Dateline Rice for March 27, 2017 (Weekend Edition)

FEATURED ITEM

Rice wins WBI final for 1st national title, with foundation built for success
The Rice Owls’ women’s basketball team capped off a stellar 2016-17 campaign in style by winning the Women’s Basketball Invitational (WBI) 74-62 over the University of North Carolina-Greensboro Spartans Sunday afternoon at Tudor Fieldhouse. Rice Athletics Director Joe Karlgaard, head coach Tina Langley and players Jasmine Goodwine, Maya Hawkins, Adaeze Obinnah, Shani Rainey, Lexie Ducat, Wendy Knight, Erica Ogwumike and Olivia Ogwumike are mentioned in some of the articles.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2nEE1C6
Rice women claim WBI title with victory over UNC-Greensboro
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2nsuzBy
http://bit.ly/2nEF5Gk
Rice women on doorstep of history ahead of WBI title game
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required. This also appeared in My San Antonio.)
http://bit.ly/2n9LsOL
http://bit.ly/2o9x2iv
With an eye on the future, Rice women embrace postseason run to WBI final
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2nXNpla
WBI championship: Rice 74, UNC-Greensboro 62
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/2o9sTew
Rice leaves UNCG with runner-up finish at WBI
News & Record
http://bit.ly/2mIPTDS
UNCG women’s turnaround season leads to WBI title game
News & Record
http://bit.ly/2o2kHjw
Rice defeats UNCG in Women’s Basketball Invitational final
Times-News
http://bit.ly/2o9MYkM
Owls clinch WBI Tournament title with 74-62 victory over Greensboro
CBS Houston
http://cbsloc.al/2nt4Ngr
Sharp eyes can’t vault Idaho into WBI finals
Lewiston Tribune
http://bit.ly/2nYfFnG
Vandals season ends at hands of Rice
KLEW
http://bit.ly/2nYtAdo
UNCG women’s basketball team heading to WBI Championship
WFMY
http://on.wfmy.com/2nnEXsl
WXII
http://bit.ly/2oqSjUk
http://bit.ly/2nnNRGr
KHOU
http://bit.ly/2nZ7asw
KTRK
http://bit.ly/2orVYRO
WXLV
http://bit.ly/2mJM95n

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

Artificial photosynthesis steps into the light
Rice scientists have created an efficient, simple-to-manufacture oxygen-evolution catalyst that pairs well with semiconductors for solar water splitting, the conversion of solar energy to chemical energy in the form of hydrogen and oxygen. Kenton Whitmire, associate dean of the Wiess School of Natural Sciences and professor of chemistry, is quoted.
Science 360 News (This is the top story on the Science 360 News home page. This also appeared in Technology.org, Science Daily and Knowridge Science Report.)
http://bit.ly/2oqzl06
Semiconductors and artificial photosynthesis team up
Controlled Environments
http://bit.ly/2na7mkQ
Fotosintesi artificiale: l’evoluzione dei semiconduttori ibridi per la catalizzazione
Technoblitz (An English translation is not available.)
http://bit.ly/2mICZpp

Analysis: The outsider dealmaker faltering in White House
Douglas Brinkley, professor of history, is quoted about President Donald Trump.
The New York Times (This article appeared in over 10 other media outlets.)
http://nyti.ms/2mIMlBF
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2mIIowR
http://bit.ly/2nY69Rp
Thumbs up, down
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2o9nmEu

Former Obama press secretary Josh Earnest joining NBC News as political analyst
Alumnus Josh Earnest ’97 has joined NBC News as a political analyst.
The Hollywood Reporter (This also appeared in Yahoo Movies.)
http://bit.ly/2nsDtPa
Josh Earnest is now a political analyst for NBC News and MSNBC
The Daily Caller
http://bit.ly/2nEW3ED
NBC News signs former White House press secretary Josh Earnest
The Hill
http://bit.ly/2nEQHZV
Axios AM: March 27
Axios
http://bit.ly/2nsKi3D
Josh Earnest, former Obama press secretary, joins NBC News, MSNBC as analyst
Variety
http://bit.ly/2nEWgHy
Well, well, well, look who just hired Obama’s former White House press secretary
Red State Watcher
http://bit.ly/2ntariD
Obama White House press secretary joins NBC News, MSNBC as political analyst
The Wrap (This also appeared in the Houston Chronicle.)
http://bit.ly/2o2qXHO
Josh Earnest named NBC News, MSNBC political analyst
Washington Free Beacon
http://bit.ly/2oqFKbj
WWZN
http://bit.ly/2mJc9xs (Click on the audio button to listen to the broadcast.) 

