Propelling the future of prosthetics
April 1, 2025
Pranai Reddy, a senior studying business management, biochemistry and entrepreneurship, has spent his time at Rice University figuring out how to improve the usability in prosthetic hands and how to give students a hands-on learning experience in venture capital.
Rice’s Harris explains complexities of proposed state bill to ban hemp products
March 20, 2025
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick recently held a press conference on SB 3, a bill to ban all hemp products with cannabinoids other than cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabigerol (CBG) in Texas. An expert on drug policy from Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy is available to explain the bill and comment on the implications of the policy.
Energy transition is also a tech transition, Rice experts stress
March 18, 2025
Rice research was well represented at CERAWeek, the annual energy conference in Houston. It provides a global and high-level framework for understanding what’s ahead for energy markets and forums to exchange insights and solutions among academic and industry peers.
Energy Venture Day at CERAWeek selects 9 ‘most promising’ startups
March 17, 2025
Nine companies were named most promising at the annual Rice Alliance Energy Venture Day and Pitch Competition at CERAWeek March 12, co-hosted with the Houston Energy Transition Initiative and TEX-E. The event showcases energy ventures driving efficiency and advancements toward the energy transition through fields such as carbon management, advanced manufacturing, hydrogen, grid technology and more. This year’s competition was a qualifying event for the Startup World Cup, powered by Pegasus Ventures. The top-scoring venture is invited to compete in the grand finale and a $1 million investment prize.
Former presidential advisers discuss their role shaping science policy
March 12, 2025
Three former presidential science advisers spoke with the director of Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy March 5 to discuss the critical role of science and technology in a complex world. The conversation explored the panelists’ experiences leading the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and the office’s critical role in shaping national policies to advance science, technology, innovation and higher education.
Racial earning gap in gig work eliminated through new rating system
March 10, 2025
A new study published in Nature uncovers a hidden problem — racial bias in customer evaluations — which led to a 9% income gap between white and non-white gig workers in a home services platform. The study also proposes an unexpected but simple solution: changing how customers rate workers from a five-star to a thumbs-up/thumbs-down system.
Veterans Business Battle returns to Rice March 13-14
March 10, 2025
Rice Business is hosting its 11th annual Veterans Business Battle — a forum for veterans to connect with investors, advisers and resources. Each year, the event gives military veterans an opportunity to pitch business ideas for a chance to raise capital.