Current News

Lydia Kavraki named University Professor, the highest faculty distinction at Rice

In a landmark moment for Rice, renowned computer scientist Lydia E. Kavraki has been named a University Professor, the institution’s highest academic rank. She becomes only the 11th person and the third woman in the university’s 112-year history to earn this prestigious title.

Cushion Queens bring comfort to the commute: Rice students design mechanotherapeutic seat for bus drivers

Public transit operators keep cities moving, helping people get to work, attend medical appointments and access essential services. But while passenger safety is often in the spotlight, the health and well-being of drivers who spend long hours behind the wheel is frequently overlooked.

Rice’s Mikos elected to the European Academy of Sciences

Rice bioengineer Antonios Mikos has been elected to the European Academy of Sciences, an international body that recognizes excellence in scientific research and technological innovation.

Kinder Houston Area Survey reveals strong civic pride, appreciation for immigrants and diversity and rising expectations for equity

The 2025 Kinder Houston Area Survey, one of the nation’s longest-running studies of an urban area, was released today at the institute’s annual luncheon.

Rice chemist Kürti named 2025 Ross M. Brown Investigator for energy research

Rice chemistry professor László Kürti is a recipient of the 2025 Ross M. Brown Investigator Award.

Invisible currents at the edge: Rice research team shows how magnetic particles reveal a hidden rule of nature

Recently, a team of scientists and engineers at Rice discovered a phenomenon on a microscopic scale, where tiny magnetic particles driven by rotating fields spontaneously move along the edges of clusters driven by invisible “edge currents” that follow the rules of an unexpected branch of physics.

Rice helps youth explore Earth and space sciences at ‘first-of-its-kind’ event

Nearly 1,000 Earth and planetary explorers from the greater Houston area attended Rice’s K-12 Earth and planetary open house at Rice Memorial Center’s Grand Hall May 3. The event was held by the Department of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences, the Rice Space Institute’s Center for Planetary Origins to Habitability and the Office of STEM Engagement in partnership with Houston Independent School District and NASA.

Rice’s Liu Idea Lab welcomes Sandy Guitar to advisory board

The Liu Idea Lab for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (Lilie) at Rice is proud to announce the appointment of Sandy Guitar to its advisory board. Guitar is a highly respected leader in the venture and private equity worlds, bringing decades of experience in early stage investing, strategic growth and founder support to advance Lilie’s mission of empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs at Rice.

Helix Park event marks official launch and lab opening of RBL LLC, advancing Rice’s research-to-market pipeline

Rice celebrated a major step in its translational research efforts May 5 with the official launch of RBL LLC. Held at the Texas Medical Center’s Helix Park, the event featured a keynote by Robert Ruffolo Jr., followed by a fireside chat with Ruffolo and biomedical engineer Robert Langer, moderated by STAT senior writer Matthew Herper.

Bao wins Robert Henry Thurston Lecture Award

Rice's Gang Bao has been selected to receive the Robert Henry Thurston Lecture Award from the American Society for Mechanical Engineers for his sustained contributions to the mechanics of composites, cell mechanics and nanomedicine.