FOO LAB
Impactful scientific discoveries through world-class research
Team members
Meet the team. Here we have listed research fellows and students from the biomedical research lab.
Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Professor of Medicine
Roger Foo
Director of the NUHS Cardiovascular-Metabolic Disease Translational Research Programme and the Cardiovascular Research Institute.
Roger has an obsessive enthusiasm for science, that combined with his multiple senior academic roles means he tends to be extremely busy these days. Despite this he loves working with young scientists and inspiring ambition in his mentees. When not working, he enjoys spending time with his beautiful family.
Assistant Prof
Mathew Ackers-Johnson
My interests lie in how the cells in our heart talk to each other, and how this process can lead to new strategies for tackling cardiovascular disease. We have developed of methods for isolating and culturing cardiac cell subpopulations and used single cell transcriptomic methods.
have earned the lab nickname of “Owl”, make of that what you will. But really, when I’m not in lab, chances are you’ll find me relaxing somewhere sunny, and sandy.
Senior Research Fellow
Matias Ilmari Autio
I am based in the Genome Institute of Singapore. I hold a joint-appointment in the Foo-lab in NUS. My research interests include the establishment and use of genomic safe harbours (GSH) for targeted transgene expression in human cells. I routinely use many genome engineering tools, including CRISPR based methods. These tools are applied to understanding i) gene regulation and ii) heart disease.
Outside the lab my time is spent taking care of three young children.
Senior Research Fellow
Soong Poh Loong
Member of the ISSCR, European Society for Cardiology and German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), PL’s research interest is stem cell-based disease modelling, regeneration and repair of the heart. During his tenures in Hamburg and Göttingen, he developed networks with global KOLs in the cardiac regeneration field.
PL is also the co-founder of a Singapore biotech startup Ternion Biosciences.
PL loves travelling, diving, playing the piano and cooking.
Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Professor of Medicine
Roger Foo
Director of the NUHS Cardiovascular-Metabolic Disease Translational Research Programme and the Cardiovascular Research Institute.
Roger has an obsessive enthusiasm for science, that combined with his multiple senior academic roles means he tends to be extremely busy these days. Despite this he loves working with young scientists and inspiring ambition in his mentees. When not working, he enjoys spending time with his beautiful family.
Assistant Prof
Mathew Ackers-Johnson
My interests lie in how the cells in our heart talk to each other, and how this process can lead to new strategies for tackling cardiovascular disease. We have developed of methods for isolating and culturing cardiac cell subpopulations and used single cell transcriptomic methods.
have earned the lab nickname of “Owl”, make of that what you will. But really, when I’m not in lab, chances are you’ll find me relaxing somewhere sunny, and sandy.
Senior Research Fellow
Matias Ilmari Autio
I am based in the Genome Institute of Singapore. I hold a joint-appointment in the Foo-lab in NUS. My research interests include the establishment and use of genomic safe harbours (GSH) for targeted transgene expression in human cells. I routinely use many genome engineering tools, including CRISPR based methods. These tools are applied to understanding i) gene regulation and ii) heart disease.
Outside the lab my time is spent taking care of three young children.
Project Manager and Research Fellow
Hayang Yang
During my working days as a medical doctor in the Netherlands, I realized that my interests lie in preventing heart disease rather than just treating it. Hence, my current journey as a project manager/research fellow in the Project RESET with the aim to find out how we can improve preventing heart disease at a population level. Outside work, I enjoy discovering Singapore/South-East Asia, running and yoga.
Senior Research Fellow
Lee Siggens
I did my undergraduate degree in Food and Human Nutrition close to home at Newcastle University (UK). During my undergraduate degree I developed an interest in molecular biology and obtained a Wellcome Trust MPhil/PhD scholarship at the Institute of Metabolic Science (Cambridge, UK). After my PhD I joined the Department of Biosciences and Nutrition at the Karolinska Institute (Stockholm). My research for the past few years has primarily focused on chromatin and epigenomics. Currently working massively parallel reporter assays for cis regulatory element and genetic variant characterization.
