Rice Engineering and Computing

Sí se puede. Yes, we can.

That was a favorite saying of Richard Tapia, who built bridges for generations of students, empowering them to pursue STEM careers. Now, Houston’s Ship Channel bridge honors his life and contributions: Harris County officially renamed it the Dr. Richard A. Tapia Bridge during a dedication ceremony held May 26.

Richard, your legacy will live on forever. https://news.rice.edu/news/2026/si-se-puede-ship-channel-bridge-named-late-rice-professor-richard-tapia

A new clinical trial could pave the way to more independence for people with paralysis.

Rice is joining forces with Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) and BrainGate, a research consortium leading clinical trials focused on brain-computer interface (BCI) technologies.

The Rice-BCM team will focus on decoding brain activity to control robotic assistive devices to help people with paralysis eat and drink independently. Nishal Shah of Rice University Electrical & Computer Engineering is leading a team that will be responsible for creating the computational infrastructure that decodes intended movements from neural activity and drives the robotic system. https://news.rice.edu/news/2026/clinical-trial-seeks-advance-intuitive-assistive-robotics-people-paralysis

What if engineering and computing could change humanity for the better?

That's what the 2026 issue of the Rice Engineering and Computing Magazine is all about. Take a peek inside to read about the people, ideas and discoveries shaping that future as we ask bigger questions, pursue bolder solutions and redefine what’s possible.

Guided by Vision 2030, our school's new strategic plan, we're focusing on the areas where we believe we can make the greatest impact in the years ahead — from designing AI-powered healthcare innovations to disaster-proofing urban infrastructure.
https://engineering.rice.edu/rice-engineering-and-computing-magazine-2026

Richard Tapia's impact will be felt for generations.

We are deeply saddened by the loss of Richard Tapia, a distinguished University Professor who, over the past half-century, has truly shaped Rice into the place it is today.

As a mathematician, his accomplishments were many: the National Medal of Science, presented by President Obama in 2011 — the highest honor this country gives a scientist or engineer; the National Science Board's Vannevar Bush Award; the first Mexican-American elected to the National Academy of Engineering.

But his biggest impact was the legacy he has left through his unwavering commitment to empowering underrepresented students to pursue STEM opportunities—from leading the Tapia Center to mentoring graduate students. He opened doors for generations of students from underrepresented communities and instilled within them the truth that STEM is for everyone.

Richard's legacy will live on at Rice University and within countless students whose life he has helped shape over his decades of service to the university. Rest in peace, Richard Tapia. https://news.rice.edu/news/2026/richard-tapia-pioneering-mathematician-and-advocate-diversity-passes-away-88

From spacecraft reentry to industrial safety, students showcased their real-world solutions at the Rice D2K Lab on April 27.

Teams demonstrated how data science can drive meaningful improvements in public health and safety, enhance both natural and built environments, and address major global challenges facing humanity.

Congratulations to the winners of this year's showcase!

💠 Team NASA Reentry used machine learning to predict heat flux during spacecraft reentry for NASA Johnson Space Center. Team members: Arush Adabala, Ethan Hsu, James Foxworth, Kyle Zheng, Lívia Cordeiro and Todd Hao. Mentored by Andrew Hyatt from NASA JSC, Xinjie Lan and D2K Fellow Vishesh Kumar.

💠 Team Hawkeye built AI-powered video analysis software for industrial safety analysts. Team members: Rafael Tinajero Ayala González Arce, Kunyang Li, Richard Xu, Marcos Miranda, Laura Chirila and Alan Johnson. Mentored by Partha Dutta from TechnipFMC, Arko Barman, Ph.D. and D2K Fellow Nhi Le.

💠 Team Palyno-Minds designed an automated pipeline to detect and localize microfossils for the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Team members: Abbas Shaikh, Teon Golden, Aditya Viswanathan, Praise Mayor, Patrick Ainlay-Vazquez and Eric Zhang. Mentored by Ingrid Romero and Scott Wing from the Smithsonian, Arko Barman, Ph.D. and D2K Fellow Tony Yu.

