Members
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Principal Investigator
Tsang Ling Ming
Assistant Professor
School of Life Sciences
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
I am a marine molecular ecologist and evolutionary biologist who is interested in applying molecular techniques to resolve fundamental questions in marine ecology, systematics and adaptation. I received my BSc in Biology in 2010 from the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). Subsequently, I received my MPhil and PhD in Biology in 2007 and 2010, respectively, from CUHK. After a three-year Postdoctoral Research Fellow experience in the Simon F.S. Li Marine Science Laboratory, CUHK, I joined the Institute of Marine Biology of the National Taiwan Ocean University as an Assistant Professor in 2013. I came back to CUHK in February 2018 as an Assistant Professor in the School of Life Sciences (SLS).
Graduate Students
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PhD Candidate
Wong Terance Ho Him
I am an animal lover who is specifically interested in invertebrates (particularly, crustaceans) research, ranging from their behaviors to their molecular aspects. After completing my bachelor's degree in Life Science, Biology at University of Waterloo, Canada in 2018, where I have learnt a lot of microbiology and paleolimnology research techniques, I then joined Professor Tsang's lab at CUHK as a PhD candidate. My current research topic is to understand the genetic and hormonal regulation of agonistic behaviors of shrimps.
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PhD Candidate
Jong Tak Chu, Benjamin
I graduated with a BSc in Biology from CUHK in 2018. After graduation, I pursued further studies and began my PhD under the supervision of Dr. LM Tsang. During my SCUBA training, I became fascinated by the beauty of the seascape and the diverse fauna of the underwater world. This experience inspired me to dive into (pun intended) marine ecology research. For my studies, I aim to examine the classification of Platygyra (Scleractinia: Merulinidae), Porites (Scleractinia: Poritidae), and Dendronephthya (Malacalcyonacea: Nephtheidae) species by integrating genome-wide SNP data with morphological traits.
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PhD Candidate
Lam Lok Tung, Joyce
I obtained my BSc in Biology from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Under the supervision of Dr Laura Falkenberg, I have started my PhD journey with interests in marine global change biology, where I harvested skills in working with bivalves and gastropods, and maintaining futuristic warming and elevated CO2 lab treatments. In addition to global change, species interactions, specifically feeding, are also interesting to me. My current research topic focuses on the feeding of long-spined sea urchin (Diadema setosum), and their ecological impacts on local ecosystem under both current and future climate scenarios.
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PhD Candidate
Wong Ka Wing, Karen
My research journey began during my undergraduate studies in Biology at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, where I investigated the physiological responses of intertidal barnacles to heat stress under the supervision of Prof. Ka-Hou Chu. This project laid the foundation for my M.Phil., where I expanded my research to include transcriptomics, gaining valuable experience in big data analytics. After transitioning to translational medicine as a research assistant in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, I engaged in diverse projects focused on biomarker discovery from omics data related to pregnancy-associated complications. During this time, I developed a keen interest in identifying patterns within complex datasets and enjoyed creating scientific illustrations that combined creativity with precision. Currently, I am pursuing my PhD in the MMEE lab, studying the genomics of sesarmid crabs and their symbionts to understand how this host-symbiont system collaborates to adapt to mangrove environments. Additionally, I co-founded a start-up company named PregnaSense with my previous supervisors, translating our research findings into practical applications that address real-world challenges. Nevertheless, my greatest passion in life is exploring methods to enhance both work efficiency and mental well-being in prevention of permanent head damage.
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MPhil Candidate
Yuen Wing Tan, Tenni
I obtained my BSc in Biology from the Chinese University of Hong Kong in 2021. I am currently pursuing my MPhil under the supervision of Prof LM Tsang. With particular interest in marine biodiversity and ecology, my research focuses on investigating the local diversity of cryptofauna in coral fragments and factors that shape their distribution.
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MPhil Candidate
Lo Ching Nam, Irene
I completed my BSc in Molecular Biotechnology at CUHK in 2021. During my final year project in Prof. Tsang’s lab, I studied the adaptations of herbivorous crabs to plant digestion, which sparked my interest in exploring crabs from a molecular perspective. I am currently continuing my postgraduate studies here to investigate the contribution of the crab host to plant digestion through transcriptomic analysis.
