University Houston
Recent News About University Houston
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Under Examination: Buckling – When Structures Suddenly Collapse
In a recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Roberto Ballarini, a prominent figure in Civil and Environmental Engineering, has made significant strides in predicting the effects of geometric imperfections on thin-walled structures."We derived equations that allow us to predict the resistance to buckling of structures in terms of the parameters that are involved including the shapes and distribution of their imperfections," explained Ballarini. The study, coauthored by Ballarini, doctoral student Zheren Baizhikova, and Jia-Liang Le...
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University of Houston Hydride Research Pushes Frontiers of Practical, Accessible Superconductivity
Science is taking a significant step forward in the realm of superconductivity, thanks to the groundbreaking work led by Xiaojia Chen at the University of Houston. Chen, the M.D. Anderson Professor of Physics at UH’s College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, expressed the importance of easing the critical controls currently required for superconductors, stating, “It has long been superconductivity researchers’ goal to ease or even eliminate the critical controls currently required regarding temperature and pressure.”The research, conducted in collaboration with a...
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2024 UH Faculty Awards Recognize Teaching, Research, Service
The University of Houston recently honored its outstanding faculty members at the 2024 Faculty Awards ceremony, acknowledging their dedication to teaching, research, and service. The event celebrated the achievements of educators who have made significant contributions to the university and the community.One of the highlights of the evening was the presentation of the Esther Farfel Award, the highest faculty honor at UH, to Zhifeng Ren, the Paul C. W. Chu and May P. Chern Endowed Chair in Condensed Matter Physics. Ren expressed his gratitude for the recognition, stating,...
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Treatment for Deadly Superbug C. diff May Be Weakening
The antibiotic vancomycin, recommended as first-line treatment for infection caused by the deadly superbug C. difficile (C. diff), may not be living up to its promise, according to new research from the University of Houston College of Pharmacy."Despite the increasing prevalence of data showing reduced effectiveness of vancomycin, there is a significant lack of understanding regarding whether antimicrobial resistance to these strains may affect the clinical response to vancomycin therapy," reports Anne J. Gonzales-Luna, research assistant professor in the Department of...
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Sustainable Clean Future Possible with Innovative High-Energy-Density Capacitors
In a recent breakthrough, a multi-university research team, including experts from the University of Houston, Jackson State University, and Howard University, has made significant strides in capacitor technology. The team's innovative work has led to the development of a new type of flexible high-energy-density capacitor, holding great promise for various industries.Capacitors are crucial components in electronic devices and energy storage systems, known for their ability to discharge high amounts of energy quickly. Alamgir Karim, a prominent figure in the research team,...
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UH Wins National Wheelchair Tennis Championship
The University of Houston celebrated a historic victory at the 2024 ITA National Wheelchair Tennis Championships, emerging as the national champions in collegiate wheelchair tennis. The triumph came after a thrilling showdown against No. 1 San Diego State, where the No. 3 Cougars displayed exceptional skill and teamwork to claim their first wheelchair tennis national title.Leading the charge for UH were Jose Arriaga and Nicholas Tijerina, who secured the championship with a stellar performance. Arriaga sealed the victory with a hard-fought singles match, while the duo...
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Life Goals and Their Changes Drive Success
The existence of high prestige and education goals, as well as their positive development, can drive success. A study conducted by the University of Houston reveals that the evolution of life goals from adolescence to young adulthood plays a significant role in shaping future outcomes. Associate professor of psychology at the University of Houston, Rodica Damian, emphasizes the importance of life goals, stating, "Life goals are expected to change over time and these changes are expected to have consequences for future life outcomes, including occupational outcomes."The...
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Texas Music Festival Announces 33rd Season at the University of Houston
The Immanuel and Helen Olshan Texas Music Festival is set to return for its 33rd season at the University of Houston's Moores School of Music from June 4 to June 22, 2024. The festival, a platform for classical and jazz music, promises intensive musical training for aspiring musicians and over 25 public performances for the community to enjoy.Highlighted in the 2024 season are performances by acclaimed artists such as the Formosa Quartet, pianists Kenny Broberg, William Wolfram, and Vadym Kholodenko, who will grace the stage alongside the Festival Orchestra and Festival...
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Kaushik Rajashekara Elected International Fellow of the Engineering Academy of Japan
Kaushik Rajashekara, a Distinguished Professor of Engineering at the University of Houston Cullen College of Engineering, has been elected as an International Fellow of the Engineering Academy of Japan. He is being recognized for his significant contributions to power conversion and the electrification of transportation.According to the academy, Rajashekara's election as an International Fellow is in honor of his outstanding scientific research and technical developments in the field of energy, focusing on promoting greater efficiency and environmental security for energy...
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Pradeep Sharma Wins PNAS Cozzarelli Prize for Paper on Musical Perception
Pradeep Sharma, the Hugh Roy and Lillie Cranz Cullen Distinguished University Professor of Mechanical Engineering and interim dean of the Cullen College of Engineering, has been awarded the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) 2023 Cozzarelli Prize for his groundbreaking paper on musical perception.Sharma's paper, titled "A minimal physics-based model for musical perception," delves into the intricate world of musical perception and seeks to answer the question of why some individuals have a superior ability to hear music compared to others. The paper...
