Research

Lab Notes for April 17, 2023

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

Rice names Michelle Stevenson AVP for research integrity

Michelle “Mickey” Stevenson will join Rice as assistant vice president for research integrity, effective April 17.

Rice U. vice president for research named to AAU task force on expanding India partnerships

Rice University Vice President for Research Ramamoorthy Ramesh has been named a member of a new Association of American Universities (AAU) task force that will study expanding research and higher education partnerships between the United States and India.

¿Hablar español o no? How speaking Spanish on the campaign trail helps some political candidates but hurts others

Speaking Spanish on the campaign trail may seem like a good way to connect with some voters, but new research from Rice University finds it can actually hurt the chances of Hispanic candidates who aren’t native speakers.

Strong ultralight material could aid energy storage, carbon capture

Rice U. materials scientists and collaborators at the University of Maryland showed that fine-tuning interlayer interactions in a class of 2D polymers can determine the materials’ loss or retention of desirable mechanical properties in multilayer or bulk form.

Ocean warming intensifies viral outbreaks within corals

A groundbreaking three-year study has found evidence that ocean warming can trigger outbreaks of viruses that attack the symbiotic algae inside corals.

A 21st-century remedy for missed meds

Rice lab’s next-level encapsulation technology for drugs and vaccines could solve a $100 billion problem.

Rice psychologist Danielle King wins coveted NSF CAREER Award

Rice University’s Danielle King, an assistant professor of psychological sciences and a member of the faculty since 2018, has won a coveted National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Award. The accolade includes a five-year grant that will support her research on preventing and overcoming race-based threats and how employers can improve workplace experiences for employees who face such threats.

Rice’s Todd Treangen wins NSF CAREER Award

Todd Treangen wins NSF CAREER Award to develop a comprehensive computational platform for detecting yet-unseen microbial pathogens.

Ancient DNA reveals entwined African and Asian ancestry along the Swahili coast of eastern Africa

A new genetic study of medieval people who lived along the Indian Ocean coast of eastern Africa — an area often called the “Swahili coast” for its language and culture — revealed that they had both African and Persian ancestry.

Eco-efficient cement could pave the way to a greener future

Rice U. scientists develop process to remove toxic heavy metals from coal fly ash, making for greener, stronger concrete.

James Chappell wins NSF CAREER Award

Rice bioscientist James Chappell has won a National Science Foundation CAREER Award to develop RNA programming methods that can improve human health and the environment.

Protein-based coating could keep fruits and vegetables fresh longer

Rice University materials scientist Muhammad Rahman has won a National Science Foundation grant to develop a sustainable, low-cost coating to extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables.

Moving American business operations from China to Mexico strengthens all of North America, says report

American businesses moving operations out of China and into Mexico would be economically beneficial for all of North America, according to a new report from Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.

Rice selects Lane Martin to lead new Advanced Materials Institute

Lane Martin has been appointed director of the new Rice Advanced Materials Institute and Welch Professor of Materials Science and NanoEngineering in the George R. Brown School of Engineering.