Dateline Rice for Jan. 16, 2024 (Weekend Edition)

dateline rice

FEATURED ITEMS

Rice University launches Synthetic Biology Institute, aims to partner with health care, energy companies
An article features the news that Rice has launched the Rice Synthetic Biology Institute, which will support research designing new types of living systems for applications in medicine, manufacturing and environmental sustainability. Caroline Ajo-Franklin, professor of biosciences, will lead the institute. Ajo-Franklin, President Reginald DesRoches and Ramamoorthy Ramesh, executive vice president for research and professor of materials science and nanoengineering and physics and astronomy, are quoted. A roundup by the Association of American Universities features this news and quotes DesRoches, and it mentions that DesRoches was slated to join Houston's mayor to walk in the city's MLK Day parade Jan. 15. 
Houston Business Journal
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-ajo.franklin-desroches-ramesh
'Leading Research Universities Report,' Jan. 15, 2023
Association of American Universities
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-desroches
KTRH-AM (Houston)
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-ktrh

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

Why Affordable Care Act coverage has record enrollment
Vivian Ho, the James A. Baker III Institute Chair in Health Economics at the Baker Institute for Public Policy's Center for Health and Biosciences, is quoted.
Marketplace with Kai Ryssdal (This segment aired on more than 600 affiliate stations across the U.S.)
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-ho

Texas says its power grid is strong. It's about to get tested.
Daniel Cohan, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering and a Rice Faculty Scholar at the Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted.
The New York Times (This article also appeared in the Jan. 14 print edition.)
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-cohan
Are induction stoves that much safer than gas? We tested them.
The Washington Post
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-cohan
Hundreds of ERCOT power facility inspections were not completed before winter blast
NBC DFW (This segment also aired five times on KXAS-TV in Dallas.)
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-cohan
ERCOT says grid is 'absolutely ready' for freeze, forecast shows power demand near supply Tuesday
NBC DFW
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-cohan
This is when ERCOT predicts we could see rolling blackouts
MSN Weather (This Click2Houston article appeared in a previous edition of Dateline.)
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-cohan
'KHOU 11 News'
KHOU-TV (Houston)
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-cohan (This segment aired twice.)
KUT-FM (Austin)
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-cohan (This segment aired twice, and it aired on seven affiliate stations on Texas Public Radio.)

Exclusive: Top Biden aid official for Gaza will soon leave post
David Satterfield, director of Rice's Baker Institute for Public Policy and U.S. Department of State's Special Envoy for Middle East Humanitarian Issues, is featured.
Huffington Post (This article also appeared in Huffington Post UK, MSN and 10 other media outlets.)
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-satterfield

US, allies attack Houthis in Yemen: Why, who are the Houthis?
Richard Sindelar, nonresident scholar in global diplomacy at Rice's Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted.
Yahoo! News (This article originally appeared in Fox 26 Online, and this segment also aired three times on KRIV-TV in Houston.)
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-sindelar

Some hints on Trump's popularity collected in Iowa
Mark Jones, the Joseph D. Jamail Chair in Latin American Studies, professor of political science and fellow in political science at Rice's Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted.
The Mainichi
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-jones
KXNT-AM (Las Vegas)
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-jones (This segment aired twice.)

EYES CROSSED: Most drivers see three different roads — if you can work out which are the same in 5 seconds you have a high IQ
An article features research by James Pomerantz, a professor emeritus of psychological sciences at Rice, and alumna Kimberley Orsten.
The U.S. Sun
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-pomerantz-orsten

Rice University unveils 'Afrochemistry' class that will 'explore the intersection of racial justice and chemistry' — dubbing it 'the study of Black-Life Matter'
An article mentions that Rice is offering the course "Afrochemistry: The Study of Black-Life Matter." Brooke Johnson, DEI office staff member and preceptor in chemistry, is quoted.
Daily Mail (This article also appeared in MSN Great Britain.)
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-johnson
Rice University offers 'Afrochemistry' course for spring semester to study 'Black-Life Matter'
The Washington Examiner (This article also appeared in The Denver Gazette.)
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-johnson
Rice University mocked for 'Afrochemistry' course on 'inequities in chemistry and chemical education'
Fox News (This article also appeared in MSN.)
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-fox
KLIF-AM (Dallas)
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-klif (This segment aired five times, and a similar segment also aired twice on Newsmax.)

