Arielle Kim '26 - Summer Research at Duke

I had the enriching experience of working and conducting research at Duke this past summer. One of my projects was with the OneDukeGen genomic medicine study, which is collecting DNA samples from over 150,000 Duke patients to better understand how genes affect health. Under the guidance of a clinical research genetic counselor, I created materials on genetic conditions including Lynch syndrome, familial hypercholesterolemia, and hereditary amyloidosis, explaining test results, clinical implications, and family impact. Through this experience, I learned how to communicate complex scientific and medical information to patients with varied levels of health literacy, as well as the role genetic counselors play in research settings. It was exciting to learn from an interdisciplinary team of genetic counselors, physicians, and research scientists working to extend genetic testing to population-level screening, and I hope to apply these skills to a career in genetic counseling.

Thanks to SPIRE enrichment funding, I also gained shadowing experience with genetic counselors at Duke Children’s Hospital & Health Center, Lenox Baker Children’s Hospital, Duke Cardiology Arringdon, and the Duke Fetal Diagnostic Center. I observed cases across pediatric, prenatal, and cardiology specialties and developed a deep understanding of the importance of genetic counseling, the diverse roles genetic counselors take on, and the complex science underlying the profession. These experiences have solidified my interest in the field and fueled my excitement for advances in genomic and precision medicine.