Former President Donald J. Trump has officially endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the crucial Republican Senate runoff against incumbent Senator John Cornyn, a move that has drawn significant attention as early voting is underway in Texas.
“Trump's endorsement of Paxton is a significant development in what was already a closely watched race,” said 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. This endorsement comes amidst reports of 'election fatigue' among some Houston-area voters as the runoff elections proceed.
Houston is actively preparing for the FIFA World Cup 2026, with Rice University playing a key role as an Official Houston World Cup 2026 Host City Supporter. The university is partnering with the FIFA World Cup Houston Host Committee on the 'Green Corridor,' a loop connecting NRG Stadium, the FIFA Fan Fest, and the Columbia Tap Trail, aimed at enhancing sustainability efforts. David Abraham, lecturer of biosciences, noted the importance of these preparations. The Netherlands' “Orange Fanwalk” for its match against Sweden on June 20 will notably commence at Rice Stadium.
In scientific advancements, collaborative research at Rice University has led to the development of PrecisionView, a compact, AI-powered handheld endomicroscope designed to replace invasive biopsies and detect cancer earlier. Co-authors of this research include Rebecca Richards-Kortum, Ashok Veeraraghavan, Jimin Wu, and Huayu Hou.
Further research from Rice includes studies on the struggles of Ebola survivors by Kevin J.A. Thomas, the consolidation of power by Mali's military leader co-authored by Salah Ben Hammou, and the observation of a massive light-conversion effect in chiral carbon nanotubes by Junichiro Kono and Hanyu Zhu. Additionally, Lauren Hennelly's research has uncovered ancient lineages and unexpected genomic diversity in Indian and Tibetan wolves.
Other notable studies from Rice faculty include Erin Standen's research on the societal judgment faced by individuals using GLP-1 drugs for weight loss, and the development of a fast, eco-friendly water-based method for recovering valuable metals from spent lithium-ion batteries, led by Pulickel Ajayan, Sohini Bhattacharyya, and Simon M. King. Rice is also collaborating on a Texas-focused real-time flood warning system and developing a new type of plastic from bacterial cellulose.
The Kinder Institute for Urban Research at Rice University continues to provide crucial insights into the Houston area, with studies on the effectiveness of bilingual programs in the Pasadena Independent School District, as highlighted by senior researcher Gabriela Sánchez-Soto. The Kinder Houston Area Survey also shed light on the challenges faced by mid-tier restaurants and the financial security of Harris County residents, offering guidance on affordable hurricane preparedness.
These diverse contributions underscore Rice University's ongoing commitment to addressing critical issues in politics, public health, environmental sustainability, and technological innovation, while also actively engaging with its local community and preparing for major international events like the FIFA World Cup.