Historians panel discusses teaching about the Israel-Hamas War
Ussama Makdisi, former professor of history at Rice, is quoted.
Daily Kos
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-dk

HOUSTON/TEXAS

'Next golden age of Texas state parks': Officials prepare to spend $1 billion on new parkland
Alumna Joyce Beebe, a fellow in public finance at Rice's Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted.
Houston Chronicle 
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-beebe

Texas-Squared Startup Newsletter No. 434
A roundup features Brad Burke, managing director of the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship, who has been named associate vice president for industry and new ventures.
Texas-Squared Startup on Medium
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-burke

MFAH's Festival of Films from Iran returns as the country again is in the news
An article mention that Rice Cinema will screen films as part of the 31st Annual Festival of Films from Iran. Charles Dove, professor in the practice of visual arts and film and director of Rice Cinema, is quoted.
Houston Chronicle (This article also appeared in MSN Movies.)
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-dove

Lucrative songbirds trafficked in Houston, sold for hundreds of dollars, feds say
Rafael Marcondes, an Ecology, Evolution and Behavior Fellow in biosciences at Rice, is quoted.
Houston Chronicle (This article appeared in the Jan. 16 print edition and was in a previous edition of Dateline.)
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-marcondes

Bottled water has 'orders of magnitude' more plastic than once known
Michael Wong, the Tina and Sunit Patel Professor in Molecular Nanotechnology, a professor and chair of chemical and biomolecular engineering and a professor of chemistry, materials science and nanoengineering and of civil and environmental engineering, is quoted.
Houston Chronicle (This article appeared in the Jan. 14 print edition and was in a previous edition of Dateline.)
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-wong

MLK would have supported Harris County's guaranteed income program (Opinion)
An article cites the 2023 Houston Area Survey, which is conducted annually by Rice's Kinder Institute for Urban Research.
Houston Chronicle 
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-hc

Renovated Regal MarqE brings modern moviegoing experience closer to Houston's core
Rice Cinema is mentioned.
Houston Chronicle (This article also appeared on the front of the Star section in the Jan. 13 print edition.)
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-hc

Follow a London tabloid writer's tour of Houston's 'phenomenal' food scene
Rice is mentioned.
Houston Chronicle (This article also appeared in MSN Travel and 10 other media outlets.)
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-hc
Considering going test-optional? Here's what Texas seniors should know.
Houston Chronicle (This article also appeared in the Jan. 14 print edition.)
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-hc
3 bedroom home in College Station — $489,000
The Eagle
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-eagle
Top immigration attorney discusses border and Texas SB4, calls for more asylum officers and judges
TexasGOPVote.com
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-tgv

PVAMU joins Gulf Scholars Program; will empower students to become 'change agents' in Gulf Region
An article mentions that Rice is one of 18 universities comprising the Gulf Scholars Program.
Prairie View A&M University News
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-pvamu

City of Houston awards grants to arts nonprofits
An article mentions Rice's Moody Center for the Arts.
Glasstire
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-gt

BROADCAST

ABC News (Australia)
Kory Evans, assistant professor of natural sciences, is interviewed about the importance of fish in oceans.
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-evans (This segment aired on more than 60 affiliate stations.)