Research Fellow
Mick Lee
Mick is a Research Fellow at NUS Cardiovascular Research Institute. He completed his PhD in 2022 with the Foo Lab under the Kwan Im Thong Hood Tho graduate research scholarship. Proficient in the dry and wet lab, his research interest are genetic and epigenetic mechanisms underpinning cardiac development and disease. He uses cutting edge technology such as CRISPR screens, human 2D and 3D iPSC-derived models.
Research Fellow
Francesco Ruberto
I am a molecular and cell biologist (Ph.D. in cardiovascular science at the University of Lausanne Medical School with Prof. Thierry Pedrazzini). My work focusses on the role of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNA) in cardiomyocyte function.
Recently, I joined the laboratory of Prof. Roger Foo, at the Department of Medicine at the National University of Singapore, where I am investigating the role of lncRNA derived micropeptides in metabolism and heart disease.
Research Fellow
Rijan Gurung
I’m a research fellow under Prof Roger Foo (vascular biologist). I trained under Prof Lucie Clapp at UCL where I obtained my PhD studying circulating smooth muscle-derived biomarkers in pulmonary arterial hypertension. I then worked as a postdoc under Prof Marilena Loizidou, again at UCL, studying the role of circulating extracellular vesicles in cancer. At Foo lab, I’m researching cellular and molecular targets important in the progression of cardiovascular disease. We have projects utilizing cutting edge technologies like spatial transcriptomics and CRISPR screening.
Aside from work, love filmmaking, basketball, jamming on the guitar, and coaching tennis.
Research Fellow
Prasanna Vidyasekar
I focus on developing and improving techniques for rodent cardiomyocyte isolation and culture including multi-cell-type 3D engineered heart tissues. I did my PhD at the Indian institute of technology Madras and I have been a fellow at the Foo lab since 2020.
I'm at the lab most days but still make time for my hobbies such as football, video gaming, photography and travelling.
Lab Manager
Louis Gan
Hi I'm Louis. In the lab, I generate Adeno-Associated Virus for our lab as well as Nucleic acid extraction for clinical samples. Apart from wet lab work, I work closely with Prof Roger and Shi Ling to manage the day to day administrative activities of the lab to ensure everything is running smoothly.
When not in the lab, I enjoy exploring new food places as well as collecting whiskies.
Lab Manager
Ng Shi Ling
Hello! I am Shi Ling. I have been a research assistant in Foo-lab since 2015. I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Science (Biomedical science major) from the University of Western Australia. My main expertise in the lab is Histology. Other than Histology, I am also the group’s lab safety lead and lab management.
When I’m not in the lab, I would either be in Bangkok-Thailand or in the kitchen trying new recipes or on my sofa reading an e-book with a cup of coffee. Nowadays you would also find me be cuddling with my little one.
Research fellow
Yike Zhu
Hello! I am Yike. I have a BSc in Pharmacy from Zhejiang University, and obtained my PhD in Foo-Lab in 2021. My research interests include cardiac regeneration cardiomyocyte cell state regulation. Currently, I am working on the molecular mechanisms of cardiomyocyte dedifferentiation (CMDD) and screening small molecules promoting cardiac regeneration.
Outside the lab, I am interested in science communication, and I was a freelance scientific writer of several Chinese media on Wechat. I am also an amateur musician playing the Guzheng and Pipa, operating my own video channel. During festival seasons, my favorite way of celebration is baking. I am very proud of my recipe in Tiramisu and Mille Crepe!
PhD Student
Yang Hu
Hi, I'm Yang, a PhD student who joined the lab in August 2022. I majored in pharmacy during my undergraduate studies, and spatial single-cell transcriptomics in my master degree. Currently, my research focuses on investigating therapeutic strategies to reduce cardiac valve calcification and cardiac aging using scRNA-seq. Additionally, I have a passion for data analysis, which allows me to extract meaningful insights from complex biological datasets.
