Overview
Hello, I am Hyun M. Kim, an Associate Professor at Duke Kunshan University, where I have been teaching and conducting research since 2022. My research focuses on the molecular mechanisms that maintain genome integrity and germline development, with particular interests in DNA damage repair and epigenetic regulation. I primarily use the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans to study how cells respond to genotoxic stress and how these responses are regulated throughout development.
I earned my Ph.D. in Applied Biology from the Georgia Institute of Technology and completed my postdoctoral training at Harvard Medical School, where I continued my research on DNA repair mechanisms. Prior to joining Duke Kunshan University, I served as an Associate Professor at Tianjin University, working in a highly international academic environment.
In my lab, we investigate the roles of histone demethylases (such as LSD-1 and AMX-1) and employ genome editing tools like CRISPR-Cas9 to study gene–environment interactions during germline development. We also explore how natural products and herbal extracts influence DNA repair pathways and fertility, in collaboration with Professor Borris’s lab.
As an educator, I strive to create a research environment that fosters curiosity, critical thinking, and collaboration. I support students in becoming independent thinkers who are not afraid to ask questions and pursue novel ideas. My lab welcomes students who are passionate about molecular genetics, genome biology, and developmental biology.