When Dr. Bilal Haque was a teenager, his father was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s disease. Thus began his fascination with the brain and its complexities, leading him to study neuroscience in college. Still, it wasn’t until medical school that he found himself drawn toward psychiatry.

Bilal Haque, M.D.

What this award means: This recognition holds great significance for me as it reflects my dedication to mental health and commitment to supporting individuals facing psychiatric challenges.

Mentor comment: The science of medicine cannot advance without its art, and the art of medicine cannot heal without its science. It is a profound joy to observe our mentees marry these two to ease a patient’s suffering. Bilal does this naturally. Matching his exemplary clinical skills are his aptitude for research and service, having presented his scholarly work at the 2025 American Neuropsychiatric Association meeting and becoming a leader within the U.S. Chapter of FND Hope, the primary advocacy organization for those living with functional neurological disorder (FND). – Chadrick Lane, M.D., Assistant Professor of Psychiatry

Background and family: I grew up in Coppell, Texas, with two loving parents and an older sister. Despite the demanding schedules of my parents’ careers, they always made sure I felt supported and encouraged to pursue my goals.

What led to your career path: Medicine has always been a part of my life. I feel incredibly fortunate to have been raised by two outstanding physician parents, who exposed me to the beauty of medicine and inspired me through their dedication and tireless work. From an early age, I knew I wanted to follow in their footsteps. When my father was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s disease during my teenage years, that calling became even more personal. Watching his journey sparked my fascination with the brain and its complexities, leading me to study neuroscience in college. It wasn’t until medical school that I found myself drawn toward psychiatry. During my training, I had the privilege of meeting Dr. Lane, whose mentorship introduced me to functional neurological disorder, a condition that causes neurological symptoms without visible damage to brain structure. Learning about FND, I was struck by the stories of the patients who had long been misunderstood – people whose suffering was real but often dismissed by the medical system. It showed me the power of psychiatry – not just in treating illness, but in restoring dignity and trust in medicine.

College: I graduated from UT Austin with an Honors Bachelor of Science and Arts degree in neuroscience, along with a certificate in the business of health care. As a member of the Health Science Scholars Honors program, I had the opportunity to engage in interdisciplinary research and conduct research in a biological sciences lab, where I studied fish neurocognition and spatial understanding. As part of Natural Sciences Council, I spearheaded a campuswide Wellness Week to promote mental health awareness. I also worked as a Peer Academic Coach.

UTSW activities: I conducted research on deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery for Parkinson’s disease, a project that became deeply personal when it ultimately helped me convince my father to undergo the procedure. I conducted research investigating residents’ understanding of FND to identify educational gaps and improve awareness of the illness within medical training.

Surprising fact: I love writing poetry. I am also a huge big cat and bear enthusiast – I’ve watched nearly every wildlife documentary on Netflix and have gone on several trips to see these incredible animals in their natural habitats. Most recently, I traveled to South Africa, where I had the unforgettable experience of seeing lions (my favorite animal) in the wild.

Future plans: I plan to pursue a dual-boarded neurology and psychiatry residency at UT Southwestern. I am especially committed to staying engaged with the FND community, continuing research to improve education and care for patients with functional neurological disorders and expanding advocacy efforts through FND Hope.

About the award: The award honors a student for excellent work in psychiatry and mental health.