PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Simon Yung Wa Sin
Assistant Professor
School of Biological Sciences
The University of Hong Kong
Email: sinyw(at)hku.hk
I am a behavioural ecologist and evolutionary biologist. My research interests span the fields of molecular ecology, evolutionary biology and behavioural genomics. I received my BSc and MPhil degrees from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. I was awarded a Croucher Scholarship and joined the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit in the Zoology Department at the University of Oxford, where I completed my DPhil research. I was a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Organismic & Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University. In 2018 I joined the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Hong Kong.
POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHERS
Fushi Ke
Postdoctoral Researcher
I got my PhD degree in insect population genetics and genomics from the Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University (FAFU) with a focus on genetic differentiation of Plutella xylostella populations collected from local, regional and global scales. I also spent 17 months in the Department of Botany at the University of British Columbia during this period. I further did my first postdoc in plant (Primulina) population genomics and phylogenomics at the South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Science (SCBG, CAS), investigating evolutionary factors shaping genomic polymorphisms and differentiation. I am interested in understanding evolutionary forces shaping genomic variation and adaptation (e.g. ecological adaptation). I joined the Sin lab in 2021 to investigate the population and evolutionary genomics of animals, with a focus on the genetic basis of mating strategies.
Miranda Wade
Postdoctoral Researcher
I am broadly interested in the application of various ‘omics tools to investigate questions related to biodiversity. I am also passionate about science communication and accessibility. I received my B.S. in Biological Science from Colorado State University and a dual PhD in Integrative Biology and Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, and Behavior from Michigan State University. During my time in Mariah Meek’s lab at MSU, my work consisted of using ‘omics to address various conservation questions in both a rare desert plant facing land-use change and the molecular consequences of microplastics exposure in a model fish species. I joined the Sin lab in 2024 to work on projects related to the evolution of sexual dichromatism and red plumage coloration in passerines.
GRADUATE STUDENT
Guoling Chen
PhD Candidate
My research interests fall into adaptation evolution, speciation and population genomics of animals. I received my BSc degree in Biological Sciences in South China Normal University, and MSc degree in Ecology in Sun Yat-sen University. Prior to my graduate study, I did some projects on phylogenetics, population genetics and DNA barcoding in birds and amphibians. I studied conservation genomics of the Chinese Crested Tern and Greater Crested Tern during my master period. This study is mainly focus on the genetic diversity, demographic history, hybridization and introgression of the critically endangered species. I joined the Sin lab in 2020 to study the co-evolution between host and pathogens.
Jackie Ko
PhD Candidate
I obtained my bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and Cell Biology in Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), with a minor in Environmental Sciences. Throughout my undergraduate study, I have been familiarized with molecular research by joining the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP). In which, I studied the genetic components behind physiological responses of plants under natural stimuli. After I graduated, I became interested in how animal behavior is affected by genetic factors as well. Now I am working on the genetic components of plumage color in birds.
Ivan Lam
PhD Candidate
My research interest derived from my profound admiration for wildlife – I am always anticipating for something new! I have been dedicating my attention to various research areas like microbiome, population genetics, and environmental DNA, using amphibians and reptiles as study systems. To cultivate a broader awareness, I actively participate in environmental education, meeting new friends in the field. Personally, I am a keen wildlife enthusiast, particular in birds and herps! I received my BSc degree in Ecology & Biodiversity from the University of Hong Kong, and MPhil degree in Environmental Science from the Lingnan University. I joined the Sin Lab in 2023, focusing on bat ecology, microbiome, and genetics.
Shengyu Wang
PhD Candidate
I obtained my BSc in Biological Sciences at Northeast Forestry University, after which I went to the University of Helsinki for my MSc in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. My previous research has provided me with various experiences in genetics, evolution and bioinformatics, which also attracts me to explore further in the field of behavioural ecology. I love interacting with animals. Studying animal behaviour and how their behaviour evolves fascinate me deeply. Such a passion motivates me to study bird cognition, senses and communication in the Sin Lab, seeking to investigate how birds maximize their fitness through mental capacities and effective communication.
Xiaodong Wei
PhD Candidate
I hold a BSc degree in Bioengineering from Shanghai Jiao Tong University and an MSc degree in Genetics and Molecular Biosciences from the University of Helsinki. My master's thesis project uses metagenomics on a large longitudinal infant cohort to explore the potential impact of infant gut microbiome metagenomes on infant development and health status. This project inspired my interests in studying genomics and genetics to understand species co-evolution. Thus, I further pursue my study in the Sin lab to investigate bat microbiome and genomics. This research project aims to explore the co-evolution between bats and their microbiome.
Kelvin Cheng
MPhil Candidate
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). I joined the Sin lab in 2022 and my current project is to investigate the impacts of flow regulation on ecosystem functioning and fauna connectivity in freshwater streams.
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
Christy Hung
Undergraduate student
I am a BSc student majoring in Ecology and Biodiversity. I love spending time with all kinds of animals and observing them. Observing animals brings me joy. My research interest lies in animal behavioural and conservation studies. Joining the Sin lab allows me to have a chance to study behaviours of birds and evolutionary relationship among them.
Verna Shiu
Undergraduate student
I am a BSc student majoring in Ecology & Biodiversity. I have long been passionate about animals and am particularly interested in studying animal behaviour, conservation, and evolutionary biology. I joined the Sin lab in 2023 as an intern and will carry out my final year project focusing on avian behaviour.
STAFF
Charis Chan
Technical Officer
Anthea Ling
Research Assistant
I received my Bachelor’s degree in Arts and Science at HKU, with a second major in Ecology and Biodiversity. I am a nature conservation enthusiast, and hope to promote the awareness of environmental issues and conservation. I enjoy working with people to foster a curiosity for nature, animals and the outdoors. I love travelling and diving, as well as various water sports like canoeing. I joined the Sin Lab as a research assistant to conduct night surveys on the occurrence and behaviour of wild mammals in Hong Kong.
LAB ALUMNI
Graduate Students
Alex Chan (MPhil, 2024)
Derek Lam (PhD, 2024)
Boyee Lee (MPhil, 2022)
David Chan (MPhil, 2021)
Undergraduate Students
FYP – Final Year Project. DS – Directed Study.
SRF – Summer Research Fellowship. ORF – Overseas Research Fellowship.
Kevin Lo (FYP. 2022-23)
Cactus Tam (FYP, 2022-23)
Yiu Siu (DS, 2020-21; FYP, 2021-22)
Winson Tsang (FYP, 2021-22)
Yannes Choi (FYP, 2021-22)
Devin Wan (SRF, 2021)
Lucy Tsang (SRF, 2020; FYP, 2020-21)
Megan Low (SRF, 2020; FYP, 2020-21)
Alex Chan (FYP, 2019-20)
Andy Vu (ORF, 2019)
Ally Shum (DS, 2018-2019)
Chin Chin Fok (DS, 2018-2019)
Natural Leung (DS, 2018-2019)
Vivienne Ho (DS, 2018-2019)
Staff
David Chan (Research Assistant, 2021-22)
Ken Lee (Research Assistant, 2020-21)
Pei-Yu Huang (Postdoc, 2019-22)
Stella Huynh (Postdoc, 2019-21)
Hon Shing Fung (Research Assistant, 2019-21)
Anson Wong (Research Assistant, 2019)