Research and Innovation Week Returns March 31-April 4

Research and Innovation Week Returns March 31-April 4

Posted on Friday, March 28, 2025

Texas Southern University is proud to present its annual Research and Innovation Week from March 31 through April 4. The theme of this week of groundbreaking programming is: "Innovation in Action: Advancing Participation in Research, Community Engagement, and Entrepreneurship."

Throughout the week, the Division of Research and Innovation will host workshops, keynote presentations, and panel discussions featuring thought leaders and experts who will share insights on how innovative research and entrepreneurial initiatives can enhance community involvement and expand opportunities in academia and industry.

"Our goal is to provide a platform for collaborative dialogue and action to strengthen the pathways that connect research excellence with real-world impact," said Dr. Michelle Penn-Marshall, Vice President for Research and Innovation.

The week will begin with "Legacy and Impact: Representation in Research through the Stories of Henrietta Lacks and the Tuskegee Syphilis Study," a robust panel discussion exploring the lasting contributions of African Americans in medical research and the root of historical hesitancy. This conversation will feature Veronica Robinson, great-granddaughter of Henrietta Lacks, whose immortal cells revolutionized medical science, and Lee Moultrie, a distinguished Tuskegee Airman and Civil Rights activist, who will speak on the legacy of the infamous Tuskegee Syphilis Study. Together, their stories shed light on research representation's ethical, cultural, and scientific implications.

The panel aims to engage students, researchers, and the broader community in a meaningful dialogue about ethics, trust, and the power of informed representation in science and healthcare.

"At the core of our esteemed institution is a profound commitment to advancing knowledge, fostering innovation, and driving positive change," said Provost and Sr. Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Carl B. Goodman. "Research and innovation are not just activities in which we engage. They are the cornerstone of our identity at Texas Southern and the foundation upon which we continue to build a brighter future."

This exciting week is open to researchers, entrepreneurs, community leaders, students, and TSU supporters interested in connecting, collaborating, and amplifying our collective impact.

See additional events outlined below.

1. The Opening Plenary Legacy and Impact Panel will feature the great-granddaughter of Ms. Henrietta Lacks, Veronica Robinson, and Mr. Lee Moultrie, a Tuskegee Airman and civil rights activist. This session will also feature a special tribute to the late Dr. Wesley E. Scott, a Tuskegee Airman, and a lunch meet-and-greet with Ms. Veronica Robinson. Registration is available here.
2. Oral and Poster Research Presentations: These are visual representations of more than 100 innovative research projects that the TSU faculty, staff, and students are conducting.
3. State of Research at TSU: Dr. Michelle Penn-Marshall will share the state of research and innovation at TSU as the university continues its journey toward the highest Carnegie research classification.
4. Common Threads: Underground railroad and quilt experience exhibit.
5. Research and Innovation Exposition. This expo will feature technological innovations, health, AI, and other disciplines.
6. Lunch and Learn with Qualtrics. This session will feature how innovation meets academia and how Qualtrics is revolutionizing qualitative research, strategic research, and higher education by harnessing the power of AI.
7. Environmental Toxic and Maternal Health Mini Bus Tour. Registration is available here.
8. Digital Renaissance Symposium. This faculty-and research-centered event highlights some of the most pressing and exciting developments at the intersection of emerging technologies and community innovation.
9. Game session sponsored by EA Sports

For more details on Research and Innovation Week 2025, click here.

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