Sun Young Kim, MD, PhD
skim11@lsuhsc.edu
Assistant Professor
Department of Genetics
Dr. Kim is a physician–scientist specializing in cancer genetics, with board certifications in pediatrics, pediatric hematology/oncology, and medical genetics. She also completed an additional year of adult cancer research at the National Cancer Institute, where she contributed to genome first approaches for identifying cancer predisposition genes using large scale genomic datasets.
Clinically, Dr. Kim evaluates both adult and pediatric patients with cancer or suspected hereditary cancer predisposition syndromes. She integrates somatic and germline genomic data to support diagnosis, refine prognostic assessment, and guide individualized treatment planning. She also provides counseling on hereditary cancer risk, familial testing, and early surveillance strategies for individuals at increased genetic risk.
Dr. Kim’s research spans both adult and pediatric cancer genetics, with a focus on the mechanisms that drive cancer predisposition and complex disease. Her work emphasizes gene regulation, genomic variation, and the molecular pathways that influence cancer development and progression across the lifespan.
She also contributes to national efforts in cancer prevention and early detection, including the development of hereditary cancer surveillance guidelines through the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR). In addition to her clinical and research roles, Dr. Kim is committed to mentorship, interdisciplinary collaboration, and promoting diversity within the scientific and medical communities.
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