'Great Day Houston'
Ruth Simmons, the Rice President's Distinguished Fellow and trustee emerita, is featured.
KHOU-TV (Houston)
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-simmons

Best Life: Inflammatory sensors
An article features Rice research into a new treatment for inflammatory bowel disease. Jeffrey Tabor, associate professor of bioengineering, is quoted.
Action 5 Online (This segment also aired six times.)
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-tabor

Health Spotlight: The HAMR fights cancer
An article features Rice research into using a cytokine "drug factory" to treat cancer. Omid Veiseh, associate professor of bioengineering and faculty director of the Rice Biotech Launch Pad accelerator, is quoted.
WISH TV Online (This segment aired four times.)
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-veiseh

Tuesday school closings, delays due to weather
An article mentions that Rice has moved to remote classes for Tuesday, Jan. 16, due to inclement weather.
KHOU Online
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-khou
Arctic blast continues: More than 100 ice-related crashes since midnight, police say
Houston Public Media
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-hpm
'Noticias Telemundo Texas'
KTMD-TV (Houston)
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-ktmd (This segment aired twice.)

'Fox 11 News'
A broadcast features Rice research using molecules that vibrate strongly when stimulated by light to destroy cancer cells. James Tour, the T.T. and W.F. Chao Professor of Chemistry and a professor of materials science and nanoengineering, is interviewed.
KRXI-TV (Reno, Nevada)
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-tour (This segment aired 3 times.)
'News 13'
WLOS-TV (Greenville, South Carolina)
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-wlos (This segment aired 25 times.)

How a collegiate athlete turned her personal struggles into a children’s book, 'Anxious Annie'
Former Rice track and field athlete Cali Werner, who wrote a children's book titled "Anxious Annie" about running and mental health, is featured.
Houston Public Media
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-werner

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Looming US election spells additional uncertainty for gas industry
Steven Miles, fellow in global natural gas in the Center for Energy Studies at Rice's Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted.
Natural Gas World
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-miles

Spiraling phonons turn a paramagnetic material into a magnet
An article features collaborative Rice research exposing cerium fluoride to ultrafast pulses of light. Co-author Hanyu Zhu, assistant professor of materials science and nanoengineering and a Rice Academy Senior Fellow, is quoted.
Physics World
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-zhu

This foldable display-projector combo might be the only one you need
An article mentions Rice's startup accelerator.
Interesting Engineering
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-ie
 
The meteorites that made Earth were filled with water
An article mentions that experts at Rice collaborated on the featured research.
Universe Today
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-ut

Talea Ensemble and Harlem Chamber Players release Julius Eastman's 'Femenine'
An article mentions that the Talea Ensemble will be in residence at Rice.
BroadwayWorld
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-bw

Multilingual pharmacists create bridge of communication, access for patients
An article mentions that Rice offers self-paced online Spanish courses designed specifically for health care professionals.
Pharmacy Times
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-pt

Mexico's 2024 election could spark violent criminal realignments
An article cites the 2024 Mexico Country Outlook report authored by experts at Rice's Baker Institute for Public Policy.
InSight Crime
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-isc

USGC adds staff, SAF consultant to boost operations around the world
An article features alumnus Mark Ingebretson.
Ethanol Producer Magazine
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-ingebretson

ETHOS unleashed: Revolutionizing 5G network testing
An article mentions that experts at Rice and the University of Texas are creating a 5G network-testing framework called ETHOS.
Interesting Engineering
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-ie

PREVIEW | Alliance Française Toronto presents a concert by candlelight with Quatuor Alliance
A roundup features alumnus Hezekiah Leung.
Ludwig Van Toronto
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-leung

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

Sam Fox School spring Public Lecture Series begins Jan. 26
A roundup mentions that Timothy Morton, the Rita Shea Guffey Chair in English, will speak at Washington University in St. Louis as part of the Public Lecture Series May 6.
Washington University in St. Louis' The Source
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-morton

Craig Kent is the highest paid executive in Virginia higher education. But how is his salary determined?
An article mentions that Rice's Baker Institute for Public Policy collaborated on research into North Carolina's hospital system.
The Daily Progress
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-dp

