Kimmunity Lab Wins Its First Research Award!

🧬🎉 We’re thrilled to share that Dr. B.J. Kim has been selected as a 2025 Peg’s Fight for Life Early Career Research Award recipient from A Breath of Hope Lung Cancer Foundation. This award marks the first official research funding for the Kimmunity Lab—and we couldn't be more excited!

This prestigious award supports early-career investigators pursuing innovative research in lung cancer. Our lab’s winning project focuses on using programmable RNA therapies to address a critical challenge in the field: immune resistance in EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). While EGFR-targeted therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors have revolutionized care for some patients, those with EGFR mutations continue to face poor outcomes. We're aiming to change that by developing RNA-based strategies that enhance antigen expression and reshape the tumor-immune landscape—turning "cold" tumors into immunologically active ones.

“Receiving this award during my first year on faculty is a tremendous honor,” said Dr. Kim. “In today’s competitive funding climate, early support like this is more than just symbolic—it’s catalytic. It will accelerate our ability to generate data, refine our platform, and move closer to real impact for lung cancer patients.”

Dr. Kim also extends deep thanks to her mentor, Dr. John DiGiovanni, for his steadfast support and guidance in both scientific direction and career development.

This milestone is a major boost to the lab’s momentum—and just the beginning. We’re excited to continue building out our RNA immunotherapy platform, recruiting passionate trainees, and forging collaborations that will drive our science forward.

📌 Learn more about the A Breath of Hope Foundation and their mission to improve the survival of lung cancer patients through research and education.