Tam Dao, associate vice president of campus safety and research security, led Rice Global’s Nov. 7 Global Insights lunch-and-learn with a clear message: understanding research security isn’t just about compliance; it’s about awareness. Dao explained that research espionage has shifted from targeting government agencies to focusing on universities, where collaboration and innovation often cross borders.
“We want to let our folks know these are places that are potentially risky,” Dao said. “Our goal is to educate, not to punish.”
Dao described how Rice’s Office of Research Security and Export Controls helps faculty, staff and students navigate risks tied to international partnerships, funding and travel. The office conducts risk assessments on potential collaborators and organizations to ensure compliance with federal funding guidelines.
“We provide information so people can make informed decisions,” Dao said. “We don’t tell them what to do; we help them understand the risks.”
He discussed how new federal security review requirements now screen grant applicants for affiliations with organizations that may raise red flags under Department of Defense or other federal guidelines. Dao urged faculty to contact his office early in the process if they are unsure about a collaborator or grant source.
The presentation also addressed international travel and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) inspections. Dao noted that researchers and students from “countries of concern” may face additional scrutiny at airports, especially if their research involves federal funding or sensitive topics. He emphasized the importance of registering travel with the university, which allows his team to coordinate directly with CBP if needed.
“Being truthful and forthcoming is the most important thing,” Dao said. “Most people don’t get in trouble for what they did; they get in trouble for not being honest about it.”
Dao concluded by reminding attendees that the Office of Research Security is available 24/7 to assist with export control licensing, international agreements and travel support. His message underscored the university’s commitment to fostering collaboration while protecting the integrity of its research.
“We’re not here to stop great work,” Dao said. “We’re here to make sure our researchers can do it safely and confidently, wherever they are in the world.”
This was the final Global Insights lunch-and-learn of 2025, but Rice Global is planning for them to restart in February 2026. If there’s a topic you would like to see covered in upcoming sessions, please reach out to global@rice.edu.
