Current News

Flatfish got weird fast due to evolutionary cascade

Flatfishes rapidly evolved into the most asymmetric vertebrates by changing multiple traits at once, according to a Rice University study.

Courtney Hall, Owl football star recently named as trustee, dies at 52

Courtney Hall, a renowned Rice athlete whose career in football took him to the Super Bowl and career in finance took him to Wall Street, has died unexpectedly at the age of 52.

Social Sciences in the summer: Timely issues on tap for upcoming courses

Summer will be here soon, but Rice's School of Social Sciences isn't taking a vacation from learning. A variety of classes focusing on timely social, political and economic issues are being offered during the summer term.

Rice approves new Master of Engineering Management and Leadership degree

The graduate program will launch on campus this fall and online in spring 2022.

Annual student club awards recognize efforts in diversity, creativity and inclusion

The third annual Club Awards recognized those who helped keep the university community engaged during a difficult school year.

Brain Drain team tops Engineering Design Showcase

A student-designed implantable pump to help relieve pressure on the brains of patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus or idiopathic intracranial hypertension has won the top prize in this year’s Brown School of Engineering Design Showcase.

Neural nets used to rethink material design

The microscopic structures and properties of materials are intimately linked, and customizing them is a challenge. Rice University engineers are determined to simplify the process through machine learning.

Student startups awarded $65,000 at 2021 Napier Rice Launch Challenge

A mobile app to help prevent veteran suicide is one of the products created by three student startups that claimed the top prizes at this year's edition of Rice University’s H. Albert Napier Rice Launch Challenge (NRLC).

Unconventional Students at Rice 2021: Khayla Patel runs with a purpose

When Khayla Patel’s parents pushed her to try track and field at Houston’s Memorial High School, she had no idea it would lead her to Rice. “I tried one practice and I fell in love with it,” she said. “And that's where my running career set off.” Under Rice women’s track and field coach Jim Bevan, the cross-country runner has achieved All-Conference USA status, won the Rice Invitational and helped her team win a conference championship.  

Help may be at hand for hair-pulling

People who compulsively pull their hair – suffering from an affliction known as trichotillomania – could find relief with a device created by Rice University students.

'Become human again' to address social, environmental challenges

"Hyposubjects: on becoming human," a new book from Rice professors Timothy Morton and Dominic Boyer, takes an experimental approach to thinking about the social and environmental challenges of our times.

Wearable glucose monitors shed light on progression of Type 2 diabetes in Hispanic/Latino adults

In one of the first studies of its kind, medical and engineering researchers have shown wearable devices that continuously monitor blood sugar provide new insights into the progression of Type 2 diabetes among at-risk Hispanic/Latino adults.

Students wonder what to do with old windmill blades

Wind power has a bright future, but what happens when wind turbines power down? A worn blade the length of a football field isn’t easy to recycle.

Rice U. expert available to discuss President Biden's first joint session address

EXPERT ALERT Rice U. expert available to discuss President Biden's first joint session address HOUSTON – (April 28, 2021) – President Joe Biden will make his first address to a joint session of Congress this evening, and Rice University political scientist Paul Brace is available to discuss what to expect.

Rice names architect for new engineering and science building

With the imminent demolition of Rice University’s Abercrombie Engineering Laboratory, the space will soon be cleared for a new engineering and science building, according to Rice administrators. International architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) has been selected as lead architect for the new building. Houston’s Scientia Architects will consult on laboratory design.