Meet Yon Son Betty Kim, M.D., Ph.D.
Yon Son Betty Kim, MD, PhD, FRCSC, FAANS
Department of Neurosurgery, Division of Surgery
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Professor, Department of Neurosurgery, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Professor, Department of Neurosurgery, Division of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
Research Interests
As a Physician Scientist, Dr. Kim’s laboratory takes a multidisciplinary approach to the research of solid tumors with a specific focus on malignant primary and metastatic brain tumors. Her work has been published in journals such as the New England Journal of Medicine, Nature, Nature Nanotechnology, Nature Biomedical Engineering, Nature Reviews Immunology and Nature Reviews Drug Discovery. Dr. Kim’s lab is interested in understanding the molecular cross-talk that occurs between tumor and stromal cells within the tumor immune-microenvironment, while also developing multiple patented therapeutic strategies to inhibit tumorigenesis. Her current research primarily focuses on finding new ways to promote immune recognition of glioma cells to boost the efficacies of cancer immunotherapies. Her group also pursues the identification of predictive and prognostic biomarkers for personalized medicine in the context of brain tumors.
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2002 | McMaster University, Hamilton, CAN, MD, Faculty Medicine |
| 1998 | McGill University, Montreal, CAN, BSc (Hon), Anatomy and Cell Biology |
Postgraduate Training
| 2012-2013 | Clinical Fellowship, Skull Base Surgery, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX |
| 2011-2012 | Clinical Fellowship, Neurosurgical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX |
| 2011-2012 | FRCSC, Neurologic Surgeon, Royal College of Surgeon, Canada |
| 2006-2009 | Clinician Investigator Program, Neurologic Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto |
| 2005-2011 | Clinical Residency, Neurosurgery, University of Toronto, Toronto |
Board Certifications
| 2012 | Neurosurgery, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, Canada |
| 2002 | Medical Council of Canada/College of Surgeons of Ontario |
Experience & Service
Academic Appointments
Associate Professor, Department of Neurosurgery, Division of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 2019 - 2022
Associate Professor, Department of Neurosurgery, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2019 - 2022
Assistant Professor, Department of Cancer Biology, Division of Cancer Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, 2014 - 2019
Assistant Professor, Department of Neurosurgery, Division of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, 2013 - 2017
Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities
Brain SPORE Animal Core Co-Director, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2020 - Present
Other Appointments/Responsibilities
MD Anderson Core Facility Oversight Board, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TN, 2022 - Present
Institutional Committee Activities
Member, Brain Tumor Center Data Governance Committee, 2021 - Present
Member, TMC3 Science Think Tank, 2020 - Present
Member, Gamma Knife Radiosurgery Review Panel, 2020 - Present
Member, Brain Metastasis Clinic, 2020 - Present
Member, Brain Tumor Center Tissue Utilization Committee, 2020 - Present
Honors & Awards
| 2021 | Sabin Family Foundation Fellowship Award, Sabin Family Foundation |
| 2016 | Forty Stars of Forty Under Florida - Florida Trend Magazine |
| 2012 | Detweiler Travelling Fellowship - Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons |
| 2010 | Sopman Humanitarian Award - University of Toronto |
| 2009 | National Research Award for Specialty Residents - Royal College of Physicians |
| 2009 | Mark Bernstein Award in Neurosurgery - University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada |
| 2009 | National Research Award - Canadian Federation of University Women, First place |
| 2009 | Top Gun American Association of Neurological Surgeons, 1st place |
| 2008 | Gallie-Bateman Research Award - Department of Surgery, University of Toronto |
| 2008 | Javenthey Soobiah Scholarship - University of Toronto School of Medicine |
| 2008 | Joseph M. West Family Memorial Scholarship - University of Toronto |
| 2008 | Post-Graduate Medicine Research Award - University of Toronto |
| 2008 | AANS/NREF Fellowship - American Association of Neurological Surgeons |
| 2008 | Restracomp Research Training Grant - Hospital for Sick Children, 1st place |
| 2008 | Thomas Morley Best Original Research - University of Toronto |
| 2008 | McKenzie Award - Canadian Neurological Sciences, Best neuroscience research |
| 2008 | Time Posters Fellowship - University of Toronto School of Medicine |
| 2008 | CIHR/Brain Star Award - Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Best research |
| 2005 | Heart and Stroke and Foundation of Canada - Medical Research Scholar Award |
| 2005 | Natural Sciences & Engineering Research Canada (NSERC) Grant |
| 2005 | Price Water House Research Excellence Award - University of Toronto |
| 2005 | Thomas L. Friedlich Award in Surgical Sciences Research - University of Toronto |
| 2005 | Charles F. Fell Scholarship - University of Toronto School of Medicine |
| 2005 | Joseph M. West Family Memorial Fund - University of Toronto |
| 2005 | Post-Graduate Medicine Research Award - University of Toronto |
| 2005 | Chisholm Memorial Research Fellowship |
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Liu CC, Wang N, Chen Y, Inoue Y, Shue F, Linares C, Kurti A, Fryer JD, Zhang B, Kim BYS, Bu G. Peripheral apoE4 enhances Alzheimer’s pathology and impairs cognition by compromising cerebrovascular function. Nature Neuroscience IF=25 25:1020-1033, 2022.
- Lee D, Huntoon K, Kang MJ, Lu Y, Gallup T, Jiang W, Kim BYS. Harnessing cGAS-STING Pathway for Cancer Immunotherapy: From Bench to Clinic. Advanced Therapeutics, 2022. e-Pub 2022.
- Zamler D, Shing T, Kahn L, Huntoon K, Kassab C, Ott M, Kim BYS, Watowich S, Heimberger AB, Draetta GF, Hu J. Immune Landscape of a Genetically Engineered Murine Model of Glioma Compared with Human Glioma. Journal of Clinical Investigation Insight 22(7):1-16, 2022. PMID: 35653194.
- Hsieh RCE, Krishnan S, Wu RC, Boda AR, Liu A, Winkler M, Lea ST, Taniguchi C, Kim BYS, Chen J, Rudqvisst NP, Curran M. ATR-mediated CD47 and PD-L1 up-regulation restricts radiotherapy-induced immune priming and abscopal responses in colorectal cancer. Science Immunology IF=30.6 7(72), 2022. PMID: 35687697.
- Li X, Khorsandi S, Wang Y, Santelli J, Huntoon K, Nguyen N, Yang M, Lee D, Lu Y, Kim BYS, Lux C, Mattrey RF, Jiang W, Lux J. Cancer immunotherapy based on image-guided STING activation by nucleotide nanocomplex-decorated ultrasound microbubbles. Nature Nanotechnology IF=39 17:891-899, 2022.
- Lee D, Ha JH, Kang MJ, Huntoon K, Yang Z, Jiang W, Kim BYS. Strategies of Perturbing Ion Homeostasis for Cancer Therapy. Advanced Therapeutics, 2022.
- Wu Z, Yang Z, Sha D, Ma Y, Kim BYS, Jiang W, Yuan Y, Liu C. Injectable, viscoelastic hydrogel precisely regulates developmental tissue regeneration. Chemical Engineering Journal 434, 2022. e-Pub 2021.
- Abdelfattah N, Kumar P, Leu J-S, Flynn W, Gao R, Baskin D, Pichumani K, Ijare O, Wood S, Powell S, Haviland D, Kim BYS, Jiang W, George J, Yun K.. A glioma immune cell atlas identifies prognostic macrophage signatures and a novel immunotherapy target. Nature Communications IF=17 13(767), 2022.
- Mehta GU, Passer JZ, . Raza SM, bKim BYS, Su SY, Kupferman ME, Hanna EY, DeMonte F.. The neurosurgical management of sinonasal malignancies involving the anterior skull base: A 28-year experience at The M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. Journal of Neurosurgery. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34624857.