Adriana E. Ramírez: What do we make of the moon?
Alumna Adriana Ramírez authored an op-ed. President John F. Kennedy's "moon speech," which was delivered at Rice Sept. 12, 1962, is mentioned.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (This article also appeared in MSN.)
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-ramirez
Medical innovation must shift focus from common problems to unsolvable ones
Med City News
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-mcn
Video and transcript: Gov. Jared Polis' 2024 Colorado State of the State address
KSUT Online
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-ksut
WPTF-AM (Raleigh, North Carolina)
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-wptf

Syracuse University to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. at JMA Dome event
An article features alumna Talithia Williams.
Syracuse.com (This article also appeared in MSN.)
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-williams

El IFCA participa en la búsqueda de partículas ‘exóticas’ dentro de la colaboración CMS del CERN
Rice is mentioned.
El Faradio
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-ef

SPORTS

'Wake Up! with SallyMac & Lina'
A broadcast features former Rice football player Jack Fox, who won a recent playoff game with the Detroit Lions. Former Owl Austin Trammel, who plays with the Los Angeles Rams, is mentioned.
KRIV-TV (Houston)
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-fox-trammel

'The Finish Line'
Rice's head men's track and field coach Jon Warren, who co-hosted the coverage of the Houston Marathon, is quoted.
KTRK-TV (Houston)
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-warren
'2024 Chevron Houston Marathon'
KTRK-TV (Houston)
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-warren
Weini Kelati breaks American record at Houston Half Marathon
Flotrack
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-warren

Rice University’s baseball team to participate in first-ever Puerto Rico Challenge in 2025
An article mentions that Rice's baseball team has been selected for the inaugural Puerto Rico Challenge, which will be held Feb. 13-16, 2025. The Owls will start their current season with a three-game series agains the University of Notre Dame Feb. 16. Head baseball coach Jose Cruz Jr. is quoted.
Houston Business Journal
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-cruz

Tech AD Eric Wood leaving for Ole Miss
An article mentions Director of Athletics Tommy McClelland 
Ruston Daily Leader
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-mcclelland

Sources: Rice to hire veteran Power 5 wide receivers coach
Rice head football coach Mike Bloomgren is mentioned.
FootballScoop.com
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-bloomgren

Local Lycoming players return to area in loss to SU
Rice head men's basketball coach Scott Pera is mentioned.
The Daily Item
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-di

Pryor scores 29 in South Florida’s 81-73 win over Rice
An article mentions that Rice's men's basketball team lost to the University of South Florida 81-73 Jan. 12.
The Associated Press (This article also appeared in more than 30 other media outlets.)
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-ap
South Florida defeats Rice, 81-73
TheAmerican.org
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-the.american
Pryor's career night leads South Florida to comeback victory against Rice
GoUSFBulls.com
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-usf
Memphis' Quinerly, Tulsa's Haggerty earn weekly honors
TheAmerican.org
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-the.american

Bulls drop close battle to Rice
An article mentions that Rice's women's basketball team defeated the University of South Florida 67-64 Jan. 14.
GoUSFBulls.com (An excerpt also appeared in the Jan. 15 print edition of the Houston Chronicle.)
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-usf
Bulls head West for pairing with Rice on ESPNU
GoUSFBulls.com
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-usf
Blasigh earns fourth AAC Freshman of the Week honor
GoUSFBulls.com
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-usf
UTSA wins double overtime thriller at Charlotte
TheAmerican.org
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-the.american
SMU's Young, South Florida's Blasigh earn weekly women's basketball honors
TheAmerican.org
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-the.american
'KPRC Channel 2 News'
KPRC-TV (Houston)
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-kprc (This segment aired twice.)

Charlotte closes out Texas road trip at Rice Tuesday evening
An article mention that Rice's men's basketball team is slated to play the University of North Carolina at Charlotte Jan. 16.
Charlotte49ers.com
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-49ers
Igor Milicic Jr. named to AAC Honor Roll following pair of conference wins
Charlotte49ers.com
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-49ers
Niners begin Texas road trip against UTSA Saturday evening
Charlotte49ers.com
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-49ers
Spectrum News (North Carolina)
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-spectrum (This segment aired 11 times.)

