At Rice University, we approach grand challenges with purpose, creativity, and collaboration. Our scale, culture, and commitment to impact empower us to move ideas rapidly from discovery to real-world solutions. In the realm of neuroengineering and brain health, Rice stands apart — not by following the traditional path of academic research, but by redefining it. We are driven by outcomes, not just inquiry; by innovation, not just investigation. Our focus is on improving lives through technologies and insights that translate from the lab to the clinic and the community.
Rice is uniquely positioned to lead this effort from the heart of Houston — a global center for medicine, innovation, and diversity. Here, our partnerships with world-class institutions, industry leaders, and philanthropic visionaries create the ideal environment to accelerate breakthroughs in brain health. Our collaborative spirit and interdisciplinary strengths enable us to tackle complex problems in ways few universities can. And as Houston reflects the future of America’s demographic and cultural landscape, the solutions we develop here will not only transform this region, but set a model for the nation.
- Outcomes-oriented: Unlike most peer institutions that have developed neurotechnology research programs as extensions of neuroscience departments, we lead with engineering. This outcomes-oriented approach gives Rice the unique ability to build its research culture and infrastructure focused on solving problems related to brain health. This is different from traditional approaches that organize research clusters around answering basic science questions that may not have a direct impact on solving brain health problems.
- Houston is a medical innovation hub: Houston has all of the key ingredients to be a world-leading public-private-philanthropic neuro innovation hub. The TMC is the largest medical center in the world. Rice University has expertise in innovation. The Greater Houston Partnership and the Center for Houston’s Future are motivated to see neuroscience innovation as a key industrial innovation pillar for the region in the coming years. Philanthropists in the Houston region are bold and are intrigued by the prospects of brain health innovation given the excitement around the Texas Lieutenant Governor’s Dementia Prevention Research Institute of Texas leadership.
- Highly collaborative: Rice’s unique culture, nimble approach, and breadth and strength of faculty allows us to develop interdisciplinary approaches unconstrained by silos and organizational structures
- Houston is a microcosm of America’s future: If we can do this in Houston in 10 years, we can do it nationwide in 25 years because the makeup of Houston today is projected to match the makeup of the US by 2045.