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Carmen Elvira Rey Redondo successfully defended her doctoral thesis on November 29, 2024, marking a historic moment as the first PhD graduate from Yung’s research group.

Dr. Rey Redondo’s thesis presents comprehensive research on microbial communities in the South China Sea’s coastal waters. Her work combines traditional culture methods with cutting-edge multi-omics approaches to characterize marine microorganisms. A particular highlight was her discovery and characterization of a new species of marine algae, Mantoniella tinhauana, and its associated virus.

Let’s raise a toast to Dr. Carmen Elvira Rey Redondo and the Yung Lab team!

9-14 Oct 2024:

Our lab recently hosted Youngju Kim, a promising Master’s student from KAIST. Youngju works under Dr. Jaewook Myung, Charmaine’s collarborator. During his visit, Young immersed himself in our lab’s operations, learning sampling and subculturing techniques from Susan and Shara. He engaged in stimulating discussions with Wenqian and Yijin, potentially sparking future collaborations. The visit concluded with a dinner hosted by Professor Yung, leaving a positive lasting impression.

Wenqian Xu and Yangbing Xu recently showcased their cutting-edge research at the 2024 Conference on Genomics of Unicellular Eukaryotes (CGUE). Wenqian Xu’s poster, titled “Genome-Resolved Insight into the Diversity and Function of Small Marine Protists in Subtropical Waters,” offered a deep dive into the complex ecosystem of microscopic marine life. Her research utilizes advanced genomic techniques to unravel the mysteries of these tiny yet crucial organisms that play a vital role in oceanic food webs and global carbon cycling. Yangbing Xu’s presentation, “Reconstruction of eukaryotic genomes reveals the diversification and adaptation of cosmopolitan picophytoplankton Mamiellales,” focused on a specific group of widespread marine algae. By reconstructing their genomes, Yangbing’s work provides valuable insights into how these organisms have adapted to various marine environments across the globe. The conference served as an exceptional networking platform for these young researchers. They had the opportunity to engage with leading figures in the field, including Dr. Alex Worden, a renowned marine microbiologist and the postdoctoral supervisor of Charmaine. The duo also connected with Charmaine’s collaborators, Dr. Gwenael Piganeau, an expert in evolutionary genomics, and Dr. Sheree Yau, a specialist in marine viral ecology.

Our team has initiated an exciting collaboration with Dr. Alex Wyatt’s research group to conduct comprehensive environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling and visual surveys in Hong Kong’s coastal waters. This joint effort aims to map and analyze the distribution patterns of coral communities and fish populations in local marine ecosystems.

The project combines eDNA techniques with traditional visual survey methods, providing a multi-faceted approach to marine biodiversity assessment. These diving expeditions are meticulously planned to ensure thorough coverage of Hong Kong’s diverse marine habitats.

Wenqian, a key member of our team, has taken on the crucial role of fieldwork coordinator. Her responsibilities include organizing dive schedules, liaising with various divers and researchers, and ensuring smooth execution of the sampling protocols. This coordination is vital for maintaining consistency across multiple dive sites and maximizing the efficiency of our data collection efforts.

This collaborative research promises to yield valuable insights into Hong Kong’s marine biodiversity, potentially informing future conservation strategies and contributing to our understanding of local coral and fish ecosystems in the face of environmental changes