Meet Kathryn Lauren Hong
Kathryn Lauren Hong earned her Honours Bachelor of Science in Life Sciences and is currently pursuing her Master of Science in Biomedical and Molecular Sciences from Queen’s University. She currently works as a Clinical Researcher at the Schulich Heart Centre, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Toronto and, University of Toronto. She is also the Founder of Girls SySTEM Mentorship Program. In her spare time, she likes to travel, watch nature documentaries, and meet all the new faces that come through the Girls SySTEM Mentorship Program.
When did your love of STEM begin?
My love for STEM began in my senior of high school when I had the opportunity of working in Cardiology Research as a part of my co-operative education program. This was my first real exposure to the field of medicine. As a part of the placement, I had the opportunity of watching my first surgical procedure, which to my dismay, became the turning point of my academic career. I remember witnessing the thin wires of the catheter enter the patient's heart through the imaging screens to my left and the disorganized electrical signals (which I later learned were the characteristics of abnormal heart rhythm) disappear on the monitors to my right. I became completely intrigued by the field of Cardiology - the complexities of surgical procedures, the potential for research and technological advancement, and the opportunities that existed for learning. Most importantly, I saw, first-hand, the difference that the right blend of medical treatment and compassion could have on a patient's life. And ever since then, I've aspired to join the field as a physician.
What is the best part about working in the field of STEM?
The best part of working in the field of STEM is the ability to take on multiple roles at once! Being in STEM has allowed me to channel my passions into being an advocate, not only in the clinic but in my community as well. Recognizing the lack of gender parity across different STEM disciplines, especially through my years of working in cardiology, I founded the Girls SySTEM Mentorship Program. GSM aims to inspire young women to build their confidence in STEM fields by increasing the visibility of female role models through first-hand mentorship and equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in a tech-driven world. Working in STEM also provides me with the flexibility to be an educator, an entrepreneur, a healer, and a learner and a mentor all in one.
What advice would you give young women interested in a career in STEM?
One of my favourite quotes to date is one that my mentor tells me to this day - "it’s not about how many times you fall down, but how many times you get back up and keep going". Most of the time we rely on certain things for validation to make us feel worthy - what school we will go to, what we will do once we graduate, what career we will have, what grant we will win, or what paper we will publish. STEM, like many other fields, may be discouraging, challenging, and unpredictable. But if you have a dream, fight for it. Trust in your experiences and follow your passions - try new things and you'll be surprised by what you discover along the way! Also, once you find a mentor you trust and can rely on, male or female, never let them go! Mentorship has made the biggest difference in building my confidence and allowing me to accomplish my dreams. That is the main reason why I am so passionate about ensuring that as many girls as possible can be given the same!