About the Speaker: Zuri Dale

Zuri earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Texas Southern University in 2011, and a Master of Water Management/ Hydrologic Sciences and Master of Public Health-Epidemiology from Texas A&M University in 2014 and 2019 respectively. Zuri is continuing her academic training by pursuing a Doctorate in Public Health from Mercer University.

Zuri has distinguished herself as both a scientist and a scholar. Zuri’s relationship with TSU began in 2003. While still pursuing her high school diploma, a program was initiated entitled the Qualified Scientist Outreach Program (QSOP) which was created to promote the active engagement of young student's minds who displayed interest in fields of science. This program, of which Zuri was the first student to participate, created a path that allowed her to do research at a university while still in high school. In Dr. Bobby Wilson’s research lab (TSU-ERT2C), and while still in high school, Zuri was privy to doing extensive research on various projects including, but not limited to, work on volatile organic compounds, E. coli, and trace minerals in ecosystems. At the high school level, Zuri competed in several school sanctioned, city-wide and state level competitions with her research work she conducted at TSU under the direct leadership of Dr. Renard Thomas. Before graduating high school, she had won numerous awards, including grand awards from the TWWA (Texas Water Works Association) / WEAT (Water Environment Association of Texas), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Positive interaction between Zuri and the university yielded scholarships to pursue her undergraduate degree through the Science, Technology, & Engineering Program (STEP) and the Thomas F. Freeman Honors College.

Zuri interned and conducted research at numerous institutions including but not limited to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD). Research awards won include, the Historically Black College and University Conference (1st Place Prize), Southeastern Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel Conference (SAEOPP) (3rd Place Prize), 13th Annual Ronald McNair MKN Conference (3rd Place Prize), AAAS Emerging Researchers National Conference in STEM (1st Place Prize) and the NOBCChE National Conference in STEM (2nd Place Prize). Additionally, Zuri received the only Excellence in Research Award from the Ronald McNair Scholars Program for two consecutive years

Zuri returned to TSU to serve as the university’s infectious disease epidemiologist and public health scientist. Zuri’s current scientific work places special emphasis in the epidemiology of SARS CoV-2. Zuri has held several teaching assignments at both Texas Southern and Princeton University and also holds a Biostatistics of Public Health specialization from Johns Hopkins University. Zuri is currently a member of the American Public Health Association, Director of the TSU COVID Prevention Center, and serves as the Texas Southern University COVID Czar. Though the COVID Prevention Center and under Zuri’s direct leadership, TSU has developed a robust COVID response program that includes clinical testing, laboratory analysis, genetic sequencing, vaccination opportunities, and air and water quality monitoring.