She’s in her senior year at at Obra D. Tompkins High School in Katy and will graduate in the spring. But there’s more to Sharon Zhao than her high school course work and extracurricular activities in music and visual arts.

Zhao is already involved with scientific research. For the past two years, she has conducted academic research under the mentorship of Dr. Wei-Chen “Miso” Lee at UTMB and has co-authored two peer-reviewed journal publications and two conference publications. Zhao first became involved with Dr. Lee when the physician was looking for volunteers under the age of 60 who had both diabetes and cancer for a research study. Around that same time, Zhao’s great-uncle, who had diabetes, was diagnosed with bile duct cancer.

“That personal connection made the research especially meaningful to me and sparked my interest in learning more about the relationship between diabetes, cancer, and long-term health outcomes,” Zhao said. “Through that connection, I had the opportunity to become involved in research under Dr. Lee’s mentorship at UTMB.”

Zhao’s research has focused on complications related to type 2 diabetes among patients with three types of cancer: breast, colon, and prostate cancer. “My role in the research has included conducting literature reviews and working with health data,” Zhao said. “Under Dr. Lee’s supervision, I have worked with several research databases, with the TriNetX U.S. network serving as the primary data source for much of our analysis. Over the past two years, this experience has taught me how researchers develop research questions, work with and analyze health data, interpret findings, review scientific literature, and communicate results through academic writing. It has also helped me better understand how research can be used to identify patterns and explore important questions about disease and long-term health outcomes.”

Her interest in healthcare is also very personal. When Zhao was three years old, her grandmother suffered a sudden brain aneurysm rupture in 2011 and spent about six months in the hospital.

“The experience had a lasting impact on her health and quality of life, and as I grew older, I came to understand how important early awareness, access to reliable health information, and timely medical care can be,” Zhao said. “Watching my family go through these experiences made health and disease feel very real to me and strengthened my desire to better understand both prevention and care. That personal interest eventually led me toward healthcare research.”

Through her research experience, Zhao said that he began to see how data can help identify patterns, understand risks, and potentially improve prevention and health outcomes. “I also realized that research can have an even greater impact when what we learn goes beyond academic papers and reaches people in ways they can understand and use in their everyday lives,” Zhao said. “That connection between

research, health education, and real-world impact is what ultimately inspired me to create my community health initiative.”

Recently, Zhao initiated and organized “Your Health Matters,” a student-led community health initiative that brings together research, health education, and community service. In partnership with UTMB, Zhao led a health education seminar – “Your Health Matters” – for residents of Landon Ridge Sugar Land at 744 Brooks Street in Sugar Land on September 5. In addition to the presentation of Zhao’s research and UTMB’s services, the event included free health screenings and light healthy refreshments.

Zhai is now working on ways to continue and expand the initiative. “I’m currently in contact with one or two community partners about bringing similar health education programs to residents in other parts of the greater Houston area,” she said. “I’m also exploring ways to offer parts of the program virtually, depending on the needs and interests of each community. An online format could make it easier for older adults to participate and connect with UTMB professionals without transportation or distance being a barrier. As the initiative grows, I don’t want to simply repeat the same program. I hope to listen to each community, understand what would be most useful to its residents, and adapt the program accordingly. My goal is to make reliable health information more accessible, practical, and relevant to people’s everyday lives.”

“Initiating and organizing the September 5 program showed me that students don’t have to wait until college or a future career to make a meaningful contribution,” Zhao said. “Even as a high school student, I can help connect academic research with the people and communities it is ultimately meant to serve.”

Zhao is also preparing her college applications -- with NYW, Brown and UCLA at the top of her list of preferences. “I’m looking for a university where I can continue exploring science, healthcare, research, and interdisciplinary learning while also remaining actively involved in community service.” Zhao said. She is looking forward to exploring different areas of medicine as she continues her education and gains more experience.