Current News

Rice Space Institute participates in French Space Days in Houston

On April 12-14, the Rice Space Institute participated in French Space Days, a space business tour with a delegation of private French companies and startups in Houston.

Shepherd School opera, chamber orchestra perform ‘L'incoronazione di Poppea’

The Rice University Shepherd School Opera and Chamber Orchestra performed their spring opera production, Monteverdi’s “L'incoronazione di Poppea” (The Coronation of Poppea) April 14 and 16 in Brockman Hall for Opera’s Morrison Theater.

Self-navigating catamaran can carry cargo into war zones

A self-navigating, cargo-carrying sailboat designed by Rice University engineering students could be a sustaining link for Marines hunkered down on shore during war.

Johnson Owl Deck to be dedicated at Rice April 27

A grand opening and dedication of the Johnson Owl Deck, a wildlife observation pavilion within Harris Gully at Rice University, will be held April 27.

Education leader Ruth Simmons ponders what's next for diversity, equity and inclusion

With publicly-funded state universities eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion as part of the hiring process, and proposed legislation targeted at other DEI policies in higher education, private institutions have an opportunity—and an obligation—to respond, Ruth J. Simmons said at the Kinder Institute Forum on Wednesday at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.

32 Rice students, alums win NSF Graduate Research Fellowships

The National Science Foundation has awarded Graduate Research Fellowships to 32 current, incoming and former Rice students, and selected another six for honorable mention.

Rice mourns passing of Manik Talwani

Rice is mourning the death of Manik Talwani, professor emeritus in the Department of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences.

Physicists find unusual waves in nickel-based magnet

Rice physicists and collaborators have discovered “spin exciton” excitations can ripple through a nickel-based magnet as a coherent wave.

Rice Thresher earns accolades from peers, industry heavyweights

At the Fall National College Media Convention, the nation’s largest gathering of college journalists and advisers, the Rice Thresher staff earned a podium position in the “Best of Show” category — reminiscent of a David vs. Goliath achievement.

Rice baseball celebrates Vamos Búhos day at Reckling Park

The Rice baseball team celebrated Vamos Búhos day April 16 at Reckling Park before and during the Owls’ matchup with the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

People, papers and presentations for April 17, 2023

Last month, Il Pirata Records released “DO NOT LAMENT,” the recording debut of Shepherd School alum Rebecca Scout Nelson, a vocalist and baroque violinist. Richie Hawley, a professor of clarinet at the Shepherd School, is president of the record label.

Lab Notes for April 17, 2023

Rice U. lab develops sustainable chemical synthesis tool; Julian West derives alcohol products from epoxides

Expert examines structural racism

Heather McGhee, visiting lecturer in urban studies at the City University of New York, discussed themes from her new book “The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together” March 29 at McMurtry Auditorium. The renowned public policy expert examined structural racism as the driver of inequality — not just for people of color, but for everyone.

Alex Dessler, founding father of Rice space science, dies at 94

Pioneering space scientist Alexander Dessler, who taught at Rice University for 30 years after founding the first university department dedicated to the study of space science at the height of the U.S.-Soviet space race, died April 9 at age 94.

Team OR Lights wins Rice’s 2023 Engineering Design Showcase

Team OR Lights captured the top prize at this year’s Huff OEDK Engineering Design Showcase, presented annually by Rice University’s George R. Brown School of Engineering and Oshman Engineering Design Kitchen (OEDK).