BioSciences

Sex-specific climate responses in plants reveal flaws in biodiversity forecasts

A new study highlights the need to refine biodiversity forecasts to account for the sex-specific responses to Earth’s changing climate.

Rice experts examine historic personalized gene-editing breakthrough

Rice experts available to discuss historic personalized gene-editing breakthrough.

2 Rice scholars earn Pulitzer Prizes

Two members of the Rice community, one current student and one alumna, are among the 2025 Pulitzer Prize winners recently announced, recognized for their powerful contributions to public service journalism.

About time: Rice researcher exploring how seasonal rhythms shape the hidden web of life

Volker Rudolf, a professor of biosciences at Rice, is investigating just how powerful seasonal rhythms, known as phenologies, can be.

Biologist Scott Solomon named Piper Professor for excellence in teaching

Scott Solomon, a biologist, science communicator and teaching professor in the Department of Biosciences, has been named a 2025 Piper Professor by the Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation.

Electricity-generating bacteria may power future innovations

A team led by Rice's Caroline Ajo-Franklin has discovered how certain bacteria breathe by generating electricity.

Rice scholars offer insight on life signature discovery from planet K2-18b

The finding, reported by The New York Times April 16, builds on generations of inquiry into whether life exists beyond Earth.

Senior Spotlight: Zoe Griffin ’25

As Rice prepares to celebrate the Class of 2025 at commencement May 9-10, Rice News is spotlighting a collection of standout seniors.

Rice biosciences students take lab to Brazos Bend State Park to study local ecology

For students in Introductory Lab in Ecology and Evolution, the classroom stretches far beyond campus walls into the heart of one of Texas’ most ecologically rich landscapes: Brazos Bend State Park.

Beason-Abmayr honored with Arthur C. Guyton Distinguished Educator Award

Beth Beason-Abmayr has been awarded the Arthur C. Guyton Distinguished Educator Award by the American Physiological Society.

Sustainable practices can be based in nature, expert says

Rice biogeochemist Carrie Masiello was a headliner in CERAWeek’s “lyceum” where experts from industry and academia present research and technical expertise at the annual energy conference in Houston.

Rice research team creates universal RNA barcoding system for tracking gene transfer in bacteria

An interdisciplinary group of researchers at Rice University has developed an innovative RNA “barcoding” method to track these genetic exchanges in microbial communities, providing new insights into how genes move across species.

Scientists gain insight into RNA-editing protein that could lead to improved treatment for cancer, autoimmune diseases

A research team led by Rice's Yang Gao has uncovered new insights into the molecular mechanisms of ADAR1.

Study reveals how rising temperatures could lead to population crashes

Researchers at Rice have uncovered a critical link between rising temperatures and declines in a species’ population, shedding new light on how global warming threatens natural ecosystems.

Nobel laureate Whittingham engages with Rice researchers, leaders on battery research and innovation during campus visit

Nobel laureate M. Stanley Whittingham shared insights from his pioneering work on lithium-ion batteries and addressed the future of energy storage during the Adams-Hauge Fund Smalley Lecture in Materials Science and Nanoengineering delivered at Rice.