Gary Cisneros, whose career at Rice spanned nearly three decades, passed away Nov. 27 in Katy, Texas, surrounded by family.
Cisneros joined Rice University’s George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing as a technician in May 1996. Most recently, he served as a research specialist in the Department of Materials Science and NanoEngineering.
Throughout his career, he played an essential role in supporting a wide array of laboratory instruments used by generations of students and faculty. His knowledge and dedication to Rice research enabled countless discoveries to come to fruition as he guided students through lab safety, instrument use, and experimental troubleshooting.
Karen Lozano ’96 ’99, Trustee Professor and chair of the Department of Materials Science and NanoEngineering, recalls Cisneros’ impact—both from her time as a graduate student and as the current department chair.
“When I was a doctoral student at Rice almost three decades ago, Gary had just joined the department,” said Lozano. “His behind-the-scenes work enabled us to focus on innovation, discovery, and learning without worrying whether a critical piece of equipment would fail. His presence brought stability to the labs, and his kindness and joyful spirit gave us comfort on days when experiments weren’t going well.”
Nearly thirty years later, Cisneros continued to serve as an anchor for Rice researchers. He is remembered for his constant and positive presence for both faculty and students—ensuring all lab instruments were calibrated, functional, and ready for experiments.
“Gary’s work touched virtually every project and every person in the department, even if quietly,” said Lozano. “His legacy is not only in the equipment he maintained, but in the spirit of kindness and generosity he brought to our department. We will remember Gary not only for what he did, but for who he was and his always warm smile.”
On a personal level, his welcoming presence was felt by all students and colleagues who walked through the lab doors.
“For nearly three decades, Gary served our community with dedication, kindness, and quiet strength,” said Luay Nakhleh, William and Stephanie Sick Dean of the George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing. “His unwavering positivity and his gift for bringing people together left a lasting imprint on our community.”