Brandon Than Contributes to Life-Saving Work at UH-Sequencing Core
A sophomore at the University of Houston’s College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Brandon Than is making waves through his research and community service.
As part of the Honors College’s “HonorsMed” Program, Than is on track to attend the Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine through the 8-year acceptance program. In addition to pursuing a medical degree, he is committed to advancing research and serving underprivileged communities.
Than is one of only two undergraduate students selected to work at the UH Sequencing Core (UH-SEQ) and has earned several prestigious honors, including the Albert Schweitzer Fellowship, the American Heart Association UH-HEART Fellowship, UH Provost’s Undergraduate Research Scholarship, and UH STEM RISE Fellowship.
Advancing Cancer Treatments at UH and Beyond
As a Junior Research Associate, Than studies cancer immunotherapies and vaccine development. He created a framework to discover gene fusion mutations for breast cancer within one of the most susceptible regions of our genome, 11q13. This work has garnered the attention of scientists and physicians at MD Anderson Cancer Center, where he is now actively collaborating. The goal of his initiative is to identify cancer-specific targets and develop vaccines that can improve patient outcome. “Our work tailor vaccines to individuals by developing personalized cancer immunotherapies,” he explained. “This approach is truly patient-forward and embodies what medicine is all about.”
Than is mentored by Dr. Preethi Gunaratne, Director of the UH Sequencing Core and a professor in the Department of Biology & Biochemistry within UH NSM. His research spans cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other conditions affected by gene fusions. While leading his own research initiatives, he also collaborates with researchers within UH, MD Anderson Cancer Center, and the Texas Heart Institute. “It’s exciting to see how interconnected different areas of medicine and research are,” he said.
Than’s long-term goal is to integrate clinical care with research, using science to improve outcomes at both the individual and community level.
Championing Public Health Initiatives
A native of Houston, Than’s interest in medicine began in childhood. Growing up with severe food allergies and later witnessing his aunt’s battle with cancer, he was inspired to pursue a path in healthcare and immuno-oncology. “There is a deeper calling,” he said. “Science, medical practice, and public health equity are equally as important and go hand in hand.”
Than is a 2025-2026 Albert Schweitzer Fellow for the Houston-Galveston region, a fellowship under the UTHealth Houston School of Public Health that supports the creation of public health initiatives for underserved communities. He will be working with Casa Mateo, a refugee shelter in Houston for mothers and children, where he is creating a program to help residents develop social and emotional health skills for successful reintegration into society.
Beyond the Albert Schweitzer Fellowship, Than advocates for his community through the Community Advocacy & Responsive Engagement (CARE) Program. He serves as Executive Program Director for the Science Mentoring to Achieve a Richer Tomorrow (SMART) Program. In this role, he mentors students in STEM at Baylor College of Medicine Academy at James D. Ryan Middle School in Houston’s Third Ward. He has also gone further to develop additional STEM mentorship programs and partnerships with organizations such as teachHOUSTON.
“I want to hold my mission close to my heart,” Than said. “I don’t want to just be a practitioner or researcher—I want to be a leader committed to improving community health outcomes.”
- Ashley Byers, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics