Dateline Rice for May 31, 2013

FEATURED ITEMS

Doctor gives voice to opera’s stars
C. Richard Stasney, adjunct professor of performing arts medicine, is profiled for his career. Richard Bado, professor of opera and director of Rice’s Opera Studies Program, is quoted in this front-page article.
Houston Chronicle (subscription required)
http://bit.ly/ZiEAP6

HOUSTON/TEXAS

What will protect us from the next surge?
The destruction wrought by Hurricane Ike in 2008 focused attention on the need for storm surge protection for the Galveston-Houston area. James Blackburn, professor in the practice of environmental law, is quoted. Rice’s Severe Storm Prediction, Education and Evacuation from Disasters Center is mentioned. Blackburn also co-authored an op-ed about balancing economic development and environmental responsibility in Houston.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/11eauwN
Economics and ecology can coexist in Houston
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1aHVw3y

Dewhurst’s pandering takes him to new lows
Mark Jones, the Joseph D. Jamail Chair in Latin American Studies, professor and chair of political science and fellow in political science at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted in a column about Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst. Jones is also quoted in an article about the Texas legislative session.
Houston Chronicle (subscription required) (This column appeared on the front of the City & State section.)
http://bit.ly/1aHWmx9
Plenty of filed bills, but will they make the call?
San Antonio Express-News
http://bit.ly/17aGK8o

In Houston, too much fine dust?
In Houston, air pollution concerns usually center on ozone. The area violates federal standards on ozone and perpetually struggles to become compliant. But Houston environmentalists and businesses are paying increasingly close attention to another pollutant — fine dust. Daniel Cohan, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering, is quoted.
EverythingLubbock.com (This article also appeared on BigCountryHomepage.com [Abilene, Texas] and KDBC.com [El Paso, Texas].)
http://everythinglubbock.com/fulltext?nxd_id=188962
Experts say dust in the wind is dangerous
KTRH.com
http://bit.ly/1aIsEbz
KTRH-AM
http://bit.ly/16vMFFD

Sacred prayer or steamy love affair? Anniversary concert celebrates music inspired by kings and queens
Alumna Melissa Givens ’92 is quoted in an article about an Ars Lyrica Houston concert.
Culturemap.com
http://bit.ly/12ROEO6

Voices contributor debuts on issues for young energy professionals
Alumnus David Vaucher ’06 will write for the Houston Chronicle’s FuelFix.com website.
FuelFix.com
http://bit.ly/13lNYkz

So dreamy: Rice Gallery installation tops Buzzfeed list
An article reports that pictures of artist Soo Sunny Park’s Rice Gallery installation appeared on Buzzfeed.com.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/13pZ0Fs

A classy conference organized by Houston Kannada Vrinda
An article discusses a conference at Rice hosted by Houston Kannada Vrinda.
IndoAmerican-News.com
http://www.indoamerican-news.com/?p=17357

Hispanic Executive Society International honors top Humble ISD Hispanic students
Rice is mentioned in an article about students honored by the Hispanic Executive Society.
Atascocita Observer
http://bit.ly/10N3PXB

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Future looks sunny for organic polymers
Scientists have created solar cells based on block copolymers, self-assembling organic materials that arrange themselves into distinct layers. Rafael Verduzco, the Louis Owen Assistant Professor and Junior Faculty Chair of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, is quoted.
Photonics.com
http://photonics.com/Article.aspx?AID=53988

Meetings impacted as travel cuts take effect
Scientific conferences have started to feel the effects of efforts by the federal government to curtail spending on travel. Scientists have widely criticized the move to limit their ability to travel and some conferences have been especially severely affected. Stephen Mackwell, adjunct professor of Earth science, is quoted.
APS.org
http://www.aps.org/publications/apsnews/201306/travelcuts.cfm

iCloud users take note: Apple two-step protection won’t protect your data
Dan Wallach, associate professor of computer science and in electrical and computer engineering, is quoted in an article about the security of Apple’s iCloud service.
ArsTechica.com
http://ars.to/13mQVRU

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

Big weekend at Beauvoir
Lynda Crist, editor of Rice’s Jefferson Davis Papers Project, will speak at Beauvior in Biloxi, Miss.
Biloxi Sun-Herald (Miss.)
http://bit.ly/12TyXG8

Controlling light for optical processors
Rice University scientists have unveiled a robust new method for arranging metal nanoparticles in geometric patterns that can act as optical processors that transform incoming light signals into output of a different color.
OverclockersClub.com
http://www.overclockersclub.com/news/34187/

Meet Harvard Law’s youngest black grad
Alumnus Cortlan Wickliff ’10 is profiled for graduating from Harvard Law School. He is 22.
TheRoot.com
http://wapo.st/ZhB2N1

How immigration affects the US economy
Rice research is cited in an article about the economic effects of immigration.
Helium.com
http://bit.ly/1aIdZNs

John Carroll honors Class of 2013 at annual ceremony
Rice is mentioned in an article about graduates of John Carroll Catholic High School.
Birmingham News (Ala.)
http://bit.ly/14ekYdw

SPORTS

Rice welcomes road start in NCAA Tournament
The Rice Owls baseball team will play in the regional NCAA tournament.
Houston Chronicle (subscription required)
http://bit.ly/11t6gx9
KHOU-TV (Similar stories also appeared on KPIX-TV [San Francisco], KSLR-TV [Eugene, Ore.] and KVAL-TV [Eugene, Ore.].)
http://bit.ly/11tfoSv
Oregon, Rice, USF and South Dakota State prep for Eugene regional
Washington Post (This Associated Press article also appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle, CNN.com and nearly 60 other media outlets.)
http://wapo.st/Zhu0YD
Rice’s road to Omaha begins in Oregon
Houston Press (Coverage of the Owls also appeared in the San Francisco Examiner, the Temple Daily Telegram, the Woodlands Villager, GoldenGateSports.com, Scout.com and AutzenZoo.com.)
http://bit.ly/17aD4U2

Trojans launch fundraiser drive for upcoming trip to Texas
An article about a fundraiser for the Hugh Boyd Secondary School football team mentions McMurtry College senior Hosam Shahin and notes that he was selected by the Montreal Alouettes in the Canadian Football League draft.
Richmond-News.com (British Columbia)
http://bit.ly/11g5J62

A&M’s soft non-league schedule just what SEC wants to avoid
An article about the Texas A&M University football team mention that they will play Rice Aug. 31.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/11GJ7xl

Castiglione garners national honor
An article about an award received by Joe Castiglione, University of Oklahoma’ vice president for intercollegiate athletics and director of athletics, notes that he once worked at Rice.
SoonerSports.com (This article also appeared on News9.com [Oklahoma City] and NewsOn6.com [Oklahoma City].)
http://www.soonersports.com/genrel/053013aaa.html