HONOLULU (KHON2) -- Coco Kim, a sophomore at ʻIolani School, recently embarked on an exciting journey with the University of Hawaiʻi’s Pre-Health Career Corps (PHCC). This program aims to help students interested in the medical field gain valuable experience and skills. Get Hawaii's latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Kim’s story highlights her dedication and the exciting opportunities she has discovered through the program. KHON2.com sat down with Kim, and she shared her inspiring story of discovery and growth. Through the PHCC’s career website, she found opportunities that sparked her interest. One of those was the Research Circle program, where she got to dive deep into the world of microbial genomics under the guidance of her principal investigator. Initially, Kim said she felt overwhelmed. “I had no prior background in microbial genomics,” she admitted. However, as the summer progressed, she began to embrace the challenges. “I found myself getting more and more interested,” she explained. “I was able to talk about it without stuttering, which was a big step for me.” Kim's journey in microbial genomics started during a biology class the previous year. “I found it really difficult to keep up with the work,” she recalled. Yet, upon her acceptance into the Research Circle, she saw connections between her past struggles and her current work. “Dr. Cary explained background knowledge about it, and I connected back to my biology class, recognizing some similarities.” During her research, Kim worked on two hypothetical genes, utilizing online tools like the NCBI database. She explained, “We investigated these genes to see if they needed new annotations or if they could keep their original names.” This process not only improved her research skills but also deepened her understanding of genetics. Her goal in joining the program was clear: Kim wanted to pursue a career as a nephrologist, a doctor who specializes in kidney health. “I always grew up in my grandpa's dialysis center,” she said. “I engaged with patients and listened to their stories, which fueled my interest in nephrology.” As part of her commitment to this field, Kim is working to establish a Junior Development Council with the National Kidney Foundation in Hawaiʻi. “I talked to the people who work there about getting youth involved,” she said. “Chronic kidney disease is more prominent among seniors, so they wanted more junior involvement.” Her initiative aims to create opportunities for young people to contribute to the fight against chronic kidney disease. “I know so many people at my school who would be interested in healthcare,” she said. “It’s a perfect solution to engage more youth and build a greater community.” At the recent health conference, Kim had the opportunity to present her research, which was part of a competition. Although she didn’t place in the top ranks, she felt proud. “It was amazing to present in front of medical students and true professionals in the healthcare system,” she shared. The support from the PHCC was crucial to her experience. “SAC, the main coordinator, was really glad that people from the Circle program were able to participate in the competition,” she noted. Kim also learned a lot from her peers. “In front of me was the zebrafish team, studying how zebrafish ingest microplastics,” she recalled. “I found that really interesting because I never thought about it from a researcher’s perspective.” Looking forward, Kim is optimistic about her future. “By the time I’m a senior, I hope the Junior Development Council will be established,” she said. “It’s a way for us to make a difference and engage more students in healthcare.” Through her experiences in the Pre-Health Career Corps, Coco Kim has grown not just as a student but as a future leader in the medical community. Her story serves as a reminder of the importance of youth involvement in health initiatives and the power of determination. For more information on University of Hawaiʻi’s Pre-Health Career Corps, click here. Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHON's morning podcast, every morning at 8 As she continues her journey, Kim is well on her way to making a significant impact in the world of nephrology and beyond.