Dateline Rice for March 8, 2017

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

A little zap turns this glass from clear to black
Rice University’s latest nanophotonics research could expand the color palette for companies in the fast-growing market for glass windows that change color at the flick of an electric switch. Naomi Halas, the Stanley C. Moore Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and professor of chemistry, of bioengineering, of physics and astronomy and of materials science and nanoengineering, graduate student Adam Lauchner and McMurtry College senior Grant Stec are quoted. Peter Nordlander, professor of physics and astronomy, of electrical and computer engineering and of materials science and nanoengineering, is mentioned.
Futurity (This article appeared in the March 9 issue of Futurity Today.)
http://bit.ly/2mYPEEp
Nanophotonics team creates low-voltage, multicolor, electrochromic glass
Phys Org
http://bit.ly/2lYnFQv

How worried should we be about artificial intelligence? I asked 17 experts.
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 superintelligence.
Vox
http://bit.ly/2lYlOeo

The trouble with over-hyping clean energy
Daniel Cohan, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering, authored an op-ed about clean energy.
The Hill
http://bit.ly/2mGeoB7

HOUSTON/TEXAS

New tower puts Ellington one step closer to space
David Alexander, director of the Rice Space Institute and professor of physics and astronomy, is quoted about a $12.4 million request to replace Ellington Airport’s air traffic control tower as part of the former military base’s transformation into a spaceport.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required. This article appeared on the front of the Business section in the March 8 print edition with a different headline, “New tower proposed for Ellington Airport.” This also appeared in Aviation Pros.)
http://bit.ly/2mlGcJR

Critics find plenty to dislike in GOP health plan
Vivian Ho, the James A. Baker III Institute Chair in Health Economics at the Baker Institute and professor of economics, is quoted about the House Republican health care bill.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required. This article appeared on the front page of the March 8 print edition with a different headline, “GOP health bill faces revolt.”)
http://bit.ly/2mYaB2h
Texans assess potential health care fallout
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2mBgCRs

Texas Medical Center CEO tapped for University of Arizona president job
Edward Egan, fellow and director of the Baker Institute for Public Policy’s McNair Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, is quoted about Texas Medical Center CEO Robert Robbins, who has been named the new president of the University of Arizona.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required. This also appeared in My San Antonio and LMT Online.)
http://bit.ly/2m2fJyw
http://bit.ly/2mlF2y4

Why it’s harder than ever to move out of poverty
Ryan Holeywell, senior editor at Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, authored an article about economic mobility.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required. This appeared in the Chronicle’s “Gray Matters” online magazine.)
http://bit.ly/2mlxmM0

Houston schools, charters reach out to anxious immigrant community
An article mentions that Rice is one of the schools that signed KIPP co-founder Mike Feinberg’s letter endorsing the BRIDGE Act.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2mBRr19
KIPP, HISD work to ease fears of immigrant parents
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2mjdurh
http://bit.ly/2n6EA54

Art gallery and museum listings: March 9-15
Rice’s Moody Center for the Arts will present Olafur Eliasson’s “Green Light — An Artistic Workshop” through May 6; Thomas Struth’s “Nature & Politics” through May 29; Dana Thater’s “The Starry Messenger” through Feb. 1; and teamLab’s “Flower’s and People, Cannot Be Controlled But Live Together — A Whole Year Per Hour” through Aug. 13. Rice Gallery will present Sol LeWitt’s “Glossy and Flat Black Squares” until May 14.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required. This also appeared in My San Antonio and LMT Online.)
http://bit.ly/2m24wxS
http://bit.ly/2n5XEk3

Cruz, Smith and Babin: A strong step for Texas, and 1 giant leap for space exploration
President John F. Kennedy’s famous “Moon Speech” delivered at Rice Sept. 12, 1962, is discussed.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2mFGah0

GHWCC names Houston’s Women to Watch in Business in 2017
Edna Meyer Nelson is one of the Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce’s “Women to Watch in Business in 2017.” A slideshow mentions that Nelson has lectured at Rice.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required. This also appeared in LMT Online and My San Antonio.)
http://bit.ly/2lY8HKa
http://bit.ly/2mlWWAy
Women to watch in business in 2017
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/2neqbTN

What’s showing outside the megaplex?
Rice Cinema will show “Generation Revolution” March 10.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2mYco7t
http://bit.ly/2lYnrcd

Rice University’s new Moody Center lets the light in for art, performances, and creative collaboration
Rice’s Moody Center for the Arts is discussed. Alison Weaver, the Suzanne Deal Booth Executive Director of Rice’s Moody Center for the Arts, is quoted.
CultureMap Houston
http://bit.ly/2nemj4U
Houston invita a los colombianos a la cuarta ciudad más grande de los Estados Unidos
Canal Plus (An English translation is not available.)
http://bit.ly/2lEkMsK

Memorial Hermann Medical Group The Woodlands welcomes new endocrinologist
Alumna Navneet Kainth ’04 is featured.
Woodlands Online
http://bit.ly/2lYhKe6

