Dr. Linh Pham, Associate Professor of Chemistry, Science and Mathematics Department
Tell me about yourself.
"I joined A&M-Central Texas in 2015 and I have been teaching chemistry, biology and biochemistry courses. I love the winter weather here in Texas, not the summer weather, because it is very similar to my hometown. I think Texas has delicious food. And the hospitality has made me enjoy my time here."
Are you from Central Texas? If not, what brought you to Central Texas?
"I am from Vietnam. I came here to teach as an assistant professor of chemistry.""
What is your ancestry? How do you identify your culture?
"I am Vietnamese. In our culture we value ancestry and the importance of family and community."
What makes you feel most at home?
"I like the winter here because it is similar to my hometown’s winter. Whenever we have a chilly breeze with fresh cut grass, I am reminded of home. But no snow!"
What is your favorite thing to celebrate?
"Lunar New Year. In lunar new year we pay respect to our ancestors and eat traditional dishes. We visit relatives and friends. We got to pagoda to pray for a happy and prosperous new year."
Why is it important to celebrate your culture?
"I think celebrating culture can keep family and community close. It is also important to pass on traditions and their value to the next generation. I feel like celebrating my culture helps me appreciate other cultures more. "
What is your favorite thing about your culture?
"We embrace harmony, respect, education and allegiance to family."
Are there any misconceptions about your culture?
"The most frequent misconception is the Vietnam War. People think about Vietnam and immediately think of the war. But it ended half a century ago. I think nowadays Vietnam is a very fast-paced, developed country. It famous for delicious food, spectacular caves and long beautiful beaches. "
Why is representation important?
"True and authentic representation can reduce misconceptions and stereotypes. It breaks barriers between people to understand each other better. It can also inspire others to pursue their dreams to be better. If there’s not representation maybe, they will think they can’t do things like be a scientist. But if you see that you will feel inspired and motivated. "
