John Kim

John Kim is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at Johns Hopkins University (Krieger School of Arts & Sciences), focusing on the biological functions of microRNAs and small RNAs. Previously, he held positions at the University of Michigan's Life Sciences Institute (2006–2015) and completed postdoctoral research at Harvard Medical School and MGH (2001–2006). His academic journey includes a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from UC Davis (2000) and a B.S. in Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry from Yale University (1990).

His research explores how small RNAs regulate developmental processes, gene expression, and epigenetic mechanisms in organisms like C. elegans and Drosophila. Key themes include microRNA-mediated gene silencing, intergenerational RNA inheritance, and the role of small RNAs in chromatin dynamics. Notable contributions include studies on piRNA biogenesis, molting cycle regulation in C. elegans, and the formation of G bodies during hypoxia.

Kim has received prestigious awards such as the Frederick C. Neidhardt Endowed Professorship (2013) and was a Pew Scholar in the Biomedical Sciences (2009–2013). His work integrates experimental and computational approaches, as seen in studies of transcriptome-wide RNA binding sites and gPAR-CLIP-seq methodologies.

His lab investigates molecular mechanisms underlying RNA function in development and stress responses, with a focus on transgenerational epigenetic inheritance and metabolic adaptations. Collaborative efforts include projects on glycolytic enzyme compartmentalization and the role of RNAi in genome defense.