The most liberal, conservative colleges in Texas
Rice was featured on Niche’s list of the top 100 most liberal colleges in America.
Midland Reporter-Telegram
http://bit.ly/2mm3Vtk

BROADCAST

Texas is state most affected by any NAFTA overhaul
Russell Green, the Will Clayton Fellow in International Economics at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted about the potential effects of a NAFTA overhaul.
Texas Public Radio
http://bit.ly/2miWEZU

Answering your questions on METRO’s long-term transportation plan
A broadcast mentions that representatives from Rice are part of a group brainstorming safety upgrades to Houston’s MetroRail system.
Houston Public Media’s “Houston Matters”
http://bit.ly/2mYiG7n

Houston’s ambitious bike plan nears a final vote
An article includes a photo of a bike stand at Rice.
Houston Public Media
http://bit.ly/2mlRQUW

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

The top 200 universities in the world for architecture 2017
Rice’s School of Architecture is featured on Quacquarelli Symonds’ list of the world’s top universities for the study of Architecture & Built Environment.
Arch Daily
http://bit.ly/2lYKLGx

Brain connectivity different in people with epilepsy
A novel statistical approach to analyzing patients with epilepsy has revealed details about their brains’ internal networks. The findings may lead to better understanding and treatment of the disease, according to Rice researchers. Marina Vannucci, the Noah Harding Professor of Statistics and professor and department chair of statistics, and Sharon Chiang, an M.D./Ph.D. student at Rice and Baylor College of Medicine, are quoted.
Epilepsy Research UK
http://bit.ly/2mFS4Hw
Statistics method shows networks differ in epileptic brains
Knowridge Science Report
http://bit.ly/2newQx6

Nano ‘sandwich’ could enhance optical properties, tunability of graphene
Rice University researchers have modeled a nanoscale sandwich, the first in what they hope will become a molecular deli for materials scientists. Rouzbeh Shahsavari, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering, is quoted.
Photonics Media
http://bit.ly/2mjgdkA

Orm-way’s Orsay ummy-tay? Unique protein partly to blame
Results of a Rice University study of the Orsay virus unique to nematodes, the worms that make up 80 percent of living creatures on Earth, have revealed the molecular structure of a fusion protein that forms unusual fibers and attaches the virus to cells and infects them. Yizhi Jane Tao, associate professor of biochemistry and cell biology, and Weiwei Zhong, assistant professor of biochemistry and cell biology, are quoted. Graduate students Yanlin Fan and Yusong Guo are also mentioned.
Technology.org
http://bit.ly/2mm8wvF

New path suggested for nuclear fusion
Controlled nuclear fusion has been a holy grail for physicists who seek an endless supply of clean energy. Scientists at Rice, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the University of Chile offered a glimpse into a possible new path toward that goal. Peter Wolynes, the D.R. Bullard-Welch Foundation Professor of Science, professor of chemistry, of biochemistry and cell biology, of physics and astronomy and of materials science and nanoengineering, is quoted.
Space Daily
http://bit.ly/2mYS1qU

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

Pineville native makes it big as investment banker
Rice Board of Trustees Chair Bobby Tudor ’82 is featured.
Town Talk
http://townta.lk/2mFTYbc

Events to celebrate Women’s History Month
Annise Parker ’78, professor in the practice and a fellow at Rice’s Doerr Institute for New Leaders, will present “Women on Top: Top-Lessons in Politics and Leadership” in Huntsville March 30.
CNHI
http://bit.ly/2lEhfus

Richard M. Simins rejoins Montgomery McCracken
An article mentions that Jackson Warren attended Rice.
CityBizList (This also appeared in CityBizList Philadelphia.)
http://bit.ly/2mG2uXC

The Edvisory: Ensuring every ambitious student makes the cut
An article mentions that Zil Lakhani earned her college counseling certification at Rice.
Express Tribune
http://bit.ly/2mlKUXZ

Montco biotech firm doubles headquarters’ footprint, plans to add ‘research innovation center’
Rice is mentioned.
Philadelphia Business Journal
http://bit.ly/2m2enDU

McHugh David: Modernizing watershed study to enhance drainage projects
Rice is mentioned.
Livingston Parish News
http://bit.ly/2nepRV9

Statistical computing in the data age
Genevera Allen ’06, the Dobelman Family Junior Chair and assistant professor of statistics, will speak at the University of Auckland March 22.
Voxy
http://bit.ly/2miNagX

Harp and flute featured in faculty recital at SCF, Manatee-Sarasota
Leone Buyse, the Joseph and Ida Kirkland Mullen Professor of Flute and chair of woodwinds, is mentioned.
Bradenton Patch
http://bit.ly/2mBO0rg

