Distinguished scientist: So-Youn Kim, PhD

This profile is part of a series to highlight the researchers who will be honored at a ceremony on Nov. 14 for UNMC’s Scientist Laureate, Research Leadership, Distinguished Scientist and New Investigator Award recipients.

• Name: So-Youn Kim, PhD
• Title: Associate professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UNMC College of Medicine
• Joined UNMC: October 2018
• Hometown: Seoul, South Korea

Why is research important in the world today? 

Each year, nearly 210,000 new cases of young adult cancer patients are diagnosed in the United States, with the number rising to more than 3 million globally. As cancer survival rates improve, there is growing awareness of the long-term side effects of cancer therapies, particularly their impact on quality of life. One significant concern is the effect of these treatments on the ovaries, leading to the loss of endocrine function and fertility in young female cancer survivors.

My research will make a difference because:

The ovary contains follicles at various stages, with non-renewable, quiescent primordial follicles that can remain dormant for months or decades. These follicles are vital for determining female reproductive lifespan, and cancer therapies significantly deplete them, affecting both endocrine health and fertility. My group’s research has shown that TAp63alpha, an oocyte-specific molecule, regulates oocyte fate. We now are investigating the mechanisms of primordial follicle depletion through TAp63alpha during cancer treatments and developing adjuvant therapies to prevent this loss via TAp63alpha-specific signaling. Our goal is to protect the ovarian reserve by aligning fertoprotectants with cancer therapies.

The best advice I’ve ever received is: 

My postdoctoral mentor, Dr. Teresa K. Woodruff, shared words that have since become my guiding principle:

“Life is an echo. What you send out comes back. What you sow, you reap. What you give, you get. What you see in others, exists in you. Remember, life is an echo — it always returns to you. So, give goodness.”

These words continue to inspire me in both my personal and professional life.

Three things you may not know about me are:

• I have a wonderful family — my husband, three kids and a cat in the United States — with all my extended family in Korea. They are my lighthouse, guiding me through each day.
• I’m fortunate to have amazing friends across the globe, including in the United States, Korea, Japan, China, Portugal, France, Australia and Italy. They are the source of my energy.
• I’ve been working towards embracing minimalism in my life, which gives me a clear sense of direction each day.