LEXINGTON, Ky. — A University of Kentucky public health student was among just 20 early-career scientists selected nationwide to advocate for cancer research funding on Capitol Hill in March, an opportunity that reflected her unique path blending laboratory work with policy engagement.

Subin Kim participated in the 11th Annual American Association for Cancer Research Early-Career Hill Day on March 18, where she met with congressional offices to discuss sustained federal funding for cancer research. During her visits to offices of Kentucky Senators Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul, as well as Rep. Andy Barr, Kim emphasized how National Institutes of Health and National Cancer Institute funding drives scientific discovery from basic research through clinical trials.

"This sustained investment is essential given the long timeline of research, where disruptions can undermine years of prior progress, and that the research supported by federal funding not only saves lives but also contributes to economic growth," Kim said, according to the University of Kentucky News.

Kim's selection did not happen in isolation. She is pursuing a Master of Public Health degree in Health Management and Policy at the University of Kentucky College of Public Health while conducting cancer research at the Markey Cancer Center, where she focuses on pancreatic neuroendocrine cancer. This dual focus reflects a career trajectory that began in high school with a civics assignment to contact congressional representatives and evolved through internships and volunteer work with underserved populations.

Her work sits at the intersection of basic science and public health policy. As an EMT, Kim witnessed firsthand how social conditions influence health outcomes, a realization that shaped her decision to pursue medicine with a deeper understanding of systemic barriers to healthcare access. Mentors including Markey Cancer Center Director B. Mark Evers have encouraged her to think beyond laboratory research toward how policy decisions shape research trajectories and patient care.

The Hill Day reflected broader concerns about research funding stability. According to AACR reporting, the 20 participants represented 16 states and participated in more than 50 meetings with congressional offices, advocating for sustained NIH and NCI investment amid concerns about multi-year funding mechanisms and proposed changes to research grant structures.