[Rice Catalyst Issue 14]

ALL ABOUT
Catalyst is Rice University’s Undergraduate Science Research Journal. Catalyst’s goal is to showcasesstudent
perspectives on popular science topics and undergraduate research. We’re committed to fostering
interdisciplinary interest in scientific writing and dialogue about science at Rice. We invest in our writers
to represent our organization, our university, and the power of writing in this context to educate and
engage a broad audience. Catalyst was founded over a decade ago and the current faculty advisor is Dr.
Daniel Wagner, a professor in the Biosciences department. Typically Catalyst publishes one issue per year;
however, due to the COVID-19 pandemic this cycle was disrupted.
A
Attractions
Attraction’s articles are
1-2 pages and focus on
various science-related
topics. They are written with
a conversational tone so
that anyone can read and
understand them.
B
Breakthroughs
Breakthrough’s articles are 1-2
pages and focus on current
research by interviewing
rice faculty as well as other
researchers. They are geared
towards being understandable
by anyone.
C
Connections
Connection’s articles are
2-4 pages and focus on
original personal research
or a research review. These
articles are more complex and
modelled after peer-reviewed
scientific articles, and thus
are geared towards an
audience with some scientific
background.
D
Discoveries
Discoveries’s blog posts can
be found on the Catalyst
website. The blog posts are
are short and about any topic
in science. They are written
in a conversational tone and
geared towards the general
public.
Website: catalyst.rice.edu
design
The Catalyst design team works to create visual graphics and page design for the articles in the final
publication. The design team works to make articles easier to understand and pleasing to look at. The
design team also works to compile and format all articles into one magazine.