Minjeong Kim, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, earned first place at the 2024 National Cancer Institute (NCI) Junior Investigator Annual Meeting for her podium talk focused on unraveling key genetic mutations in lung cancer.
The meeting, held August 22 and 23 on the National Institutes of Health’s campus in Bethesda, Maryland, brought together early-career scientists from a variety of fields that build and apply novel tools to better understand cancer.
Dr. Kim said she did not expect to be honored at the meeting’s closing session. “I was so surprised and deeply grateful to receive such a significant honor,” she said. “For me, this award is a testament to the hard work I’ve put in over the past few years.”
“The NCI Junior Investigator Annual Meeting was an incredible training and networking opportunity for Dr. Kim,” said Dr. Kim’s mentor Liza Makowski, PhD, professor in the College of Medicine and associate director for Education and Development for UT Health Science Center’s Center for Cancer Research. “Recognition at the national level by the National Cancer Institute as a podium invited speaker and first-place winner is a feather in the cap for Dr. Kim.”
Dr. Kim’s presentation, titled “Unveiling Genetic Complexity of Lung Adenocarcinoma by Identifying a Novel EGFR Mutation Signature,” explored genetic complexity in lung cancer patients, particularly the role of EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) gene mutations. EGFR is a protein that helps control cell growth, and mutation of the EGFR gene can cause cancer cells to grow and spread.
Originally from South Korea, Dr. Kim came to Memphis to study as a postdoc in the Makowski Lab. She works in collaboration with the Hayes Lab under her co-mentor Neil Hayes, MD, professor and director of the Center for Cancer Research. Their work centers on understanding how DNA changes drive cancer development.
“Cancer is fundamentally a disease of DNA, and understanding genetic mutations and their effects is crucial for combating it,” she said. “While I’m not driven by a desire to make a groundbreaking, Nobel Prize-worthy discovery, my passion lies in conducting meaningful, long-term research in cancer genomics. I envision doing this with my own students and trainees, fostering a supportive and collaborative environment for future scientists.”
The Junior Investigator Annual Meeting featured keynote lectures, panel discussions, and workshops, in addition to poster presentations from trainees. According to the NCI, the meeting aims to provide opportunities for late-stage graduate students, postdocs, and early-career faculty to meet fellow researchers, showcase their work, and foster collaboration between individuals with diverse skills and shared research interests. Dr. Kim found the meeting to be an ideal opportunity to grow both personally and professionally.
“The Junior Investigator Meeting brought together a group of passionate young scientists, all united by the goal of advancing cancer research and alleviating patient suffering,” she said. “The experience of collaborating with like-minded peers who share a common vision was truly invaluable.”