Dateline Rice for Feb. 20, 2019

FEATURED ITEMS

Venezuela’s political crisis plays out in global oil markets
Francisco J. Monaldi, fellow in Latin American energy policy at the Center for Energy Studies, the Mexico Center and the Latin America Initiative at the Baker Institute for Public Policy and a lecturer in energy economics at Rice, is featured in an interview by NPR and quoted in the Wall Street Journal.
NPR (This article also appeared in more than 100 NPR-affiliated webpages, and the radio segment aired on 972 affiliate radio stations across the U.S.)
https://n.pr/2GTRIHd
Venezuela opposition’s Citgo takeover disappoints US
The Wall Street Journal
https://on.wsj.com/2GTS5BB

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

The Morning Download: Top data tools leverage machine learning
Research by Genevera Allen ’06, associate professor of statistics, computer science and electrical and computer engineering, which determined that machine-learning techniques used by thousands of scientists to analyze data is producing results that are misleading and often completely wrong, is featured in a news roundup.
The Wall Street Journal (Similar articles also appeared in more than 10 other media outlets.)
https://on.wsj.com/2GSiKP6 (Scroll down to “Machine learning in science accelerating data crisis.”)

Green New Deal: Saving America or turning it socialist?
Discussion of a proposed Green New Deal may make some once-unfeasible environmental legislation possible, according to Daniel Cohan, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering.
Christian Science Monitor
http://bit.ly/2GTZ0dK

Red phosphorus barrier makes batteries safer
Research by Rice scientists who have developed the next step toward the deployment of powerful, rechargeable lithium metal batteries by making them safer and simpler to manufacture is featured. James Tour, the T.T. and W.F. Chao Chair in Chemistry and a professor of computer science and of materials science and nanoengineering, is quoted.
Futurity (This article also appeared in eeNewsPower and Digital Day News.)
http://bit.ly/2tuBAnq
Roter phosphor schützt vor Akku-Explosion
Extrem News (An English translation is not available. This article also appeared in Computerwelt and Smart 2 Zero.)
http://bit.ly/2txyU8O

Gold nanowires grow longer with vitamin C
An article features Rice research that determined a vitamin C boost can help turn small gold nanorods into fine gold nanowires. Eugene Zubarev, associate professor of chemistry and of materials science and nanoengineering, is quoted. Alumnus Bishnu Khanal is mentioned.
Futurity (This article also appeared in NewsCaf, Scienmag, Nanowerk, Tunisiesoir, Tdnews and Science Daily.)
http://bit.ly/2GSccA6

HOUSTON/TEXAS

Texas Republicans — and Beto — are more conservative than their national parties
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, authored an op-ed about Texas politics, and he is interviewed by KTRH about national politics.
TribTalk
http://bit.ly/2tvAKaf
Democrats may be the president’s best friends
KTRH.iheart.com
https://ihr.fm/2GQDHtA

Harris County poised to receive grant to study flood tunnel idea
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, is quoted in an article about a federal grant to study the efficacy of underground tunnels to mitigate flooding.
Houston Chronicle (This article also appeared in the Feb. 20 print edition and more than 25 other media outlets.)
http://bit.ly/2tvPRAf
http://bit.ly/2tvQdH5 

A new old model that could change how employees receive primary care
Health care consolidation and the integration of hospital and doctor services not only fail to improve quality, but also reduce patient satisfaction, according to study co-author Vivian Ho, the James A. Baker III Institute Chair in Health Economics at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy’s Center for Health and Biosciences.
D Healthcare (This article also appeared in PSQH.com and Medical Health News.)
http://bit.ly/2tuD2Gp

Dallas’ two chamber music series bring out the passion and bold sounds
An article features the Shepherd School of Music’s Norman Fischer, the Herbert S. Autrey Professor of Cello, Ivo-Jan van der Werff, professor of viola, and Timothy Pitts, professor of double bass.
Dallas Morning News
http://bit.ly/2txz9ke

