Posted on October 24, 2025 by College of Sciences
#ThisIsWhatAScientistLooksLike
Tu Minh Ho, Chemistry Ph.D. Student
By Lauren Garza, Administrative Assistant
Tu Minh Ho, a first-generation doctoral student in the Department of Chemistry, began her academic journey at The University of Texas at San Antonio as an undergraduate, completing a B.S. in Biochemistry. Inspired by the community and research environment, she chose to continue her studies and pursue a Ph.D. in Chemistry.
"UT San Antonio's strong culture of academic excellence and its commitment to student success drew me in," Tu explained. "The supportive atmosphere on campus creates a sense of belonging and motivation that's rare and deeply valuable."
Fascinated by chemistry's role in explaining life at the molecular level, Tu's research focuses on synthesizing steroid-based molecules with therapeutic potential for metabolic diseases like obesity and diabetes. Her work includes the stereoselective synthesis of hyocholic acid, a bile acid biomarker linked to diabetes resistance, and the discovery of new conjugated bile acids in ox bile, which could offer new insights into metabolic processes.
"Chemistry is often called the 'central science' because it connects so many fields—biology, physics, medicine, and engineering," said Tu. "In my research, we use synthetic chemistry to build molecules that help answer biological questions. What I love most is the hands-on research and intellectual freedom to explore ideas and solve real-world problems."
Tu's commitment to science outreach led to a published project in the Journal of Chemical Education, where she and her research team introduced grade-school girls to chemistry at the Harvey E. Najim Girls Inc. of San Antonio.
"The event sparked their curiosity about science in everyday life," Tu shared.
Currently, she's working to develop a synthetic route to hoodigogenin A, a promising compound with potential for obesity treatment due to appetite-suppressing effects. "This project allows me to explore complex organic synthesis while contributing to potential therapeutic development."
Tu's accomplishments have earned her several recognitions that not only supported her academic journey but also affirmed her efforts and made her feel recognized. Most recently, she received a travel award to present her research at the American Chemical Society (ACS) Fall National Conference in Washington, D.C.
She was also one of only 25 graduate students nationwide selected for the ACS Future Pharma Innovators award. The award provided a stipend to present her research at the ACS Fall National Meeting and paired her with an industry mentor—a senior scientist from Vertex Pharmaceuticals, a company known for its innovative approaches to drug discovery for serious diseases.
Last semester, she was honored with the 2025 Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant Award for exceptional teaching skills and contributions to UT San Antonio. In her first year of graduate school, Tu was also awarded the Jesse, Kenneth, and Edna Abrams Award for excellence among first-year Ph.D. students.
In graduate school, Tu credits the supportive environment in her research group and mentorship she received for helping her grow academically and professionally. "I've connected with other first-gen students, which has been empowering," she said.
Tu advises others to build relationships with faculty early, get involved in research, and embrace the process. "You'll learn by doing," she notes. "Enjoy the process, not just the outcome."
Looking ahead, Tu has accepted a postdoctoral fellowship position at Cambrex, a global contract development and manufacturing organization in the pharmaceutical industry. In this role, she will apply her expertise in organic synthesis to process chemistry and drug substance development, with the long-term goal of advancing into a senior scientist position. "I'm very grateful for UT San Antonio's support throughout my journey, and I hope this accomplishment can help highlight the success of our students on a national level," she shared.
— College of Sciences
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