers
An excerpt mentions that Juan De La Garza plans to attend Rice.
The Washington Times (This article appeared in more than 20 other media outlets.)
http://bit.ly/2Ls1Shb (Scroll down to “Corpus Christi Caller-Times.”)

3 valedictorians set to give grad speeches
Rice is mentioned.
The Paradise Post
http://bit.ly/2JxryM8

MPA students ready for college
Rice is mentioned.
The Beverly Review
http://bit.ly/2Ju61Uq

SPORTS

Former Kelly baseball star drafted by Tampa Bay Rays
Rice baseball player Ford Proctor, who was selected in the third round of the MLB draft by the Tampa Bay Rays, is featured and mentioned in several articles.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required.)
http://bit.ly/2LuFWSK 
MLB draft 2018: Tampa Bay Rays draft day 2 pick tracker
DRaysBay.com (This article also appeared in Beaumont Enterprise, WDAM-TV and
WMC Action News 5.)
Rays draft SS Proctor No. 92
MLB.com
https://atmlb.com/2JzLca6
Starting pitching role boosts Sandlin into MLB draft’s 2nd round
WAFB.com (This article appeared in 10 other media outlets.)
http://bit.ly/2JAtWSb

Running back Terence Williams transfers to Houston from Baylor
Rice football players are pictured in a photo slideshow (image 10 and 11) and former football player J.T. Blasingame is also pictured (image 12).
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required.)
http://bit.ly/2LrCY1j

Texas Tech makes addition of Rice transfer Preston Gordon official
Former Rice football player Preston Gordon will play for Texas Tech as a graduate transfer.
NBC Sports (Similar articles appeared in more than 20 other media outlets.)
http://bit.ly/2LvfCb9

Astros select outfielder Seth Beer in 1st round of 2018 Major League Baseball Draft
Former Rice baseball player Matt Anderson is mentioned.
KPRC Click2Houston
http://bit.ly/2JxuisD

Chapel Hill’s Robbie Williams adds Louisiana-Monroe offer
Rice is mentioned.
ETSN.fm
http://bit.ly/2LsRWE6

Texas to host Tennessee Tech for Super Regional
An article mentions that Rice hosted the Houston Regional baseball tournament in 2014.
247Sports.com
http://bit.ly/2LqbusI

Longhorn Links (June 5): Texas returns to The Disch
Former Rice football offensive coordinator Tom Herman is mentioned.
247Sports.com
http://bit.ly/2Jzz4G0

WKU soccer releases 2018 schedule
An article mentions that Rice’s women’s soccer team will play Western Kentucky University Oct. 14.
WBKO
http://bit.ly/2LrA7oQ

NEWS RELEASES

Mars geologist available to comment on NASA’s Curiosity rover findings
Rice planetary science expert Kirsten Siebach is available through June 7, when NASA will announce new findings from its Mars Curiosity rover. The briefing will be available online on NASA Television and NASA’s website.
http://bit.ly/2Lsr9I5

Simpler model gets to the point with proteins
A new technique created by Rice researchers should enable scientists to model larger molecules with greater accuracy than ever. The Rice lab of computational chemist Cecilia Clementi has developed a molecular modeling framework that can more accurately reproduce experimental results with simple coarse-grained models used to simulate protein dynamics.
http://bit.ly/2LrOwSd

Study: Risk assessment tools may increase incarcerations rates
The use of risk assessment tools has increased considerably within criminal justice institutions in recent decades, and these tools have been viewed by many as a way to stop or even reverse the United States’ heavy reliance on imprisonment. But new research from a Rice sociologist suggests these tools may actually contribute to expanding the number of people caught up in the criminal justice system.
http://bit.ly/2LsjAB5

Baker Institute paper: Assassinations of local officials in Mexico on the rise
Assassinations of local officials in Mexico have increased substantially since 2004, and these attacks constitute a major threat to the consolidation of the rule of law in the country, according to a new paper from the Mexico Center at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy titled “Mayoral Homicide in Mexico: A Situational Analysis on the Victims, Perpetrators and Locations of Attacks.”
http://bit.ly/2LuTRbs