Dr. Kim is a pioneer in designing polymers for use in the precise delivery of medicines to needed areas of the human body. Since the 1970s, he has made significant contributions in the areas of biomaterials and drug delivery, and was one of the first of the world's researchers to consider using biomaterials for drug delivery. He belongs to a select group of professionals who hold dual memberships of the National Academies (National Academy of Engineering and the Institute of Medicine).
Dr. Kim's early work in blood-compatible polymer research assisted in the design of a polyurethane total artificial heart, which has been implanted in humans. His breakthrough work on protein absorption and platelet adhesion on polymer surfaces is regarded as one of the most important accomplishments in biomaterials research. Dr. Kim's current research includes the design of polymeric carriers for therapeutic gene delivery.
