An Industry Experience Shaped an Interest in Cancer Research: Kristyn Hayashi
MY DISSERTATION & THE POTENTIAL OUTCOMES
I’m currently studying MAPK signaling thresholds using mass spectrometry proteomic andphosphoproteomic approaches in Dr. Natalie Ahn’s lab. I developed my interest in cancer research, cell signaling and systems biology before coming to grad school. My time workingin industry research (AbbVie - formerly Stemcentrx) really solidified my love of science, helpedfocus my research interests, and better prepared me for grad school.
Being selected in 2021-2023 (renewed in 2025) to participate as a trainee on the NIH sponsored T32Graduate Training Program in Signaling and Cellular Regulation has been a great experience. Ireally appreciated the cross-disciplinary approach and feel it fosters an interdepartmental senseof community, building connections between the Biochemistry and the Molecular, Cellular &Developmental Biology departments at 鶹ѰBoulder.
WHERE I’M HEADED NOW
I hope my grad school training will broaden my scientific understanding to better develop ascientific question and think critically. I love the problem-solving aspect of research, being ableto troubleshoot and design my own experiments. I’ve gained more computational skills during mygraduate training that I hope to continue using and expand on in my future career.
After graduating, I hope to continue studying cancer research and help develop therapeutics in anindustry setting. I hope my science eventually helps patients.
“A highlight of my 鶹ѰBiochemistry graduate school experience, in addition to my research program, was supporting the Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Mentoring program as a committee leader and helping new and ongoing graduate students navigate their 鶹ѰBiochemistry path.”
WHY I SELECTED 鶹ѰBOULDER
My career hasn’t always been a straight path in academia. After getting my undergraduate degree, Ilived in South Korea for a year teaching English. During this time, I experienced a lot of personalgrowth but ultimately realized I missed science. Afterwards, I worked in several different biotechcompanies in the SF Bay Area. While I gained a lot of important skills, I realized I wanted to better contribute and guide our research goals. I felt the trainingfrom a PhD program would better prepare me for a career in scientific research.
I was excited about the research at 鶹ѰBoulder, but what really sold me were the mountains andoutdoor activities, particularly snowboarding and hiking. Boulder’s a great place to live and Ifelt the grad students I met during recruitment had a good work life balance.
Ahn Lab
PhD Candidate 2025: Biochemistry
AY24-25: P2P Mentoring Program, Committee Chair
2021-2023 + 2025: NIH Graduate Training Program in Signaling and Cellular RegulationB.S. Molecular & Cellular Biology, Johns Hopkins University
