Roll Call Tribute

Leina Zhu 

November 24, 1977 - October 11, 2024 

Dr. Leina Zhu, born in Shanghai, China, in November 1977, was a beloved friend, colleague, and mentor. She earned her undergraduate degree from Nankai University and went on to pursue her doctorate in the Research, Measurement, and Statistics program in Educational Psychology at Texas A&M University. She joined the program in 2008, received her masters degree in 2010, and received her doctoral degree in 2015. Following her Ph.D., Dr. Zhu held a postdoctoral position under Dr. Jorge Gonzalez at the University of Houston from 2015 to 2017, after which she returned to China to continue her work.

In China, Dr. Zhu was a founding member and Deputy Director of the Educational Finance Data Center at the China Institute for Educational Finance Research (CIEFR). Her expertise in data management and analysis contributed to numerous impactful projects, and in July 2023, she was promoted to Distinguished Associate Researcher. Known for her effectiveness, generosity, and approachability, Dr. Zhu was a valued mentor and a respected colleague, deeply committed to supporting her peers and students alike.

Dr. Zhu’s kindness, graciousness, and collaborative spirit were well-known to those who studied with her at Texas A&M. She also shared her love for language as a teacher at the TAMU Chinese School, where she was cherished by her students and their parents.

Dr. Zhu’s warmth and dedication touched lives in both Aggieland and China. She will be dearly missed by her family, friends, colleagues, and students, whose lives were enriched by her presence.