Message from the president: Welcome back, Owls!
It is with great excitement that I welcome you back to Rice for the start of another academic year. Our campus has come alive once again with energy, anticipation and purpose. Last week, we officially welcomed 1,300 new undergraduates during O-Week along with a preliminary count of more than 1,400 new graduate students. Today, classes begin for us all.
Rice scientists pioneer transfer-free method to grow ultrathin semiconductors on electronics
A team of materials scientists at Rice has developed a new way to grow ultrathin semiconductors directly onto electronic components.
Rice earns national recognition in Princeton Review’s 2026 Best Colleges rankings
Rice has once again earned national recognition in The Princeton Review’s annual Best Colleges rankings, placing in the top 10 in four categories for 2026.
New graduate students arrive at Rice for move-In 2025
Incoming graduate students trickled in from across the country and around the world this week, rolling carts and hauling boxes into Rice’s graduate housing as they prepared to begin the fall semester.
Artificial intelligence is infamous for its resource-heavy training, but a new study may have found a solution in a novel communications system that markedly improves the way large language models train.
Rice researchers develop superstrong, eco-friendly materials from bacteria
Scientists at Rice and University of Houston have developed an innovative, scalable approach to engineer bacterial cellulose into high-strength, multifunctional materials.
Rice moves up more than 20 spots in QS World University Rankings
Rice has advanced 22 spots in the 2026 edition of the QS World University Rankings, climbing to No. 119 globally and No. 29 among U.S. universities.
Music, memory and the power of emotion: Rice study reveals how music influences what we remember
Rice graduate student and adjunct assistant professor explores how music can help shape new memories.
Packing hope: Rice Psychological Sciences welcomes new refugees to Houston
Volunteers from the Department of Psychological Sciences assemble gift bags for those supported by Interfaith Ministries of Greater Houston.
Rethinking how robots move: Light and AI drive precise motion in soft robotic arm developed at Rice
Researchers at Rice have developed a soft robotic arm capable of performing complex tasks such as navigating around an obstacle or hitting a ball, guided and powered remotely by laser beams without any onboard electronics or wiring.
Rice Update: Student visa changes and our commitment to international students
Recent federal developments concerning student visa processing have created increasing uncertainty for many international students. Members of Rice leadership sent an update May 30.
Rice researchers lay groundwork for designer hybrid 2D materials
An international team of researchers led by Rice materials scientists has succeeded in creating a genuine 2D hybrid material called glaphene.
Rice engineers tackle sunlight intermittency in solar desalination
A team of Rice engineers has developed a system that could transform desalination practices, making the process more adaptable, resilient and cheaper. The new system is powered by sunlight and uses a creative approach to heat recovery for extended water production ⎯ with and without sunshine.
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.
‘Creating new knowledge:’ Rice congratulates more than 250 doctoral graduates
Rice conferred more than 250 doctoral degrees during its 112th commencement May 10 at Tudor Fieldhouse. Doctoral candidates along with friends, family and loved ones gathered for the ceremony, which included the awarding of doctoral regalia, congratulatory remarks, cheers and a few moments to reflect on this milestone.
