Rice University is expanding academic exchange with top Costa Rican universities, institutions and organizations. We seek to increase student mobility, research partnerships, and experiential opportunities that can enhance communities in both Costa Rica and in the USA.

• Did you know that Rice University has an active Costa Rica Interest Group?
• Did you know that Rice University feels fortunate to have a close working relationship with Consulate General of Costa Rica in Houston?
• Did you know that Rice University is honored and grateful to have a great relationship with Costa Rican National Academy of Science, Costa Rican Ministry of Science, Technology and Telecommunications, Ticotal and CINDE.

Rice signs MOU with Costa Rica

Rice President David Leebron (left) and Marcelo Jenkins, Costa Rica’s minister of science, technology and telecommunications, signed a memorandum of understanding Nov. 7 to promote research collaborations and student and faculty exchanges. Please see more pictures here.

Stay tuned for more exciting news and updates!

Costa Rican Faculty & Staff at Rice

Anthony Várilly-Alvarado, Associate Professor of Mathematics

“This is a world class university, with incredible opportunities to do research and to “create communities”to develop research programs.  The development of knowledge being ingrained in the culture of the university, we constantly rethink and redevelop our course offerings to stay ahead of the curve.  Learning never stops.”

–Anthony Várilly-Alvarado, Associate Professor of Mathematics

Andrea Ballestero S., Assistant Professor of Anthropology

“Rice is a top research university that is committed to one-on-one training and mentoring. I am excited about the research possibilities and the quality of our students. It is a great environment for the generation of new ideas and the exploration of taken for granted truths.

–Andrea Ballestero S., Assistant Professor of Anthropology

Carlos Jiménez, Professor of Architecture. Please click on the picture to view his full bio.

Erika de la Garza, Program Director of the Latin America Initiative at the Baker Institute

“Costa Rican researchers and scholars would feel at home at Rice given its manageable size, and easily approachable colleagues. Being exposed to Rice’s highly motivated and stimulating faculty and student body is an opportunity not to be missed.”

–Erika de la Garza, Program Director of the Latin America Initiative at the Baker Institute

 Rice at Costa Rica

• Nicki Chamberlain-Simon (Lovett ’16) will work with the Applied Ergonomics Laboratory at the Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica in Cartago, Costa Rica for 9 months. She will be investigating a 3D printed prosthetic design in order to reduce the cost of assistive care.

Read more about Nick’s experience here!

• The GMI Track of the Master of Bioengineering Degree  

  The 2017-18 GMI cohort’s summer experience began on May 31, 2017. They traveled to Costa Rica, where they will spend ten weeks collaborating with local universities and clinicians to develop design projects, then take part in a global industry internship working as interns at Boston Scientific. We invite you to read their blog here: gmi.rice.edu/student-blogs.

“The program consists of a two-week short course, followed by an internship. The short course is taught in Costa Rica to both Costa Rican students and Rice students. During the course, students are introduced to concepts of medical device development and innovation. After the two weeks, students  participate in a 6-week internship at one of the local medtech companies. Both Rice students and Costa Rican students receive the benefits of the course, of the internships, and importantly, of working with each other. ”                                                                                                                                                                                              -Dr. Eric Richardson

Click here to learn more about the program! Click here to view a short video about GMI!