Announcing: A new symposium on transforming into a residential city
An article mentions that Christof Spieler, senior lecturer of architecture, will be the keynote speaker at Coalition for a New Dallas’ March 19 transit-focused symposium “Agenda for a New Dallas.”
D Magazine
http://bit.ly/2GUjGCy

Community calendar
A community events roundup mentions that Christian Emden, professor of political thought and a co-director of Rice’s Politics, Law & Social Thought program, will discuss the rise of populism in Europe at Bay Area Unitarian Universalist Church Feb. 26. 
Houston Chronicle’s Bay Area Citizen (This article also appeared in the Chronicle’s Pearland Journal, Pasadena Citizen, Deer Park Broadcaster and Friendswood Journal.)
http://bit.ly/2GSs7yg

Campus Chronicles weekly roundup Feb. 19-25
A roundup of public events at college campuses mentions that Rice’s Islamophobia Resistance Campaign will screen “In Their Footsteps: An American Muslim Civil Rights Journey” Feb. 21 at Sewall Hall; “Picasso at the Lapin Agile,” will be performed at Hamman Hall beginning Feb. 22; and Joseph Novak, lecturer in biosciences and director of Rice’s Betty and Jacob Friedman Holistic Garden, will present on holistic gardening and host a workshop Feb. 22 at Rice’s Anderson-Clarke Center.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/2GQ1bPI

Elisa Cardnell
Alumna Elisa Cardnell is featured and pictured in a blog post.
Off the Kuff
http://bit.ly/2GUkgAq

Beto O’Rourke’s high school past, Trump’s chances in 2020, blackface at UT, Laura Miller’s return
Rice is mentioned.
Dallas Morning News
http://bit.ly/2GSpUCR

BROADCAST

KUT-AM (Austin, Texas)
Steve Murdock, the Allyn and Gladys Cline Professor of Sociology and director of Rice’s Hobby Center for the Study of Texas and former U.S. Census Bureau director, is interviewed about addressing income and educational disparities in Texas.
http://bit.ly/2GSDUg4 (This segment aired three times.)

Girl power! ExxonMobil Girls Engineering Festival to inspire over 400 Houston-area students this weekend
Alumna Shawn Simmons appears on “Morning Dose” to talk about the shortage of women in STEM fields.
CW39 (This television segment also aired on CW39-TV in Houston.)
http://bit.ly/2ttLZzE

San Francisco native wins Miss Chinatown USA
An article and television broadcast features Katherine Wu, winner of the 62nd annual Miss Chinatown USA pageant, and mentions that she plans to attend Rice.
KTVU Online (Similar articles appeared twice in Sing Tao USA.)
http://bit.ly/2GRAUk1

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Researchers develop new technique that transforms 2D fluorescent microscopy images into 3D movies
An article features Rice research that developed a general method to let a microscope capture 3D along with the fourth dimension, molecular movement over time. Co-authors Christy Landes, professor of chemistry, postdoctoral researcher Chayan Dutta and graduate student Nicholas Moringo are quoted.
AZo Nano (This article also appeared in Microscopy and Analysis, Bionity, ChemEurope and Analytica-World.com.)
http://bit.ly/2tsRQW2

Nerves of an escape artist
The research of Jacob Robinson, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering and of bioengineering, which detailed the first comprehensive characterization of relationships between neural activity and muscle movements in the freshwater hydra vulgaris, is featured.
American Scientist
http://bit.ly/2GXTHKF

Physically unclonable function: Researchers unveil Internet of Things security feature
Kaiyuan Yang, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering,
and graduate student Dai Li are featured and pictured in an article about their research, which developed a device 10 times more reliable than current methods of producing unclonable digital fingerprints for Internet of Things devices.
Tech Xplore
http://bit.ly/2GSouZa

