Milestones in Science: Celebrating 50 Years of Discovery at Rice
Echoes of Collapse
For nearly five decades, Rice’s John Anderson has pieced together the history of Antarctica’s ice sheets, revealing how glaciers collapse and seas rise. From sediment cores to detailed seafloor maps, his research has shown that rapid ice sheet retreat is not just possible — it has happened many times before. Anderson’s work provides the long-term perspective needed to understand today’s climate challenges and their potential impact on coastlines worldwide.
Learn how it happenedFROM PAST CLIMATE TO PRESENT ACTION
Research on past climate events, from ice sheet collapses to sea level shifts, has given Rice scientists a deep understanding of environmental change. Today, our faculty, students and alumni are leading efforts to study climate change, inform policy and promote sustainability globally. Read on for some of their remarkable stories.
SHAPING MINDS FOR TOMORROW
Historic milestones and today’s innovative research remind us that discovery thrives alongside education, and we proudly celebrate those who have transformed how future scientists learn and lead.
Tim Diedesch Brings 21st Century Relevance to the Field
Tim Diedesch is transforming the time-honored experience of field geology for the 21st century, broadening its focus, inclusivity and cultural scope to give Rice students the skills they'll need for whatever careers they choose. A lecturer in Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences, Diedesch is using active learning, virtual technology and other techniques to rejuvenate the field trip portions of both introductory and upper-level courses.
Discover how it came togetherAcknowledgement
This work was made possible with support from the Fondren Fellows program.