Harrison Wong
M.D./Ph.D. Student
About Me
Hi, I’m Harrison! I grew up moving between states: Michigan, Ohio, and then Arkansas. In 2019, I returned to Ann Arbor to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in molecular biology at the University of Michigan. After graduating in 2023, I spent a year working as a mass-spectrometry tech in a lab studying pancreatic cancer, and a year as a medical scribe in an ophthalmology clinic.
Science has always fascinated me, ever since I was a child. From a very young age, I gravitated towards the idea of “curing cancer”. Through working in laboratories and learning about basic biology for my Bachelor’s degree, the idea of participating in cancer research was an effective motivator. Discovering the physician-scientist pathway helped me realize how I could merge clinical practice with cancer research, and I’ve been committed to that path ever since.
Hobbies/Interests
Video Editing, Video Games, Gym, Cooking things that look like sludge, McDonalds, Taking pictures of my cat and sending them to everyone I know.
Research Topic
Pancreatic Cancer, Bioinformatics, Tumor Immunology
Why I chose MD/PhD
Throughout my journey as a student, researcher, and clinical worker, I’ve dedicated myself to exploring biology and its connection to medicine. Working in research labs as a technician and engaging directly with patients in clinical settings solidified my commitment to pursuing a career as a physician-scientist. I’m also eager to take on a mentorship role, lead my own lab, and contribute to the growth of the next generation of researchers.
Why I chose MD/PhD at UT Health San Antonio
UT Health San Antonio stands out as a leading institution with a strong emphasis on cancer research. After spending several years in research labs studying the mechanisms underlying various cancers, I felt that UT Health San Antonio offered an ideal environment to continue my training. The opportunity to contribute to impactful research while learning from experienced mentors makes it an excellent place for my development as a physician scientist.
Education
B.S., MCDB, University of Michigan, 2023
Publications
Zhang, L., Yang, Y., Wang, B., Zhao, Y., Wang, P., Liu, J., Yang, J., Wu, Y., Lv, T., Wei, Z., Liu, X., Wang, R., Wong, H., Ju, Q., Shi, L., & Wang, X. (2023, August 7). Modified red light 5‑aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy versus low‑dose isotretinoin therapy for moderate to severe acne vulgaris: A prospective, randomized, multicenter study. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 89(6), 1141–1148. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2023.07.1023
Li, Y., Singh, S., Breckenridge, H. A., Cui, T. X., Vigil, T. M., Kreger, J. E., Lei, J., Wong, H. K. A., Sajjakulnukit, P., Zhou, X., Kelley Bentley, J., Lyssiotis, C. A., Mortensen, R. M., & Hershenson, M. B. (2024, December 1). Itaconate suppresses house dust mite‑induced allergic airways disease and Th2 cell differentiation. Mucosal Immunology, 17(6), 1174–1183. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mucimm.2024.08.001
Kumar, R., Sykes, D. J., Band, V. I., Schaller, M. L., Patel, R., Vitvitsky, V., Sajjakulnukit, P., Singhal, R., Wong, H. K. A., Hourigan, S. K., Ichinose, F., Lyssiotis, C. A., Shah, Y. M., & Banerjee, R. (2025). Gut sulfide metabolism modulates behavior and brain bioenergetics. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 122(25), e2503677122. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2503677122