CFOs: This is how you might get higher pay
An article about Rice research that determined CFOs who mimic the way their CEOs talk are not only likely to pocket bigger paychecks but also more likely to win seats on their corporate boards is featured. Co-authors Yan “Anthea” Zhang, the Fayez Sarofim Vanguard Chair of Strategic Management at Rice’s Jones Graduate School of Business; Robert Hoskisson, the George R. Brown Professor Emeritus of Strategic Management at the Jones School; and alumnus Wei Shi are cited.
CFO Innovation Asia (This article also appeared in Post Online Media.)
http://bit.ly/2txLbK4

Cancer cells’ plasticity makes them harder to stop 
Rice research to understand how cancer cells survive hostile environments and adapt when their attempts to metastasize are blocked by drugs or the body’s immune system is featured. José Nelson Onuchic, the Harry C. and Olga K. Wiess Professor of Physics and Astronomy; Herbert Levine, adjunct professor of bioengineering; and postdoctoral fellow Dongya Jia are quoted. Former postdoctoral researcher Mingyang Lu and alumnus Linglin Yu are mentioned.
MedicalNewser.com
http://bit.ly/2GUjKSO

Catalyst nanoparticles petrified by self-assembled MOF coating
Using the same process nature uses to petrify wood, Rice graduate student Hossein Robatjazi married a molecular sieve called MOF to a plasmonic aluminum nanoparticle. The combination of MOFs and plasmonic aluminum creates a new avenue for designing greener catalysts that use solar energy and are made from the most abundant metal in Earth’s crust. Naomi Halas, the Stanley C. Moore Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and professor of chemistry, bioengineering, physics and astronomy and of materials science and nanoengineering and the director of Rice’s Smalley-Curl Institute, is quoted.
Materials Today
http://bit.ly/2txLxjS

Sloan Foundation awards fellowships to 4 Georgia Tech, Emory faculty
An article mentions that alumna Eva Dyer has been awarded a research fellowship from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.
Georgia Tech Research Horizons (This article also appeared in Georgia Tech News.)
https://b.gatech.edu/2GSst7X

Washington U to offer grants for computers, living expenses
An article mentions The Rice Investment, an initiative offering full-tuition scholarships and grants to students from low- and middle-income families.
Education Dive
http://bit.ly/2GSy0eJ

Other materials stories that may be of interest
A roundup of materials stories highlights Rice’s research into laser-induced graphene that is combined with plastic, rubber, cement, wax or other materials to make composites with a wide range of possible applications.
American Ceramic Society
http://bit.ly/2GTmUX1 (Scroll down to “Laser-induced graphene gets tough, with help.”)

Modern monetary madness
Alumnus John Mauldin ’72 authored a blog post.
Goldseek News (This article also appeared in Before It’s News.)
http://bit.ly/2txBtYu

Mythology and young talent meet in SF Chamber Orchestra’s 1st opera outing
Alumnus Alex Rosen is featured.
San Francisco Classical Voice
http://bit.ly/2ttGLnH

Mikulska: LNG z Rosji zabunkrowane w Europie
Anna Mikulska, nonresident fellow in energy studies at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, authored an op-ed in Biznes Alert and is quoted in Occhi Della Guerra about Russia’s role in the liquefied natural gas market.
Biznes Alert (An English translation is not available.)
http://bit.ly/2tvypvZ
L’accordo europeo sul gas e lo scontro tra Oriente e Occidente
OcchiDellaGuerra.it (An English translation is not available.)
http://bit.ly/2GTm1xB

La arena sirve para purificar el agua
Rice is mentioned.
OK Diario (An English translation is not available.)
http://bit.ly/2twUhH4

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

Man with skin disorder shares story with Mason students
Martel College sophomore Shane DiGiovanna, who is a motivational speaker, is featured and pictured.
WHIO Online (This article also appeared in the Dayton Daily News online and print editions and in Journal-News.)
http://bit.ly/2tr8Zzw

9 Lee faculty receive tenure
An article mentions that Drew Bledsoe formerly taught at Rice.
Cleveland Daily Banner
http://bit.ly/2ttOAJV

Could ultracapacitors replace batteries in future electric vehicles?
An article mentions Rice’s graphene-based supercapacitors research.
EQ International
http://bit.ly/2GVIeen

