Linh Pham
M.D./Ph.D. Student
Linh Pham is a graduate student in the South Texas Medical Scientist Training Program (MD/PhD Program). She is also a trainee in the OxCam Program (National Institutes of Health Oxford-Cambridge Scholars, Track 1) where she is working under the mentorship of her co-mentors, Armin Raznahan, MD, PhD (NIMH) and Jason Lerch, PhD (University of Oxford). During her PhD, Linh is examining how developmental programming influences the formation of structural networks and sex biases in the brain. For her clinical specialty, Linh is considering pursuing pediatrics.
About Me
As someone who constantly has lots of questions about the way the things work, I have been involved in research with different types of organism systems (plants, fruit flies, yeast, human) since my undergraduate years. These research opportunities have taken me from my college, Humboldt State, to Michigan State, Johns Hopkins, and the NIH (NICHD and NIAID). Doing research at a variety of institutions instilled in me a need to perpetually be challenged by new ideas, new environments, and to synthesize my understanding in ways that can make small improvements in the world. I joined the OxCam program and the UTHSCSA MSTP for this purpose. During my PhD training, I will be working between the laboratories of Dr. Armin Raznahan (NIMH) and Professor Jason Lerch (University of Oxford). I am hopeful that the outcome of my PhD project can partially help close the translational gap between mouse models and human neuroscience. Outside of the lab, you can likely find me hiking or rambunctiously singing karaoke. Often both at the same time when there is no one else on the trails. Some of my favorite spots to hike close to San Antonio include Government Canyon, Guadalupe River, Pedernales, and Lost Maples. I also enjoy hosting dinner parties. If I remember correctly, I was told by friends that I am a good cook.
Hobbies/Interests
Hiking, singing karaoke, cooking, having quiet time with myself
Research Topic
Comparative neuroscience, brain development, neuroimaging
Why I chose MD/PhD
I wanted to learn how to ask good research questions that have real applications for people. There's no better way to do this than to have both the medical and research training.
Why I chose MD/PhD at UT Health San Antonio
When I interviewed with the STX-MSTP, it was one of the most welcoming experiences. I felt that in this program, I could definitely find a network of supportive peers if I were to go through difficult times during my training. This feeling still holds true after I matriculated.
Post-bac work or other affiliations
Postbac (IRTA) at National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Education
B.S., Chemistry & Molecular Biology, Humboldt University, 2018
Publications
Messan, KS., Pham, L., Harris, T., Kim, Y., Morgan, V., Kosa, P. & Bielekova, B. (2021). Assessment of Smartphone-Based Spiral Tracing in Multiple Sclerosis Reveals Intra-Individual Reprodducibility as a Major Determinant of the Clinical Utility of the Digital Test. Frontiers in Neurology, 10, 358. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmedt.2021.714682.
Pham, L., Harris, T., Varosanec, M. Morgan, V., Kosa, P. & Bielekova, B. (2021). Smartphone-based symbol-digit modalities test reliably captures brain damage in multiple sclerosis. NPJ Digital medicine, 4(1), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41746-021-00401-y.
Boukhvalova, A., Fan, O., Weideman, AM., Harris, T., Kowalczyk, E., Pham, L., Kosa, P. & Bielekova, B. (2019). Smartphone level test measures disability in several neurological domains for patients with multiple sclerosis. Frontiers in Neurology, 10, 358. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2019.00358.