Need help with SQL syntax error

Hi, I'm getting sytax error for the line:
@interestChildId = parentId

Msg 102, Level 15, State 1, Procedure GetData, Line 63
Incorrect syntax near '@interestChildId'.

It's been a while since I write query.  Appreciate some help here.  Thank you.

DECLARE @interestChildId bigint;
 
Declare curApplicationRow Cursor FOR
SELECT RchChildId from NewApplication
 
Open curApplicationRow
FETCH NEXT FROM curApplicationRow
INTO @interestChildId
 
 
WHILE @@FETCH_STATUS =0  --GO THROUGH EACH RECORD
BEGIN
	SELECT dbo.ResearchInterests.Name as interestName, dbo.ResearchInterests.ParentResearchInterest_id as parentId
	from dbo.ResearchInterests
	WHERE dbo.ResearchInterests.Id = @interestChildId
 
	WHILE(parentId <> NULL)--USE THE PARENTID TO TRAVERSE TO ITS PARENT NODE UNTIL REACHES ROOT NODE
	BEGIN
		@interestChildId = parentId
		SELECT dbo.ResearchInterests.Name, dbo.ResearchInterests.ParentResearchInterest_id as parentId
		from dbo.ResearchInterests
		WHERE dbo.ResearchInterests.Id = @interestChildId
	END
 
	FETCH NEXT FROM curApplicationRow
	INTO @interestChildId
END

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