Dr Cindy Pham named an Emerging Leader on the 2023 Victorian Honour Roll of Women

Dr Cindy Pham, Research Officer at Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI), was among the 22 new inductees into the prestigious 2023 Victorian Honour Roll of Women as an Emerging Leader by the Hon Natalie Hutchins MP, Minister for Women.

The Victorian Honour Roll of Women is dedicated to recognising the exceptional contributions of Victorian women and serves as a platform to acknowledge their enduring impact on the state and country since 2001.

The Emerging Leader category is reserved for young women who are actively reshaping leadership within their chosen careers, fields, or passions. These individuals have demonstrated outstanding levels of leadership and excellence within their areas of expertise, interests, or endeavours.

An early career researcher in neurodevelopment and emotional-behavioural outcomes in young children, Dr Pham’s research has advanced our understanding of social-environmental exposures and related biological pathways of childhood mental disorders. Her motivation behind establishing the ‘The Scholar Diaries' Instagram page is to inspire and empower the next generation of STEM scholars.

"Childhood mental disorders, such as autism, ADHD and depression, are increasingly prevalent worldwide and shape lives in the way children grow, develop and learn. It has been deeply rewarding and a privilege to contribute to knowledge on the social-environmental determinants and the underlying biological mechanisms of these conditions in young children, that may inform new preventative strategies and targeted effective interventions," she said.

"I could never imagine that my academic page, The Scholar Diaries, would bloom and resonate with over 48,500 scholars worldwide today. I started my page in the final year of my PhD to document how I navigated academia as a first-generation student and shared my highs and lows in my PhD. Since completing my PhD in March, I've made it my mission to inspire and empower the next generation of STEM scholars as I embark on my academic post-doc journey and harness the power of social media."

Women on the Honour Roll are dedicated to both the local community and the broader communities of Victoria, Australia. Each inductee serves as a symbol of courage and determination, showcasing the unwavering resilience of women across Victoria. They leverage their unique skills, experiences, and insights to illuminate a brighter path for all women.

Congratulations from the whole of MCRI to Dr Cindy Pham, who is now an integral part of this prestigious cohort of emerging leaders.