SPORTS

Rice taking a patient approach to March Madness
Rice men’s basketball will play the University of Southern Mississippi in the Conference USA Championship March 8. The winner of the game will face the University of Texas at El Paso March 9. Head coach Mike Rhoades, Brown College sophomore Marcus Evans and Wiess College senior Egor Koulechov are mentioned.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2mBiFF9
Jefferson helps TSU pass 1st test in SWAC
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2m289DN
Sports calendar, March 8-9
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2mBmNW3
SEC Men’s, SWAC and C-USA men’s and women’s tournaments preview
Jackson Free Press
http://bit.ly/2miVSvQ
C-USA tourney: Can Southern Miss make an improbable run?
Sun Herald
http://bit.ly/2nexkU6
Can anyone knock off Middle Tennessee? Previewing the C-USA men’s tournament
Virginian-Pilot
http://bit.ly/2mm2TgV
C-USA tournament guide
Yahoo Sports
https://yhoo.it/2mjahIt
Eagles get 3rd crack at Rice at C-USA tourney
Clarion-Ledger (This also appeared in Hattiesburg American.)
http://on.thec-l.com/2neGmQZ
2017 C-USA tournament: Viewing guide and preview
Miner Rush
http://bit.ly/2mlTohK
C-USA tournament day 1 primer: The madness begins
Mid-Major Madness
http://bit.ly/2mYLNre
HP sports in depth: Miners bounce into Birmingham for C-USA Championship
El Paso Herald-Post
http://bit.ly/2lYCqT8
Miners practice in Birmingham, set for C-USA tournament
El Paso Proud
http://bit.ly/2mYP3mv
UTSA update — Wednesday, March 8
UTSA Athletics
http://bit.ly/2mBCrRf
Roadrunners hit the road for Birmingham
Yahoo Sports
https://yhoo.it/2mm8XWZ

UTSA to face Rice in Wednesday’s opening round of C-USA tournament
Rice women’s basketball will play the University of Texas at San Antonio in the Conference USA Championship March 8.
UTSA Athletics
http://bit.ly/2n6Bj5O
UTSA, Texas State, UT take shot at NCAA bids as conference tourneys begin
KSAT
http://bit.ly/2mGbtrP
6 things to watch at the C-USA tournament
Daily News Journal
http://on.dnj.com/2neBb3e

Lady Raiders climb 2 spots to No. 6 nationally in latest rankings
Rice tennis is mentioned.
Daily Toreador
http://bit.ly/2mFV7iR
No.6 Lady Raiders travel to face Wichita State
Daily Toreador
http://bit.ly/2mBBiZR

Rhoades has Rice thinking ‘big dance’
Rice men’s basketball head coach Mike Rhoades is featured. Assistant coaches Scott Pera, J.D. Byers and Brent Scott and players Marcus Evans, Egor Koulechov and Corey Douglas are mentioned.
Standard Speaker (This also appeared in Republican Herald.)
http://bit.ly/2mFOT2R

Baseball hits the road in series before Pac-12 play against Owls
Rice baseball fell to Lamar University 4-10. The team will play Stanford University March 9-12.
Stanford Daily
http://bit.ly/2mBC3Ci
D1 digest: Tuesday, March 7
D1Baseball
http://bit.ly/2n6b93b
Leal’s grand slam powers LU baseball over Rice 10-4
12NewsNow
http://bit.ly/2m2x1va
LU baseball breaks out the bats in 10-4 win over Rice
KFDM
http://bit.ly/2mYCZBB
Stanford’s Brodey, Hock earn Pac-12 baseball honors
Palo Alto Online
http://bit.ly/2mj43Iw
Leal’s grand slam lifts Cardinals past Owls, 10-4
PA News
http://bit.ly/2mYHNqK
KBMT
http://bit.ly/2mYQIsd
KBTV
http://bit.ly/2n6xHRh

Ranking the 2017 Pac-12 football schedules: UCLA and Cal face toughest slates in the conference
Rice football is mentioned.
Pacific Takes
http://bit.ly/2m2yNwl

Houston Baptist has realistic hopes of winning NCAA bid
Rice men’s and women’s basketball are mentioned.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2mY4MlI
Capsule look at Wednesday’s C-USA tournament UTSA-WKU game
Houston Chronicle (This also appeared in My San Antonio.)
http://bit.ly/2lY4t5n
ODU women head into tournament looking to forget last outing
Virginian-Pilot
http://bit.ly/2mG2vL9
HBU confident it can win Southland tournament
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2mYCdVb
UTSA to open C-USA tournament action on Wednesday against WKU
UTSA Athletics
http://bit.ly/2mj85k8

Aiken High standout wins $20,000 scholarship
A Rice commit is mentioned.
NA Today
http://bit.ly/2neKtMO

Chicago Bears tender exclusive rights to WR Josh Bellamy and CB Bryce Callahan
Former Rice football player Bryce Callahan is featured.
Scout
http://foxs.pt/2lEosLd

NEWS RELEASES

Baker Institute expert: Overhaul of US drug policy is long overdue
A new report from the Office of the Surgeon General, “Facing Addiction in America,” suggests that an overhaul of U.S. drug policy is long overdue, according to a new issue brief from a drug policy expert at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.
http://bit.ly/2mlZuim

Rice lab expands palette for color-changing glass
Rice University’s latest nanophotonics research could expand the color palette for companies in the fast-growing market for glass windows that change color at the flick of an electric switch.
http://bit.ly/2n6DYwu