Katelyn King is a cancer biologist committed to advancing equitable and accessible biomedical research. Raised in a medically underserved community, she brings a deep-rooted passion for health equity and scientific inclusion to her work in cancer biology. King earned her B.S. in Biology with Honors from Emory University, where she was a Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholar and an NIH MARC and IMSD Scholar.
Her research focuses on the molecular mechanisms that drive cancer progression and resistance to therapy, with a particular interest in gene regulation and cell signaling. As a Damon Runyon SPARK Scholar and post-baccalaureate researcher at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, King studied the role of glycosylation in modulating the efficacy of antibody-drug conjugates in HER2+ breast cancer under the mentorship of Dr. Kornelia Polyak. In addition to her laboratory work, she mentored students through the YES for CURE program and served as Community Outreach Chair for the Underrepresented Early Career Scientists Employee Resource Group.
King has participated in several prestigious research training programs, including STEP-UP at the NIH-NIDDK, BSI-SIP at Johns Hopkins, the MARC program at Emory’s Winship Cancer Institute, and ACCESS at Weill Cornell Medicine. These experiences have shaped her vision as both a scientist and advocate, reinforcing her commitment to translating discoveries into more effective, inclusive cancer therapies.
She joined the Biomedical Sciences Ph.D. program at the St. Jude Graduate School for its mission-driven approach, collaborative research environment, and dedication to health equity. At St. Jude, King is excited to grow as both a rigorous researcher and a champion for accessible biomedical innovation.
Hometown: Albany, GA
Education:
2024 - Post-baccalaureate Research Fellowship, Medical Oncology – Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
2024 - BS, Biology (Honors) - Emory University
2022 - AA, Arts & Sciences – Oxford College of Emory University
2020 - AS, General Studies – Albany State University
Awards/Honors/Scholarships:
2024 - Damon Runyon Cancer Foundation Scholars Program for Advancing Research and Knowledge (SPARK)
2024 - Honors in Biology, Emory University
2023 - NIH Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC)
2022 - NIH Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD)
2020-24 - Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship