Trinity’s Clare Boothe Luce Professor of Biochemistry was honored by her alma mater at its 2026 Convocation for her leadership in broadening participation in STEM.

October 8. 2026

Dr. Patrice E. Moss, Clare Boothe Luce Professor of Biochemistry and chair of Trinity’s Biology and Bioinformatics programs, returned to her alma mater, Meharry Medical College, this past weekend to receive the 2026 Harold D. West, Ph.D. Distinguished Biomedical Scientist Award. She was honored during Meharry’s 151st Convocation.

The award honors the legacy of Dr. Harold D. West, Meharry’s first African-American president and a pioneering biochemist and researcher. Each year, the award recognizes a graduate of Meharry’s School of Graduate Studies who demonstrates exceptional leadership and a deep personal commitment to the college’s mission of service. In congratulating Dr. Moss, the School of Graduate Studies posted on LinkedIn that she “exemplifies the excellence, leadership, and impact that define our graduates.”

“What an extraordinary accomplishment and a proud moment for Trinity!” said Dr. Sita Ramamurti, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “Dr. Moss continues to inspire us through her remarkable leadership and commitment to expanding opportunity in the sciences. This recognition is a wonderful testament to her career of excellence, mentorship, and impact.”

President and CEO of Meharry (Dr. James E. K. Hildreth), Dr. Patrice Moss, and Dean of the School of Graduate Studies (Dr. Merry Lindsey)

Dr. Moss earned her Ph.D. in biomedical sciences, with a concentration in biochemistry, from Meharry in 2010. Since joining Trinity in 2012, she has made opening doors for students her central purpose, especially women of color pursuing STEM programs and careers. She has mentored more than 150 undergraduates, preparing them to apply and matriculate through summer biomedical research programs at institutions across the country. She has also helped build a culture of undergraduate research at Trinity by mentoring faculty in multiple disciplines, an effort that led to a summer undergraduate research program on Trinity’s campus, where she is part of the leadership team.

Dean Ramamurti credits that work with expanding opportunities for students across the College. “She has pioneered a culture of undergraduate research in the College of Arts and Sciences, creating opportunities for hundreds of students and helping open pathways to graduate education and successful careers in the sciences,” she said. “Through her leadership, she has championed the principles of inclusive excellence, helping transform curriculum, pedagogy, and educational practices so that students from all backgrounds have the opportunity to thrive.”

In the classroom, Dr. Moss teaches by a simple philosophy: critical thinking, creativity and compassion, but her impact reaches much farther. She has secured significant funding to make STEM content and context accessible to marginalized communities, and more recently to strengthen inclusive and equitable pathways into and through STEM graduate education. She has served as an NIH (NIGMS) grant reviewer and as a member of advisory boards, and she partners with organizations working to expand representation in the STEM workforce. Dr. Moss was also named an Honorary Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) “for distinguished contributions to the field of broadening the participation of minoritized groups in STEM via significant and sustainable evidence-based undergraduate education reform.”

“These honors reflect not only her exceptional accomplishments as a scientist and educator,” Dean Ramamurti said, “but also her enduring commitment to creating a more inclusive and equitable scientific community.”

About STEM at Trinity

Trinity Washington University’s STEM programs combine rigorous coursework, hands-on research and close faculty mentorship in the heart of the nation’s capital. Students can pursue bachelor’s degrees in Biology, Biochemistry and Chemistry, as well as a minor in Bioinformatics, in a community dedicated to empowering women in STEM. All Biology majors complete an internship before graduating, and recent student placements include the Trinity-JHU SURE program at Johns Hopkins University, the University of Maryland, the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation and the Smithsonian. Through Trinity’s Inclusive Excellence in STEM initiative, students benefit from mentorship courses, research opportunities and faculty who know each student’s goals. Learn more about the Chemistry, Biology and Biochemistry programs.