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Recent News About University of Houston

  • 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...


  • 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...


  • 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...


  • 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...


  • 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...


  • 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...


  • 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....


  • 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...


  • 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...


  • 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...


  • University of Houston Research Reveals Pre-Collapse Monitoring of Kakhovka Dam, Ukraine

    On April 3, 2024, new research conducted by the University of Houston sheds light on the events leading to the collapse of the Kakhovka Dam in Ukraine in 2023.The study, published in the journal Nature Communications Earth and Environment, reveals that the dam may have shown signs of deformation before its collapse. According to UH assistant professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering Pietro Milillo, "Through our analysis, we observed displacements characterizing different segments of the dam, up to two years prior to the actual collapse."The research team utilized...


  • $3 Million Gift Funds New Scholarships for Working Students at the University of Houston

    A new, $3 million gift has been announced to establish the Houston Works Scholarship Fund at the University of Houston, aimed at providing scholarship support to working junior and senior students in select majors. Senior vice president for academic affairs and provost at UH, Diane Chase, emphasized the importance of the gift, stating, “It is no secret that the University of Houston is home to hard working students, and that goes double for those Cougars holding down full-time jobs while taking classes.”The generous donation, funded by an anonymous donor, will provide...


  • Helping UH Students Harness Their Future

    In a bid to support generations of young Texans in achieving their academic dreams, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HLSR) has been quietly delivering on its promise of making the college dream possible. The rodeo has dedicated over $600 million towards supporting Texas education, with nearly 20,000 rodeo scholarships valued at $275 million helping students pursue higher education.One of the beneficiaries of the HLSR scholarship program, Samiha Zaman, a senior at the University of Houston, shared, "Without the financial support, I would have been working a job to...


  • Renowned Argonne Scientists Join University of Houston in Energy Transition Collaboration

    Three top researchers from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory have accepted joint appointments at the University of Houston as part of a strategic collaboration aimed at advancing energy transition efforts. Michael Wang, Zachary Hood, and Jianlin Li are the scientists from Argonne who will be joining the University of Houston in various capacities.Michael Wang, a senior scientist at Argonne, has been appointed as the inaugural Distinguished Senior Scholar at UH’s Energy Transition Institute. Wang is known for developing the widely utilized GREET...


  • Predicting Weight Gain in Children Using Second Generation Anti-Psychotic Medication

    A new study conducted by researchers from the University of Houston College of Pharmacy has shed light on predicting weight gain in children using second-generation antipsychotic (SGA) medication. The study, published in the Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology, explored the development and predictors of clinically significant weight gain (CSWG) among pediatric patients on SGAs.The research, led by graduate researcher Ning Lyu under the supervision of Hua Chen, examined the records of over 16,000 pediatric patients aged 5-19 from 2016 to 2021. Lyu identified...


  • Jason Robert Brown to Headline University of Houston Musical Theatre Showcase Concert

    The Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts at the University of Houston is gearing up for a special musical theatre showcase concert featuring Tony Award-winning Broadway composer Jason Robert Brown and acclaimed actress and singer Sally Mayes on April 12, 2024. The collaboration between the two artists will be a highlight of the spring semester and the culmination of the "Song Performance for Musical Theatre" course led by Sally Mayes as Artist in Residence."We're thrilled to welcome Jason Robert Brown to Houston as part of this special collaboration," said Sally...


  • Experienced Innovators Selected to Help Advance Technology and Innovation at the University of Houston

    The University of Houston has announced the appointment of two distinguished professionals to key leadership roles within the Office of Technology, Transfer, and Innovation (OTTI) under the Division of Energy and Innovation. Haleh Ardebili, the Kamel Salama Endowed Professor of Mechanical Engineering, has been appointed as the new assistant vice president of Entrepreneurship and Startup Ecosystem, while Michael Harold, Cullen Engineering Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, assumes the role of assistant vice president for Intellectual Property and Industrial...


  • Partners Collaborate to Support Healthier Community in Third Ward

    The University of Houston has joined forces with various community partners in the Third Ward Community Health Collaborative (TWCHC) to address health challenges faced by Houstonians within the historic neighborhood. Linda Civallero, director of community outreach for the Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine, emphasized the importance of equal participation among partners, stating, "It’s important that everyone has an equal voice in this effort."The collaborative recently received grants totaling $310,000 from the Episcopal Health Foundation to enhance...


  • UH’s Energy Transition Institute Leader Appointed to Department of Energy Committee

    Joe Powell, the founding executive director of the Energy Transition Institute at the University of Houston, has been appointed to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Industrial Technology Innovation Advisory Committee (ITIAC) by U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm.The committee, consisting of 18 members, will focus on accelerating the development of innovative technologies and processes to help decarbonize the American industrial sector and reduce emissions. Powell stated, "The collaborative work of the ITIAC aligns seamlessly with the mission of the Energy Transition...


  • UH Basketball: It’s All About “The Little Things.”

    UH basketball players LJ Cryer and Jamal Shead showcased their teamwork and skill in a recent game against Iowa State, leading the University of Houston Cougars to victory. Cryer's transfer to UH from Baylor has proven successful, with him crediting Coach Kelvin Sampson for his improvement in defense. Cryer emphasizes the importance of the coach's honest and dedicated approach to player development.In a similar vein, Shead speaks highly of Coach Sampson's consistency and commitment, highlighting the coach's unwavering support for the team. Despite individual accolades and...