Dateline Rice for Jan. 21, 2016

FEATURED ITEM

2nd year in a row of record global temperatures
Ronald Sass, the Harry C. and Olga Keith Wiess Professor Emeritus of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and fellow in global climate change at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted about the solution to global climate change.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required. This article appeared on the front page of the Jan. 21 print edition.)
http://bit.ly/20gKwpF

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

Energy Department announces 16 collegiate teams to compete in Solar Decathlon 2017
Rice is listed as one of the teams that will be participating in the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2017 competition.
U.S. Department of Energy (Similar articles appeared in Solar Industry, Solar Novus Today, Solar Thermal Magazine, Imperial Valley News, Photon Magazine and Foreign Affairs NZ.)
http://1.usa.gov/1NmU09i

Upheaval in the factories of Juarez
Labor unrest is spreading through factories located on the U.S.-Mexico border, as workers say they deserve more than $6 a day. Tony Payan, the Françoise and Edward Djerejian Fellow for Mexico Studies at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and director of the institute’s Mexico Center, is mentioned. Payan is also quoted about the decrease in unauthorized Mexican immigrant population.
The Atlantic
http://theatln.tc/1OIsepT
Study: Immigrants in US illegally have declined to lowest level in over a decade
Albuquerque Journal (Similar articles also appeared in Spokesman-Review, Hamodia, LNP Online and ArcaMax.)
http://bit.ly/1lz3ckG

College application process should focus less on tests, more on ‘meaningful’ service projects: Report
The Making Caring Common Project at the Harvard Graduate School of Education released a series of recommendations on the college application process titled “Turning the Tide.” Rice is listed as one of the colleges with representatives who endorsed the plan.
International Business Times
http://bit.ly/1OIvktY

They’ve invented an ingenious new type of intersection that could save lives
Ryan Holeywell, senior editor at Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, authored an op-ed discussing a new type of intersection intended to protect cyclists.
Huffington Post (A similar article was featured in GovTech.)
http://huff.to/1nApcgK

HOUSTON/TEXAS

Salamanca: Politicians should not discount value of Mexican migration
Elizabeth Salamanca, who teaches international business at Universidad de las Américas Puebla, wrote an op-ed discussing Mexican immigration to the U.S. Salamanca was a summer 2015 Puentes Visiting Scholar in the Mexico Center at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1PH1c1S

UT to pay $450 million over 30 years for Houston land
The University of Texas System will pay about $450 million over the next 30 years for 300 acres near the Texas Medical Center, where it plans to build a research center. Rice is mentioned in the Daily Texan article and appears in a slideshow of Niche’s top 25 colleges at the end of the Houston Chronicle article.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1T8MVk5
http://bit.ly/20gVZp5
Chancellor reveals cost of possible Houston expansion, said it’s ‘years’ away from breaking ground
The Daily Texan
http://bit.ly/1PklQe5

Student blog: The role of global health in US-Cuba relations
Baker College junior Anjali Bhatla wrote an op-ed on the re-establishment of U.S. diplomatic ties with Cuba and the possibility of using the mutual interest in health to normalize relations.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1PkhGmu

The lie that won’t die: No, ‘Obamacare’ doesn’t kill jobs
Vivian Ho, the James A. Baker III Institute Chair in Health Economics at the Baker Institute and professor of economics, is mentioned in a discussion of the effect “Obamacare” has had on jobs.
Houston Chronicle (This appeared in the Chronicle’s “Gray Matters” online magazine. Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1SzsVru

Houston film screenings outside the megaplex
The Rice Cinema will show “Ingrid Bergman, In Her Own Words” and “Gaslight” Jan. 22 starting at 7 p.m.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1SzBORP
http://bit.ly/1lznwCm

Our critics’ picks of the best entertainment events this week in Houston
James Sidbury, the Andrew W. Mellon Distinguished Professor of Humanities and professor of history, will participate in “The Abolitionists: Different Eyes Seeing the Same Reality” Jan. 22 at 6:30 p.m.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required. This article also appeared on My San Antonio.)
http://bit.ly/20gUOpy
http://bit.ly/1NmO4gK

Houston economy takes hit from falling oil prices
Stephen Klineberg, professor of sociology and founding director of Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, is quoted about dropping oil prices and the effects on Houston.
ABC13.com
http://abc13.co/1JZEfKS
KFOX (This broadcast also aired on KJAC, KBMT and WBRZ-BTR.)
http://bit.ly/1RBywNP

Candidates in Texas House District 5 race raise almost $250,000 for campaigns
Mark Jones, the Joseph D. Jamail Chair in Latin American Studies, professor of political science and fellow in political science at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted about campaign finance in Texas House District 5.
Tyler Morning Telegraph
http://bit.ly/1PH1Nk7

Gene editing for Duchenne muscular dystrophy shows promise
Gang Bao, the Foyt Family Professor in Bioengineering and the director of Rice’s Nanomedicine Center for Nucleoprotein Machines, is quoted about the possibility of using gene editing to treat diseases like Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Texas Standard
http://bit.ly/1OINaNj

Study: UT, St. Edward’s among the best colleges in Texas
Rice is No. 1 on Niche’s list of the best colleges in the Texas. The list is based on academics, cost, student surveys, diversity, student life and safety, among other criteria, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
Austin.com
http://bit.ly/1QgYlQ3

BROADCAST

Theodore Roosevelt, nationalizing land and the feather wars
Douglas Brinkley, professor of history, discusses the creation of public lands and the start of the conservation movement in the U.S.
KPFA
http://bit.ly/1lz6aWd

How the legacy of slavery and racial composition shape public school enrollment in the South
Slavery was abolished more than 150 years ago, but its effects are still felt today in K-12 education in the South. Heather O’Connell, postdoctoral fellow at Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, discusses this research.
KUT.org
http://bit.ly/1P84eQz

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Graphene oxide ‘paper’ changes as it’s pulled
Rice scientists have found that the same slip-and-stick mechanism that leads to earthquakes is at work on the molecular level, where it determines the shear plasticity of nanoscale materials. Postdoctoral researcher Chandra Sekhar Tiwary is quoted. Pulickel Ajayan, the Benjamin M. and Mary Greenwood Anderson Professor in Materials Science and NanoEngineering and of chemistry; Robert Vajtai, senior faculty fellow in materials science and nanoengineering; postdoctoral researcher Leonardo Machado; graduate students Soumya Vinod and Sehmus Ozden; and undergraduate students Juny Cho and Preston Shaw are mentioned.
Controlled Environments (Similar articles appeared in Science World Report and DPA Magazine.)
http://bit.ly/1T8qL1h
Graphene oxide ‘paper’ changes with strain: Rice researchers say material is more or less brittle, depending on how hard it’s pulled
Nanotechnology Now
http://bit.ly/1ZON7Kq

New tool puts accurate DNA analysis in fast lane
Rice scientists have developed a tool to analyze the thermal behavior of DNA and RNA strands. It could speed the design of molecular diagnostics that positively identify disease subtypes to inform optimal treatment. David Zhang, assistant professor of bioengineering, is quoted.
R&D Magazine
http://bit.ly/1KsNU7A
Bioengineers develop rapid method to analyze thermal behavior of DNA, RNA strands
American Laboratory
http://bit.ly/1nbKqB4

Race of world’s tiniest cars set to drive nano-robot revolution
Scientists from around the world will meet in Toulouse, France, in November for the world’s first car race conducted at the nanoscopic level. James Tour, the T.T. and W.F. Chao Professor of Chemistry, professor of computer science and of materials science and nanoengineering, is quoted.
New Scientist
http://bit.ly/1Ozpux8

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

Coders assimilate Donald Trump to a programming language
Duncan College juniors Sam Shadwell and Chris Brown are profiled about the programming language “TrumpScript” they created during HackRice last weekend.
Inverse
http://bit.ly/1T8xOqI

Rice University Theatre to present ‘Eurydice’ this February
Rice will present “Eurydice” at Hamman Hall Feb. 12-14 and Feb. 18-20. Christina Keefe, professor in the practice in theater and director of the Rice Theatre Program; Mark Krouskop, lecturer and production manager of the Rice Theatre Program; and Heather Breikjern, lecturer and costume shop manager of the Rice Theatre Program, are mentioned.
Broadway World
http://bit.ly/1KsIPfy

K.C. Nicolaou and Stuart L. Schreiber share 2016 Wolf Prize
K.C. Nicolaou, the Harry C. and Olga K. Wiess Professor of Chemistry, is a recipient of the Wolf Prize in Chemistry for advancing the field of chemical synthesis to the extremes of molecular complexity.
Chemical & Engineering News
http://bit.ly/1JZIGFv
Schreiber honored with Wolf Prize in Chemistry
Harvard Gazette (Similar articles also appeared in Harvard Crimson and My Informs.)
http://bit.ly/20gK22x

Nation’s largest award for top teaching brings Rice psychology professor to Baylor
Baylor University has named Michelle “Mikki” Hebl, Rice professor of psychology and management, the 2016 recipient of the Robert Foster Cherry Award for Great Teaching.
Baylor Magazine Online
http://bit.ly/1S7oKSb

Govt. scientists admit deceiving public about fracking’s impact on drinking water
Katherine Ensor, professor of statistics, is quoted about members of the Environmental Protection Agency Science Advisory Board requesting clarification on the conclusion that fracking does not impact drinking water.
Axis of Logic
http://bit.ly/1PH63QT

Invitation to Lunch’n Learn featuring Charles D. McConnell
Charles McConnell, executive director of Rice’s Energy and Environment Initiative, will present at the Lunch’n Learn seminar at the Royal Norwegian Consulate General in Houston.
Norway.org
http://bit.ly/1PHg0h5

Escola de Verão IPSA-USP tem eventos abertos
Randy Stevenson, professor of political science, will participate in the seventh Summer School IPSA-USP in Concepts, Methods and Techniques in Political Science in Sao Paulo Jan. 25-Feb. 5.
RedeNoticia (An English translation is not available.)
http://bit.ly/1T8HGAN

The unfathomable
Shepherd School of Music student Samuel Waters authored an op-ed about his experience with cancer.
Falls Church News-Press
http://bit.ly/1OIAOF7

Mercer fares well at nation’s largest parliamentary debate tournament
Rice is mentioned as a participant in Mile High Swing, the nation’s largest varsity-level parliamentary debate tournament, which was held Jan. 8-10 at the University of Utah.
Mercer News
http://bit.ly/1npSPl2

Sweet Briar named 2016 BRAID affiliate
Sweet Briar College has been named a 2016 affiliate of the Building, Recruiting And Inclusion for Diversity (BRAID) initiative. Rice is mentioned as a BRAID School Affiliate.
Sweet Briar College
http://bit.ly/1KsPB4W

GroupRaise offers charitable dining
GroupRaise is a fundraising site online that allows nonprofit organizations and groups to connect with local restaurants and host fundraisers. Rice is mentioned.
VidetteOnline (This article also appeared on Individual.com.)
http://bit.ly/1Ue3hX5

GSD introduces jury for 2016 Wheelwright Prize
The Harvard Graduate School of Design (GSD) announced the jury for the 2016 Wheelwright Prize. The article notes that Eva Franch i Gilabert, one of the members, taught at Rice.
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
http://bit.ly/1QgVUwR

Texas Children’s Heart Center welcomes new trio of cardiologists
Alumnus Justin Zachariah ’99 is joining Texas Children’s Heart Center as a pediatric cardiologist.
Katy Rancher
http://bit.ly/1RVJcr4

Bhattacharyya invited to give lectures at leading Taiwan universities
Alumnus Shankar Bhattacharyya ’69, a professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Texas A&M University, has been invited to give several lectures at two leading universities in Taiwan.
Dwight Look College of Engineering
http://bit.ly/1RVHBl3

Persied slated to perform at recital
Alumna Stephanie Hunt ’06 will perform at the First Presbyterian Church Jan. 31 as part of The Persied String Quartet.
The Intelligencer
http://bit.ly/1JZHkKM

CWU names associate provost for accreditation, academic planning and assessment
Alumna Bernadette Jungblut ’00 will join Central Washington University as associate provost for accreditation, academic planning and assessment.
Central Washington University
http://bit.ly/1JZE8in

Archeologists will be guest speakers for historical commission Jan. 25
Alumnus Louis Aulbach ’70 will speak at the Liberty County Historical Commission’s quarterly meeting Jan. 25.
The Vindicator
http://bit.ly/1JZGsGf

Dyer column termed ‘gibberish’
A letter to the editor is written in response to alumnus Michael “Gwynne” Dyer’s ’66 article “Refugees, Sex Assaults and Merkel.”
Orangeville Citizen
http://bit.ly/1NmHMh0

Fish & Richardson elevates 14 attorneys to principal
Alumnus John Brinkmann ’00 has been named principal in Fish & Richardson’s Intellectual Property Litigation Group.
iPFrontline
http://bit.ly/1Kt1zLZ

Isle girl wins Rice tennis camp award
Rice’s fall tennis camp is mentioned.
The Daily News
http://bit.ly/1PHdsQ5

SPORTS

Vaisse and Swinney receive Conference USA honors
Wiess College sophomore Kaitlyn Swinney has been named one of the Conference USA Co-Swimmers of the Week with North Texas University’s Sarah Vaisse.
Swim Swam
http://bit.ly/1ZP2mmK

Women’s basketball hosts UAB Thursday evening
Rice women’s basketball will play the University of Alabama at Birmingham at Tudor Fieldhouse Jan. 21 at 7 p.m.
C-USA
http://bit.ly/1QgZ8k3

Women’s basketball attempts to even conference record
Rice women’s basketball fell to Marshall University 81-52.
The Parthenon
http://bit.ly/1S74Uqf

Texans need to make special teams truly special
Alumnus Larry Izzo ’96 will be the new Houston Texans special teams coordinator after spending the last five years as the assistant special teams coach for the New York Giants. Rice is mentioned.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1lzjkmj
John McClain’s 2015 Texans report card: Special teams
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1RVPVBt

Sherrington: Longhorn Network has ‘made a mess of everything,’ but don’t point the finger at Texas
A photo from the 2011 Rice-University of Texas football game is included.
SportsDay
http://bit.ly/1RBy7uU

Criner takes key role for women’s basketball after early benching
North Texas University player Kelsey Criner discusses the Jan. 10 women’s basketball game against Rice.
North Texas Daily
http://bit.ly/1nAzOMB
Midseason review: Women’s basketball has high expectations after eventful start to season
North Texas Daily
http://bit.ly/1Qof4CT

Tennis wins 4 matches in final day at UCF tournament
The Rice tennis team participated in a three-day tournament in Orlando, Fla.
North Texas Daily
http://bit.ly/1Jl2HX2

Ravens’ O.J. Brigance receives NCAA Inspiration Award
Alumnus O.J. Brigance ’92 has been selected by the NCAA as one of the two recipients for its annual Inspiration Award.
Baltimore Sun (This article also appeared on Carroll County Times and Capital Gazette Online.)
http://bsun.md/1lz4U5C

Tech QB Mahomes elects to skip baseball this spring
Alumnus Charles “Chase” Clement ’08 is mentioned for being one of the six quarterbacks in college football history to produce at least 4,000 passing yards, rush for 450, throw for 30 touchdown passes and run for 10 touchdowns.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1OzxD4H

NEWS RELEASES

Matthew Foster wins NSF CAREER Award
Rice University theoretical physicist Matthew Foster has won a coveted National Science Foundation CAREER Award, which includes a five-year grant to support his research on quantum materials.
http://bit.ly/1QolqCm

Rice University students invited to 2017 Solar Decathlon
Rice students have been invited to enter the Department of Energy’s 2017 Solar Decathlon. They plan to design and build a solar-powered house that combines energy efficiency with affordability and appeal.
http://bit.ly/1P8AaED