- Ma Y, Yang Z, Huntoon K, Jiang W, Kim BYS. Advanced Immunotherapy Approaches for Glioblastoma. Advanced Therapeutics 4(8), 2021.
- Lee D, Huntoon K, Wang Y, Jiang W, Kim BYS. Harnessing innate immunity using biomaterials for cancer immunotherapy. Advanced Materials IF=31 33(27), 2021.
- Ma Y, Yang Z, Huntoon K, Jiang W, Kim BYS. Advanced immunotherapy approaches for glioblastoma. Advanced Therapeutics(2100046 (1-16)), 2021.
- Sun X, Yu K, Zhou Y, Dong S, Hu W, Sun Y, Li Y, Xie J, Lee RJ, Sun F, Ma Y, Wang S, Kim BYS, Wang Y, Yang Z, Jiang W, Li Y, Teng L.. Self-Assembled pH-Sensitive Polymeric Nanoparticles for the Inflammation-Targeted Delivery of Cu/Zn-Superoxide Dismutase. ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces IF=9.2 13(15):18152-18164, 2021.
- Liu Y, Yang Z, Wang L, Sun L, Kim BYS, Jiang W, Yuan Y, Liu C.. Spatiotemporal immunomodulation using biomimetic scaffold promotes endochondral ossification-mediated bone healing. Advance Science IF=16.8 8(11):21000143, 2021.
- Ma Y, Dong S, Li X, Kim BYS, Yang Z, Jiang W. Extracellular Vesicles: An Emerging Nanoplatform for Cancer Therapy. Frontiers in Oncology 10, 2021.
- Yamazaki Y, Liu C-C, Yamazaki A, Shue F, Martens YA, Chen Y, Qiao W, Kurti A, Que H, Ren Y, Li Y, Aikawa T, Cherukuri Y, Fryer JD, Asmann YW, Kim BYS, Kanekiyo T, Bu G. Vascular ApoE4 Impairs Behavior by Modulating Gliovascular Function. Neuron IF=17 109(3):438-447.e6, 2021.
- Jiang W, Wang Y, Wargo JA, Lang FF, Kim BYS. Considerations for designing preclinical cancer immune nanomedicine studies. Nature Nanotechnology IF=39.2 16(1):6-15, 2021. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 33349682.
- Deng W, Wang Y, Liu X, Liu J, Wang L, Yang Z, Yang M, An Y, Tang C, Sanford N, Kim BYS, Jiang W.. Assessment of Trends in Second Primary Cancers in Patients with Metastatic Melanoma From 2005 to 2016. JAMA Network Open 3(12), 2020.
- Ziu M, Kim BYS, Jiang W, Ryken T, Olson JJ. The role of radiation therapy in treatment of adults with newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme: a systematic review and evidence-based clinical practice guideline update. Journal of NeuroOncology 150(2):215-267, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 33215344.
- Li Q, Wang Y, Jia W, Deng H, Li G, Deng W, Chen J, Kim BYS, Jiang W, Liu Q, Liu J. Low-Dose Anti-Angiogenic Therapy Sensitizes Breast. Clinical Cancer Research IF=12.5 26(7):1712-1724, 2020. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31848190.
- von Roemeling CA, Wang Y, Qie Y, Yuan H, Zhao H, Liu X, Yang Z, Yang M, Deng W, Bruno KA, Chan CK, Lee AS, Rosenfeld SS, Yun K, Johnson AJ, Mitchell DA, Jiang W, Kim BYS. Therapeutic modulation of phagocytosis in glioblastoma can activate both innate and adaptive antitumour immunity. Nature Communications IF=17 11(1):1508, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32198351.
