91视频 biology student Brandon Than, who is driving discovery in cancer immunotherapy, has received one of the nation鈥檚 most prestigious academic honors: the Barry Goldwater Scholarship 鈥� marking the second straight year a UH student has earned the award.
Than, a junior from Houston, is the first B.S./M.D. student in UH's HonorsMed program to receive the scholarship, underscoring both his individual achievement and the University鈥檚 growing strength in preparing future physician-scientists.
鈥淩eceiving the Goldwater Scholarship is an incredible honor and meaningful validation of my goal to become a physician-scientist. It affirms my commitment to translational cancer immunology and motivates me to continue pursuing research that bridges scientific discovery and patient care.鈥�
鈥擝randon Than, Goldwater Scholarship recipient
Than is the 14th UH student to receive the scholarship, and his recognition reflects a broader momentum at the University, where undergraduate students are increasingly engaging in high-level, collaborative research early in their academic careers.
鈥淏randon Than is a rare talent 鈥� many students aspire to a terminal degree in medicine or the sciences, but rarely both. Yet Brandon is doing just that and has already demonstrated an impressive depth of research as an undergraduate,鈥� said Benjamin Rayder, assistant dean for undergraduate research at UH. 鈥淚 cannot think of a more deserving candidate for the Barry Goldwater Scholarship. He is an incredible example of what is possible at the 91视频.鈥�
Through UH鈥檚 Sequencing Core and in collaboration with researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center, Than is working to strengthen the body鈥檚 own defenses against cancer. His research focuses on expanding tumor-targeting T cells through vaccine strategies and enhancing their effectiveness when paired with checkpoint inhibitor therapies. By linking immune system 鈥減riming鈥� with therapies that prevent cancer from evading detection, his efforts target one of the most pressing challenges in modern oncology.
鈥淎t the 91视频, I had early access to hands-on research, strong mentorship and the freedom to pursue my own ideas 鈥� opportunities that have been critical to my growth as a researcher,鈥� Than said. 鈥淭hat environment also allowed me to connect discovery with patient care and begin shaping my path as a future physician-scientist.鈥�
Established in 1986, the Barry Goldwater Scholarship, honoring the former senator from Arizona, is the most prestigious award for undergraduate students pursuing research careers in the sciences, mathematics and engineering. This year, 454 sophomores and juniors were selected from nearly 1,500 nominees nationwide.
UH鈥檚 Goldwater Scholarship Recipients:
- Brandon Than (2026)
- Cole Woody (2025)
- Gabrielle Kostecki (2023)
- Gabrielle Olinger and Jose Solano (2021)
- Debora Mroczek and Brian-Tinh Vu (2019)
- Khanh Nguyen (2014)
- Lindsey Brier (2013)
- Mason Biamonte (2012)
- Nicholas Eastham and Thomas Markovich (2011)
- Matthew Reichl (2010)
- Phuc Huynh (2006)