Biggest challenge to Keystone XL not political but economic
William Arnold, professor in the practice of management at Rice’s Jones Graduate School of Business, authored an op-ed about the Keystone XL pipeline.
The Hill
http://bit.ly/2nsFSto
Due to KXL’s ‘hefty financial risk,’ will it ever be built?
Oil Change International
http://bit.ly/2n9AJmE

Fearing economic hit, Texas trans bathroom access bill may be DOA
Mark Jones, the Joseph D. Jamail Chair in Latin American Studies, professor of political science, fellow in political science at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and fellow at Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, is quoted about Texas’ “bathroom bill,” Sec. Rick Perry and the Republican health care bill.
Newsweek (This also appeared in Yahoo News.)
http://bit.ly/2o2c7RG
Powerful Texas Republican sees tough road for ‘bathroom bill’
U.S. News and World Report (This also appeared in Reuters.)
http://bit.ly/2mIz4ZJ
Media wildly distorts Rick Perry flap over gay student president
The Daily Caller
http://bit.ly/2nYccp2
National: Perry calls for investigation of Texas A&M’s election of gay student body president
The Stanley News & Press
http://bit.ly/2o9x61M
KRLD
http://bit.ly/2oqHRvJ (Click on the audio button to listen to the broadcast.) 

New Orleans woman could become 1st African-American saint
An unnamed Rice graduate is mentioned.
U.S. News and World Report
http://bit.ly/2oqlo24

El sacerdote que se enfrenta al presidente de Honduras
Tony Payan, the Baker Institute for Public Policy’s Françoise and Edward Djerejian Fellow for Mexico Studies and director of the institute’s Mexico Center, is mentioned.
The New York Times (An English translation is not available.)
http://nyti.ms/2nsYn0D

HOUSTON/TEXAS

Can we enjoy and protect Galveston Bay?
Jim Blackburn, professor in the practice of environmental law and co-director of the Severe Storm Prediction, Education and Evacuation from Disasters Center; Charles Penland, lecturer of civil environmental engineering; and alumnus Rob Rogers ’81 are mentioned in an article about Galveston Bay.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required. This appeared in the Chronicle’s “Gray Matters” online magazine.)
http://bit.ly/2nYG58O

Axelrod, Rove to lead fall conference at Rice
Two of America’s premier political consultants, David Axelrod and Karl Rove, will serve as honorary directors of the first conference of the Presidential Elections Program hosted by Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy. Ambassador Edward Djerejian, director of the institute, is quoted.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2nakDdg
http://bit.ly/2o2vry0

Houston seeks ways to kick-start its innovation sector
Hesam Panahi, lecturer in entrepreneurship at Rice’s Jones Graduate School of Business, is quoted about entrepreneurship in Houston. The article mentions that Rice offers startup incubators for students.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2nsJ5Jp

Houston Bike Plan offers a future with safer city roads
In an op-ed, Colleen Corcoran discusses the death of her mother, Marjorie Corcoran, a professor of physics and astronomy who was killed Feb. 3 in a train-cyclist accident.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2nEHQaD

Oil industry makes rich target for cyberattackers
Charles McConnell, executive director of Rice’s Energy and Environment Initiative, is quoted about cybersecurity and the coal industry.
San Antonio Express-News
http://bit.ly/2o28wmA
Despite odds, Ohio coal miners put faith in Trump
Columbus Dispatch
http://bit.ly/2o9S8NK
Digging for hope in coal country
Toledo Blade
http://bit.ly/2na03cR

Week in review
The rapid growth of freestanding emergency departments in Texas has been accompanied by an equal increase in use at relatively high prices that lead to sizable out-of-pocket costs to patients, according to new research by experts at Rice, Baylor College of Medicine, the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas. Vivian Ho, the James A. Baker III Institute Chair in Health Economics at the Baker Institute and professor of economics, is quoted in the RevCycle Intelligence article.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2nY3EOP
Out-of-pocket health care spending rose 65 percent at freestanding EDs
RevCycle Intelligence
http://bit.ly/2nntj0R

Bring choice to Texas education: Lima
Rice’s Hobby Center for the Study of Texas is mentioned.
El Paso Times
http://bit.ly/2o25gYt

Tech gunning for bigger things
An article mentions that Rice is among several Texas schools designated as having highest research activity by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.
Abilene Reporter-News
http://bit.ly/2o9YrRh

Being good neighbors: Bradbury Brothers of The Woodlands gives back
Alumnus Michael Bradbury ’06 is mentioned.
Woodlands Online
http://bit.ly/2o9WUuK

Trump’s immigration plan driving some into hiding
An article mentions that ““The Future of the Mexico-United States Relations: Implications and Challenges for the Border”forum included participants from Rice.
El Paso Times
http://bit.ly/2oqHmSp

BROADCAST

KFSM
A Rice Business Plan Competition team is featured.
http://bit.ly/2nQQUdg

KRIV
A broadcast discusses a self-defense seminar taught at Rice. Cesare Wright, a Rice Center for Engineering Leadership lecturer and outreach/leadership specialist, is featured.
http://bit.ly/2n9m6Qo

KSAT
A student who hopes to attend Rice is featured.
http://bit.ly/2mJ6Fmv

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Researchers find a way to safely recycle old gadgets: Turn them to dust
Researchers at Rice and the Indian Institute of Science have an idea for how to simplify electronic waste recycling: Crush it into nanodust. Postdoctoral research associate Chandra Sekhar Tiwary and Pulickel Ajayan, the Benjamin M. and Mary Greenwood Anderson Professor in Engineering and founding chair of the Department of Materials Science and NanoEngineering, are mentioned.
Tech Times
http://bit.ly/2nEQqpA
Pulverizing electronic waste is green, clean — and cold
Science Daily (This also appeared in Concord Register.)
http://bit.ly/2nYbHeu
Scientists say we can fix the e-waste problem by pulverizing electronics into nanodust
Science Alert
http://bit.ly/2nYrWs2
Scientists want to fix the e-waste problem by pulverizing electronics into nano-dust
Grendz
http://bit.ly/2nYiFAw
To recycle old gadgets, crush them into nanodust
Knowridge Science Report
http://bit.ly/2nF7ADK
New way to recycle e-waste is to pulverize electronics into nanodust
I4U News
http://bit.ly/2nY8pIv
Rifiuti hi-tech trasformati in nanopolvere da riutilizzare
Tom’s Hardware (An English translation is not available.)
http://bit.ly/2n9cdCc

Black schoolchildren at higher risk for ambulance-treated asthma attacks
Black schoolchildren were significantly more likely to require emergency medical crews to treat ‘uncontrolled’ asthma attacks at Houston public schools and at home, compared with white and Hispanic students, according to recent study. Loren Raun, faculty fellow of statistics, environmental analysis and decision-making, is mentioned.
Healio
http://bit.ly/2oqfxtC

Refined filters provide greener natural gas
Natural gas producers want to draw all the methane they can from a well while sequestering as much carbon dioxide as possible and could use filters that optimize either carbon capture or methane flow. No single filter will do both, but thanks to Rice scientists, they now know how to fine-tune sorbents for their needs. Andrew Barron, the Charles W. Duncan Jr.-Welch Professor of Chemistry and professor of materials science and nanoengineering, and research scientist Saunab Ghosh are mentioned.
Controlled Environments
http://bit.ly/2nERWs8
Study refines filters for greener natural gas
Science Daily
http://bit.ly/2nEXOBI

2 African-American women earn prestigious honors
Alumna Gilda Barabino ’86 is featured.
Journal of Blacks in Higher Education
http://bit.ly/2nsWBfW

Amazingly fast, cheap genome sequencing: Zika virus mosquito genome assembled from scratch
A team from Rice, the Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s Hospital and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard has developed a new way to sequence genomes, which can assemble the genome of an organism, entirely from scratch, dramatically cheaper and faster. Erez Lieberman Aiden, adjunct assistant professor of computer science and computational and applied mathematics, and Olga Dudchenko, a postdoctoral fellow at Rice’s Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, are quoted.
Science Daily
http://bit.ly/2nsLkwe
Zika virus mosquito genome assembled from scratch
Eurasia Review
http://bit.ly/2o28Ce0

Welcome to urban education reform: Bridging research and practice
Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research is mentioned.
Education Week
http://bit.ly/2o2aC5Z

Outcry rises when Trump’s treasury chief, Steve Mnuchin, scoffs at AI impact on jobs
Moshe Vardi, director of Rice’s Ken Kennedy Institute for Information Technology, the Karen Ostrum George Distinguished Service Professor of Computational Engineering and professor of computer science, is quoted about automation. Vardi will speak at Cornell University March 27.
Geek Wire
http://bit.ly/2nsBjPL
Things to do, March 24-31
Cornell Chronicle
http://bit.ly/2n1N78O

