For Kaitlyn Kim, a class of 2025 Honors College graduate in biochemistry and molecular biology, peer mentorship and a sense of belonging were cornerstones of her undergraduate experience.
“The Honors College offered me a smaller community within the larger OSU community and became a place where I could not only find support, but also show up for other students,” she says.
Kaitlyn graduated from high school in Ashland, Oregon and came to Oregon State to pursue opportunities in both science and service. Majoring in biochemistry and molecular biology with minors in chemistry and music performance, she quickly discovered a passion for mentoring and supporting her peers, especially within rigorous STEM disciplines. For three years, she served as a Learning Assistant in the Principles of Biology series, where she helped facilitate agile thinking in small groups and foster a sense of belonging in challenging foundational courses. “I was able to support students’ educational needs and voices — to help them realize that anyone belongs in STEM,” she says.
She also spent two years as an Academic Learning Assistant, planning academic events and offering support in the residence halls, and most recently served as an undergraduate Teaching Assistant for a genetic biochemistry course. These roles, she says, gave her “an active role in students' lives through peer mentorship and helped others realize their potential and genuine interests.” That same drive to support and connect with others extended into her research. During her first year, Kaitlyn joined Dr. Kathy Magnusson’s lab at the Linus Pauling Institute, where she remained actively involved in multiple projects throughout her time at OSU. Her Honors thesis, Heterozygous 5xFAD Mice Exhibited Increased Fragmented Sleep at an Early Age, explored early sleep disruptions in a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease.
Beyond the lab and classroom, Kaitlyn co-founded the Students for Health Humanities Club, an interdisciplinary student-led organization focused on the human side of medicine and improving access to healthcare. The club hosted art projects, health policy discussions and community engagement opportunities that encouraged thoughtful dialogue across perspectives. “I wanted this club to be an evolving space to talk with people who think differently from each other,” says Kaitlyn. “Balancing all of my passion projects was difficult at times, but I stayed committed to clubs like this because I truly believe in their mission and want to see them flourish beyond my time at OSU.”
In recognition of her research, leadership and service, Kaitlyn received the 2024 Joe Hendricks Honors College Scholarship for Academic Excellence and was named a runner-up for the 2025 award.
After graduation, Kaitlyn will pursue a Master of Science at Stanford University while applying to medical school. She looks forward to continuing her work at the intersection of science, innovation and community-driven change.
“My time at Oregon State was transformative,” says Kaitlyn. “I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to connect with my peers and grow alongside them. I’ve realized that nothing gets accomplished alone, but with community, I’ve been able to take on challenges, mentor others and create something both lasting and meaningful.”
By Mandy Eng, Honors College Student Writer
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