Medical Science Building (MSB) 185 South Orange Avenue Room E567 Newark, NJ 07101 Hours: 9 AM to 5 PM Phone: (973) 972-3385 Fax: (973) 972-4574
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Overview
2008-2013, Postdoctoral Fellow, Division of Reproductive Science in Medicine,
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago IL,
Laboratory of Teresa K. Woodruff, Ph.D.
2005-2008, Postdoctoral Fellow, Division of Endocrinology, Feinberg School of
Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago IL, Laboratory of J. Larry Jameson, M.D., Ph.D.
2005, Ph.D., Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
1998, M.S., Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
Dr. Kim focuses on understanding how cancer treatments affect reproductive function in
cancer patients, a field known as Oncofertility. Over the past thirty years, the survival rate for young cancer
patients has significantly improved, allowing many young cancer survivors to lead relatively normal lives.
However, cancer therapies can have long-term negative effects on various organ systems, including the
reproductive system. One of the most serious side effects for young women undergoing cancer treatment is
the loss of ovarian follicles. This loss reduces the number of ova (female germ cells or eggs) available for future
fertility and affects the production of essential steroid hormones such as estrogen and progesterone. These
hormones are vital for normal menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and overall hormonal balance. Young women
receiving cancer treatment may experience primary ovarian insufficiency, which clinically presents as
endocrine dysfunction and infertility. For instance, prepubertal girls may fail to initiate puberty and require
medical therapies to support their normal development. Reproductive-age women may experience disrupted
menstrual cycles, endocrine issues, and the inability to conceive. Developing effective interventions to prevent
the loss of ovarian follicles could greatly enhance the quality of life for young cancer patients. Current research
indicates that certain fertility-preserving interventions, known as "fertoprotective" therapies, may help protect
ovarian follicles from the damaging effects of cancer treatments. However, the mechanisms by which these
fertoprotective therapies work are not yet fully understood. Dr. Kim aims to clarify how cancer treatments
deplete ovarian follicles, create new therapeutic agents based on the mechanisms of follicle depletion, and
align fertoprotective strategies with specific cancer treatments to preserve ovarian follicles and maintain
fertility.
