Stephen Thomas | 2026 SURF Participant

Stephen Thomas is a junior Cancer Scholar and James Scholar majoring in bioengineering with a minor in chemistry. His research interests include neurodegeneration and musculoskeletal diseases. At Illinois, Stephen works in the Chung Lab studying a regulatory mechanism by which neuron receptors can affect hyperexcitability and seizure propensity. Outside of the lab, he serves as the president of MedLaunch UIUC, an RSO focused on creating assistive device for people with disabilities. At Mayo Clinic, Stephen will work with Dr. Kristin D. Zhao in the Assistive and Restorative Technology Laboratory to bridge the gap between Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) and biomedical engineering and provide patients with a higher standard of care as he prepares for a career as a physician innovator.