In recognition of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month this May, ACRP asked Narae Christina Kim, MPH, a Director with Huron Consulting Group, a global professional services firm with extensive experience in education and research, to share her thoughts on the importance that AANHPI heritage has had in her life and more broadly in the clinical research enterprise, both for participants and professionals.
ACRP: Can you share with our readers some details on where you grew up, what you studied, how you first got drawn into clinical research, and what your current duties encompass?
Kim: I was born and raised in Fairfax, Va., which is located near Washington, D.C. Northern Virginia is recognized as one of the most culturally diverse regions in the United States. I consider myself fortunate to enjoy so many great cuisines within my neighborhood!
I started college interested in early education, but found myself drawn to the sciences, eventually pursuing a double major in Biology and Communication Disorders. Although I knew medicine wasn’t for me, I was determined to find a career centered on helping others. In my final undergraduate year, I joined a research project studying cochlear repairs, which sparked my interest in research and launched my career working with multiple departments at a local health system in Fairfax.
After taking on roles as a research assistant, clinical research coordinator, and institutional review board coordinator, I earned a Masters in Public Health and set out to make clinical research accessible for all patients. Currently, as a Director for a research consulting group, I partner with institutions nationwide to optimize their research processes, accelerate trial activation, and ensure compliance with billing guidelines and policies.
ACRP: What does AANHPI Heritage Month mean in your personal and professional life?
Kim: AANHPI Heritage Month is a great opportunity to recognize the many accomplishments of AANHPIs throughout history. In addition to the celebration, I also find it to be a point of reflection on identity and representation.
I am proud of the way my heritage and family values have shaped how I lead and engage with others, but growing up, there were very few examples of AANHPIs leading industries and being recognized for their cultural achievements. Professionally, I have navigated expectations shaped by the “model minority” myth and other related stereotypes which often apply perceptions of modesty and passiveness. To challenge these assumptions, I’ve learned to advocate for my ideas, build an executive presence, and redefine effective leadership.
However, most importantly as leaders, it is our responsibility to elevate the voices of other underrepresented members and create space for new ideas and perspectives. This month offers a reminder that diversity enriches both society and the workplace by bringing together a wide range of experiences that drive innovation and strengthen our community.
ACRP: From what you’ve seen, can you characterize how active persons of AANHPI heritage are right now as participants and as professionals in clinical research-related roles versus what would be an ideal situation in terms of representation? What can/should ACRP and organizations like yours do to address any gaps in this area?
Kim: Clinical research continues to be a space where AANHPI populations remain underrepresented. As my father-in-law battled stage 4 lung cancer, I could see firsthand how the stigma and lack of trust in experimental treatments as well as the language barrier complicated what options he felt he had available to him. Clinical research professionals within AANHPI populations can aid in these conversations by ensuring tools are available to overcome language barriers and engaging in education to assuage cultural concerns and misconceptions.
In general, the amount of targeted research dedicated to these populations is disproportionate to the representation within the United States. Research organizations and societies can advocate for increased efforts to focus on the AANHPI communities to identify specific health concerns and ensure cultural relevance. These gaps in underrepresentation need to be addressed in order to truly achieve equitable access to healthcare for all populations.
[The comments shared in this blog are the interviewee’s own and do not represent Huron’s positions, strategies, or opinions. Huron recently joined ACRP’s Partners Advancing the Clinical Research Workforce™ collaborative as an organizational member.]
Edited by Gary Cramer
