From beekeeping to biochemistry, ASU grad finds path to medicine
By David Rozul, ASU News
April 24, 2026
On Friday mornings, Brandon Ho puts on a beekeeper suit and tends to a hive in the middle of Arizona State University’s Tempe campus.
It’s not what you’d expect from a pre-med student. But for Ho, a spring 2026 graduating biochemistry senior in ASU’s School of Molecular Sciences, it makes perfect sense.
Other days start even earlier at 2 a.m., when he heads to his job at a clinic before a full day of classes.
Ho’s built a college experience that stretches beyond the lab, from designing logos for local DJs to running social media for student organizations to helping launch a club from the ground up. Though all his experiences may seem unrelated, for Ho, they all connect back to learning how to think across disciplines.
“I feel like trying new things and picking up new hobbies is a big part of what makes life so fun,” said Ho, who is graduating with honors (magna cum laude).
Ho’s interdisciplinary mindset is what ultimately drew him to biochemistry and what he believes will shape the kind of physician he hopes to become.
“I was always drawn to the interdisciplinary nature of biochemistry; it combines two of my favorite subjects from high school — biology and chemistry,” said Ho. “I actually started at ASU as a biomedical engineering major, but after my first semester, I realized biochemistry felt more aligned with my interest in medicine. Since then, I’ve stuck with it, and it’s a field where there’s always something new to learn.”
Outside the classroom, Ho’s work ethic was shaped at home. When he’s not studying or working, he helps at his family’s Scottsdale Vietnamese restaurant, which his family has run for more than two decades, an experience that’s grounded his approach to both school and his future since his teens.
His advice to others still in school is to work hard, get involved and try new things because you’ll never know where it may lead you.
“Join clubs or organizations, even those related to something you might not be familiar with,” said Ho, a first-generation college student. “Being part of this diverse community at ASU provides a lot of valuable opportunities to explore new interests, build meaningful connections, and you end up gaining a lot of enriching experiences out of it.”
ASU News caught up with Ho to learn more about his biochemistry student experience and what is next after graduation.
Question: What’s something you learned while at ASU — in the classroom or otherwise — that surprised you or changed your perspective?
Answer: Being at ASU exposed me to such a diverse group of people, and that really changed my perspective. Over the past four years, I’ve met people from all kinds of backgrounds who introduced me to new ideas and experiences.
One example is beekeeping. I never would have expected to get into that. But through meeting people and being open to new opportunities, I ended up co-founding the Sting Devils Beekeeping Club on campus. That experience really showed me the value of staying open and learning from others.
Q: Why did you choose ASU?
A: I chose ASU because it was the most cost-effective option while still allowing me to stay close to home and my community. I had opportunities to go out of state, but looking back, I wouldn’t trade my experience at ASU for anything.
Q: Which professor taught you the most important lesson while at ASU?
A: Zachary Shaffer had a big impact on me. He brought so much energy into teaching, and it made learning really engaging. Through his example, I learned that it’s important not just to plan for the future, but to stay present and actually enjoy the learning process. That mindset helped me avoid burnout and stay motivated.
Q: What was your favorite spot on campus, whether for studying, meeting friends or just thinking about life?
A: For studying, definitely the silent study room on the second floor of Noble Library. I’ve probably spent thousands of hours there; it just puts you in the right mindset to focus. For meeting people, the Sun Devil Fitness Complex. I met a lot of my close friends there, and it’s a space where everyone is working on bettering themselves.
Q: What are your plans after graduation?
A: After graduation, I plan to take a gap year before applying to medical school. During that time, I’ll continue working at a clinical research company, gaining hands-on experience, and start preparing for the MCAT. I also plan to shadow physicians in different specialties to better understand where I want to go in medicine.
Q: If someone gave you $40 million to solve one problem on our planet, what would you tackle?
A: I would focus on improving health care access in rural Vietnam. My parents grew up there, and there are still major challenges around access to care and health education, especially with rising rates of diseases like cardiovascular disease. I would invest in strengthening local health care systems, expanding education efforts, and improving access for underserved communities.
This story originally appeared on ASU News.