News Releases

Rice names campus grove in honor of Rev. William Lawson

Rice University has announced it will name part of its campus central quadrangle The Reverend William A. Lawson Grove.

Quantum Hall effect 'reincarnated' in 3D topological materials

U.S. and German physicists have found surprising evidence of a link between the 2D quantum Hall effect and 3D topological materials that could be used in quantum computing.

Calm before COVID-19: 2020 Kinder Houston Area Survey reveals growing sense of solidarity, empathy ahead of pandemic

HOUSTON – (May 18, 2020) – When surveyed in February and early March — on the brink of the coronavirus pandemic — Houstonians expressed a deeper sense of mutual trust, empathy and solidarity than ever before, with growing numbers of people calling for policies to reduce inequalities and improve public schools, according to the 2020 Kinder Houston Area Survey.

Early Bird uses 10 times less energy to train deep neural networks

Rice engineers have found a way to train deep neural networks for a fraction of the energy required today. Their Early Bird method finds key network connectivity patterns early in training.

Internationally acclaimed soprano Nova Thomas named professor of voice at Rice

HOUSTON – (May 18, 2020) – Internationally acclaimed soprano Nova Thomas has been appointed a professor of voice at Rice University's Shepherd School of Music. She begins July 1.

Economic benefits of illegal immigration outweigh the costs, Baker Institute study shows

HOUSTON – (May 18, 2020) – The economic benefits of illegal immigration are greater than the costs of the public services utilized, according to an expert at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.

Tools for space are food for thought on Earth

Rice University student teams present their 3D tool database designs to NASA and help spread the word to high schoolers about the value of a STEM education.

Virtual Rice University commencement set for Saturday

HOUSTON -- (May 15, 2020) – Rice’s Class of 2020 will be honored this weekend in a ceremony unlike any other in the university’s history. Instead of unfolding as usual in the Academic Quad, with graduates and their loved ones gathered on the grassy centerpiece of the campus, Rice’s 107th commencement will be a series of virtual events celebrated online. One video presentation will honor undergraduates, another will honor recipients of advanced degrees and another will recognize recipients of doctoral degrees.

2D sandwich sees molecules with clarity

A 2D platform of molybdenum, sulfur and selenium is adept at detecting biomolecules via surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. Its nonmetallic nature helps by curtailing background noise.

Can COVID-19 spread through fecal matter?

HOUSTON – (May 14, 2020) – Early studies show evidence of COVID-19 genetic material in fecal matter, but more work is needed to determine if the virus can be spread through stool, according to a new review paper from a Rice University epidemiologist.

Rice engineer wins grant to study temperature and coronavirus

Rice mechanical engineer Daniel Preston wins a National Science Foundation grant to study the effect of varying temperatures on the lifetime of the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic.

Energy independence in Ukraine requires industrial, social reform

HOUSTON – (May 12, 2020) – Energy independence for Ukraine will require a modernization of its natural gas industry as well as targeted social policies, according to experts at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and Adam Mickiewicz University in Poland.

State revenue declines lead to cuts in children's Medicaid benefits, education spending, Rice experts say

HOUSTON -- (May 11, 2020) – States facing sudden drops in tax revenue amid the pandemic are announcing deep cuts to their Medicaid programs just as millions of newly jobless Americans are surging onto the rolls. Children could be disproportionately affected, because the percentage of Medicaid spending that states have to bear for adults is much lower, according to health economics experts at Rice University.

Miah Im named new opera studies director at Rice

HOUSTON – (May 11, 2020) – Canadian-born pianist Miah Im will take the helm as director of opera studies for Rice University's Shepherd School of Music July 1.

2D oxide flakes pick up surprise electrical properties

Rice University researchers find evidence of piezoelectricity in lab-grown, two-dimensional flakes of molybdenum dioxide.