Our Members | PhytoPlanktonLab

Meet the Team!

(Principal Investigator)

1983 B.S. Shandong College of Oceanology, China (Marine Biology)

1994 M.S. University of Hawaii at Manoa (Oceanography)

1997 Ph.D. University of Hawaii (Oceanography)

Chair Professor
Department of Ocean Sciences and Division of Life Sciences
School of Science
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Dr. Jiawei CHEN

(Post Doctoral Fellow)

I am interested in disentangling biological, ecological, and evolutional questions in the ocean area with the aid of multi-omics analyses. I am experienced in various pipelines for multi-omics, willing to, and good at learning new bioinformatic techniques. My current work include: (i) niche partitioning of microbes in different marine ecosystems, (ii) the evolution of plastids in dinoflagellates, and (iii) the evolutionary adaptation of mixoplankton to the projected ocean warming.

Dr. Lixia DENG

(Post Doctoral Fellow)

My interests lie in:
1. Response of marine diazotrophic cyanobacteria and other microorganisms to global climate change and other environmental stressors;

2. Understanding microbial marine life through multi-omics in combination with physiological rate measurements;

3. Biogeography and top-down control of marine diazotrophic cyanobacteria;

Mr. Xiaodong ZHANG

(Ph.D Student)

My research focuses on the diversity and ecology of marine picocyanobacteria Synechococcus, especially the response of various pigment types under different light colors. I am also interested in the taxonomy, diversity, spatial and temporal distribution of marine phytoplankton, especially in Hong Kong coastal waters.

Mr. Sangwook LEE (Scott)

(Ph.D Student)

Through amplicon sequencing of DNA derived from environmental samples (often termed environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding), I study spatiotemporal changes in the Hong Kong coastal biome. In addition, ultimately, based on this, I intend to determine potential interactions in marine communities between each trophic level.

Ms. Xiao WANG

(Ph.D Student)

Xiao WANG is a PhD student mainly focuses on microbial diversity, ecology and interactions, as well as effects of environmental variables on microbial communities, using a combination of molecular and morphological analyses of culturable microbes, and metabarcoding based on Illumina sequencing. She has a good knowledge of identification, taxonomy and phylogeny of microorganisms (especially fungi). She is also passionate about the sea, beach, sunshine and nature.

Ms. Zuyuan GAO

(Ph.D Student)

Zuyuan is a marine biology and ecology student whose focuses are on zooplankton, reef ecology, and the effects of anthropogenic factors on marine organisms. Nowadays, she is examining the ecological consequences of artificial ocean alkalinization (AOA) on zooplankton (especially copepod and ciliates) growth and development while also investigating how this environmental factor may influence HK local zooplankton community structure.

Mr. Qihang LI

(Ph.D Student)

My research focuses on the gut microbiota of copepods, applying multi-omics methods to study the changes and molecular response mechanisms of this microbial community under different stress conditions.

Mr. Io Kai Hong (Jelly)

(Ph.D Student)

My research interests focus on ecology of the marine picophytoplankton, as well as their acclimation and adaptation to different environmental factors, including light and temperature. I also study the grazing difference on picocyanobacteria within clades and its implications on distribution and diversity of the marine planktons.

Ms. Ruilin SU

(Ph.D Student)

My research focuses on the diversity, interactions and ecological contribution of ammonia-oxidising microorganisms within coastal ecosystems. My interests also extend to the engineering of synthetic microbial communities, with a particular focus on investigating their molecular interactions and niche partitioning.

Mr. Zhicheng JU

(Ph.D Student)

I am very excited to explore microbial ecology, functional genomics, and community interactions in relation to bioremediation, biogeochemistry, and global climate change. By integrating multi-omics approaches and leveraging big data mining, we could uncover the spatiotemporal distribution and interactions of microorganisms as well as elucidate functional mechanism at a deeper and more comprehensive level. Currently, my research project lies in investigating the trophic modes, biogeographic patterns, and carbon metabolisms of eukaryotes within marine ecosystems.

Ms. Aiping CHEN

(Ph.D Student)

My interest is in the response of upper ocean to different types of wind using remote sensing data (such as SST, SSS, MLT, Chl-a, DO) and analysis methods (such as EOF). More concern about the South China Sea's series of environment research. I am also interested in ocean dynamic processes in different depths.

Ms. Qiyue MENG

(Ph.D Student)

I graduated with a bachelor's degree in Environmental Science and a master's degree in Environmental Engineering. My research focuses on utilizing multi-omics techniques to study the impact of environmental pollutants on microorganisms and specific functional genes in the environment.

Ms. Chan Hoi Yau (Winni)

(MPhil)

An interest of my research is studying the physical-biological interaction of phytoplankton communities structures in seamount. Another topic in my research area is studying the effect of climate change on phytoplankton , especially understanding the relationship between environmental factors and Synechococcus species succession.

Ms. Sze Nga CHOW (Cissy)

(MPhil)

I am interested in marine conservation and microbiology. My recent research focus on microplastics in seagrass habitat by quantifying and identifying the microplastics in sediment. Another research focus will be studying the physical-biological interaction between microplastic and the health of seagrass include the diatom and the biofilm on the seagrass.

Mr. Hanzhi TAN (Steven)

(MPhil)

Having graduated from an undergraduate program in biochemistry and cell biology, I have the foundations and interest in biology. Combined with my previous fascination with geography and meteorology, my research interest is mainly in marine environmental science, focusing on how geographic factors interact with biological systems, especially regarding the potential ecological changes or physiological adaptations of microorganisms in different oceanic environments.

Ms. Hau In LUN (Clare)

(Lab Technician)

Dr. Hongxing CUI

(Ph.D Student, Graduated)

My research interest is focused on oceanic environmental dynamics interacting with tropical cyclones using remote sensing and machine learning methods. I am also interested in the time series prediction of parameters (e.g., SST, SSH, Chla concentration) in the upper ocean.

Dr. Zhimeng XU

(Previous Post Doctoral Fellow)

Zhimeng XU is a PhD student of Ocean Science Department, HKUST. His major was ecology since he was an undergraduate student at Ocean Unversity of China. His recent research topics focus on microbial community ecology, including diversity and assembly processes. He is familiar with molecular-based statistical analyses and is glad to make friends from all research areas.

Dr. Mengwen PANG

(Ph.D Student, Graduated)

My interest is in the response of nanoplankton to global change. My study focuses on how different trophic types of dinoflagellates in the marine ecosystem react to global change, such as warming and ocean stratification.