Former White House science advisor argues federal science investment won US economic prosperity
Neal Lane, senior fellow in science and technology policy at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is available to speak on the importance of science and technology policy and research to the economic and security aspirations of the United States.
Pattern Materials makes its mark in Houston
A Rice graduate student has launched a company aiming to make graphene production faster, cheaper and more scalable. Alex Lathem founded Pattern Materials in January to commercialize his proprietary laser-induced graphene and flash graphene technologies, which create graphene and carbon nanotube-like patterns in a single, rapid step. He believes these materials, known for their exceptional electrical conductivity, flexibility and strength, could significantly enhance the performance of sensors and other electronic devices.
Rice finance expert shows how the One Big Beautiful Bill Act could lead to increased national debt
The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” could modestly boost GDP and investment over time, but it would seriously increase the national debt, pushing the debt-to-GDP ratio from 98% to 122%, according to a new report from Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.
Rice experts available to speak on ‘One Big, Beautiful Bill’
The Senate narrowly approved President Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” on Tuesday, following a more than 24-hour series of amendment votes. The legislation includes spending on border security, defense and energy production while extending trillions in tax cuts, partially offset by reductions to healthcare and nutrition programs.
Rice University’s OpenStax partners with Microsoft for AI-enhanced learning
OpenStax, a provider of affordable instructional technologies and the world’s largest publisher of open educational resources, has partnered with Microsoft to integrate its trusted content into Microsoft’s latest learning innovation, Microsoft Learning Zone. Available on Microsoft Copilot+ PCs, Microsoft Learning Zone aims to provide educators and students with responsible AI technology and peer-reviewed educational content to support learning.
Rice scholars share expertise on Middle East topics as Israel-Iran conflict unfolds
Rice thought leaders are available to speak on the geopolitical implications of the Israel-Iran conflict, U.S. foreign policy strategy, oil market volatility and the ideological and historical forces shaping unrest.
Lilie Summer Venture Studio accelerator returns with 8 new student ventures
The Liu Idea Lab for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (Lilie) at Rice has unveiled the eight high-potential ventures selected for the third annual Lilie Summer Venture Studio accelerator program. Summer Venture Studio is Rice’s accelerator for high growth, high ambition founders, offering a deep dive into venture building and equipping student-led teams with the funding, mentorship and resources needed to bring their bold ideas to life.
The Natural Disaster Resilience dashboard from Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy compares combinations of demographics and disasters to show impacts over time and provides evidence that policy and regulation need to prioritize infrastructure resilience.
Rice Business trains leaders on campus and on-site with executive programs
Rice Business Executive Education offers custom-made programs for companies that want to strengthen leadership, enhance culture or address specific management challenges or organizational opportunities. Phillips 66 leaders approached the Executive Education team to develop a custom program focused on leadership, strategy, change management and financial decision-making.
Staff from every corner of campus came together June 3 to enjoy the annual Ice Cream Social hosted by Rice’s Staff Council.
Bob Dittmar named associate dean of Rice’s Virani Undergraduate School of Business
Rice Business is pleased to announce that Bob Dittmar, the Houston Endowment Professor of Finance, has been appointed associate dean of the Virani Undergraduate School of Business, effective July 1.
The Liu Idea Lab for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Rice is proud to announce that HEXAspec, a cutting-edge spinout from the lab of professor Jun Lou, has been awarded a $500,000 National Science Foundation Partnership for Innovation grant. The funding will support HEXAspec’s work to enhance the future of computing by substantially improving the thermal conductivity of chips.
Mayor Whitmire provides Houston update at Rice’s Baker Institute
Houston Mayor John Whitmire and Rice Baker Institute of Public Policy fellow Ed Emmett discussed Houston’s challenges and opportunities to a packed house May 29 at Baker Hall on Rice’s campus.
Energy and health care industries come together at the Business Collaborative for Brain Health
The Business Collaborative for Brain Health, an alliance of private sector partners developing effective solutions to optimize cognitive health, hosted a program May 21 and 22 that brought together two of Houston’s largest industries: energy and health care.
Ruth Simmons and David Satterfield discuss future of DEI in higher education
David Satterfield, director of Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, sat down with Ruth Simmons, the President’s Distinguished Fellow and former president of Brown University, Smith College and Prairie View A&M University, for a reflective conversation on the mounting pressures reshaping American higher education.
