Dateline Rice for Dec. 16, 2019 (Weekend Edition)

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

Andrew Yang has defied expectations. Can he turn that into a 2020 win?
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.
USA Today
http://dateline.rice/dec-16-jones-usatoday
Turner coasts to second term
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required. This article also appeared on the front page of the Dec. 15 print edition, and it appeared in more than 25 other media outlets.)
http://dateline.rice/dec-16-jones-hc
http://dateline.rice/dec-16-jones-hc
Rice University political analyst breaks down the results from the December runoff elections
Fox 26 Online (This segment also aired on KRIV-TV in Houston.)
http://dateline.rice/dec-16-jones
Changes ahead for Houston’s City Council: What’s Your Point?
Fox 26 Online 
http://dateline.rice/dec-16-jones
Incumbent Sylvester Turner beats Tony Buzbee in Houston mayoral runoff
Courthouse News Service
http://dateline.rice/dec-16-jones
Rapper Scarface in runoff for Houston City Council seat
The Associated Press (This article also appeared in more than 100 other media outlets online, and it appeared in the Dec. 15 print editions of more than 15 newspapers in the U.S.)
http://dateline.rice/dec-16-jones-ap
Geto Boys’ Scarface in runoff for Houston City Council seat
Billboard
http://dateline.rice/dec-16-jones
What are Buzbee’s chances of closing the gap, winning in Saturday runoff? Analysts weigh in
Click2Houston
http://dateline.rice/dec-16-jones
Democratic presidential contenders turn attention to Texas
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required. This article appeared in the Dec. 16 print edition of the Chronicle and on the front page of the Dec. 15 print edition of the San Antonio Express-News, and it appeared online in the Connecticut Post. This story also appeared in a previous edition of Dateline when it was first posted online.)
http://dateline.rice/dec-16-jones

Mexico’s energy hari-kari
An op-ed cites research into Mexico’s Pemex oil company authored by David Gantz, the Will Clayton Fellow in Trade and International Economics at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.
The Wall Street Journal (Subscription is required.)
http://dateline.rice/dec-16-gantz

HOUSTON/TEXAS

Rice names first African American provost
Reginald DesRoches, the William and Stephanie Sick Dean of the George R. Brown School of Engineering, professor of civil and environmental engineering and professor of mechanical engineering, was named Rice’s new provost effective July 1, 2020.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required. This article also appeared in the Dec. 14 print edition, and it appeared online in the San Antonio Express-News and San Francisco Chronicle.) 
http://dateline.rice/dec-16-desroches
Rice University elects new provost
Houston Business Journal
http://dateline.rice/dec-16-desroches
Rice University announces first African American provost
Diverse Issues in Higher Education
http://dateline.rice/dec-16-desroches

Trump’s USMCA shows how Texas GOP, amid some grumbles, is shifting on trade
Tony Payan, the Françoise and Edward Djerejian Fellow for Mexico Studies at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and director of the institute’s Center for the United States and Mexico, is quoted.
The Dallas Morning News  (This article also appeared on the front page of the Dec. 15 print edition.)
http://dateline.rice/dec-16-payan

3 Houston innovators to know this week
An article featuring Brad Burke, managing director of the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship, mentions the alliance’s new Bill and Stephanie Sick Suite, donated by alumnus and Rice Trustee Emeritus Bill Sick.
InnovationMap
http://dateline.rice/dec-16-burke

City Council approves $6M tax break for live-work-play entrepreneurial community
Jennifer Rabb, director and fellow of the McNair Center for Entrepreneurship and Economic Growth at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required. This article appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle, San Antonio Express-News and San Francisco Chronicle, and it appeared in a previous edition of Dateline when it was first posted online.) 
http://dateline.rice/dec-16-rabb

NexSeed pairs with Collaboration Capital to spread the wealth
Kunal Sachdeva, assistant professor of finance at Rice’s Jones Graduate School of Business, is quoted.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required. This article appeared in the Dec. 16 print edition and a previous edition of Dateline when it was first posted online.)
http://dateline.rice/dec-16-sachdeva

A safer intersection is finally being built but change across the city is too slow? [Opinion]
An article about bicycle safety near Rice was authored by the daughter of Marjorie Corcoran, a professor of physics and astronomy at Rice who was killed in 2017 at a nearby intersection. Graduate student Mary Natoli, president of Rice University Cycling and Triathlon, is quoted.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required. This article also appeared in the Dec. 16 print edition.)
http://dateline.rice/dec-16-natoli

More on free transit, Houston densifying, CA vs TX, hard economics for TX HSR, Bastrop city plan, and more
A Houston-area news roundup mentions that Rice has launched the Carbon Hub, a major research initiative to fund and direct $100 million to deploy technologies for a zero-emissions future.
Houston Chronicle
http://dateline.rice/dec-16-carbon-hub

