Current News

Research on super-Earths and mini-Neptunes suggests more Earth-like planets may exist

A new study by Rice researchers Sho Shibata and Andre Izidoro presents a compelling new model for the formation of super-Earths and mini-Neptunes — planets that are 1 to 4 times the size of Earth and among the most common in our galaxy.

Unearthing the southbound Underground Railroad to Mexico

The story of the Underground Railroad typically conjures images of northbound journeys to freedom, but for some enslaved people in Texas, liberation lay across the Rio Grande in Mexico.

Wayne Graham Way: Rice honors legendary coach with celebration, street naming

Rice honored the legacy of legendary baseball coach Wayne Graham in grand fashion March 7, celebrating the inaugural Wayne Graham Day with a series of tributes before the Owls’ series-opening game against Yale University.

Rice launches Office of Academic Support for Undergraduate Students

Rice has launched the Office of Academic Support for Undergraduate Students, a new initiative aimed at providing equitable, inclusive and professional academic support and fostering a culture of help-seeking and collaborative learning.

Rice schedules MMR vaccination clinic in response to measles outbreak

In light of the recent measles outbreak, Rice has partnered with Albertsons/Randalls to offer a measles, mumps and rubella vaccination clinic for all members of the Rice community. This clinic will be held March 20 from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. in Room 112, Cambridge Office Building.

Houston Area Women’s Center sheds light on domestic violence, how to get help

Domestic violence affects many with 1 in 5 college students and 1 in 4 women experiencing abuse in their lifetime. Since 1977, the Houston Area Women’s Center, a community partner of Rice, has been a vital resource for those affected by domestic and sexual violence.

Alumna Carol Haddock brings decades of leadership and public service experience to Rice

Carol Haddock ’91 has carved a remarkable path in civil engineering. Now, as a professor-in-the-practice of civil and environmental engineering at Rice University’s George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing, she is imparting her hard-earned knowledge to the next generation of engineers.

Federal research funding feeds technological advancement, US official says at Baker Institute event

Dario Gil, senior vice president and director of research at IBM and recently nominated undersecretary for science and innovation at the U.S. Department of Energy, spoke at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy March 4 about the importance of research and development (R&D) funding and the future of U.S. science and technology (S&T).

Racial earning gap in gig work eliminated through new rating system

A new study published in Nature uncovers a hidden problem — racial bias in customer evaluations — which led to a 9% income gap between white and non-white gig workers in a home services platform. The study also proposes an unexpected but simple solution: changing how customers rate workers from a five-star to a thumbs-up/thumbs-down system. 

Veterans Business Battle returns to Rice March 13-14

Rice Business is hosting its 11th annual Veterans Business Battle — a forum for veterans to connect with investors, advisers and resources. Each year, the event gives military veterans an opportunity to pitch business ideas for a chance to raise capital.