SPORTS

Upset-filled week leads to significant late-season AP poll shakeup
An article featuring Rice’s women’s basketball team mentions that the Owls, who have won 15 straight games, are ranked No. 25 in the nation in the Associated Press’ Top 25 poll, marking the first time the program has appeared in the poll. Players Erica and Olivia Ogwumike are mentioned.
SB Nation
http://bit.ly/2GZFgpt
Women’s basketball: How Rice turned homegrown talent into a top-25 team
NCAA.com 
https://on.ncaa.com/2twfiBJ
Richey’s women’s basketball ballot breakdown: Feb. 19, 2019
Champaign/Urbana News-Gazette
http://bit.ly/2GQO7JO
Duke will invade the Carrier Dome as nation’s top-ranked basketball team
Rome Sentinel
http://bit.ly/2GUKjaE

Longhorns use big 3rd inning to take down Rice
Several articles mention that the University of Texas at Austin’s baseball team defeated Rice 11-4 at Reckling Park Feb. 19.
Houston Chronicle (This article also appeared in the Feb. 20 print edition and more than 25 other media outlets.)
http://bit.ly/2tzhPuR
http://bit.ly/2Vd0CU9
Father-son night at Texas-Rice
KHOU Online (This television segment also aired on KHOU-TV in Houston.)
http://bit.ly/2tvJqx2
Texas Longhorns beat Rice Owls in midweek baseball game
KVUE Online (This television segment also aired on KVUE-TV in Austin, Texas.)
http://bit.ly/2tuxR9r
‘KPRC Channel 2 News at 10 p.m.’
KPRC-TV (Houston)
http://bit.ly/2DVv6mp (This segment aired twice.)
Texas heads back to Austin with a winning record after taking down Rice on the road
Austin American-Statesman
http://bit.ly/2tu6iNz
The final pitch: Texas 11, Rice 4
Austin American-Statesman
http://bit.ly/2tuRsGx
Texas shows off powerhouse offense in 11-4 win over Rice
The Daily Texan
http://bit.ly/2GTtBrT
No. 23 baseball picks up 11-4 win at Rice
TexasSports.com
http://bit.ly/2V4LQi0
D1 Digest: Tuesday, Feb. 19
D1Baseball.com
http://bit.ly/2VawOr7
No. 23 Texas travels to Houston to face Rice
SB Nation
http://bit.ly/2GZFYmD
Texas travels to Houston for matchup with Rice
The Daily Texan
http://bit.ly/2GPNQqC
Texas remains No. 23 in D1 baseball rankings
SB Nation
http://bit.ly/2BFmIqY
KTXX-AM (Austin, Texas)
http://bit.ly/2BGXubu
No. 23 Texas finishes road trip on high note, pounds Rice, 11-4
247Sports.com
http://bit.ly/2GUnZxS
No. 23 Texas scores 8 unanswered runs, defeats Rice 11-4
SB Nation 
http://bit.ly/2GUnBiD
Kennedy, Todd, and Zubia pace No. 23 Texas to win over Rice
Best College Sports News Network
http://bit.ly/2tx4WBL

UA baseball still unbeaten this young season
An article mentions that the University of Arizona’s baseball team will play Rice Feb. 20 at Reckling Park.
KVOA Online (This television segment also aired on KVOA-TV in Tuscon, Ariz.)
http://bit.ly/2tvvp2A

Final round of All-American Intercollegiate canceled
An article mentions that Rice competed in the All-American Intercollegiate men’s golf tournament.
UTSA Athletics
http://bit.ly/2tr9FVA
Baylor men’s golf in 2nd heading to final round of All-American Intercollegiate
Waco Tribune-Herald (This article also appeared in The Eagle.)
http://bit.ly/2GSBjCQ
Rome headlines Day 2 of All-American Intercollegiate
UTSA Athletics
http://bit.ly/2tuHG7i