- Yang Z, Shi J, Xie J, Wang Y, Sun J, Liu T, Zhao Y, Zhao X, Wang X, Ma Y, Malkoc V, Chiang C, Deng W, Chen Y, Fu Y, Kwak KJ, Fan Y, Kang C, Yin C, Rhee J, Bertani P, Otero J, Lu W, Yun K, Lee AS, Jiang W, Teng L, Kim BYS, Lee LJ. Large-scale generation of functional mRNA-encapsulating exosomes via cellular nanoporation. Nature Biomedical Engineering IF=29 4(1):69-83 (Journal Cover), 2020. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31844155.
- Feng M, Jiang W, Kim BYS, Zhang CC, Fu YX, Weissman IL. Phagocytosis checkpoints as new targets for cancer immunotherapy. Nature Reviews Cancer IF=70 19(10):568-586, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31462760.
- Chen Y, Liu X, Yuan H, Yang Z, von Roemeling CA, Qie Y, Zhao H, Wang Y, Jiang W, Kim BYS. Therapeutic Remodeling of the Tumor Microenvironment Enhances Nanoparticle Delivery. Advance Science IF=17 6(5):1802070, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 30886813.
- Wang Y, Liu ZG, Yuan H, Deng W, Li J, Huang Y, Kim BYS, Story MD, Jiang W. The Reciprocity between Radiotherapy and Cancer Immunotherapy. Clinical Cancer Research IF=14 25(6):1709-1717, 2019. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 30413527.
- Zheng X, Fang Z, Liu X, Deng S, Zhou P, Wang X, Zhang C, Yin R, Hu H, Chen X, Han Y, Zhao Y, Lin SH, Qin S, Wang X, Kim BY, Zhou P, Jiang W, Wu Q, Huang Y. Increased vessel perfusion predicts the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade. Journal of Clinical Investigation IF=19 128(5):2104-2115, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 29664018.
- Huang Y, Kim BYS, Chan CK, Hahn SM, Weissman IL, Jiang W. Improving immune-vascular crosstalk for cancer immunotherapy. Nature Reviews Immunology IF=108 18(3):195-203, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 29332937.
- Chow KH, Park HJ, George J, Yamamoto K, Gallup AD, Graber JH, Chen Y, Jiang W, Steindler DA, Neilson EG, Kim BYS, Yun K. S100A4 is a biomarker and regulator of glioma stem cells that is critical for mesenchymal transition in glioblastoma. Cancer Research IF=12.7 77(19):5360-5373, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28807938.
- Yuan H, Jiang W, von Roemeling CA, Qie Y, Liu X, Chen Y, Wang Y, Wharen RE, Yun K, Bu G, Knutson KL, Kim BYS. Multivalent bispecific nanobioconjugate engager for targeted cancer immunotherapy. Nature Nanotechnology IF=39.2 12(8):763-769, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28459470.
- Jiang W, Yuan H, Chan CK, von Roemeling CA, Yan Z, Weissman IL, Kim BYS. Lessons from Immuno-Oncology: A New Era for Cancer Nanomedicine. Nature Reviews Drug Discovery IF=112 16(6):369-370, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28303024.
- von Roemeling C, Jiang W, Chan CK, Weissman IL, Kim BYS. Breaking Down the Barriers to Precision Cancer Nanomedicine. Trends Biotechnology (Cell Press) 35(2):159-171, 2017. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27492049.
- Jiang W, von Roemeling C, Qie Y, Chen Y, Liu X, Chen J, Kim BYS. Designing nanomedicine for immuno-oncology. Nature Biomedical Engineering IF=29 1(0029):1, 2017.
- Qie Y, Yuan H, von Roemeling CA, Chen Y, Liu X, Shih KD, Knight JA, Tun HW, Wharen RE, Jiang W, Kim BY. Surface modification of nanoparticles enables selective evasion of phagocytic clearance by distinct macrophage phenotypes. Scientific Report 6:26269, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27197045.
- Jiang W, Chan CK, Weissman IL, Kim BYS (co-corresponding author), Hahn SM. Immunogenic Priming of Tumor Microenvironment. Trends in Cancer (Cell Press) 1(11), 2016.