Outside of academia, I enjoy running, dancing, and indulging in reading during my free time.
PhD Student
Xu Zhihan
Hi, I’m Zhihan, a PhD student working in the Foo lab since January 2023. I have completed my Bachelor's degree in Pharmacy from China Pharmaceutical University and my Master’s degree in Pharmacology from UCL. My research focuses on cardiac aging and my current project is the validation and optimization of an RNA editing technology in specifically targeting and manipulating senescent cells in the heart. I like watching football matches and playing football with my colleagues.
During my free time, I enjoy travelling around to explore delicious food.
PhD Student
Michelle Mak
I'm a PhD student in Foo lab working on identifying regulatory elements capable of driving robust and specific gene expression in the heart.
When I'm not in the lab, I'm probably in the gym.
PhD Student
Yiqing Yang
Hi I'm Yiqing, a PhD student in the lab started in 2020. I am working on long non-coding RNA in cardiomyocyte development and maturation using hPSC-derived cardiomyocytes as a model.
Outside of the lab, I enjoy swimming and reading.
PhD Student
Vicky Lai
Vicky is a Master of Science in Medicine (Infection and Immunity) graduate from the University of Sydney and a Global Excellence Graduate Scholar (BMedSc) from UWA.
Vicky's research seeks to elucidate molecular stressors and potential mechanisms of heart failure. Her focus is unravelling the function of a novel chaperone protein. She works with hESCs/iPSCs, cardiomyocytes, macrophages, monocytes and endothelial cells.
A licensed paramedic, medical and scientific copywriter, Vicky has pioneered numerous health initiatives for beneficiaries globally. During her free time, she enjoys winding down with a candle and a good book.
PhD Student
Galvin Tang
I'm a PhD student in Foo lab working on characterising an uncharacterised protein and helping out with sci-RNAseq.
When I'm not in the lab (MD6), I'm probably walking to another lab (MD11).
PhD Student
Ryan Fan
I'm Ryan, a PhD student working in Foo Lab! My research interest is in epigenetic regulation of cardiac developmental processes.
In my free time, I like to read and do wildlife photography.
PhD Student
Weirui Zhang
Hi, I'm Weirui,my main focus is on unraveling the functional roles of DNA variants associated with heart function.
During my free time, you might spot me at a café, enjoying some manga.
Research Assistant
Timothy Ng Yu
Hi, I'm Tim. During my undergraduate studies, I worked on a transgenic mice model of cardiomyocyte apoptosis to study its role as a hallmark of heart failure. Currently, I'm working under Dr Siggens to develop and optimize MPRA assays, which are high throughput, functional, epigenomic assays.
Lab Manager
Veronica
Hi! I'm Veronica, a Research Assistant in Foo Lab. I have undergraduate degree in Pharmacy and master's degree in Food Science, hence my journey to understand all the confusing life science terms has just begun. Currently being trained and helping out with ChIP-seq, CRISPR screens, and sci-RNA-seq. I'm an avid foodie and like exploring new eateries on weekends.
Research Associate
Luu Danh Anh Tuan
I am the small animal surgeon, have joined Foo Lab since June, 2013. I have performed TAC (>4000 cases), MI ( >400 cases) and MIR (50 cases) surgeries for mouse model. Beside that, I also do other surgeries as neonatal apical resection, neonatal MI, minipump implantation....I have been trained TAC and MI surgeries (2013, Wang Yibin 'lab at UCLA, USA), neonatal apical resection and neonatal MI surgeries (2018, Hesham Sadek'lab at UT Southwestern Medical Center, Texas, USA). I am also doing mouse husbandry for over 20 mouse strains of our lab. I hope I can help our scientific research comunity for in vivo study.
Research Associate
Erielle Villanueva
Hi, I'm Erielle! I developed a passion for bioinformatics during my undergraduate studies. I am currently working on data analysis for cardiac bulk/single cell RNA-seq and spatial transcriptomics. In my free time, I like to play music and solve word puzzles.