MD Anderson’s Stephen Hahn confirmed to lead the FDA
Alumnus Stephen Hahn, who has been confirmed as the commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, is featured.
TMC News (This article also appeared in 10 other media outlets, and it was featured in the Dec. 16 edition of the TMC Today newsletter.)
http://dateline.rice/dec-16-hahn

Curatorial powerhouse
Evan Garza, former director of Rice’s Public Art Program, is featured.
OutSmart Magazine
http://dateline.rice/dec-16-garza

Want to understand voting centers? Try these interactive maps.
Rice is mentioned.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required. This article also appeared in the San Antonio Express-News and Connecticut Post.) 
http://dateline.rice/dec-16-hc

BROADCAST

HPM local newscast for 7 a.m., Monday, Dec. 16, 2019
An article mentions that Rice collaborated on research to determine how climate change will impact reefs in the Gulf of Mexico in the near future. Sylvia Dee, assistant professor of Earth, environmental and planetary sciences, is interviewed.
Houston Public Media (This segment also aired on KUHF-FM in Houston.)
http://dateline.rice/dec-16-dee

Houston Newsmakers: Domestic violence increase means shortage of safe space, football-related concussions and charitable giving
An article mentions that Rice is a partnering institution in “Understanding Houston,” a program designed to identify the most pressing needs of the communities of Harris, Fort Bend and Montgomery Counties.
Click2Houston
http://dateline.rice/dec-16-c2k

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Deep-learning breakthrough made by Rice University scientists
Computer scientists from Rice and Amazon have shown they can slash the amount of time and computational resources it takes to train computers. Anshumali Shrivastava, assistant professor of computer science, and graduate student Tharun Medini are quoted.
Ars Technica
http://dateline.rice/dec-16-shrivastava
Best of last week: Quantum states in everyday electronics, an electric plane and leaky gut breakthrough
Science X
http://dateline.rice/dec-16-sciencex

Scientists discover greener method to produce ammonia
An article features Rice research that has developed an inorganic method to synthesize ammonia that is both environmentally friendly and can produce the valuable chemical on demand under ambient conditions. Co-authors Jun Lou, associate chair and professor of materials science and nanoengineering, graduate student Xiaoyin Tian and postdoctoral researcher Jing Zhang are quoted.
Cooling Post
http://dateline.rice/dec-16-lou

Breathing? Thank volcanoes, tectonics and bacteria
An article features Rice research into a new theory to help explain the appearance of significant concentrations of oxygen in Earth’s atmosphere about 2.5 billion years ago. Co-authors cited and pictured are James Eguchi, academic visitor in Earth, environmental and planetary sciences; Rajdeep Dasgupta, professor of Earth, environmental and planetary sciences; and graduate student Johnny Seales. The research is mentioned in Our Bitcoin News.
SciGlow
http://dateline.rice/dec-16-eguchi
Scientific development in tiny amounts
Our Bitcoin News
http://dateline.rice/dec-16-obn

Neil Denari on balancing practice, teaching and experimental design
An article featuring Neil Denari mentions he formerly taught at Rice.
Archinect
http://dateline.rice/dec-16-denari

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

New research evaluates design of startup accelerators
An article featuring the study “The Design of Startup Accelerators” mentions that it was co-authored by Yael Hochberg, the Ralph S. O’Connor Professor of Finance and Entrepreneurship at Rice’s Jones Graduate School of Business.
UGA Today
http://dateline.rice/dec-16-hochberg

Underwater telecom cables make superb seismic network
Collaborative research that suggests the fiber-optic cables that make up the global undersea telecommunications network may help assess offshore earthquakes is featured. Co-author Jonathan Ajo-Franklin, professor of Earth, environmental and planetary sciences, is quoted.
Lake County News
http://dateline.rice/dec-16-ajo-franklin

Anderson: A (bipartisan) presidential win
Alumnus R. Bruce Anderson authored an op-ed.
The Ledger
http://dateline.rice/dec-16-anderson

En defensa de la investigación científica, del profesor Keymer Ávila y ante la violencia policial en Venezuela
An article mentions that Luis Duno-Gottberg, department chair and associate professor of Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies, signed an open letter to the government of Venezuela defending academic research and denouncing institutional violence.
Aporrea.org (An English translation is not available.)
http://dateline.rice/dec-16-gottberg

SPORTS

Martin scores 20 to lift Rice over Houston Baptist 96-84
An article mentions that Rice’s men’s basketball team defeated Houston Baptist University 96-84 Dec. 14. Owls Robert Martin, Drew Peterson, Chris Mullins and Trey Murphy III are highlighted. Mullins is pictured in the last article.
The Associated Press (This article appeared in more than 75 other media outlets, and it appeared in the Dec. 15 print edition of the Houston Chronicle.) 
http://dateline.rice/dec-16-mbb
Dec. 14: Rice 96, Houston Baptist 84
Houston Chronicle (This article also appeared in more than 25 other media outlets.)
http://dateline.rice/dec-16-mbb
Febres busts out of slump to help fuel UT comeback
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required. This article appeared in the Dec. 15 print edition.) 
http://dateline.rice/dec-16-nbb