- Jiang W, Huang Y, An Y, Kim BY. Remodeling tumor vasculature to enhance delivery of intermediate-sized nanoparticles. ACS Nano IF=16 9(9):8689-96, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 26212564.
- Kim BYS, Jiang W, Beiko J, Prabhu SS, DeMonte F, Gilbert MR, Sawaya R, Aldape KD, Cahill DP, McCutcheon IE. Diagnostic discrepancies in malignant astrocytoma due to limited small pathological tumor sample can be overcome by IDH1 testing. Journal NeuroOncology 118(2):405-412, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 24777756.
- Kim BY, Rutka JT, Chan WC. Nanomedicine. New England Journal of Medicine IF=74.7 363(25):2434-43, 2010. PMID: 21158659.
- Kim BY, Jiang W, Oreopoulos J, Yip CM, Rutka JT, Chan WC. Biodegradable quantum dot nanocomposites enable live cell labeling and imaging of cytoplasmic targets. Nano Letters IF=11.2 8(11):3887-92, 2008. e-Pub 2008. PMID: 18816147.
- Jiang W, Kim BY, Rutka JT, Chan WC. Nanoparticle-mediated cellular response is size-dependent. Nature Nanotechnology IF=39.2. Featured in Nature Nanotechnology 15 Year Anniversary Issue on October 2021 as one of the most impactful nanomedicine study. Cited 2900 times 3(3):145-50, 2008. e-Pub 2008. PMID: 18654486.
- Zhu S, Stavrovskaya IG, Drozda M, Kim BY, Ona V, Li M, Sarang S, Liu AS, Hartley DM, Wu DC, Gullans S, Ferrante RJ, Przedborski S, Kristal BS, Friedlander RM. Minocycline inhibits cytochrome c release and delays progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in mice. Nature IF=50 417(6884):74-8, 2002. PMID: 11986668.
- George J, Chen Y, Adelfttah N, Yamamoto K, Gallup T, Flavahan, Kim BYS, Xu Jiaqiong, Jung SY, Yun K. Cancer stem cells, not bulk tumor cells, determine mechanisms of resistance to SMO inhibitors. Cancer Research Communications.
Grant & Contract Support
| Title: | Therapeutic modulation of the phagocytosis axis as a novel glioblastoma immunotherapy |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NINDS |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | A fusion protein bispecific phagocyte engager for targeted breast cancer immunotherapy |
| Funding Source: | Department of Defense (DOD) |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | Impact of ApoE2 on age-related conditions |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NIA |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | Microfluidics-array based sorting, isolation and RNA analysis of single extracellular vesicles |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | SPORE in Brain Cancer – Animal Core |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Project Leader |
| Title: | Therapeutic targeting of multiple glioblastoma phagocytosis checkpoints using a novel bispecific antibody |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NINDS |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | Clinical Development of CAR T Cell Therapy Targeting CD70 in Primary Glioblastoma |
| Funding Source: | DOD/Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (DOD/CDMRP) |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | S100a4 Mediated Immune Suppression in GBM |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NINDS |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | Break Through Cancer Glioblastoma Team Science Grant |
| Funding Source: | Research Alliance between MIT, Dana Farber, MD Anderson, Memorial Sloan Kettering and Johns Hopkins University |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | Spatio-temporal activation of the STING pathway using acoustically responsive materials to promote anti-tumor response |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | Microbial-inspired STING Activation for Glioblastoma Immunotherapy |
| Funding Source: | Uncle Kory Foundation |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | Microfluidics-array based sorting, isolation and RNA analysis of single extracellular vesicles |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Co-Principal Investigator |
| Title: | Aging, cancer and the fountain of immunological youth: The effect of aging on cancer immunotherapy |
| Funding Source: | Sabin Fellowship Award |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | Neil Pepart Neurosurgery Research Award |
| Funding Source: | Glioblastoma Foundation |
| Role: | Investigator |