Opportunity Inspires Master of Imaging Science Student Phillip Lin
by Kyra Letsinger
When opportunity comes knocking, many may find themselves too afraid to answer. That is not the case for Vanderbilt Master of Imaging Science (MIS) student Phillip Lin. With his consistent optimism and eagerness to excel, Lin welcomes even the most unexpected opportunities with open arms. A prime example of Lin’s willingness to take chances occurred two years ago, amidst a tireless job search after graduating from Tennessee State University with his bachelor’s in computer science and in the most unlikely of places: his aunt’s hair salon.
While chatting with a client during a haircut one day, Lin’s aunt happened to mention that her nephew was a promising recent graduate with a passion for learning and an eagerness to begin his scientific career. Lucky for both Lin and his aunt, this client just so happened to be a renowned genetic researcher interested in adding someone new to his team. That client? None other than revered Vanderbilt Associate Professor in the Division of Genetic Medicine Eric Gamazon, PhD, MS. The two were soon introduced and Dr. Gamazon would offer Lin the role of bioinformatics analyst in the Gamazon Lab at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
“Computer science is a very hard field to get into, and Dr. Gamazon really took a chance on me,” said Lin. “I’m very grateful because I know not many people get that same chance. Because of that, I’m always working to find ways to prove myself.”
A Chance for a New Challenge
Two years later, Lin is known throughout the lab as Dr. Gamazon’s right-hand-man and has helped make pivotal discoveries about genetic anomalies in patients with undiagnosed and rare diseases. However, despite excelling in his current role with the Gamazon Lab, Lin still felt the urge to unlock more knowledge. He began finding connections between his newfound passion for genetics and one of his major undergraduate interests, medical imaging.
Once again, he heard that familiar knock of opportunity. Dr. Gamazon had received an email about the Vanderbilt MIS program’s new part-time offering, and immediately thought of Lin as the perfect candidate. Lin was immediately intrigued; with the part-time MIS program, he could continue doing the data analysis work he thrived at while also learning new skills all at a pace that matched his learning style.
“I’m someone who needs to really sit with topics to fully understand, I can’t just learn about a topic and be done with it after a month,” said Lin. The part time option really allows me to take an in depth look at the things that we’re learning.” With the added ability to use the VUMC tuition benefit and the chance to take classes on the same campus as his workplace, Lin found himself saying, “I might as well go for it.”
“Because of our different backgrounds, we’re able to help one another with different things: I ask for help with physics, and they’ll ask me for help on image processing, then we’ll walk through it all together.”
Finding Balance in the Next Chapter
Just as he quickly found his palace in the Gamazon Lab, within his first three months in the MIS program, Lin has found a strong but mighty community of support at VUSM. One of only two part-time MIS students and four members of the current MIS cohort, he says the size of the group is a major advantage, allowing for increased collaboration with his peers. “We’ve all been in frequent contact with each other, just asking for help and insight,” said Lin. “Because of our different backgrounds, we’re able to help one another with different things: I ask for help with physics and they’ll ask me for help on image processing, then we’ll walk through it all together.”
Lin also says the small cohort size combined with the pacing of the part-time program has allowed for more one-on-one time with Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science (VUIIS) faculty members. This level of collaboration not only benefits in-class endeavors, but also fosters outside educational opportunities that go beyond the typical MIS curriculum.
“Because we’re such a small cohort, [faculty members] are able to devote so much time to our questions,” said Lin. “Even yesterday, my peers and I stayed behind for a chemistry class. The professor let us stay after and took the time to explain the radio tracers they were discussing to us, even though we’re not in that class.”
These varied experiences, professor interactions, and peer interactions have all inspired Lin as he looks to his future in the MIS program and beyond. He says he is eager to explore new topics like radio tracers and their use in patients with different biological makeups, an interest Lin has developed since starting his degree. As for the next phase, he hopes that the knowledge he obtains can aid him in bringing together medical imaging and genetics to widen the scale of potential research opportunities.
“I am extremely interested in interdisciplinary work because I feel so often that is what we’re missing in the scientific field,” Lin said. “I am considering either pursuing my PhD or a staff scientist role. I am working to determine which will best allow me to use my knowledge from my career and [the MIS program] to bridge the gap.”
Applications to join next year’s part-time and full-time Master of Imaging Science cohorts are open now through April 2025.