TSU Graduate and Researcher Wins Prestigious Texas TRIO Achiever Award

TSU Graduate and Researcher Wins Prestigious Texas TRIO Achiever Award

Posted on Tuesday, March 11, 2025

Dr. Zuri Dale, Texas Southern University (TSU) alumna and Interim Assistant Vice President of Research and Innovation Initiatives, has been honored with the Texas TRIO Achiever Award for her outstanding accomplishments and contributions in her professional field.

Dr. Dale's work in public health, particularly in disease prevention, epidemiology, and health promotion, as well as her commitment to advancing research and innovation at Texas Southern, exemplify the spirit of the award.

"I am truly humbled to receive the Texas TRIO Achiever Award," said Dr. Dale. "This recognition is a testament to the power of perseverance, education, and the support of organizations like TRIO, which have played a vital role in my journey."

Under her leadership, TSU has seen notable advancements in research initiatives, including current efforts to develop an Artificial Intelligence Health Equity Research Lab, and the TSU COVID Prevention and Response efforts in which TSU vaccinated more than 40,000 people and analyzed over 15,000 PCR-based samples. Dr. Dale currently leads the university's Long-COVID research team, a TSU initiative to quantify the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Dale's achievements extend beyond her professional prowess, as she has actively supported programs aimed at empowering underrepresented communities and advancing health equity. She continues to inspire others to pursue their academic and professional goals while advocating for systemic change.

The Texas TRIO Achiever Award is presented annually to individuals who demonstrate exceptional leadership, community service, and academic success. In addition to being a leader in their respective field, a requirement of this award is participation in a TRIO Program. Dr. Dale's passion for research was birthed from her participation as a student in a TRIO program. She was a student researcher in the Ronald McNair Program as an undergraduate student at TSU.

Her recognition highlights the ongoing impact of TRIO programs like the TSU Ronald McNair program. Dr. joins two former TSU presidents and two former TSU provosts who have received this prestigious award.

For more information on TRIO programs at Texas Southern, please contact Deanna Ashley-Lemon (Deanna.Ashley-Lemon@tsu.edu). Currently, the TSU TRIO program serves more than 1,100 high school students in 14 zip codes across the city of Houston, demonstrating TSUs reach and impact beyond Third Ward.

Category: Faculty & Staff, News Media, Alumni, Students