Thomas Tran

Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign      

Thomas grew up in Lake Zurich, Illinois, in the greater Chicagoland area. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Bioengineering with a concentration in biomechanics from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). During his time at UIUC, Thomas conducted undergraduate research with the Golecki Research Group, where he helped implement a soft robotics curriculum in local grade schools to introduce underrepresented students to engineering concepts. He also interned at Abbott Laboratories, where he developed an inventory management system to support the Core Laboratory Diagnostics Division.

Thomas then pursued a Master of Engineering in Molecular Engineering at the University of Chicago (UChicago). There, he explored cutting-edge fields including immunoengineering, stem cell therapies, and nanomedicine while also gaining exposure to the business and commercialization aspects of biotechnology.

After graduating from UChicago, Thomas sought to immerse himself in clinical care to develop a deeper understanding of patient experiences and healthcare delivery. He spent a year and a half working as an anesthesia technician at UW Health American Family Children’s Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin. Working alongside anesthesiologists to care for pediatric patients provided him with invaluable clinical insight and a firsthand appreciation for the collaborative nature of medicine. This experience, combined with years of volunteering with youth from disadvantaged backgrounds throughout his academic career, further strengthened his empathy, compassion, and commitment to patient-centered care.

Thomas was drawn to the EnMed program by the unique opportunity to integrate engineering and medicine to develop innovative solutions for patients. He aspires not only to become an exceptional physician but also to help advance technologies that address some of healthcare’s greatest challenges. Surrounded by classmates with diverse backgrounds and complementary skill sets, he is excited to collaborate with fellow EnMed program students and faculty to translate ideas into meaningful clinical impact.

Outside of his professional pursuits, Thomas enjoys running and has maintained a daily running streak since September 2024. He also enjoys birding, rock climbing, playing the piano, snowboarding out west, playing video games, and exploring new restaurants.