Chris Stipes

OpenStax algebra curriculum receives unanimous approval in Texas

OpenStax, the world’s largest publisher of open educational resources based at Rice, announced that its algebra curriculum has received unanimous approval from the Texas State Board of Education. With this approval, the curriculum has been added to the Texas Instructional Materials Allocation list, underscoring OpenStax’s commitment to providing secondary educators with affordable, high-quality resources that support student success.

Rice-BCM research achieves gene-editing breakthrough that could improve treatment for liver disease, other disorders

The Rice lab of bioengineer Gang Bao and collaborators at Baylor College of Medicine have developed a new gene-editing strategy that dramatically boosts the effectiveness of gene therapies in the liver, a breakthrough that could lead to new treatments for about 700 genetic disorders in this vital organ as well as in other organs and tissues.

Rice’s Lydia Kavraki elected to National Academy of Engineering

Rice computer scientist Lydia Kavraki has been elected to the National Academy of Engineering, one of the highest professional honors accorded to an engineer, for her work on “developing randomized motion-planning algorithms for robotics and robotics-inspired methods in biomedicine.”

Mothers with incarcerated children shoulder emotional and financial burdens

The financial and emotional toll borne by mothers whose adult children have experienced incarceration is often overlooked but can exacerbate financial burdens, especially for Black mothers, according to new research from Rice sociologist Brielle Bryan.

‘Smaller and better’: Rice research uncovers performance sweet spot for relaxor nanomaterial

A new study led by Rice materials scientist Lane Martin sheds light on how the extreme miniaturization of thin films affects the behavior of relaxor ferroelectrics — materials with noteworthy energy-conversion properties used in sensors, actuators and nanoelectronics.

Caught in the crossfire: How political attacks erode public trust in local news

Local news outlets, long seen as the most trusted source for keeping communities informed, are facing a new challenge: political attacks that are chipping away at public trust.

Rice-BCM research enables detection of hazardous chemicals in human placentas with unprecedented speed and precision

Rice scientists and collaborators at Baylor College of Medicine have demonstrated a new method for detecting the presence of dangerous chemicals from tobacco smoke in human placentas with unprecedented speed and precision.

Rice Nexus grand opening event Feb. 14

Rice will officially open the Rice Nexus, its flagship innovation factory located in the heart of Houston’s vibrant Ion District.

Halas awarded Benjamin Franklin Medal in Chemistry

Rice’s Naomi Halas is the recipient of the 2025 Benjamin Franklin Medal in chemistry, awarded “for the creation and development of nanoshells — metal-coated nanoscale particles that can capture light energy — for use in many biomedical and chemical applications.”

Rice computer science professor receives Secretary of Energy Achievement Award

Rice’s John Mellor-Crummey was honored in January with a Secretary of Energy Achievement Award as a member of the leadership team of the Department of Energy’s seven-year, $1.8 billion Exascale Computing Project.

Baker Institute for Public Policy renames 2 key research centers to strengthen focus on vital policy issues

Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy has renamed two of its key research centers to reflect their evolving missions and strengthen their impact on policy debates.

Trump’s tariff gambit: Rice experts weigh in on economic, political fallout

As President Donald Trump imposes new tariffs on imports from Canada and China, Rice offers a cadre of experts ready to provide in-depth analysis on the economic and political implications of the new policies.

Rice computer scientists develop solutions for making AI models more efficient and customizable

A team of researchers at Rice is working on solutions to make AI models less expensive and more accessible, customizable and environmentally friendly.

How Rice is using generative AI to enhance research security, saving hundreds of expert hours each week

Rice researchers have developed a tool designed to make identifying and analyzing research security risks more efficient and effective. The new tool, called PRISM (Preventive RISk Monitoring), leverages advanced artificial intelligence technologies to help with rapidly evolving federal regulations and protect against potential reputational and financial risks.

Rice researchers lead project using quantum phenomenon to transform super-resolution imaging

A multidisciplinary team of researchers from Rice and Texas A&M has received a $1.2 million award from the W.M. Keck Foundation to advance super-resolution imaging and single-molecule tracking by harnessing super-radiance, a quantum optical phenomenon with transformative potential for research and innovation in medicine, engineering and the physical sciences.