Lab Members

Mathew Seymour 

Professor (Assistant)

I am a Molecular/eDNA ecologist specialized in generating and analyzing large datasets to assess the effects of environmental, temporal and spatial influences on biological communities, with direct implications to ecosystem stability, health and function.  Originally from the USA I obtained my BA at the University of Wyoming, my Msc at Holar University in Iceland and my PhD at ETH in Switzerland. I have worked in government and academic research institutions in the USA, UK and Sweden before joining The University of Hong Kong.  I started the eDNA and eEcology lab at The University of Hong Kong's School of Biological Sciences in 2022 to advance our understanding and use of eDNA for assessing ecological systems. My group overall specializes in developing and applying molecular based methods to assess trophic and biodiversity dynamics.  

Han Wu (PhD)

Post-doctoral Fellow

Born in Henan Province, I got my BA at the Nantong University in Nantong, my MSc at Jinan University in Guangzhou, and PhD at NIGLAS in Nanjing. My research interests mainly focus on non-biting midges (Chironomidae), including integrative taxonomy, phylogeny, and their application in ecology. Now, I am working to figure out the biodiversity of Chironomidaein Hong Kong and explore their spatiotemporal patterns and response to environmental change using morphological taxonomy, DNA barcoding, and metabarcoding techniques.  

ResearchGate

Thilina Nimalrathna (PhD)

Post-doctoral Fellow

I obtained my Bachelor’s degree in Sri Lanka, where I developed a deep interest in biodiversity and ecological research. I later completed my PhD at the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, under the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Throughout my academic journey, I have been driven by a curiosity to explore complex ecological questions. As an undergraduate, I studied leopard populations and their dietary preferences. This passion for understanding species interactions and ecosystem dynamics led to my PhD research. There, I focused on the impacts of rainforest conversion on dung beetle communities. The work explored macro and micro-level effects, including changes in community composition, ecosystem functions, and intricate three-way interactions between dung beetles, fungi, and bacteria using metabarcoding techniques.

Currently, I am a postdoctoral researcher in the eDNA and eEcology Lab, applying the metabarcoding skills I developed during my PhD to study cetaceans and their prey fish population dynamics around Lantau Island, Hong Kong SAR. My work continues to explore the use of molecular tools to address pressing ecological questions in biodiversity and conservation.

Bai-an Lin 

PhD Candidate

Baian's PhD focues on understanding the diversity, evolution, biogeography and conservation of Croaker and Drum species (Perciformes: Sciaenidae). With an extensive background in fisheries (ResearchGate) his research project will expand into the realms of genomics and eDNA to improve our understanding of key fisheries within Hong Kong and their links to global community  structure.

Qian Cheng, Luke

PhD Candidate

I am a self-motivated ecology-enthusiast who is interested in the ecosystem stability, dynamics, and global climate change. I obtained my BSc from the Dalhousie University in Canada and my MPhil from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. I have gained valuable experience working with phytoplankton, zooplankton, and fish during my previous studies. My PhD focuses on finding a marriage between molecular approaches and statistical modeling to advance ecological theory and contribute to conservation efforts.

Scholar Profile

Chan Tsz Ying,  Elaine 

PhD Candidate

Being born and raised in Hong Kong, I am always fascinated by the great biodiversity, particularly insects. I obtained my BSc in Biological Sciences at The University of Hong Kong (HKU). Currently, I am pursuing an MPhil degree also at HKU. My research focuses on the assessment of the largest freshwater insect family (Diptera: Chironomidae) and their link with stream conservation in Hong Kong. To assess the Chironomidae biodiversity, I will combine traditional trapping methods and novel eDNA-based sampling methods. With the utilization of eDNA, we can understand the diversity and change in distribution (spatially and temporally) efficiently, helping us to overcome the challenges of studying Chironomidae. In my free time, I like cooking, hiking and reading. Besides scientific research, I am also keen on teaching and public outreach. Contact "elainecy@connect.hku.hk" for more information.

Aleeza Fatima

PhD Candidate

Born in Pakistan, I hold an M.S. in Zoology from Punjab University, Lahore. During my time in the entomology lab at Punjab University, I conducted research on the termiticidal and antifeedant activities of termites using eco-friendly plant-derived products. In my B.S. studies at UVAS, I evaluated the physiology of economically important fish under metallic stress. Currently, my PhD focuses on freshwater macroinvertebrate biodiversity in Hong Kong streams using environmental DNA techniques, enabling precise environmental assessments and biomonitoring.

Wong Kwan, Yan 

Research Assistant

Yan previously obtained her Bachelor degree in Biology from Chinese University of Hong Kong. She now plays an integral role in several projects in the lab, including tick and freshwater macroinvertebrate biodiveristy assessments.   

Leung Ka Tung , Thomas

Research Assistant

Thomas has an extensive background in Hong Kong fisheries and is assisting across multiple projects involving field sampling, morphological identification and DNA barcoding and database generation

Si Zhewei, Vivy 

Research Assistant

Previous FYP student working on eDNA accumulation and degradation dynamics. Vivy is a recent graduate of HKU and manages the eDNA lab while also co-coordinating a research project on eDNA dynamics stemming and expanding from her FYP efforts.

Chuming "Chummy" Zhang

Research Assistant

Chummy has an extensive background in freshwater ecology, including project development, field sampling and morphological identification of freshwater macro-invertebrates.  She has a particular fondness for morphological identification and investigation of non-biting midges (Chironomidae). Chummy is now aiding the freshwater eDNA assessment project (ECS funded), including assisting with planning, fieldwork, morphological identification and DNA barcoding efforts.

Lam Sri Andriani, Theresia

Student Research Assistant

I’m a second-year undergraduate student at HKU, majoring in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology and Decision Analytics. My interest in ecological dynamics stems from my fascination with the intricate relationships between small organisms and their environments. I’m eager to explore how

data analytics and management can be applied to understand complex ecological systems and its implications for conservation efforts. Currently, my work focuses on sorting and identifying a large family of freshwater insects, Chironomidae, as biomarkers for stream conservation in Hong Kong.