Chris Stipes

Rice president charts bold vision for growth, access in interview with The Chronicle of Higher Education

Rice President Reginald DesRoches offered a compelling and in-depth account of the university’s future during a one-on-one interview with The Chronicle of Higher Education’s Ian Wilhelm in Washington, D.C.

Extreme price variation at Houston hospitals continues, expert says

Houston hospitals show significant pricing differences in their procedures, according to a new brief from Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy. The research revisits the websites of the four largest Texas Medical Center (TMC) hospitals to assess whether they have followed federal hospital price transparency laws. The analysis focuses on the listed prices from Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center, HCA Houston Healthcare Medical Center, Houston Methodist Hospital and Memorial Hermann-TMC.

Rice President Reginald DesRoches honored by Phi Beta Kappa for outstanding contribution to education

Rice President Reginald DesRoches was recognized for his visionary leadership and lifelong commitment to education at the Phi Beta Kappa Alumni Association of Greater Houston’s Scholarship Awards Dinner, held April 23 at the Briar Club. DesRoches received the organization’s highest honor — Outstanding Contribution to Education — joining a distinguished group of leaders celebrated for their dedication to scholarship and public service.

Research takes center stage on Rice homepage amid national funding developments

With federal research funding in the headlines in recent months, Rice's Office of Public Affairs is spotlighting what’s at stake — and what’s possible — by putting the university’s research enterprise front and center on its newly updated homepage.

Light-based data made clearer with new machine learning method

Rice researchers have developed a new machine learning algorithm that excels at interpreting optical spectra, potentially enabling faster and more precise medical diagnoses and sample analysis.

Houston’s hidden financial divide: Thousands remain unbanked and unprepared for retirement

A report from Rice’s Kinder Institute highlights critical gaps in banking access, retirement savings and financial literacy.

Huff OEDK Showcase honors student ingenuity and impact

Student engineering teams at Rice demonstrated how hands-on design can drive real-world impact at the 2025 Huff OEDK Showcase and competition. Held April 17 at the Ion, the event featured 81 student teams, 93 judges and hundreds of visitors.

Graduate Student Spotlight: Thiago Pinheiro dos Santos ’25

For Thiago Pinheiro dos Santos, a doctoral candidate in chemical and biomolecular engineering from Brazil, research is a way to drive positive, meaningful impact across a wide range of real-world domains from energy innovation to medicine.

RBL LLC welcomes Devyn Smith to board of directors

RBL LLC announced the appointment of Devyn Smith to its board of directors.

Rice announces historic enrollment growth, expanding access and free tuition

Rice will increase access by growing the university’s student body, marking an unprecedented growth trajectory that began earlier this decade. The expansion is part of Rice’s commitment to access and is aligned with a strategic vision to solidify its position as a global leader in both teaching and research.

Rice scientists uncover quantum surprise: Matter mediates ultrastrong coupling between light particles

A team of Rice researchers has developed a new way to control light interactions using a specially engineered structure called a 3D photonic-crystal cavity that could enable transformative advancements in quantum computing, quantum communication and other quantum-based technologies.

Lilie announces 2025 Rice Innovation Fellows cohort

The Liu Idea Lab for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (Lilie) has introduced the 2025 Rice Innovation Fellows cohort, a dynamic group set to lead the future of scientist- and engineer-driven spinout ventures from Rice labs.

Rice University and MoreThan Capital form strategic partnership to advance innovation and entrepreneurship in Houston

Rice and MoreThan Capital are pleased to announce a strategic collaboration aimed at fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.

Intero Biosystems from University of Michigan wins Rice Business Plan Competition

Intero Biosystems — a life science company that has developed the first cell-derived human “minigut” replicating cell types, spatial structure and function of the human intestine — took home the grand prize at the 2025 Rice Business Plan Competition.

Graduate Student Spotlight: Tia Gray ’25

Tia Gray, a doctoral candidate in materials science and nanoengineering from Columbus, Georgia, found her way to Rice through the QuestBridge program.