As Rice prepares to celebrate the Class of 2025 at commencement May 9-10, Rice News is spotlighting a series of standout graduates.
From a small French village to the final frontier: Arthus Morisson de la Bassetiere aims for the stars
A senior mechanical engineering major and men’s tennis player from Reims, France, Arthus has his sights set far beyond the court — he wants to be one of the first French people to walk on the moon.
Riya Misra on storytelling, student journalism and chasing a reporter’s dream
From late nights at the Thresher, to her passion for storytelling, Riya reveals how her English and creative writing degree has prepared her for a career in journalism.
Garrett Stratton on fast-tracking success: Balancing baseball and books
Born and raised in Houston, Garrett has navigated the challenging world of balancing top-tier academics with major college baseball, all while graduating in just three years.
Zoe Griffin on research, mentorship and magic: A natural sciences journey
From hands-on research in the lab to presenting at scientific conferences, Zoe shares how Rice’s collaborative community, world-class mentorship and early research opportunities helped her grow as a scientist—and maybe even a lizard wizard.
Thiago Pinheiro: A quest of discovery from Brazil to chemical and biomolecular engineering
From Brazil to breakthrough research at Rice, Thiago’s journey reflects the impact of innovation, cultural exchange and interdisciplinary science.
Sophie Urban on using personalized education to become a professional musician
Sophie shares her passion for music, her experiences studying under world-renowned professors and her dreams of becoming a professional orchestral musician.
Sophianne Loh: An engineering student’s experience in medical innovation
From designing cutting-edge wearable biosensors for newborns in the NICU to securing a spot in Becton Dickinson’s rotational program, Sophie’s story is a testament to the power of curiosity, compassion and engineering excellence.
Roselyn Ovalle is amplifying voices through advocacy and ethical storytelling
Roselyn shares her journey as a first-generation college student and the powerful personal story behind her selection as Rice’s 2025 Watson Fellow.
Tia Gray’s path from first-gen student to materials researcher
Tia’s journey from Columbus, Georgia, to a postdoctoral researcher at the Naval Research Lab shows how mentorship, determination and advanced research can transform lives.
From runner to innovator, Tyler Strothman creates his perfect shoe
Tyler shares his inspiring story as a student-athlete who started Veloci, a revolutionary shoe company born out of necessity.
Doctoral candidate Esther Jimenez revolutionizing sustainable materials through synthetic biology
Esther’s research focuses on engineering microorganisms to self-assemble into structures that can replace plastics, offering a promising solution for reducing industrial waste.