FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Jae Kyeon Kim, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Arkansas and the University of Minnesota the last three years, has joined the human nutrition faculty in the U of A's Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences.

Kim served as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Minnesota Department of Food Science and Nutrition from 2013-15, researching the effect of vegetable intake on heterocyclic amine metabolism in humans the first year and mechanisms of reducing PhIP-DNA adducts in rat colon by apiaceous vegetable intake the second year. Last year, as a member of the Bumpers College's School of Human Environmental Sciences, he assisted in a study on human carcinogen metabolism.

"Dr. Kim brings a wealth of knowledge and research abilities to our human nutrition, dietetics and hospitality innovation team," said HESC assistant director and associate professor Kelly Way. "His work and interest in toxicology proves to be long-lasting and his contributions to the body of knowledge in that area is truly something to boast about. In addition, he is simply a pleasure to work with. All faculty and students just adore him. We are delighted to have him at the University of Arkansas."

Kim earned his bachelor's (2007) and master's (2009) degrees in food science and biotechnology from Korea University. He earned his Ph.D. in nutritional science with a minor in toxicology from the University of Minnesota in 2013.

Kim is assistant professor and is also part of the Bumpers College's childhood obesity initiative.

Kim's research interest is to explain mechanisms by which diets rich in vegetables prevent human chronic diseases, such as colon cancer. He has worked on projects focusing on analytical chemistry, nutritional biochemistry and nutrition-related diseases used in vitro, in vivo and ex vivo models. Considering the high rate of obesity in Arkansas, Kim plans to apply his expertise in building research programs investigating genetic and epigenetic mechanisms that may lead to the prevention of obesity.

"It is my privilege to join Bumpers College's School of Human Environmental Sciences and the University of Arkansas," said Kim. "I am thankful for the great support I've had in establishing my research program, but more importantly, I appreciate the great people we have to work with, and excellent students and their potential."

As a nutritionist and toxicology researcher, Kim believes the net impacts of chronic exposure to plant-derived compounds (often underestimated) may exceed those of sporadic and acute exposure to pharmaceutical products. As a result, he believes emphasis should be shifted from treatment toward prevention of diseases, which he feels is easier, more efficient and safer.

Kim and wife Boreum Choi are expecting their first child in October.

About the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences: Bumpers College provides life-changing opportunities to position and prepare graduates who will be leaders in the businesses associated with foods, family, the environment, agriculture, sustainability and human quality of life; and who will be first-choice candidates of employers looking for leaders, innovators, policy makers and entrepreneurs. The college is named for Dale Bumpers, former Arkansas governor and longtime U.S. senator who made the state prominent in national and international agriculture.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.