Jake Dytnerski
Ph.D. candidate
Research
Hong Kong has a seasonally dynamic marine environment. Summer sea surface temperatures can exceed 30°C whereas winter temperatures can drop below 15°C. This range in temperature allows for year-round coral communities, and abundant growth of macroalgae in the winter. For my PhD, I am researching the role of the long-spined sea urchin, Diadema setosum, in the ecosystem, here in Hong Kong. Much work has been done on Diadema antillarum in the Caribbean, and some work has been done on the D. setosum as a bioeroder of coral reefs in the tropics. However, little is known about which marcoalgae these urchins feed on; how they affect the seasonal patterns of macroalgae growth and distribution; if the urchins target living corals here in Hong Kong or just the turf algae that grows on the dead skeletons of the corals. Answering these questions will help understand the food sources of the urchins and how their energy stores vary with the seasonal change in food abundance. I am also interested in the connectivity of the populations of D. setosum across its range, as they can be found from the East coast of Africa to French Polynesia, from Honshu, Japan to NSW, Australia. I want to compare the physiological performance of the urchins from stable tropical environments and highly variable environments to determine if they show extensive physiological plasticity, or if populations have adapted to variable environments. This will allow me to predict how these important grazers will cope with future conditions across their range.
Education
2016: Bachelor of Science, Honours Marine Biology, University of British Columbia, Canada
2013: Arts and Science Diploma: Biology, Langara College, Canada
Awards
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2015: Dean of Science Scholarship – Biology research grant
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2013: Betty and Tony Pletcher Memorial Scholarship – For Achievement in Biology
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2012: Real Estate Foundation Biology Student Bursary – Bursary for Biology students
RHYN CHEUNG
Ph.D. candidate
Research
Fucoid forests consist of Sargassum spp. emerge primarily during winter in Hong Kong. Abiotic factors such as day length and water temperature affected by seasonality are major forces that drive the natural patterns. As human activities continue to pressure our Earth climate system, changes in physical factors such as temperature and CO2 concentration increase may alter the survivorship of these algal species. I would like to understand the physiological responses of individuals, local and regional populations induced by the combined effects of climate change in my PhD research, which may help us predict their geographical distribution along in the China Seas and effects on other marine organisms that depend on these underwater habitats.
Education
2013: B.Sc. Marine Biology, Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences. UCLA, USA
Awards
2017: HKU Foundation Fellowship, HKU
2013: Departmental Honor (Ecology and Evolutionary Biology), UCLA
Media publications
A taste of sustainability. The Daily Bruin.
