Contact Information
Summary
Caleb Kim earned his Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from the University of Maryland, College Park in 2024, graduating cum laude. During his undergraduate studies, he conducted research under Dr. Cherisse Hall, focusing on the ability of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to cause catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) in susceptible individuals. Caleb led and mentored a project examining the gene PA14_70940 and its specific effects on biofilm formation. Additionally, he researched age-dependent immune development and pediatric infectious diseases at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences under Dr. Allison Malloy.
Currently, Caleb is a postbaccalaureate fellow in the Cutaneous Microbiome and Inflammation Section at the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) under the guidance of Dr. Heidi Kong. He plans to pursue a career as a medical doctor, with a continued interest in researching the clinical manifestations of immunodeficient patients.
Research Statement
Caleb's research investigates the skin microbiome in patients with inflammatory skin diseases and healthy individuals to identify factors that contribute to the cutaneous manifestations observed in immunodeficient patients. Additionally, he studies patients with alopecia areata and central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia, aiming to elucidate the underlying disease mechanisms and identify factors that may inform effective treatment options.
Education
Montgomery College
A.S. in Biological Sciences (2020-2022)
University of Maryland, College Park
B.S. in Biological Sciences (2022-2024)
Experience
Undergraduate Researcher
University of Maryland - Department of Microbiology (2022-2024)
Undergraduate Researcher
University of Maryland - School of Public Health (2023-2024)
Summer Research Fellow
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences – Department of Pediatrics (2023)