Yong Lai is an assistant professor in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at HKUST. He completed postdoctoral studies in Prof. Timothy Lu’s group at MIT, focusing on genome editing, genetic circuit design, and engineering smart living diagnostic and therapeutic applications. He is using synthetic biology to develop technologies that can decipher complex biological processes in human microbiome and tackle important problems that threaten human health. He received his Ph.D. in Microbiology from the University of Hong Kong in 2016, where he studied polymicrobial interactions mediated by secondary metabolites. Outside of the lab, he enjoys reading science fiction novels and books on the history of biotechnology.
Mr. Shuchen Wang
Shuchen Wang is a Ph.D. Student in Bioengineering program, who joined LAI Lab in 2022, focusing on functional engineered living cells. He obtained Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering at Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech). Outside the lab, he enjoys reading psychology and listening to classic & popular music.
Ms. Yuewei Zhan
Yuewei joined the lab in 2023 Fall as a PhD student (RedBird PhD Award). She obtained Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering at Beihang University in China and obtained a Master of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering at Boston University in the USA. She is mainly interested in utilizing molecular and synthetic biology tools to construct novel therapies against human diseases. Outside of the lab, she enjoys hiking and traveling, she is learning Cantonese, and she is hoping to join a music band in Hong Kong.
Mr. Martin Echavarria Galindo
Martin joined the lab in 2023 as a PhD student (HKPFS awardee). He is originally from Colombia, although he has been living in China for quite some time. He is mainly interested in the design and implementation of bioinformatic and synthetic biology tools to contribute in the development of novel living therapeutics against emerging diseases. He obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Biological Science from Tsinghua University in China. Outside of the lab, he enjoys exploring different cultures and picking up new languages, he can speak Spanish, English, Portuguese and Chinese.
Ms. Yutian Chen
Yutian will complete her master degree in Biomolecular Engineering and Health Informatics (BEHI) from HKUST in 2024 and officially join the LAI lab in August 2024 as a PhD student (HKPFS awardee). Before coming to Hong Kong, she had been studied in the United States for nine years. She obtained her Bachelor’s degrees in Biology and Nutrition at the University of Texas at Austin. Outside the lab, she enjoys dancing, bouldering and listening to the podcasts.
Mr. Chau, Cheuk Yui Sherman
Sherman received his bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and Cell Biology from HKUST in 2023. He joined LAI Lab in August 2023 as a research assistant and is interested in exploring the applications of synthetic biology towards healthy living. He was a member of the circuit design module of HKUST’s iGEM team 2022 – Fisherly, which was awarded 2nd runner-up at the iGEM Grand Jamboree in Paris. In his spare time, he enjoys going to the gym and listening to classic rock and pop music.
Ms. Yicheng Zhao
Yicheng will join the lab in 2024 Fall as an MPhil student. She will graduate from HKUST in Biochemistry and Cell Biology in Spring, and she’s fascinated by exploring methods to build living therapeutics for diseases lacking efficient treatment. Outside the lab she likes to play video games, travel, and scuba diving.
Mr. Yu, Kai Lam Karl
Karl is an undergraduate student at HKUST majoring in computer engineering with an extended major in artificial intelligence. He joined the LAI Lab in 2023 to perform the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP). He has won Gold Award in International Biology Olympiad – Hong Kong Contest 2021. He is fascinated by technology and enjoys building and making various tech stuff such as RC models and 3D printers. He is also actively exploring the field of synthetic biology, which he believes can offer innovative solutions to many real-world problems in many areas.
Mr. Siu-Fung Ng
Siu-Fung Ng is an undergraduate student majoring in Biochemistry and Cell Biology (International Research Enrichment Program) at HKUST. He is also a physics enthusiast and is fascinated by the use of engineering principles in designing genetic circuits. In his free time, he enjoys reading philosophy books and playing jazz music.
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