Research: When CEOs don’t win awards, they make more acquisitions
Yan “Anthea” Zhang, the Fayez Sarofim Vanguard Professor of Management, and Robert Hoskisson, the George R. Brown Professor of Strategic Management, co-authored an op-ed about CEOS.
Harvard business Review
http://bit.ly/2n9zCTW

Best resources for learning to code
An online business course offered by Rice through Coursera is mentioned.
Tom’s IT Pro
http://bit.ly/2o9SALZ

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

Susan Taylor-Demming For IPSD 204: Patch candidate profile
Alumna Susan Taylor-Demming ’81 is mentioned.
Naperville Patch
http://bit.ly/2opXwvy

Rice University professor receives $549,000 NSF CAREER Award
Ashok Veeraraghavan, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering, received a CAREER Award from the National Science Foundation.
India West
http://bit.ly/2nnuHAl

Cottey Distinguished Speaker Series concludes April 4
Alumna Helen Ho ’08 is mentioned.
Nevada Daily Mail
http://bit.ly/2nYcDjn

Bioengineering professor gives talk on biology, physics working together
Herbert Levine, the Karl F. Hasselmann Professor of Bioengineering, is mentioned.
The Observer
http://bit.ly/2mZ6cYu

The worst argument for Trumpcare
A Rice study on insurance is mentioned.
Bryan County News
http://bit.ly/2nYzoDI

UF and UW-Madison scholars team up to diversify STEM
Rice is mentioned.
UF News
http://bit.ly/2nLMqEA

Lee to host faculty wind quintet
An article mentions that Eric Anderson studied at Rice with Benjamin Kamins, professor of bassoon at Rice’s Shepherd School of Music,
The Chattanoogan
http://bit.ly/2odkg1B

New York Philharmonic to return to ‘Bravo! Vail’ March 21-28
An article mentions that Rice’s Shepherd School of Music is a New York Philharmonic Global Academy partner.
Broadway World
http://bit.ly/2mfE6MW

SPORTS

Scott Pera has dreams of banners as he takes over at Rice
Scott Pera is the Owls’ new head coach for men’s basketball, Rice Athletics Director Joe Karlgaard announced March 23. Pera, Karlgaard and President David Leebron are featured in some of the broadcasts.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2mInaPy
Scott Pera promoted to men’s basketball head coach at Rice
Penn Live
http://bit.ly/2o2hgZT
Athlete look back: Houston Rockets star James Harden
USA Today
http://bit.ly/2n9AhVg
Ex-Annville-Cleona coach Pera gets Rice job
Lebanon Daily News
http://bit.ly/2oa6fm3
KHOU
http://bit.ly/2nafIZN
http://bit.ly/2nF5XWq
KRIV
http://bit.ly/2n9D40Q
http://bit.ly/2o9Qmft
http://bit.ly/2o2zDhz
http://bit.ly/2oqQmXH
KPRC
http://bit.ly/2na1tV3
http://bit.ly/2nnL144
http://bit.ly/2nnOEqJ

College baseball: Baylor shuts out Oklahoma; Houston wins 9th straight
Rice baseball won one out of three games against Florida International University.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2nszPVF
FIU-Rice: Split double header sees Owls win 1st conference game
College Baseball Central
http://bit.ly/2mIJcly
FIU-Rice: Darryn Sheppard shines in series loss for Owls
College Baseball Central
http://bit.ly/2n9AeJ8
The ouch list, March 26
D1 Baseball
http://bit.ly/2o9OzqZ
KPRC
http://bit.ly/2nF5DHd

C-USA west stock exchange
An article discusses Rice football’s 2017 season. Head coach David Bailiff is mentioned.
Underdog Dynasty
http://bit.ly/2nEYxCJ

TSU’s Derrick Griffin on NFL audition: ‘It’s a dream come true’
An article mentions that Rice will host an NFL Pro Day March 27.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2nXQLnW
http://bit.ly/2mIjDAU
49ers met with 2-sport tight end before Rice Pro Day
Miners Nation
http://bit.ly/2na8NzO