Pirates host Rice for Education Day Wednesday
An article mentions that Rice's women's basketball team is slated to play East Carolina University Jan. 17.
ECUPirates.com
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-ecu
Pirates fall at Tulane, 81-55
ECUPirates.com
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-ecu

Men's tennis travels to Wake Forest Monday for season opener
Former Rice tennis player Dylan Heap is featured.
ElonPhoenix.com
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-ep

Texas signs Steve Sarkisian to a 4-year contract extension
An article mentions last season's football game between Rice and the University of Texas at Austin.
KSAT Online
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-ksat

Charlotte women's basketball defeats Rice 61-54 in road AAC battle
An article mentions that Rice's women's basketball team lost to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte 61-54 Jan. 11.
Niner Times
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-nt

2024 Pro Swim Series — Knoxville: Day 4 prelims live recap
Alumna and former Rice swimmer Ahalya Lettenberger is featured.
SwimSwam
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-lettenberger
Speedo welcomes American Paralympian silver medalist Ahalya Lettenberger to the team
SwimSwam
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-lettenberger

WWII roundtable program sponsored by Alliance Bank
An article features former Rice assistant football coach John Pearce.
Front Porch News
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-fpn

'We need to do better': Georgia football ranks last in FBS in latest NCAA graduation rates
An article mentions that Rice was recognized by the American Football Coaches Association for a 100 percent graduation rate for members of the 2006 freshman class.
Athens Banner-Herald
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-abh

MBB: HCU vs. Northwestern State Monday; game moved to 2 pm
An article mentions that Rice hosted the Darius Lee Classic last season. 
HCUHuskies.com
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-hcu

WBB preview: At North Texas (Jan. 14)
An article mentions that the Rice women's basketball team defeated Wichita State University 76-64 Jan. 3.
GoShockers.com
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-shockers

Arizona QB Jayden de Laura transferring to Texas State as civil case nears new settlement
An article mentions that Rice's football team lost to Texas State University 45-21 in the First Responder Bowl Dec. 26.
Tucson.com
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-tucson

Owls take on SMU on Tuesday night
An article mentions that Rice's men's basketball team is slated to play Temple University Jan. 20.
OwlSports.com
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-temple

Liam McNeeley to become a fourth generation college player at Indiana
An article mentions former Rice basketball player Ashley McNeeley. 
The Springfield Student
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-tss

Jordan Johnson explodes for 40 points, UNO wins again at home
An article mentions former Rice basketball player Mason Jones.
Nola.com
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-nola

2024 team preview: Cy-Fair Bobcats
An article mentions that Isaac Robles has committed to play baseball at Rice.
Prep Baseball
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-pb

Aggies baseball opens as preseason top 10 — Texas A&M athletics tracker
An article mentions that Rice's baseball team is slated to play Texas A&M University May 7.
Sports Illustrated's All Aggies
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-si

Oklahoma State football hires new defensive line coach
An article features former Rice assistant football coach Paul Randolph.
Sports Illustrated's All Pokes
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-si

'Major League Baseball'
A broadcast mentions former former Rice head baseball coach Wayne Graham.
MLB (This segment aired three times.)
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-graham

NEWS RELEASES

Rice engineers propose hybrid urban water sourcing model
Houston's water and wastewater system could be more resilient with the development of hybrid urban water supply systems that combine conventional, centralized water sources with reclaimed wastewater, according to a study by Rice engineers published in Nature Water.
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-news-release-stadler-li-osorio

Rice chemists find new way to rid boron nitride nanotubes of impurities
Rice scientists in the lab of Angel Martí have uncovered a new way to make high-purity boron nitride nanotubes, hollow cylindrical structures that can withstand temperatures of up to 900 degrees Celsius (~1652 Fahrenheit) while also being stronger than steel by weight.
http://dateline.rice/jan-16-news-release-marti-et.al

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