Kayoko Fong

What attracted you to the TI:GER program?

As a former research scientist studying neurodegenerative diseases, I am interested in health law, including patent work related to pharmaceutical drugs. Initially after my research project, I was elated, realizing the promise of the potential gene therapy. I was concurrently enrolled in a health insurance course, which prompted me to consider previously out of scope and downstream issues raised by my research. The primary subjects I was concerned about, ownership and pricing, were related to intellectual property and business. Participating in TI:GER allows me to gain practical experience in intersecting technical, legal, and commercial issues.

What do you hope to gain from your experience in the TI:GER program?

I am looking forward to collaborating with and learning from a diverse group of colleagues. Additionally, I hope to supplement my legal education with transferable business skills. Ultimately, I plan to apply what I learned from TI:GER when I start my own non-profit organization, employing venture capital philanthropy to fund research for orphan drugs for neurodegenerative diseases. In the model of a similar program for cystic fibrosis, any royalties made from successful drugs would be reinvested for additional research and development. Additionally, some of the royalties would be allocated for distributing treatment at a subsidized or no cost.

What are your plans for employment after graduation?

I plan to work as a transactional attorney at a law firm.

What has been the highlight of your experience at Emory Law/TI:GER?

I have a feeling it’s going to be TI:GER, but it’s too early to share a watershed moment!

What inspired you to pursue a career in law?

While I was studying public health in college, I began to consider that the need to both solve and communicate material and systemic failings as well as disparities in healthcare was not limited to the purview of doctors. As a lawyer, I want to operate in this niche, reaching the public by defining the salient intersections between medicine and law. Anticipating the future healthcare delivery climate, I hope to apply my scientific background to improve the quality of healthcare services. To that end, I want to establish evidence-based medicine as the standard of care by evaluating and implementing pre-clinical and clinical research.