News Releases

Houston residents willing to pay more for city parks, Rice Kinder Institute survey shows

Despite having one of the largest urban park systems in the country and one of the highest levels of philanthropic support of parks, Houston falls behind other major cities in funding them — and a majority of residents say they are willing to spend more to elevate the city’s investment, a new study by the Kinder Institute for Urban Research at Rice University has found.

Rice sociologist elected president of Religious Research Association

Elaine Howard Ecklund, the Herbert S. Autrey Chair in Social Sciences and director of Rice University’s Boniuk Institute for the Study and Advancement of Religious Tolerance, has been elected president of the Religious Research Association (RRA) for 2023-24.

Secretary of State Blinken to join foreign policy discussion at Rice’s Baker Institute Oct. 3

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will join Rice University Baker Institute for Public Policy Director David Satterfield and Honorary Chair James A. Baker III to discuss the country’s foreign policy strategy at an event at Rice Oct. 3.

NSF backs Rice processor design, chip security research

Rice computer scientists have won two grants from the National Science Foundation to explore new information processing technologies and applications that combine co-designed hardware and software to allow for more effective and efficient data stream analysis using pattern matching.

Rice’s Baker Institute and Baker Botts to host global energy summit Oct. 4-5

The Baker Institute Center for Energy Studies at Rice University and Baker Botts L.L.P. will co-host their seventh annual energy summit Oct. 4-5. The two-day conference at Rice’s James A. Baker III Hall will feature international and domestic perspectives through keynote addresses and discussions with energy experts in industry, government and academia.

Rice joins nationwide effort to make financial aid more transparent

Rice University is one of more than 360 colleges in the U.S. committed to making financial aid offers more transparent.

It's easier to get valuable metals from battery waste if you ‘flash’ it

A battery recycling process developed by Rice scientists can retrieve valuable metals from mixed cathode and anode waste with a yield exceeding 98% in less time than normal using low-concentration acid, reducing both the cost and negative environmental impact.

Rice Alliance Energy Tech Venture Forum showcases transformative innovations

The Energy Tech Venture Forum, hosted by the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship, named 10 energy companies "most promising" by energy investors, highlighting them for driving innovations that shift energy practices toward a more sustainable, reliable and lower carbon future.

Tiny CRISPR tool could help shred viruses

Rice scientists mapped out the three-dimensional structure of one of the smallest known CRISPR-Cas13 systems then used that knowledge to modify its structure and improve its accuracy.

Feds fund $45M Rice-led research that could slash US cancer deaths by 50%

The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health has awarded a Rice-led team $45 million to rapidly develop an implant with sense-and-respond technology that could slash U.S. cancer-related deaths by more than 50%.

Rice creates $1M scholarship in honor of Ruth Simmons

Rice University President Reginald DesRoches announced the creation of a $1 million scholarship named after Ruth Simmons, a President’s Distinguished Fellow and higher education trailblazer. 

Baker Institute expert discusses economic burden of American brain health at UN General Assembly

The economic burden of brain and mental health-related disorders — along with the need to fuel innovation in the field so the U.S. can continue to compete economically — has prompted the need for a brain science-inspired industrial strategy that will build America’s “brain capital,” argues an expert from Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.

Copper-based catalysts efficiently turn carbon dioxide into methane

Copper-based catalysts developed by Rice University materials scientists help speed up the rate of carbon dioxide-to-methane conversion.

Rice trustee Terrence Gee and family donate $1M to university

Rice University trustee Terrence Gee and family have donated $1 million to the university to help establish the Dr. Anthony B. Pinn Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Center for African and African American Studies.

Acclaimed conductor Robert Spano to lead Shepherd School chamber, symphony orchestras Sept. 28-30

Acclaimed conductor Robert Spano, music director of the Aspen Music Festival and School and Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, will take the Stude Concert Hall stage later this month to kick off the Rice University Shepherd School of Music’s 2023-24 season as he leads the university's chamber orchestra Sept. 28 and its symphony orchestra Sept. 29-30. All three concerts will begin at 7:30 p.m.