Recognition & Honors
Accolades & Acknowledgements
Albert Cheng: Cheng, professor of Computer Science and Electrical & Computer Engineering, was named the president of the Mu Chapter of the Phi Beta Kappa (PBK) Honor Society.
Publications
Jiaxuan Li: Li, assistant professor of geophysics and seismology, led an international research team in developing a real-time volcanic monitoring system using fiber-optic cable infrastructure. His study, published in Science, introduced “fiber-optic geodesy,” a novel technique that repurposes telecom cables into dense arrays of sensors to detect magma movement with minute-level precision. The system successfully tracked multiple volcanic events in Iceland and issued early warnings ahead of eruptions. This breakthrough offers a scalable, cost-effective solution for global eruption forecasting–especially in offshore regions–and highlights Li’s leadership in advancing geophysical monitoring technologies.
Demetrio Labate and Yabo Niu: A collaborative team led by Demetrio Labate, professor of mathematics, has developed a machine learning model to analyze how heroin use alters brain cell structures—offering promising insights for addiction treatment. Working with Ph.D. students Michela Marini and Heng Zhao, and Yabo Niu, assistant professor in Mathematics and Health Systems and Population Health Sciences, the team identified structural changes in astrocytes, a type of brain cell critical to synaptic balance. Their model, which accurately classified astrocyte subpopulations with 80% precision, reveals how heroin may impair the brain’s ability to maintain homeostasis and resist relapse. The study, published in Science Advances, underscores the potential for AI-powered approaches in neuroscience and addiction research.
Martin Nuñez: Nuñez, professor in the Department of Biology and Biochemistry, is co-author of the research article awarded the 2024 Southwood Prize by the Journal of Applied Ecology. The study, “Inverse priority effects: The order and timing of removal of invasive species influence community reassembly,” explores how sequencing the removal of invasive plants–specifically Sweetbriar rose and Scotch broom–influences ecosystem recovery in northwest Patagonia. The findings show that staggered removals are more effective than simultaneous ones and can reduce the likelihood of secondary invasions.
Quentin Vicens: Vicens, research associate professor in the Department of Biology and Biochemistry, is a senior author of a new publication in Nucleic Acids Research introducing RNAhub, an automated web server that streamlines the search and alignment of RNA homologs while assessing conserved secondary structures. By integrating evolutionary data and covariation analysis, RNAhub enables researchers to identify structural RNAs with greater accuracy and confidence. This freely accessible tool enhances the reproducibility and scalability of RNA research, offering a powerful resource for scientists studying RNA structure and function.
Events
Pint of Science: The international Pint of Science Festival returns to Houston May 19–21, featuring engaging public talks by faculty, postdocs, and alumni from the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. The event, led locally and nationally by UH physicist Claudia Ratti, brings cutting-edge science to the community in casual settings. Presenters include Krešimir Josić (Mathematics), Eric Bittner (Physics), Ognjen Miljanić (Chemistry), and Travis Griggs (EAS), among others. Topics span AI, quantum physics, and air quality, showcasing NSM’s impact across disciplines and beyond the lab.