15 student teams compete at the 2026 D2K Spring Showcase | George R. Brown School of Engineering | Rice University https://engineering.rice.edu

Rice researchers in the lab of Edward Knightly have uncovered a new potential cyberattack threat: a new kind of wireless jamming attack could use curved radio beams to disguise where interference is coming from.

Caroline Spindel, a doctoral student in the Knightly lab, co-authored the research, which was presented at the 47th IEEE Symposium on Security and Privacy this week.

The study makes manifest the urgent need to rethink wireless security, especially in the context of rapid advances in physical AI and autonomous systems.

“As wireless technologies become more advanced, we also need smarter ways to keep them secure,” Knightly said. https://news.rice.edu/news/2026/curving-wireless-beams-could-let-cyberattackers-hide-source-jamming-attacks

Rice University Electrical & Computer Engineering

Curving wireless beams could let cyberattackers hide the source of jamming attacks Rice researchers demonstrated a new kind of wireless jamming attack that uses curved radio signals to disguise where interference is coming from.

There's something especially meaningful about honoring members of the Rice Engineering and Computing community who have made a true lasting impact on society.

That's the spirit of the George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing Alumni Awards: our biannual recognition of individuals who are transforming society through professional accomplishments, service, and dedication to the next generation of Rice engineering and computing professionals.

This year, we recognize five individuals for their industry leadership, innovative technology and diagnostic platform development, and their immeasurable impact on Rice students. Congratulations to the 2026 Alumni Awardees:

Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award: Vinay Pai ’88 ’91
Distinguished Service Medal: Wanda Gass ’78
Outstanding Engineering Alumni Award: Suzanne Plummer ’89
Outstanding Young Engineering Alumni Award: David Tsao ’17
Dean’s Appreciation Award: Harrell Huff

Read more about the awardees, and stay tuned this fall for a series of profiles that explores their impact on society.

Rice Engineering and Computing announces 2026 Alumni Awardees | George R. Brown School of Engineering | Rice University The George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing

Our mission of Solving for Greater Good is going out into the world as the graduates of the Class of 2026 enter their professions.

Last Friday, our graduates gathered to affirm their commitment to public good at the induction ceremony for the Order of the Engineer and The Pledge of the Computing Professional, drawing on longstanding traditions that treat entry into the profession not only as an academic achievement, but as a public and ethical commitment.

Nearly 300 students crossed the stage to receive a stainless steel ring or ceremonial pin and recited oaths committing themselves to ethical practice and service to society. https://news.rice.edu/news/2026/its-about-what-you-do-what-you-learn-engineering-computing-graduates-affirm-commitment

Can climate variability influence the risk of armed conflict?

New research from Rice sheds light on this long-debated question.

Led by Rice statistics doctoral student Tyler Bagwell, with Rice University Statistics professor Frederi Viens and climate scientist Sylvia Dee, the study uses high-resolution data and empirical modeling to examine how large-scale climate patterns shape the probability of civil conflict and war. The research is published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The study originated through a Rice Faculty Initiatives grant designed to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, bringing together expertise from climate science and political science.

Climate patterns may shape where violent conflict risks are amplified, Rice study finds A new Rice study uses high-resolution data and empirical modeling to examine how large-scale climate patterns shape the probability of civil conflict and war.

🦉 🎓 Rice Owls have taken flight! Congratulations to the 2026 Rice Engineering and Computing graduating class.

This morning, we celebrated the class of 2026 with an Order of the Engineer and Pledge of the Computing Professionals induction ceremony, where graduates pledged to contribute to their fields with integrity and ethics. Following the ceremony, families celebrated with faculty and Rice Engineering Alumni at the graduation reception.

We are proud of the class of 2026 and can't wait to see what you accomplish in your careers!