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MPhil Candidate
Li Tsz Ki, Iris
I completed my bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biotechnology at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, where I gained extensive theoretical knowledge and practical experience in molecular techniques. Building on this foundation, I embarked on my MPhil journey in Professor Tsang’s lab, focusing on the molecular aspects of coral research. My research interests encompass the taxonomy of Dipsastraea and Favites corals and the dynamics of their symbiotic communities along the Northeast-South water quality gradient in Hong Kong.
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MPhil Candidate
Cheng Wai Ho, Kelvin
I received my BSc degree in Biology at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). Throughout my undergraduate study, I have been obsessed with herpetology after joining local conservation programs. For my final year project, I studied the dietary partitioning of tadpoles using DNA metabarcoding approach. After my graduation, I studied marine crustacean biodiversity in the coral community and freshwater invasive species using environment DNA (eDNA). My current project is to investigate the impacts of flow regulation on ecosystem functioning and fauna connectivity in freshwater streams.
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MPhil Candidate
Leung Hoi Ching, June
My interest in the feeding ecology and adaptations of crabs has grown immensely since I completed my final year project and graduated from CUHK with a BSc in Biology. With curiosity and determination, I began my research journey as an Mphil student under the supervision of Prof. Tsang. I am currently working on the diet partitioning of sesarmid crabs along the mangrove estuary, hoping to elucidate how dietary preferences shape the distribution of sesarmid crab, in relation to their physiological and morphological adaptations. Happy crabbie journey! ;)
Staff
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Research Assistant
Hui Kwok Lun, Tom
After completing my BSc in Biology at CUHK in 2018, I joined the MMEE lab for my MPhil studies and have recently graduated. I am particularly fascinated by the concepts of holobionts and symbiosis. My thesis focused on host-microbe interactions in herbivorous mangrove crabs under Sesarmidae, specifically their roles in the digestion of plant material. We identified enriched bacterial phyla and functions, along with indicative phylosymbiosis signals in Sesarmid crabs, and we are currently investigating host selection patterns of enzymes involved in cell wall digestion. These findings will illustrate how microbes potentially influenced the macroevolution and adaptation to terrestrial environments among crabs.
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Research Assistant
Tse Tsz Wan
I received my MPhil in Biology from the CUHK, focusing on the symbiotic relationships among the marine invertebrates. I am currently working as a research assistant in Prof. Tsang’s Lab to continue and broaden the scope of my previous study while preparing related writings. Additionally, I am involved in a project to review the diversity of soft corals in Hong Kong.
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Research Assistant
Fu Ka Wing
I obtained my BSSc in Geography and Resource Management, as well as Fine Arts (double major), from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. I have been scuba diving for nearly ten years, which has deepened my appreciation for the marine environment, especially sea slugs. Currently, I am engaged in research on the diversity and distribution of sea slugs and octocorals in Hong Kong. My research interests fall into taxonomy, feeding and phylogeny of sea slugs. Before I joined the MMEE lab in 2023, I worked as a graphic designer, specializing in wildlife conservation and environmental education. I am excited to leverage my artistic skills to contribute to environmental initiatives.
Undergraduates
Lab Alumni
Yeung Chek Wing, Kenny (FYP, 2023-Present)
Fu Ka Yee, Chrissie (FYP, 2023-Present)
Chow Lai Him, Mark (MPhil, 2020)
Tsang Tsz To, Chandler (MPhil, 2022)
Kho Zi Yi (Research Assistant, 2023)
Lin Yuen (FYP, 2024)
Yuen Tsz Fung (FYP, 2023)
Chung Nga Man (FYP, 2022)
Lai Pok Nga (FYP, 2022)
Lee Chun Wa, Tom (FYP, 2022)
Wang Kuang Yu (FYP, 2021)
Yim Kar Bo (FYP, 2021)
Cheng Wai Ho (FYP, 2020)
Lam Yu Fung (FYP, 2020)