Kim is a recent PhD graduate from UWA researching topics in bacterial stress perception and the class of plant RNA binding proteins Pentatricopeptide Repeat Proteins (PPR).

When cells of the bacteria B. subtilis grow in optimal conditions they transcribe genes known as house-keeping genes, directed at metabolism, growth and division. Cell mechinary recognises house-keeping genes by the transcription factor Sigma^A, directing RNA-polymerase towards specific promoters attached to the start of each gene. When growth conditions leave the optimal range the cell activates the stress responsive transcription factor Sigma^B. Sigma^B directs RNA-polymerase towards dedicated promoters to transcribe stress related genes and survive.

Kim's research studies how cultures of B. subtilis, growing in optimal conditions, use up their available resources and switch from using Sigma^A to Sigma^B as conditions deteriorate. 

Pentatricopeptide Repeat Proteins (PPR) are a class of proteins which recognise and bind to specific sequnces of RNA. These proteins can be attached to RNA modifying enzymes and can be designed to recognise sequences of choice. These two options open up the possibility of editing specific sequences to disrupt, correct, or enhance the production of proteins from RNA. 

Kim's research studies the structure of PPRs and their use as detection tools for the prescence of specific RNAs within a cell.