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Nourishing Hope and Success: Cougar Cupboard Expands to Meet Growing Demand
In January 2020, the Cougar Cupboard first opened its doors at the University of Houston to address food insecurity among students. The program manager, Jessica Haney, reflects on the rapid growth of the initiative, stating, “We went from a few hundred visits per semester to a few thousand visits and gradually took over some offices, but we just couldn’t expand that space any further.”With a 1900% increase in usage from Fall 2020 to Spring 2023, the Cougar Cupboard initiated a search for a new, larger space. Now, after nearly a year, the cupboard is moving to University...
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UH’s Mielad Ziaee Named 2024 Truman Scholar
Student Mielad Ziaee has been named the 2024 Truman Scholar from the University of Houston, making him just the third recipient of this prestigious scholarship from the institution. Ziaee's dedication to public service and academic excellence has earned him this esteemed recognition.Ziaee expressed his enthusiasm about the opportunities that come with the Truman Scholarship, stating, “I’m excited to engage with changemakers, stakeholders, and leaders at all levels of public service—to both learn new topics and continue to grow my expertise in others.” He also highlighted...
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Trucking Along, Living the Sweet Life
Kayce Ekpenike, a sophomore at the University of Houston, is defying the norm by successfully running her own business, Funnelocity Gourmet Funnel Cakes, alongside her academic pursuits. When asked how she manages it all, Ekpenike humorously admits, “That’s a great question. I’m still figuring that out now.”Ekpenike's journey into the world of funnel cakes stems from her childhood memories in Louisiana. Recalling her early experiences with fairground funnel cakes, she remarked, “They were mediocre... They were small and crispy. But they were sweet, and I was young, so I...
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University of Houston Lands 18 Programs in Latest QS World University Rankings
The University of Houston has once again proven its global standing with 18 programs ranking among the top in the world, as per the 2024 edition of the QS World University Rankings by Subject. The rankings were released today by QS Quacquarelli Symonds.Among the highlighted programs, UH’s hospitality programs at the Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership secured a world rank of No. 35, while the petroleum engineering program in the Cullen College of Engineering also made its mark by ranking in the top 100 worldwide (51-100).Diane Z. Chase, senior vice...
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University of Houston and Scotland’s Heriot-Watt University Forge Strategic Energy Alliance
The University of Houston (UH) and Scotland’s Heriot-Watt University (HWU) have formalized a strategic partnership aimed at fostering global collaboration in education, research, and innovation in the energy sector and beyond. The memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between the two institutions marks the beginning of a joint effort to address pressing energy challenges and drive sustainable innovation on a global scale.Ramanan Krishnamoorti, vice president for energy and innovation at UH, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, "I am thrilled to...
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UH College of Pharmacy Researcher Examines Trends in Rising Cost of Medicine
Newly published research from the University of Houston College of Pharmacy sheds light on the alarming rise in prescription drug costs, particularly in diabetic medications. According to the study, diabetic medications, including insulin, have been leading the surge in prescription drug prices in the U.S.The research, led by Tyler Varisco, assistant professor of Pharmaceutical Health Outcomes and Policy at the University of Houston, highlighted the concerning trend in diabetic medication expenditures. Varisco, along with Whanhui Chi, a second-year doctoral student in...
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U.S. News & World Report Ranks UH Graduate Programs Among Nation’s Best in 2024
The University of Houston has once again solidified its position as a leading institution in graduate education, with several of its programs ranked among the top in the nation in the 2024 U.S. News & World Report graduate program rankings. According to the report released today, 13 of UH's programs have secured spots in the top 50 nationwide, with a total of 17 programs in the top 50.Among the top-ranked programs are several specialties from the UH Law Center, with Health Care Law, Part-Time Law, and Intellectual Property Law securing spots in the top 10 nationwide....
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Houston-Area Energy Startup Incubator Wins Phase 1 of DOE Competition
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Technology Transitions (OTT) has announced the selection of Texas Innovates, a Houston-based non-profit organization focusing on hydrogen and carbon innovation, as one of the 23 phase 1 winners of the Energy Program for Innovation Clusters (EPIC) Round 3 competition. Texas Innovates is the sole Texas entity to advance to phase 2 of the competition.In a statement, Alex Rozenfeld, President of Texas Innovates, expressed the organization's dedication, saying, "We have been working towards this day since we identified the need for...
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Extreme Makeover: Eric’s Edition
The University of Houston's Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hotel Leadership has recently undergone a significant transformation with the renovation of Eric's Restaurant, a longstanding favorite among students, alumni, and visitors.Dean Dennis Reynolds explained the motivation behind the makeover, stating, “We wanted to up our food and atmosphere game as well, and this was the perfect time to do it.” The refresh aims to align Eric's with the college's commitment to providing top-notch hospitality education and experiences.Under the guidance of Head Chef Curtis Taylor...
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University of Houston Researchers Confirm Ozone & Particulates Are Issues in San Antonio Air
University of Houston Researchers Confirm Ozone & Particulates Are Issues in San Antonio AirIn a groundbreaking study, University of Houston researchers have confirmed that air pollution levels in the San Antonio area exceed federal limits, leading to the city receiving a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency non-attainment designation. The research, which also examined air quality in Dallas and Houston, revealed unique challenges facing each city.Lead researcher Jimmy Flynn expressed, "This was the first time we deployed our mobile air-quality laboratory to the San...