People

Current Lab Members

Yi-Jyun received his undergraduate degree from National Sun Yat-Sen University. His PhD at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology focused on animal genome evolution. Following postdoctoral training in single-cell and evolutionary genomics at Harvard University and the University of Oxford, he joined the Biodiversity Research Center in 2022. His research interests include the evolution and development of body plans, cell types, and genomes. He motivates people and organizes resources to support intellectual freedom and foster independence.

yjluo@gate.sinica.edu.tw | CV

Meng-Chen received her master's degree in ecology and evolutionary biology from the National Taiwan University. She is interested in the intersection between ecology and social science and has studied the ecology of moon jellyfish and Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins. In the Luo lab, she handles administrative work, helping everyone focus on science.

luolab@gate.sinica.edu.tw

Isabel earned her bachelor’s degree from Tufts University, where she studied mathematics with an emphasis on topology. She joined the Luo Lab in 2022 and primarily focused on analyzing single-cell transcriptomics data. Having considerable experience in both computer science and art, she is passionate about constructing new approaches to visualize complex data through clear and concise code. Outside work, she is also a volunteer field researcher for the Society for Taiwanese Amphibian Conservation.

ijyliao@gate.sinica.edu.tw

Li-Jung received her bachelor's degree in marine biotechnology and resources from the National Sun Yat-Sen University, where she studied the feeding habits of cone snails. She joined the Luo Lab in 2024 with a research interest in the photosynthetic symbiotic relationships between acoels and algae.

ljkao0527@gate.sinica.edu.tw

Tom specialises in questions related to evolutionary genomics. He completed his undergraduate degree and PhD at the University of Oxford in the UK. In the Luo Lab, his primary focus has been on the evolution of genome structure. His projects have identified and characterized massive rearrangements in the genomes of bryozoans and annelid worms. Moving forward, he aims to explore questions related to variation in genome structure and conservation.

tlewin@gate.sinica.edu.tw

Tosuke completed his PhD at Okayama University in Japan. His background is in cellular biology, focusing on the structure and function of sensory organs and the nervous system in acoel worms. Currently, he is highly interested in acoel-algal photosymbiosis. In the Luo lab, he will analyze the genomes and transcriptomes of acoels and algae, in addition to morphological analysis, to understand the mechanism of photosymbiosis.

tosuke@gate.sinica.edu.tw

Victor received his undergraduate and master's degrees from the National Autonomous University of Mexico and later completed his PhD at Queen Mary University of London in the UK. His background is in physiology and cellular biology, focusing on signaling systems that control physiological processes in marine invertebrates. In 2024, he joined the Luo Lab, where he is applying multi-omics techniques to investigate the signaling systems driving coral bleaching and regeneration processes.

victormpg@gate.sinica.edu.tw

Yi-Ling earned her PhD from the National Taiwan Ocean University, focusing on the molecular mechanisms of sexual reproduction in corals. She then undertook postdoctoral training in genomic analysis at the University of Tokyo. In the Luo lab, she contributes to research on acoel symbiosis and coral reproduction, utilizing transcriptomics and single-cell techniques.

yii2390@gate.sinica.edu.tw

Crissa earned her Master’s degree in Biology from De La Salle University in the Philippines, where she focused on transcriptomics to examine the transcriptional responses of mangrove crabs to heat stress. Currently pursuing her PhD, she is studying stony corals to uncover the molecular mechanisms behind their resilience to environmental change.

lilagan0001@gate.sinica.edu.tw

Yao-Feng received his Master’s degree in Life Science from National Chung Hsing University, where he focused on the phylogeography of freshwater fish in East Asia. After graduation, he worked as a research assistant in Benny Chan's lab at Academia Sinica, contributing to research on barnacle taxonomy and biodiversity. He is currently studying the genome and gene expression of barnacles, using Megabalanus as a model system, with a focus on their responses to microplastic exposure.

fon760202@gmail.com

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