When Dr. Michele Kong applied to the CCTS Clinical and Translational Science Training Program (aka CTSTP), she was an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at UAB. “When I look back, I kinda fell into science,” she said, “But even as a medical student, I was always aware of the bigger picture and seeking ways to move the needle for medicine as a whole.”

Why Translational Research?

As a pediatric critical care fellow, Kong visited the lab of her mentor and realized research was what had been missing from her career as a clinician. “I was frustrated that I couldn’t do more for my patients, some of whom would return again and again requiring intensive care management for their respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. Yet a sibling exposed to the same virus might be less ill. In the lab, I could pose a question about RSV and answer it systematically using cell and animal models. I wanted to understand the viral-host response, and determine if we could identify a biomarker that is predictive of disease severity.”

How Did CCTS Influence Your Career?

Even with her lab experience, Kong knew she needed more training to help her translate her clinical observations into questions she could answer with research. She also realized translational research is a “team sport,” and that her project would require support from geneticists, statisticians, and other disciplines. She applied to the CTSTP not only to fill the gaps in her research knowledge but to also connect with experts from different fields.

It is no coincidence that a year later, Kong applied for and was awarded a CCTS Multidisciplinary Partner Network Pilot award for her proposal, "Prospective Clinical Trial of Azithromycin Treatment in RSV-Induced Respiratory Failure in Children." Her study is now a Phase II clinical trial. She is talking with several universities to explore launching a multi-site trial based on her work.

Words of Wisdom

Kong offered advice to students considering translational science as a career: “Know what your passion is. You won’t give up as easily when you come upon a challenge, and there will be many. Persistence is key. For every grant funded, there will be 10 that are not. But all of those failures will contribute to your future success.” She also encouraged new researchers to seek out several mentors: “One mentor cannot provide everything, nor offer enough bandwidth or variety. Plug into your community, find mentors for all the different aspects of your life.”

Passion Driven, Community Minded

Passion is indeed the driving force in Kong’s life. Not only is she a pediatric intensivist and translational scientist, but also the mother of two young boys, one of whom was diagnosed with autism at the age of 4. After experiencing the challenges and isolation all too common for families with autistic children, Kong and her husband, Dr. Julian Maha, founded KultureCity, a non-profit organization that seeks to change how people perceive autism, moving beyond awareness to acceptance. KultureCity is also focused on making the community inclusive to all special needs individuals, many of whom have sensory challenges. With their sensory initiative, they have made numerous public places (such as NBA arenas, zoos, museums, and restaurants) sensory-inclusive to prevent the social isolation that many of these families experience.

Accolades

Awards for her science and community activism have followed. Kong has received a K12, a K08, the 2015 Dean’s Excellence Award, the 2016 UAB Outstanding Women Award, the 2017 Odessa Woolfolk Community Service Award, and a 2017 Women Who Shape the State Award (to name a few). The CCTS applauds Dr. Kong’s many achievements and looks forward to hearing about many more.

Are You a Future CCTS Alum?

The CCTS seeks to develop a vibrant clinical and translational workforce and foster collaboration, team science, and innovative discoveries that address disparities in diseases disproportionately represented within our region. Join us! The application period for the CCTS Partner Network Multidisciplinary Pilot program opens in late summer. The CTSTP application period opens in the fall. Subscribe to the CCTS Digest for these and other announcements and opportunities.