Arielle Kim

2026

Fairfax, Virginia

Academic Interests

Biology, Computational Biology & Bioinformatics

Fun Fact

I studied abroad in Stockholm, Sweden, for a semester!

My name is Arielle Kim, and I am a biology major interested in the diverse microorganisms inhabiting the natural world. One class that deepened my interest in microbiology is "Genomics of Symbiosis," where I delved into the study of symbiotic relationships between microorganisms and their hosts and the collective impacts of these relationships on ecosystems. This experience heightened my appreciation for their significance across various fields, particularly in medicine.
   
Seeking microbiology research opportunities, I collaborated with Dr. Lydia Greene to investigate the effects of dietary sugar on the gut microbiomes of hibernating dwarf lemurs. Furthermore, I joined the Lutzoni Lab, where I study cyanolichens—symbiotic organisms comprising fungi and cyanobacterial partners. Through Duke's Biological Sciences Undergraduate Research Fellowship, I applied genomics, evolutionary biology, and ecology principles to study the formation of the cyanolichen symbiosis.  I was also involved in a bioinformatics project characterizing environmental microbiome communities and am currently developing a project to explore how the cyanolichen microbiome contributes to phosphorus acquisition.
   
I took part in the MicroSURP program at UTHealth Houston this summer, where I worked with Dr. Anna Konovalova to study the fitness costs of an upregulated Rcs stress response in E. coli. The creative freedom and responsibility in formulating my research questions and the constructive guidance from my professor and mentors reinforced my desire to pursue a PhD and solidified my passion for microbiology. My ultimate goal is to combine my passion for symbiosis and microbiology by studying polymicrobial interactions in diseases or microbiome models like skin and gut microbiomes.
   
Outside of my academic pursuits, I am a peer reviewer at Vertices, Duke's undergraduate research journal, and also work as a teaching assistant for the FOCUS course "Genomics of Symbiosis!" I have a strong passion for art and was heavily involved in it during high school, working as an art teacher at a local studio. I also have experience working with children, having been a STEM Educator at the Children's Science Center, a museum dedicated to inspiring kids to love learning STEM. I hope to integrate these passions into my future career.

What do you like about being a SPIRE Fellow?

The people I have met through the SPIRE Fellows program are incredible! I have formed close friendships through the program, many with people who share my academic and career interests. Being in the same programs as my SPIRE peers also creates a more welcoming environment wherever I go, whether it is a class, a conference, or even a new country. I am also grateful for the academic and professional support provided by SPIRE through panels, workshops, and funding, as well as the support from the directors and upperclassmen.

Arielle Kim
Arielle Kim