Rice scholar discusses First American pontiff, Pope Leo XIV
Rice sociologist and religious scholar Craig Considine is available to provide analysis and commentary on the Catholic Church’s next leader and the first American pontiff in history, Pope Leo XIV.
Senior Spotlight: Charlotte Cohen ’25
As Rice University prepares to celebrate the Class of 2025 at commencement May 9-10, Rice News is spotlighting a series of standout seniors.
‘Deeply meaningful’: Rice President Reginald DesRoches named ASCE distinguished member
Rice President Reginald DesRoches, a nationally recognized leader in resilient infrastructure and engineering education, has been elected to the 2025 class of distinguished members of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).
Persona AI expands in the Ion as Rice and Ion District support growth of AI innovation
Persona AI, the Houston-based humanoid robotics startup that recently closed $25 million in pre-seed funding, is significantly expanding its operations at the Ion, the Houston innovation hub powered by Rice.
OwlSpark announces students, alumni and staff selected for its 13th cohort
OwlSpark, Rice’s startup and small business accelerator for Rice-affiliated ventures, brings together 11 companies in the program’s 13th year who represent a new wave of entrepreneurs tackling challenges across technology, consumer products, health care and more. Since 2013, the accelerator has supported 229 founders and launched 104 ventures with participants collectively raising more than $116 million in funding.
New roadmap advances catalytic solutions to destroy ‘forever chemicals’
A team of researchers from Rice, Carnegie Mellon University and other leading global institutions has outlined a bold new roadmap for harnessing heterogeneous catalysis to destroy per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), the so-called “forever chemicals” that have contaminated water supplies worldwide.
Kosmos 482’s return being watched closely by Rice experts
Rice University experts are available to discuss Kosmos 482.
Rice professor Moshe Vardi honored for ‘moral courage’ at Holocaust Remembrance Gala
Rice's Moshe Vardi was honored with the Defender of Courage Award at the Holocaust Remembrance Association’s Upstanders Arise gala at the George Theater in Houston.
Christopher Johns-Krull to serve as interim EVP for research
Christopher Johns-Krull , professor of physics and astronomy, will serve as interim executive vice president for research, beginning July 1.
Sara Denison and Khoi Nguyen honored with Sallyport Award for service and leadership
Rice University students Sara Denison and Khoi Nguyen have been named this year’s recipients of the Sallyport Award, presented annually at commencement ceremonies by the Association of Rice Alumni to students who embody the “spirit of Rice” and exemplify a deep commitment to the university through service, leadership and dedication to the Rice community.
Rice will celebrate almost 3,000 graduates during commencement ceremonies
Rice will congratulate almost 3,000 students who have dutifully earned their college diplomas during commencement weekend May 9-10. For more information, including updates to the policies and procedures for commencement events, please visit the Rice commencement website.
Rice faculty experts discuss ethical guidelines for building responsible AI
Experts from Rice spoke about how AI is reshaping society, industry and human behavior.
Powered by play: Engineering students blend circuits, code and imagination
Everywhere you turned at the final showcase for Design of Mechatronic Systems, something moved, danced, blinked or spun.