Transfer portal: Tracking players exploring transfer options
Former Rice football player Zach Abercrumbia is featured.
247Sports.com (This article also appeared in more than 10 other media outlets.)
http://bit.ly/2BeQ0fL

Pullen with big leap on US indoor circuit
An article mentions that Rice track and field athlete Hannah Jackson earned second place in the 200-meter race at the Conference USA Indoor Track and Field Championships.
Jamaica Star Online
http://bit.ly/2twFmg1

2019 NFL draft: Pro day schedule
An article mentions that an NFL pro day workout will be held at Rice March 25.
NFL.com
http://bit.ly/2tvncLC

‘Exceptional’ slot corner Bryce Callahan on Giants’ radar?
Former Rice football player Bryce Callahan is featured and pictured.
SB Nation (This article also appeared in Blogarama and Big Blue View.)
http://bit.ly/2ttI6uJ

Kentucky’s HS basketball playoffs start Monday. Here are 64 facts to get you ready.
An article mentions that Lauren Schwartz plans to play basketball at Rice.
Lexington Herald-Leader
http://bit.ly/2GSBU7y

NCAA, NFL Coaches Academy concludes in Tampa
An article mentions that Rice assistant football coach Jerry Mack attended the 2019 NCAA and NFL Coaches Academy.
NCAA.org
https://on.ncaa.com/2tvr2ok

Dayton cheerleaders tour college campuses, perform
An article mentions that the Dayton cheerleaders performed a halftime show during a Jan. 24 basketball game. Rice’s Lovett Hall is featured in the slideshow.
Houston Chronicle (This article also appeared in the Feb. 20 print edition and in more than 25 other media outlets.)
http://bit.ly/2GYUNWa

College basketball rankings: Duke, Gonzaga take over top 2 spots in Andy Katz’s newest Power 36 
Rice’s men’s basketball team is mentioned in an article Conference USA 2019 bonus play group rankings.
NCAA.com
https://on.ncaa.com/2twE3Oi

Ex-Houston coach Major Applewhite to join Alabama staff
Former Rice assistant football coach Major Applewhite is featured and pictured.
Houston Chronicle (This article also appeared in more than 25 other media outlets.)
http://bit.ly/2GYBVXk
http://bit.ly/2GQacs2

Caymanians’ visit pays off
Alumnus Kareem Streete-Thompson ’95 is mentioned.
Jamaica Gleaner
http://bit.ly/2tvrzGQ

La aventura de Marcelo Arévalo: Cómo es ser un tenista salvadoreño en el ATP Tour
Rice is mentioned.
La Nacion (An English translation is not available.)
http://bit.ly/2GSc2bY

NEWS RELEASES

Rice U. researchers unveil Internet of Things security feature
Rice integrated circuit designers are at Silicon Valley’s premier chip-design conference to unveil technology that is 10 times more reliable than current methods of producing unclonable digital fingerprints for Internet of Things (IoT) devices.
http://bit.ly/2V7BkGL

‘All the Presidents’ Man’ explores influence of Billy Graham 
Lauded as the “pastor to the presidents,” the late evangelist Billy Graham met with or gave counsel to every commander in chief from Harry Truman to Donald Trump. In a new report, “All the Presidents’ Man,” William Martin, the Harry and Hazel Chavanne Senior Fellow in Religion and Public Policy at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and author of the acclaimed biography “A Prophet with Honor: The Billy Graham Story,” explores the popular religious leader’s relationships with each of these presidents.
http://bit.ly/2V6XvNl

2 Rice faculty members awarded Sloan Research Fellowships
Two Rice faculty members have been selected as 2019 Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellows. Mark Torres, assistant professor of Earth, environmental and planetary sciences, was honored for his work in the field of ocean sciences, and Ming Yi, assistant professor of physics and astronomy, was awarded for physics. The two-year, $70,000 fellowships seek to stimulate fundamental research by early-career scientists and scholars while recognizing their distinguished performance and unique potential to make substantial contributions to their fields.
http://bit.ly/2V8OWS2