FEATURED ITEM
New AI-focused innovation hub, Rice Nexus, debuts at The Ion Houston
An article features the debut of the Rice Nexus, which aims to support and provide resources for ventures that are looking to scale and has artificial intelligence as a central pillar of its innovation strategy. The Rice Nexus will also house Solidec, founded by Haotian Wang, associate professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering and a Rice Academy Senior Fellow, research scientist Ryan DuChanois and alumnus Yang Xia; and Coflux Purification, founded by graduate students Alec Ajnsztajn, Jeremy Daum and Dana Vazquez. Community members quoted include President Reginald DesRoches; Sanjoy Paul, executive director of the Rice Nexus and lecturer at Rice's Department of Computer Science; and Paul Cherukuri, chief innovation officer and vice president for innovation, adjunct professor of management and entrepreneurship at Rice's Jones Graduate School of Business and associate research professor in electrical and computer engineering. The article also mentions that the Rice Nexus is part of the university's 10-year strategic plan Momentous.
InnovationMap (This article was also featured in the "Daily Digest" newsletter Feb. 18.)
http://dateline.rice/feb-18-rice.nexus
NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL
Political attacks chip away trust in local news
An article features Rice research into the the influence of Republican elites on the public trust of local news outlets. Co-author Erik Peterson, assistant professor of political science, is quoted.
Futurity (This article was also featured in the "Futurity Today" newsletter for Feb. 18.)
http://dateline.rice/feb-18-peterson
From the Oval Office: 5 key leadership lessons from US presidents
President John F. Kennedy's "moon speech," which was delivered at Rice Sept. 12, 1962, is mentioned.
Forbes
http://dateline.rice/feb-18-forbes
KPCC-FM (Los Angeles)
http://dateline.rice/feb-18-kpcc
HOUSTON/TEXAS
Wesley Sinor announced as grand marshal of 60th annual Go Texan Parade
Alumnus Wesley Sinor is featured.
Woodlands Online
http://dateline.rice/feb-18-sinor
A star of our skyline
Rice is mentioned.
Austin Business Journal
http://dateline.rice/feb-18-abj
BROADCAST
100 Years of 100 Things: Presidential power
Douglas Brinkley, the Katherine Tsanoff Brown Professor in Humanities and professor of history, is interviewed about the office of the U.S. president.
WNYC Online (This article also appeared in iHeart Online.)
http://dateline.rice/feb-18-brinkley
Katy residents to vote on whether to extend council term limits from 6 years to 12
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.
ABC 13 Online (This segment also aired four times on KTRK-TV in Houston.)
http://dateline.rice/feb-18-jones
Texas sees another push for gambling expansion
Correct Casinos
http://dateline.rice/feb-18-jones
'CBS News Bay Area'
Carrie Potter, lecturer in sport management, is interviewed about the economic impact of WNBA franchises.
KPIX-TV (San Francisco)
http://dateline.rice/feb-18-potter (This segment aired twice.)
Food additives (Feb. 18, 2025)
Michael Wong, the Tina and Sunit Patel Professor in Molecular Nanotechnology, professor and chair of chemical and biomolecular engineering and professor of chemistry, materials science and nanoengineering and civil and environmental engineering, is interviewed.
Houston Public Media (This segment also aired on KUHF-FM in Houston.)
http://dateline.rice/feb-18-wong
'CW 39 Weather and Traffic'
A broadcast mentions that Rice has a Carnegie R1 designation for research universities.
KIAH-TV (Houston)
http://dateline.rice/feb-18-kiah
TRADE/PROFESSIONAL
Machine learning-enhanced spectroscopy detects toxins
An article features collaborative Rice research that developed a novel method for detecting toxic chemicals from tobacco smoke in human placental tissues. Co-authors quoted include Naomi Halas, University Professor, the Stanley C. Moore Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and director of Rice's Smalley-Curl Institute, and Ankit Patel, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering.
C&EN
http://dateline.rice/feb-18-halas-patel
Is Musk writing his own super-hero story?
Jeffrey Kripal, the J. Newton Rayzor Professor of Religion, is quoted.
Health Commentary
http://dateline.rice/feb-18-kripal
Is an oil market share war on the cards for 2025?
Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, fellow for the Middle East at Rice's Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted.
Rigzone.com
http://dateline.rice/feb-18-ulrichsen
HMN 2025: What is the moms' hidden monetary toll from supporting incarcerated kids
An article features Rice research into the financial and emotional toll borne by mothers whose adult children have experienced incarceration. Co-author Brielle Bryan, assistant professor of sociology, is quoted.
Health Medicine Network
http://dateline.rice/feb-18-bryan
Researchers discover remarkable properties of next-gen building material: 'Unprecedented in the field'
An article features collaborative Rice research demonstrating that carbon nanotube fibers can be fully recycled without any loss in their structure or properties. Co-authors quoted include Matteo Pasquali, the A.J. Hartsook Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, professor of materials science and nanoengineering and chemistry and director of Rice's Carbon Hub; and graduate student Michelle Durán-Chaves.
The Cool Down
http://dateline.rice/feb-18-pasquali-chaves
Usare acqua e luce al posto di solventi tossici? Ora è possibile
An article features collaborative Rice research that developed a new method for performing chemical reactions using water instead of toxic solvents. Co-authors quoted include Angel Martí, professor of chemistry, bioengineering, materials science and nanoengineering; and graduate student Ying Chen.
InnLifes.com
http://dateline.rice/feb-18-marti-chen
Engineers develop breakthrough method for aluminum surfaces, enabling advancements in cooling, self-cleaning and anti-icing technologies
An article features collaborative Rice research creating topography-patterned aluminum surfaces, enhancing their liquid transport properties. Co-authors quoted or mentioned include Daniel Preston and Geoff Wehmeyer, both assistant professors of mechanical engineering.
