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Recent News About University of Houston

  • Andy and Barbara Gessner College of Nursing graduates inaugural class of DNP students

    Three years after its establishment, the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) at the Andy and Barbara Gessner College of Nursing is celebrating its inaugural class of graduates. The DNP doctorate equips family nurse practitioners and nurse executives to tackle the scarcity of primary care providers, nursing educators, and leaders in a complex health care environment. The program elevates the level of preparation necessary for advanced nursing practice from a master’s degree to a doctorate.


  • Tomas Bryan appointed as new student regent for University of Houston System

    The University of Houston System (UHS) Board of Regents is set to welcome a new student representative. Tomas Bryan, a UH graduate student, has been announced as the incoming student regent and will be officially sworn in at an upcoming board meeting.


  • University of Houston joins $10M biopharmaceutical manufacturing innovation effort

    The University of Houston has been selected to join a $10 million initiative by the National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals (NIIMBL) aimed at fostering innovation in biopharmaceutical manufacturing.


  • Discovery of AKAP12 Protein as Potential Treatment Target for Heart Failure Study at University of Houston College of Pharmacy

    Researchers at the University of Houston College of Pharmacy have discovered that when there's a higher amount of a protein called AKAP12 inside the heart, it speeds up the work of an enzyme called PDE8A and can accelerate cardiac dysfunction.


  • A Matter of Degrees: University of Houston Spring Commencement Celebrates Student Achievements

    The sounds of Taylor Swift and Beyoncé will take a backseat to another song May 8 – 11. “Pomp and Circumstance” will be the most popular tune at the University of Houston campus that week. The ceremonial graduation march perfectly personifies the academic achievements of Cougars. It also inspires pride in the University and its mission to prepare students for the next chapters of their lives. Spring Commencement is indeed a time for celebration, but it’s also a moment for reflection, particularly for the 6,655 Coogs who will complete this leg of their academic journeys. This...


  • University of Houston Professor Cristina Rivera Garza Wins 2024 Pulitzer Prize

    University of Houston Professor Cristina Rivera Garza has won a 2024 Pulitzer Prize for her memoir “Liliana’s Invincible Summer: A Sister’s Search for Justice.” The Pulitzer Prize is regarded as the highest national honor in journalism, letters and drama, and music.


  • Headline: University of Houston Celebrates Legacy of Artist Frank Stella

    The legacy of artist Frank Stella lives on at the University of Houston, despite his passing. Stella died Saturday.


  • Two University of Houston Cougars Named 2024 OTC Emerging Leaders

    Two University of Houston Cougars have been named among the 2024 Emerging Leaders by the Offshore Technology Conference. Jian Shi, assistant professor of engineering at the University of Houston, and Mejdi Kammoun, UH alumnus, are part of the esteemed group of 11 individuals earning a spot on the list.Jian (Jason) Shi, Ph.D., who is an assistant professor with a dual appointment in the Department of Engineering Technology, and Electrical and Computer Engineering at University of Houston’s Cullen College of Engineering, expressed his passion for contributing to a safer,...


  • Mental Health Expert Raises Alarm as Mental Health Awareness Month Arrives

    As Mental Health Awareness Month begins in May, experts are raising concerns about the declining state of mental health in society. Rheeda Walker, a psychology professor at the University of Houston specializing in mental health and suicide prevention, expressed alarm at the current situation, stating, “The overall mental health of our society seems to be declining, and it’s alarming.”According to a nationwide survey conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of the American Psychological Association, adults ages 18 to 34 reported the highest rate of mental illnesses at 50%...


  • In Memoriam: Former Optometry Dean and Provost Jerald W. Strickland

    Former University of Houston provost, dean of the College of Optometry and assistant vice chancellor for International Studies and Programs, Jerald W. Strickland, has passed away at the age of 87. Strickland, who also served as an optometry officer in the U.S. Air Force Medical Service Corp, had a long and illustrious career at the University of Houston.For more than 35 years, Dean Strickland dedicated himself to the University of Houston, leaving a legacy of national accomplishment in optometry, vision science, and community service. As Michael Twa, the current dean of...


  • 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...


  • 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...


  • 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,...


  • 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...


  • 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,...


  • 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...


  • 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...


  • 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...


  • 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...


  • 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...