Biography:

Dr. Fung earned his BSc in Biochemistry and Cell Biology from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), where he first experienced research in Prof. Mak Ho Yi's laboratory. There, he contributed to the generation of CRISPR-Cas9 edited C. elegans, facilitating studies on lipid homeostasis. He then advanced to pursue his PhD in Microbiology at the University of Hong Kong (HKU), within Prof. Susanna KP Lau's laboratory. His research during this period was concentrated on the host-pathogen immune interactions between SARS-CoV-2 and bats.

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Upon completing his doctoral studies, Dr. Fung continued to focus on coronaviruses during his postdoctoral fellowship at the Department of Health Technology and Informatics at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, under the guidance of Prof. Siu Kit Hang, Gilman and Dr. Fanklin WN Chow.

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During his postdoctoral tenure, Dr. Fung specialized in environmental microbiology, with a significant emphasis on the mechanisms of emerging and re-emerging viral pathogens. His methodology involved advanced techniques for sample collection, nucleic acid extraction, and next-generation sequencing. Addressing the urgent need for swift and cost-effective detection of viral outbreaks, Dr. Fung also pioneered the development of innovative workflows capable of rapidly and accurately identifying pathogens in sewage samples. By integrating conventional molecular methods with advanced sequencing technologies, his research aimed to establish early detection systems for impending outbreaks, thus potentially reducing their impact on public health. Dr. Fung is committed to leveraging his expertise to contribute to international efforts to preempt and manage outbreaks, with the goal of securing a healthier future for communities worldwide.