Rice OCFR

Office of Corporate & Foundation Relations at Rice University

[Rice OCFR @RiceOCFR]

It was our pleasure to celebrate the retirement of Assistant Vice President of Corporate and Foundation Relations Katie Cervenka, a game-changer at Rice who has steered corporate and foundation relations here for over 25 years. (Sadly, this is not an April Fool's post.)

[Rice University @RiceUniversity]

For more than four decades, the @RiceKinderInst has tracked how life is changing across the region. This year’s findings highlight shifting perspectives on economic opportunity, growing concerns about extreme weather and the importance of social connection https://t.co/YhBYiu8XQz

[Houston Chronicle @HoustonChron]

Lifelong learning is key to cognitive health. Rice University wants to help through virtual classes at senior living residences around the U.S. https://t.co/C8AOQwK8b6

[David Leebron @davidleebron]

Feeling very disappointed that due to conflicting obligations I couldn't accept invitation to attend the launch of Artemis II from @NASAKennedy today. But it's where my heart is. It calls once more to mind the remarkable speech of Pres. Kennedy at Rice Stadium over 63 years ago. "We set sail on this new sea because there is new knowledge to be gained, and new rights to be won, and they must be won and used for the progress of all people."
Kennedy asked why choose the moon, and famously answered "We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard." He foresaw the wide range of benefits that would result: "The growth of our science and education will be enriched by new knowledge of our universe and environment, by new techniques of learning and mapping and observation, by new tools and computers for industry, medicine, the home as well as the school."
Even though this is a return to the moon, the knowledge to be gained, investments that will be made and enterprises created will still reap large benefits.
The power and fruits of pushing the boundaries of exploration remain, and as he said then, if we're to do all this, "we must be bold." From the beginning of my time as president of @RiceUniversity, to the launch of our "Be Bold" campaign, Kennedy's insights and ambitions helped frame ours.
Thrilled to see our return to the moon.

[Michelson Medical Research Foundation @MichelsonMedRF]

Applications are now open for the Michelson Prizes: Next Generation Grants. We’re seeking applicants who are deepening our understanding of human immunology and uncovering new approaches to combating diseases.

Learn more and apply: https://t.co/6Ql3VJ2AR9

[Rice Engineering and Computing @RiceEngineering]

@RiceBIOE's Omid Veiseh has received a $2.2M grant from the @gatesfoundation to develop long-acting cell factory implants for HIV and malaria treatment and prevention. The platform could expand access to therapies in low-resource settings. https://t.co/Lg2C8hs5QH

[The Sontag Foundation @sontagfdn]

Today, we recognize the outstanding contributions of the Sontag scientists whose innovative research continues to drive progress in the field. Their dedication to advancing science is inspiring, and the collaboration and support within this community are just as meaningful.

[allen institute @AllenInstitute]

Applications are open for our Next Generation Leaders program!

Our NGL program recognizes emerging scientific leaders and invites them into a supportive network.

🔗 Apply by March 31: https://t.co/LBQb6TXhTK

[The Sontag Foundation @sontagfdn]

Applications are open for the 2026 Distinguished Scientist Award!

Become part of an elite group of scientists looking to make a difference in the lives of brain cancer patients.

The deadline to apply is March 18, 2026 at 11:59 pm ET.

More information: https://t.co/BKNHWu5HvB

[Arnold Ventures @Arnold_Ventures]

States are moving quickly to limit cell phone use in K‑12 schools, but school and district leaders lack evidence on how to effectively implement these policies to improve student success.

Our new RFP funds causal studies that examine academic, behavioral, and mental health impacts of these approaches.

LOIs due May 1. Learn more: https://t.co/PCtrJuZoBH

[Arnold Ventures @Arnold_Ventures]

State and local governments are adopting zoning and building code reforms to expand housing supply. We’re seeking research that can clarify how these reforms are working on the ground — whether in permitting, production, or market outcomes.

🗓️ Submit letters of interest (LOIs) by Friday, March 27. Details: https://t.co/PsOkQTQFdN

[Rice University Bioengineering @Rice_BIOE]

Congratulations to @RiceEngineering prof. Jerzy Szablowski for being named a 2026 Sloan Research Fellow. This honor recognizes his exceptional research accomplishments that make him stand out among the next generation of leaders in neuroengineering.
https://t.co/ck1vaJf8cA

[Rice Electrical & Computer Engineering @RiceECE]

📢 Our own Shengxi Huang is highlighted by @NSF for using machine learning to detect light signals 🔦 emitted by molecules in diseases such as Alzheimer's!

🔗https://t.co/8gOIpuQOuM

@RiceECE @RiceMSNE @RiceEngineering

[Reginald DesRoches @RDesRoches]

The latest edition of Accelerate is here! Discover how Rice faculty, students, alumni and friends are driving impact through research, teaching and philanthropy — on campus and around the world. Read the stories: https://t.co/HQkrXAENoG
#RiceUniversity #AccelerateImpact #PhilanthropyInAction

[Rice OCFR @RiceOCFR]

“I cannot overstate how instrumental humanities-focused fellowships have been to my journey in academic research..." says Rice's Dasseny Arreolaabout on the impact of fellowships including the Elizabeth Lee Moody Undergraduate Research Fellowship.

https://t.co/zIoZPKwJcx

[Reginald DesRoches @RDesRoches]

Get a close look at what research looks like at Rice in the spring edition of Rice Magazine. Dedicated to the power of discovery and impact, this issue of the magazine illustrates how the research being done at Rice has tangible, life-changing outcomes. Read more here: https://t.co/JsrkqVywYA

[The Welch Foundation @WelchFoundation]

Principal Investigator Yimo Han (@han_yimo) and researchers at @RiceUniversity report that Monolayer Amorphous Carbon (MAC), a material recently synthesized at the National University of Singapore, is eight times tougher than graphene. https://t.co/NPgknZVyKJ

[Reginald DesRoches @RDesRoches]

SENIOR SPOTLIGHT: Tyler Strothman with Rice’s School of Social Sciences is one of our amazing graduating Owls. A former track and field athlete who is majoring in sport management, @TylerStrothman turned a personal challenge into a growing business.

After dealing with foot pain from traditional running shoes, he launched Veloci, a performance running shoe brand designed with real runners in mind. Learn more about Tyler and his time at Rice. I can't wait to see what he does next!

#RiceUniversity
#GraduatingOwls
#SeniorSpotlight

[Reginald DesRoches @RDesRoches]

We are excited to share a major new milestone for @RiceUniversity — the unveiling and construction of the Moody Center Complex for Student Life. Made possible by generous gifts from the Moody Foundation and the Brown Foundation, this initiative will double the footprint of Rice’s student center spaces, creating a connected multi-use hub that strengthens community, fosters collaboration and enhances the student experience. Read more: https://t.co/Po4UW9ZiIZ

[Reginald DesRoches @RDesRoches]

The Moment is Us. Rice’s new strategic plan, Momentous: Personalized Scale for Global Impact, will guide the universities growth for the next decade and scale Rice’s vision for global impact. Learn more about Momentous in the newly released winter issue of Rice Magazine: https://t.co/gU0naKqQhE