Donghyun Kim, MD, PhD

My path to medical oncology was shaped by both a personal connection — my mother is a kidney cancer survivor — and a deep scientific curiosity. During my doctoral studies in biophysics at MIT, I was fascinated by how cellular heterogeneity inside normal tissue can break down and lead to the uncontrolled proliferation that defines cancer.

Driven by a desire to turn fundamental science into direct patient benefit, I transitioned to medicine to bridge the gap between bench and bedside. Oncology is evolving rapidly, yet many treatment decisions still rely on empirical evidence. As a University of Florida Health oncologist, I aim to leverage biophysical and genomic insights to accelerate how we translate research breakthroughs into precise, personalized therapies for our patients.

In my work, I always strive to provide compassionate, transparent clinical care. I aim to empower patients and their families by ensuring they fully understand their diagnosis, treatment options and overall roadmap. This equips them to make informed decisions that align with their values and life goals.

I view my patients and their loved ones as my most influential teachers. While clinical data drives treatment choices, listening to your experiences teaches me how to better manage the physical and emotional challenges of a cancer diagnosis. Every patient I meet not only inspires my search for better treatments and improved quality of life, but also helps me become a more thoughtful, empathetic physician.

In my research, my primary goal is to advance precision medicine in genitourinary (GU) cancers by identifying novel biomarkers that help tailor treatments to everyone. A key focus of my research is evaluating drug repurposing strategies. This approach uses existing, proven medications to improve clinical outcomes while minimizing both physical side effects and financial toxicity for patients.