News Releases

Shepherd's got a new (old) set of strings

Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music is feeling the holiday spirit early this year thanks to a generous friend who’s lending it a coveted Stradivarius violin — and letting a different student play the instrument each year.

Rice astronomer available to discuss James Webb Space Telescope

Rice astronomer Patrick Hartigan is available to comment on the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope.

Health departments for Houston, Harris County should consolidate or closely coordinate, new report recommends

While most large Texas cities are served by one public health agency, the presence of two health departments in the Houston area — one run by Harris County and one by the city — creates confusion and inefficiencies that could be reduced if they collaborated in a new way.

Swirling bacteria mimic Van Gogh’s ‘The Starry Night’

Scientists discovered a way to transform millions of predatory bacteria into swirling flash mobs reminiscent of painter Vincent Van Gogh’s “The Starry Night” as the unexpected result of experiments on a genetic circuit the creatures use to discern friend from foe.

Flutist Marianne Gedigian to join Rice's Shepherd School of Music

Marianne Gedigian, a seasoned international concert flutist and widely respected music educator, will join Rice University's Shepherd School of Music as professor of flute after the next academic year, starting July 1, 2023.

Experts to discuss role of oil in global energy transitions

Oil’s role in the global energy transitions will be the focus of an upcoming virtual and in-person event from Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.

‘Super trees’ may help save Houston … and beyond

Rice statisticians are part of a study sharing strategies to identify “super trees” for urban areas that help mitigate pollution, flooding and heat.

Rice’s Doerr Institute expands CoachRICE program to serve other institutions

The Doerr Institute for New Leaders at Rice University is expanding its CoachRICE leadership coaching program, providing other institutions of higher education with training to improve how they develop students as high-potential leaders.

Hurricane Harvey led to poorer physical, mental health among Houston adults

Hurricane Harvey had a significant impact on the mental and physical health of Houstonians, especially those living in areas that suffered the most structural damage, according to a new study from Rice University.

NSF grant supports study of cells’ early decisions

Rice University receives National Science Foundation support to build a model of cell differentiation during the earliest stage of life. The model could help improve researchers’ ability to direct stem cells to a given fate.

Should digital advertisers be taxed on the data they collect from us?

Is it legal — or even appropriate — for governments to tax digital advertisers on the user data collected from consumers? That’s one of the many questions public policy makers must grapple with as they look for new ways to collect taxes from the digital economy, according to a new policy brief from Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.

Patents as loan collateral can help businesses meet financial needs, study shows

Patents are becoming an innovative source of collateral for businesses borrowing money, and there’s a time-critical sweet spot for lenders trying to calculate how much those patents are worth, according to new research from Rice University experts and collaborators.

Microplastic pollution aids antibiotic resistance

Microplastics dispersed in the environment may enhance antibiotic resistance. A study led by Rice University found the chemical-leaching plastics draw bacteria and other vectors and make them susceptible to antibiotic resistant genes.

Omicron mutations may help SARS-CoV-2 evade antibodies

Software under development at Rice University and its partners reveals mutations in the omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 that may help it evade antibodies, including those from vaccinations.

Ruth López Turley named next director of Rice's Kinder Institute for Urban Research

HOUSTON – (Dec. 1, 2021) – Ruth López Turley, a prolific education researcher, professor of sociology and director of Rice University's Houston Education Research Consortium (HERC), has been selected as the next director of the university's Kinder Institute for Urban Research after current director Bill Fulton steps down June 30, 2022.