She came to Rice to run. She stayed to ask bigger questions
Johanna Bangala learned early what it meant for effort to yield results, a lesson that has carried her across continents and disciplines, from elite track competitions to environmental engineering research at Rice.
A new paper published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences argues that trustworthiness of climate-risk scores depends not just on the sophistication of the models used to produce the scores but also on whether the science behind them is open, reusable and transparent enough for others to examine, test and improve.
Incoming winter storm: Rice experts available to discuss forecast and impacts
As a major winter storm is expected to move into Texas beginning Friday night, Rice experts are available to provide insight into the storm’s impact on transportation.
Researchers reinventing household water and sanitation one modular system at a time
Researchers at Rice’s WaTER Institute are leading an ambitious new effort to transform the way the world manages water and sanitation at the household scale.
Doubling down on reliability, risk and resilience from disasters
Rice’s civil and environmental engineering department has established a national reputation for tackling one of society’s most pressing challenges: enhancing our understanding of and mitigating the risks posed by natural hazards to our communities and infrastructure.
Engineered material uses light to destroy PFAS, other contaminants
Materials scientists at Rice and collaborators have developed a material that uses light to break down a range of pollutants in water, including “forever chemicals” or PFAS.
Scenic Galveston and the SSPEED Center at Rice are launching two major initiatives designed to bolster wetland health and improve storm resilience across the Houston-Galveston region.
Rice engineers reveal molecular dynamics that underpin concrete’s durability
A new molecular dynamics study from Rice sheds light on what's happening inside the hidden channels inside concrete.
Rice’s Severe Storm Prediction, Education and Evacuation from Disasters (SSPEED) Center convened more than 100 experts, industry leaders and attendees Nov. 6-7 for its 12th annual conference, connecting cutting-edge flood mitigation with the fast-emerging world of market-based natural carbon solutions.
The first-of-its-kind initiative links two of the world’s leading research universities to create shared academic pathways and immersive undergraduate experiences across Houston, Paris and PSL’s campus in Sophia Antipolis.
Rice’s Pedro J.J. Alvarez, a world leader in environmental nanotechnology and water sustainability, has been awarded the 2026 Benjamin Franklin Medal in Civil Engineering, one of the oldest and most prestigious science and engineering honors in the United States.
Bhalani, Eldridge to receive Builders Award
Rushi Bhalani ’19 and Will Eldridge ’16 ’17 will be recognized with the Builders Award Nov. 7 during the President’s Town Hall, a signature event of Rice’s Alumni Weekend. The Builders Award is given to graduates of the past 10 years who go above and beyond in service to Rice.
Rice, BCarbon join forces with Mexican state government to build community-driven carbon market
Representatives from the Mexican state of Tamaulipas, Earth Carbon and the nonprofit BCarbon met at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy last month to sign a memorandum of understanding recognizing their collaboration in carbon sequestration. Since then, Since then, in accord with an MOU between BCarbon and Rice, the team has been in Mexico meeting with stakeholders and changemakers to create a carbon market that benefits the community.
Rice faculty recognized for national awards in inaugural ceremony
President Reginald DesRoches and Provost Amy Dittmar welcomed winners of highly prestigious and prestigious awards to the Brockman Hall for Opera to celebrate Rice faculty excellence. On Oct. 6, Rice honored those faculty who have earned prestigious and highly prestigious awards, defined as such by the Organization of the National Research Council and the Association of American Universities.
Protecting public health: Rice’s Stadler honored by The Water Research Foundation
The Water Research Foundation recently presented Lauren Stadler, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at Rice, with the 2025 Paul L. Busch Award at the Water Environment Federation’s Technical Exhibition and Conference in Chicago.
