From L to R: Rice President, Reginald DesRoches, Harell Huff, Suzanne Plummer, Wanda Gass, Vinay Pai, David Tsao, and the Dean of the School of Engineering and Computing, Luay Nakhleh.
What does an engineering and computing education make possible? For some, it means developing technologies that change how industries operate. For others, it means improving health care, opening doors for underrepresented groups or creating opportunities for the next generation of engineers. At Rice, those paths are as varied as the challenges graduates go on to tackle.
On Oct. 22, Rice University’s George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing and Rice Engineering Alumni (REA) hosted the 2026 Alumni Awards at the Asia Society Texas Center. The celebration brought together more than 100 guests to recognize five honorees whose professional achievements and service have made a meaningful impact on society.
“Tonight, we celebrate five people whose accomplishments make us proud to be part of the Rice community,” said Luay Nakhleh, the William and Stephanie Sick Dean of Engineering and Computing. “Their careers have taken different paths, but they share something important: they have used their knowledge, their curiosity and their abilities to make a difference. That is exactly what we hope a Rice education prepares people to do.”
“The accomplishments of these honorees demonstrate not only individual excellence, but also the innovation, collaboration, and commitment to making a difference that Rice strives to cultivate,” said Brianna Singh, president of the REA, Rice’s largest affinity group.
The honorees’ careers span financial technology, semiconductor engineering, computing and medical diagnostics. Their stories also reflect a shared commitment to using technical expertise to solve problems, create opportunities and improve lives.
Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award
Vinay Pai ’88 ’91 received the Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award, the highest recognition bestowed by the School of Engineering and Computing and REA. The award honors lifetime professional achievement, leadership, and contributions to society.
A fintech leader and founder and CEO of Prosperos.ai, Pai develops AI-driven financial technology solutions designed to improve access to banking, credit, and international remittances for underserved communities.
His service to Rice includes membership on the university’s Board of Trustees, as chair of the DARPA Committee, and as chair of the Rice Engineering and Computing Advisory Board.
Distinguished Service Medal
Wanda Gass ’78 received the Distinguished Service Medal, recognizing her as a visionary leader who has shown a deep dedication to the School of Engineering and Computing. After a decades-long career designing and developing semiconductor technologies and software solutions at Texas Instruments, she launched and led Design Connect Create, a nonprofit that encourages young women and girls to pursue STEM careers.
Through leadership on the Rice University Board of Trustees, the Alumni Board of Directors, and the school’s External Engineering Advisory Board, Gass has also played pivotal roles in Rice governance. For over a decade, she has also provided students with professional opportunities through externships.
Outstanding Engineering Alumni Award
Suzanne Plummer ’89 received the Outstanding Engineering Alumni Award for her career in the semiconductor industry and her commitment to expanding opportunities for women in engineering. Over nearly four decades at AMD, Plummer has led the delivery of industry-defining microprocessors and oversaw production of all central processing units (CPUs). Beyond her technical leadership, she has championed women in technology and worked to strengthen pathways for women pursuing careers in engineering.
During the ceremony, Plummer reflected on the rigorous Rice education that prepared her for her career. Raised by two scientists, she said she grew up believing that no path was off limits.
Outstanding Young Engineering Alumni Award
David Tsao ’17 received the Outstanding Young Engineering Alumni Award, which honors alumni under the age of 40. As Chief Technology Officer and co-founder of precision diagnostics company, BillionToOne, Tsao has transformed prenatal screening and oncology diagnostics through first-in-kind quantitative DNA technologies. Under his leadership, the company conducted over one million prenatal tests, garnering over $300 million in annual revenue.
Dean’s Appreciation Award
Harrell Huff was selected by Dean Nakhleh as this year’s recipient of the Dean’s Appreciation Award. Established in 2018, the award recognizes a non-alumnus who has made a significant impact on the School of Engineering and Computing. A chemical engineer, Huff worked in process and product research for 33 years at Dow Chemical where he met his wife, Carolyn, a Rice alumna.
Together, Harrell and Carolyn sponsored dozens of teams at Rice University’s Oshman Engineering Design Kitchen (OEDK) until her passing, leaving a lasting impact on the undergraduate engineering experience. In honor of their generosity and continued support, the OEDK’s premier engineering design competition was renamed the Huff OEDK Engineering Design Showcase.