‘Forward-looking’ Rice center fuses Latin American and Latinx studies
From hosting speakers on topics ranging from curanderas in Mexican-American literature, the meaning of oil in Venezuela and the archaeology of the Amazon to fostering events on the arts in Guyana and contributing to student events, Rice University’s Initiative for the Study of LatinX America (ISLA) has accomplished a lot in the past three years.
Aluminum nanoparticles make tunable green catalysts
The Rice lab of nanotechnology pioneer Naomi Halas has uncovered a transformative approach to harnessing the catalytic power of aluminum nanoparticles by annealing them in various gas atmospheres at high temperatures.
Rice’s Nai-Hui Chia wins NSF CAREER Award
Rice computer scientist Nai-Hui Chia has won a National Science Foundation CAREER Award to develop a new theoretical framework to facilitate the development of efficient quantum algorithms for a range of problems in quantum physics and computer science as well as enhance the security of quantum cryptography.
Rice Art History prepares for artistic, cultural exploration in Paris
Rice’s Department of Art History will celebrate a milestone in a manner befitting its creative spirit by embarking on a transformative journey to Paris.
Gabe Baker’s life looks very different than it did a decade ago as a recently graduated Rice football star and environmental engineer working in county government in Houston. Now the former standout Rice student and athlete has embraced a successful music career in Nashville, Tennessee.
International Space University’s Space Studies Program lands at Rice University this summer
Rice University will host hundreds of space industry and research professionals for the International Space University’s 36th annual Space Studies Program (SSP) between Jun. 8 and Aug. 3.
Rice’s Wiess School launches Center for Nanoscale Imaging Sciences
The Wiess School of Natural Sciences at Rice University has launched the Center for Nanoscale Imaging Sciences to improve the capture, analysis and interpretation of images at the nanometer scale. The center will push the frontiers of nanoscale imaging, contributing to breakthroughs in fields such as nanotechnology, materials science, biology and biomedicine.
Rice physicist earns NSF CAREER Award to revolutionize quantum technology
Yonglong Xie, assistant professor of physics at Rice University, has been awarded a Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award from the National Science Foundation (NSF). The $888,555 grant over five years will support Xie’s research into harnessing magnons, quantum mechanical wavelike objects in magnetic materials, to create synthetic matter and develop next-generation quantum devices and sensors.
Rice breaks ground on new home for arts
Rice University hosted the groundbreaking ceremony for Susan and Fayez Sarofim Hall Feb. 29, marking a significant milestone in the university’s commitment to advancing its growing arts program.
Rice lab finds better way to handle hard-to-recycle material
Rice researchers have developed a new, energy-efficient upcycling method to transform glass fiber-reinforced plastic (GFRP) into silicon carbide, widely used in semiconductors, sandpaper and other products.
Astronaut and alumna Peggy Whitson tapped as Rice’s 2024 commencement speaker
Alumna Peggy Whitson ’86, America’s most experienced astronaut, will deliver the address at Rice’s 111th commencement during the undergraduate ceremony May 4.
Faster and simpler point-of-care malaria test developed by Rice researchers
Rice University researchers have developed a rapid, accurate test for diagnosing malaria that is significantly faster and easier to use than traditional tests. The advancement has the potential to improve patient outcomes, especially in rural regions with limited health care resources.
Data-processing tool could enable better early stage cancer detection
A team of Rice researchers has developed a tool that is better at integrating single-cell DNA and RNA data than more recent, state-of-the-art technologies. The findings could lead to better early stage cancer detection.
In September 2023, Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona issued a warning call stating “Public schools are approaching a ‘make or break moment.’” This week, several North Texas schools announced potential school closures and staff position eliminations. Nationally, public schools lost over 1.2 million students to private and charter schools over the first two school years of the COVID-19 pandemic with Texas witnessing a 2.2% decline.
Rice’s Angela Wilkins named to Texas’ Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council
Angela Wilkins, executive director of Rice’s Ken Kennedy Institute, is one of four members appointed to the Texas Artificial Intelligence (AI) Advisory Council, which studies and monitors AI systems developed, employed or procured by state agencies.