Nanotechnology World
http://dateline.rice/feb-18-preston-wehmeyer
Top 9 CEOs of influencer marketing agencies in Atlanta
Alumnus Atul Singh is featured.
Influencer Marketing Hub
http://dateline.rice/feb-18-singh
2025 Scholar-Athlete Award recipients announced in Class A
A roundup featuring Chikanma Okoisor mentions that she plans to attend Rice in the fall.
Michigan High School Athletic Association (This article also appeared in MLive.)
http://dateline.rice/feb-18-mhsaa
OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST
Fox Classics Lecture
Alumna Kirsten Day is featured.
Monmouth College News (This article also appeared in Radio Monmouth.)
http://dateline.rice/feb-18-day
SPORTS
North Texas' Lampkin, Rice's Alexis earn women's basketball weekly honors
An article mentions that Rice's women's basketball player Aniah Alexis has been named the American Athletic Conference's Freshman Player of the Week.
TheAmerican.org (This article also appeared in Chat Sports.)
http://dateline.rice/feb-18-alexis
'Wake Up! with SallyMac & Lina'
KRIV-TV (Houston)
http://dateline.rice/feb-18-alexis (This segment aired twice.)
UAB visits Rice after Lendeborg's 21-point game
An article mentions that Rice's men's basketball team is slated to play the University of Alabama at Birmingham Feb. 19.
The Associated Press (This article also appeared in 50 other media outlets.)
http://dateline.rice/feb-18-ap
Perry leads Florida Atlantic against Rice after 22-point game
An article mentions that Rice's women's basketball team is slated to play Florida Atlantic University Feb. 18.
The Associated Press (This article also appeared in 50 other media outlets.)
http://dateline.rice/feb-18-ap
Florida Atlantic visits Rice Tuesday
FAUSports.com
http://dateline.rice/feb-18-fau
Owls fall to perennial power 4-1
An article mentions that Rice's men's tennis team is slated to play Florida Atlantic University Feb. 20.
FAUSports.com
http://dateline.rice/feb-18-fau
Thomson tied atop leaderboard, Wolverines fifth after Day 1 of Border Olympics
An article mentions that Rice's men's golf team was in sixth place after the first day of competition at the Border Olympics in Laredo, Texas, Feb. 17-18.
MGoBlue.com
http://dateline.rice/feb-18-goblue
Men's golf sits in 11th after first day of Border Olympics
GoUTRGV.com
http://dateline.rice/feb-18-utrgv
Bo Blanchard 14th after first round of the Border Olympics
AugustaJags.com
http://dateline.rice/feb-18-aj
Redbirds climb in second round at Border Olympics
GoRedbirds.com
http://dateline.rice/feb-18-redbirds
Illinois State improves in second round at Border Olympics
McLean County Times
http://dateline.rice/feb-18-mct
Illinois State Redbirds aim to defend title at Border Olympics
McLean County Times
http://dateline.rice/feb-18-mct
Men's golf set to compete at Border Olympics
LamarCardinals.com
http://dateline.rice/feb-18-lamar
Men's golf opens spring season at Border Olympics
UHCougars.com
http://dateline.rice/feb-18-uh
Louisiana golf opens spring season at Border Olympics
RaginCajuns.com
http://dateline.rice/feb-18-rc
Men's golf opens spring season at Border Olympics
TroyTrojans.com
http://dateline.rice/feb-18-troy
Michigan Wolverines news: A hot start for baseball, latest on elite in-state recruit
An article mentions that Rice's baseball team lost to the University of Michigan 5-2 in the Puerto Rico Challenge tournament Feb. 15.
GBMWolverine.com
http://dateline.rice/feb-18-gbmw
Oklahoma State Yeager shots
An article mentions that Rice's basketball team lost to Texas Tech University in 1976.
247Sports.com
http://dateline.rice/feb-18-247
Wichita State's Washington, Florida Atlantic's Vokietaitis earn weekly honors
An article mentions that Rice's men's basketball team lost to Tulane University 81-78 Feb. 15.
TheAmerican.org
http://dateline.rice/feb-18-the.american
NEWS RELEASES
Annual event showcases AI and high-performance computing advances in energy
The Ken Kennedy Institute's Energy HPC Conference has become Houston's forum for taking the pulse of industry needs and discussing developments at the interface of energy, high-performance computing and artificial intelligence. The conference, now in its 18th year, is attended by over 500 industry leaders and experts, providing an opportunity for stakeholders to learn and engage through annual technology updates influencing the energy future.
http://dateline.rice/feb-18-news-release-ken.kennedy.conference
Rice-led study finds 2D carbon material is 8 times tougher than graphene, resists cracking
Even the strongest crack under pressure, a problem materials scientists have long been grappling with. For instance, carbon-derived materials like graphene are among the strongest on Earth, but once established, cracks propagate rapidly through them, making them prone to sudden fracture.
http://dateline.rice/feb-18-lou-han-shin
Rice computer science department invites Houston industry, community partners for discussion on generative AI and DeepSeek
Rice's Department of Computer Science and Ken Kennedy Institute invite Houston industry and community partners to an evening discussion on large language models, DeepSeek and the future of generative artificial intelligence. The event will provide an accessible introduction to AI models, followed by a panel discussion on key innovations, challenges and applications. Aimed at fostering connections between Rice researchers and local industry and communities, the event offers a chance to explore AI's impact across sectors and potential collaborations.
http://dateline.rice/feb-18-llm-deepseek-ai