Meet our Early Career Scientist Grant Winner Young Eun Park
Congratulations to Young Eun Park of the University of Oxford, UK - the latest winner of our Early Career Scientist Grant!
Each month we award one lucky life science PhD or postdoc with a $500 to support them with their career development. The money can be used to cover the cost of conference travel, publishing fees, lab supplies, courses or coaching, and lots more! To date we’ve helped more than 50 life scientists to advance their careers in life science.
Our latest winner is a postdoc working in the Bone Oncology lab at the University of Oxford, UK. Young Eun will use the grant to help fund her attendance at the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR) Annual Meeting in Seattle, WA, USA on 5th-8th September 2025.
When we asked Young Eun how she felt about receiving the grant, she told us:
I am incredibly grateful to have been awarded the Hello Bio Early Career Scientist Grant! This grant will enable me to attend the upcoming ASBMR Annual Meeting, where I will have the opportunity to present my research on how adiposity influences myeloma progression and dormancy. Attending this conference will be invaluable for presenting my work, receiving expert feedback, exploring new research, and building collaborations. Thank you again for supporting my development as an early-career researcher. Young Eun Park, University of Oxford, UK, Hello Bio Early Career Scientist Grant winner
Congratulations Young Eun! First, can you tell us a bit more about what you’re working on at the moment?
My research explores how fat cells in the bone marrow affect the behaviour of myeloma, a type of blood cancer. In particular, I’m studying how increased bone marrow fat, which is often linked to ageing or obesity, can influence whether myeloma cells stay dormant (inactive) or start to grow and spread. By using cell culture systems and mouse models, I’m investigating how signals from fat cells and surrounding cells may “wake up” or keep myeloma cells asleep. Understanding these signals could help us find new ways to prevent relapse or disease progression in myeloma patients.
What excites you most about your field of research?
What excites me most is the opportunity to translate complex biological processes into knowledge that can genuinely improve patient outcomes. Understanding how the bone marrow environment shapes cancer behaviour, especially how fat cells might trigger or suppress myeloma, is like solving a biological mystery that could open new doors to prevent relapse or resistance.
Which scientists working today do you most admire, and why?
I deeply admire all scientists who are working tirelessly to advance research for the benefit of patients, especially those in academia, where the path is often uncertain and incredibly demanding. It takes resilience and dedication to continue pushing forward in research while navigating short-term contracts, funding pressures, and intense competition. I’m particularly inspired by researchers who remain committed to making meaningful scientific contributions despite these challenges, and who mentor and support early-career scientists along the way. Their perseverance and passion are what keep the field moving forward.
What do you think are the biggest challenges currently facing life scientists and their work?
One of the biggest challenges in life science today is the lack of stable, long-term funding. Important discoveries often take years, but short-term grants and job insecurity make it hard to plan ahead. This can be discouraging especially for early-career researchers, but what keeps many of us going is the shared belief that our work can lead to real benefits for patients and society. Despite the challenges, the impact and potential of science continue to inspire and motivate us.
And finally… what's your favourite science joke?
As a bone biologist, my favourite science joke is this meme:
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Thank you so much Young Eun! We wish the best with your future research and we hope you enjoy the ASBMR meeting in September.
Connect with Young Eun:
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LinkedIn: Young Eun Park
Are YOU a life science PhD or postdoc researcher? Why not apply for our next monthly grant!
Application is quick and easy, just fill out the form here: https://hellobio.com/early-career-scientist-grant-application
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