On September 5, 2026, Sharon Zhao, a senior at Obra D. Tompkins High School in Katy, organized a chronic disease prevention outreach event for residents of Landon Ridge Sugar Land Independent Living. With support from her UTMB mentor, Wei-Chen “Miso” Lee, PhD, the event brought research-based health education and screenings to the Sugar Land community.

Sharon shared research findings in everyday terms. UTMB volunteers offered presentations, answered residents’ questions and provided screening stations for blood pressure, blood glucose, lipid profiles and body measurements. Residents also took part in guided stretching activities.

Hanaa Sallam, MD, PhD, and Hani Serag, MD, MPH, both associate professors in SPPH’s Department of Population Health and Health Disparities, joined the outreach team. Students from SPPH’s MD/MPH dual-degree program included Oluwatobi “Tobi” Olaomoju, Omar Malik, Eunhye Jeon, Eunice Park, and Hanming Li. Angelica Moore, a PhD student in the Rehabilitation and Health Services Research program, also participated.

The team’s goal was to give residents health information they could use in daily life. The team also acknowledges the Episcopal Health Foundation, the Texas Department of State Health Services and the Administration for Community Living as funding agencies connected to its work.