Oregon’s Dylan Ennis no longer feeling unlucky
A Rice transfer is mentioned.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2mImLgi
Oregon Ducks have championship ingredients
Addicted to Quack
http://bit.ly/2o9IYks
NCAA TV coverage: Class is not a word you’ll hear
New York Post
http://nyp.st/2nF4GPa

Lions set 8 more provisional marks in 2nd weekend of outdoor season
Rice hosted the Victor Lopez Invitational March 23-25.
Gilmer Mirror
http://bit.ly/2nYglcq
Tulane outdoor track and field’s Potts breaks shot put record in final day of Victor Lopez Classic
Sports NOLA
http://bit.ly/2nnEExX
Islanders track claims 4th-place finishes Friday
Corpus Christi Caller-Times
http://bit.ly/2o9Dgii
Stratford track teams off and running
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/2nEK3CH

Texas A&M hosts TCU Saturday
Rice soccer is mentioned.
KBTX
http://bit.ly/2nFfQn5

Lefty Sikkema comes up big in big situations
Former Rice coach Patrick Hallmark is mentioned.
Columbia Daily Tribune
http://bit.ly/2nPJ6IS

MJC basketball coach Girardi inducted into Merced High Hall of Fame
Former Rice coach Mike Girardi is mentioned.
Modesto Bee
http://bit.ly/2nYbI2j

No. 9 Tech extends winning streak to 8 after defeating No. 22 Texas, 4-2
Rice tennis is mentioned.
Daily Toreador
http://bit.ly/2o23erp
UNLV roundup: Baseball team holds big edge in hits, still falls to Lobos
Las Vegas Review-Journal
http://bit.ly/2o9P1Fz
UNLV roundup: New Mexico overcomes early deficit, tops baseball team
Las Vegas Review-Journal
http://bit.ly/2oqAwg1
Softball swept to begin AAC play
The Oracle
http://bit.ly/2nsPp3O

Walker in middle of his best stretch guiding St. Patrick-St. Vincent High boys basketball
An article mentions that Derek Walker coached at Rice.
Times-Herald
http://bit.ly/2o9KMKb

50 in 50: Texas football on TV
Rice football is mentioned.
Hook ’em
http://bit.ly/2naaJbz
FAU Owls running game looking deep at spring practice, thanks to Buddy & Motor
CBS12
http://bit.ly/2nsVhtL
Running back Devin ‘Motor’ Singletary looks to power FAU offense again
Palm Beach Post
http://pbpo.st/2nsUjxu
East Central-ex Austin Jupe settling in at corner during spring
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/2o9BTjU

Sunday WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play notebook
A Rice commit is mentioned.
Austin American-Statesman’s “MyStatesman”
http://atxne.ws/2nsQpVl

Buffalo steals the series from Sam Houston State with Saturday hit parade
Rice baseball will play Sam Houston State University March 28.
KAGS
http://bit.ly/2nsOAb4
Surprisingly, Bearkats lose series finale 10-4 and home series to Buffalo
Huntsville Item
http://bit.ly/2oqoH9q
Buffalo takes series as Kats drop finale
KBTX
http://bit.ly/2nF60lg

Series preview: Texas A&M baseball goes to Vanderbilt
Rice baseball is mentioned.
Good Bull Hunting
http://bit.ly/2na4EM5
No. 23 A&M heads to Vandy with much-needed SEC wins on the line
247 Sports
http://bit.ly/2na7qkx
Series preview: Texas A&M at Vanderbilt
TexAgs
http://bit.ly/2o9IavV
Baseball: Utes in slump heading into Stanford series
Daily Utah Chronicle
http://bit.ly/2nYwNcH
Finishing touch
FAU Owl Access
http://bit.ly/2o9ULPD

Elite 8 pregame notes
Rice men’s basketball is mentioned.
Yahoo Sports
https://yhoo.it/2n9rtPu

NEWS RELEASES

Physician-geneticist Francis Collins to speak at Rice March 30
Dr. Francis Collins, leader of the Human Genome Project and founder of the BioLogos Foundation, and Dr. Tony Coles, chairman and CEO of Yumanity Therapeutics, will headline a Rice University conversation on how people of faith view science and how scientists view people of faith March 30. Collins will be speaking as a private citizen.
http://bit.ly/2nnXZiF

Axelrod, Rove named honorary directors of Baker Institute’s Presidential Elections Program
Two of America’s premier political consultants, David Axelrod and Karl Rove, will serve as honorary directors of the first conference of the Presidential Elections Program hosted by Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.
http://bit.ly/2nYGMit