Rice’s football recruiting class heavy on out-of-state and transfer talent
An article features Rice’s football program. Head coach Mike Bloomgren is quoted.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required. This article also appeared in the Dec. 15 print edition of the Chronicle, and it appeared online in the San Antonio Express-News and Connecticut Post.)
http://dateline.rice/dec-16-bloomgren

A&M’s Blair wins 800th
An article mentions that Rice’s women’s basketball team defeated Prairie View A&M University 77-55 Dec. 15 at Tudor Fieldhouse. Owl Erica Ogwumike is highlighted. A KBTX article mentions Rice’s loss to Texas A&M University earlier this season.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required. This article appeared in the Dec. 16 print edition.)
http://dateline.rice/dec-16-ogwumike
Blair goes for 800th career victory, No. 11 Aggies host Houston Sunday
KBTX Online
http://dateline.rice/dec-16-kbtx

Anthony Rendon eager to team up with Trout in Angels’ lineup
Former Rice baseball player Anthony Rendon is featured and pictured.
The Associated Press (This article also appeared in more than 50 other media outlets.)
http://dateline.rice/dec-16-rendon-ap
Rendón, ansioso por jugar junto a Trout en Angelinos
The Associated Press (An English translation is not available. This article also appeared in more than 50 other media outlets.)
http://dateline.rice/dec-16-rendon-ap
Aggressive bid by Angels owner Arte Moreno for Anthony Rendon was no surprise
Los Angeles Times (Subscription is required. This article also appeared in the Dec. 15 print edition.)
http://dateline.rice/dec-16-rendon
Anthony Rendon on not choosing Dodgers: LA’s ‘Hollywood lifestyle’ not a fit
ESPN.com
https://es.pn/35tLTJR

Houston’s favorite Angel will visit often
KPRC Online
http://dateline.rice/dec-16-rendon

Former Lamar HS student, Rice alum Anthony Rendon gets $245M, 7-year deal with Angels
Click2Houston
http://dateline.rice/dec-16-rendon

Zwerneman: Iconic Goodyear Blimp an indelible part of growing up in Houston
A column mentions the Goodyear Blimp, which was based in Spring from 1969-92, has provided coverage of football games over Rice Stadium.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required. This article also appeared in the Dec. 16 print edition of the Chronicle, and it appeared online in the San Antonio Express-News and Connecticut Post.)
http://dateline.rice/dec-16-blimp

Joe Burrow wins 2019 Heisman Trophy as LSU heads into College Football Playoff
An article mentions that John Heisman is a former Rice head football coach.
Fox News
http://dateline.rice/dec-16-heisman

In appreciation of Brock Holt, whose job with Red Sox might be gone, but whose legacy is secure

Former Rice baseball player Brock Holt is featured.
Yahoo! Sports (This article also appeared in NBC Sports Boston.)
http://dateline.rice/dec-16-holt

WOODY: VCU’s Mike Rhoades knows never to underestimate the influence of children
Former Rice head basketball coach Mike Rhoades is featured and pictured.
Richmond Times-Dispatch (This article also appeared in the Dec. 15 print edition.)
http://dateline.rice/dec-16-rhoades

No name required for a Texas offense expected to evolve
Former Rice assistant football coach Tom Herman is mentioned.
247Sports.com
http://dateline.rice/dec-16-herman

After losing spot at Kansas, Quentin Grimes is thriving at Houston

An article mentions that Rice’s men’s basketball team was defeated by the University of Houston earlier this season.
ESPN
http://dateline.rice/dec-16-espn

Texas’ 2019 volleyball season ends as Louisville delivers a Sweet 16 stunner
An article mentions that Rice’s volleyball team defeated the University of Texas at Austin earlier this season.
Austin American-Statesman
http://dateline.rice/dec-16-vb

Texas A&M rallies to end four-game losing streak
Former Rice assistant basketball coach Willis Wilson is quoted.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required. This article also appeared in the Dec. 16 print editions of the Chronicle, and it appeared in the print and online editions of the San Antonio Express-News.) 
http://dateline.rice/dec-16-wilson

NEWS RELEASES

Hydrogels control inflammation to help healing
Hydrogels developed at Rice are designed to be injectable and create a mimic of cellular scaffolds in a desired location. A study led by chemist and bioengineer Jeffrey Hartgerink demonstrates it should be possible to tune multidomain peptide hydrogels to produce appropriate inflammatory response for what they’re treating.
http://dateline.rice/dec-16-news-release-hartgerink

Drug-resistant superbug deploys sentinels to warn of attack
Rice biochemist Yousif Shamoo, UTHealth infectious disease expert Dr. Cesar Arias and colleagues report on how a deadly superbug known as VRE became resistant to a new antibiotic in less than five years.
http://dateline.rice/dec-16-news-release-shamoo

About Stefan De La Garza

Stefan De La Garza is a news analyst in Rice University's Office of Public Affairs.