Education
Ph.D. Restoration Ecology and Conservation, July 2012
School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong
B.Sc. Environmental Life Science, June 2007.
Department of Ecology and Biodiversity, The University of Hong Kong
Working Experience
Lecturer in Wildlife and Conservation (August 2023-present), School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Suffolk.
Adjunct Assistant Professor (August 2023-present), Science Unit, Lingnan University.
Assistant Professor (August 2019-August 2023), Science Unit, Lingnan University.
Honorary Assistant Professor (August 2019-present), Division of Ecology and Biodiversity, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong.
Research Assistant Professor (July 2018-July 2019), Division of Ecology and Biodiversity, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong.
Lecturer (August 2014–June 2018), Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University. Teach courses related to environmental science and ecology for Master and Undergraduate programs
Conservation Officer (November 2011–July 2014), Kadoorie Conservation China, Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden. Manage biodiversity conservation projects and conduct ecological research in China.
Research Assistant (June 2006–August 2006), Department of Ecology and Biodiversity, The University of Hong Kong. Assist ecological research.
Teaching Experience
Lecturer in Wildlife and Conservation (2023-present), School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Suffolk
Course taught:
BSc programme in Wildlife, Ecology and Conservation Science
Animal behaviour
Contemporary topics in wildlife conservation
Ecology
Ornithology
Assistant Professor (2019–2023), Science Unit, Lingnan University
Courses taught:
Clusters courses offered by Core Curriculum and General Education Office
Ecology: The Science of Environmental Issues (2019–present)
Food: Technology, Health and Environment (2019–present)
Conservation and Biodiversity (2021-present)
Lecturer (2014–2018), Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University
Courses taught:
MSc in Environmental and Public Health Management
Sustainable Management System (2014–2018)
Principles of Environmental Management (2014–2018)
Carbon and Energy Management (2014–2018)
BSc in Applied Biology
Ecology (2014–2018)
Introduction to Environmental Sciences (2014–2018)
Introduction to Biology (2017–2018)
General Education for undergraduate students
You and Your Environment (2014–2018)
You and Your Health (2017–2018)
Funded Grant Proposal
Environment and Conservation Fund, Hong Kong Government, “Assessing prevalence of pathogens in endangered freshwater turtle populations", HKD499,200. Yik-Hei Sung, Jonathan Fong, Julia Leung; 2023–2025.
Lantau Conservation Fund, “Conservation of Romer's tree frogs: Assessment of population status across Lantau and impacts of emerging threats”, HKD1,612,660. Yik-Hei Sung, Jonathan Fong, Michael Lau, Jia Huan Liew, Simon Sin; 2023–2025.
Lantau Conservation Fund, “An integrative taxonomy approach to clarify the status of the short-legged toad (Boulenophrys brachykolos) population in Lantau”, HKD424,700. Yik-Hei Sung, Jonathan Fong; 2022–2024.
Ocean Park Conservation Fund, “New technological and traditional behavioral approaches for freshwater turtle conservation", HKD392,680. Yik-Hei Sung, Brian Katona, Jonathan Fong; 2021-2023.
Early Career Scheme, University Grants Committee, “Population dynamics of endangered freshwater turtles—from long term monitoring to tangible conservation actions", HKD979,374. Yik-Hei Sung, Kevin Shoemaker; 2021-2024.
Ocean Park Conservation Fund, “Hong Kong as a hub and home for declining Tokay geckos: analysis of genetic diversity ", HKD202,300. Timothy Bonebrake, Pauline Dufour, Caroline Dingle, Yik-Hei Sung; 2020–2021.
Environment and Conservation Fund, Hong Kong Government, “Uncover the underground - Distribution and population status of endemic blind snakes and Bogadeks’s burrowing lizards”, HKD482,400. Yik-Hei Sung, Jonathan Fong; 2020–2022.
Ocean Park Conservation Fund, “A data-driven approach to strengthening trade enforcement of turtles ", HKD488,544. Yik-Hei Sung, Jonathan Fong; 2019–2021.
Ocean Park Conservation Fund, “Are our amphibians in peril of a lethal pandemic? Tracking an emerging amphibian fungal disease in Hong Kong newts and other amphibians in the wild and pet trade market", HKD497,754. Simon Sin, Anthony Lau, Yik-Hei Sung; 2019–2021.
General Research Fund, University Grants Committee, “Conservation genomics of two endangered Hong Kong turtles—the big-headed turtle (Platysternon megacephalum) and Beal’s eyed turtle (Sacalia bealei) “, HKD1,032,078. Jonathan Fong, Matthew Fujita, Yik-Hei Sung. 2019-2022.
Environment and Conservation Fund, Hong Kong Government, “Building a natural history collection of Hong Kong’s amphibians for conservation and education, with a genetic case-study on the endangered Romer’s tree frog (Liuixalus romeri)”, HKD1,094,304. Jonathan Fong, Yik-Hei Sung. 2019–2021.
Seed Fund for Basic Research, The University of Hong Kong, “Chemical communication in freshwater turtles”, HKD148,980. Yik-Hei Sung, Simon Sin, 2019-2020.
Ocean Park Conservation Fund, “Conservation genomics of the critically endangered golden coin turtle (Cuora trifasciata) and application to ex-situ breeding and wildlife DNA forensics", HKD599,722. Jonathan Fong, Yik-Hei Sung, 2018-2020.
Environment and Conservation Fund, Hong Kong Government, “Filling the knowledge gap - Current status of endangered freshwater turtles”, HKD497,720. Yik-Hei Sung, Jonathan Fong, Caroline Dingle, Ricky Spencer; 2018–2020.
Ocean Park Conservation Fund, “Safeguarding endangered turtle populations in Hong Kong”, HKD576,960. Yik-Hei Sung, Jonathan Fong; 2017–2019.
Environment and Conservation Fund, Hong Kong Government, “Impacts of Alien Herpetofauna on the Local Ecosystem in Hong Kong”, HKD367,480. Yik-Hei Sung; 2016–2017.
Ocean Park Conservation Fund, “Conservation of Endangered Freshwater Turtles in Hong Kong”, HKD311,370. Yik-Hei Sung, Nancy Karraker; 2015–2017.
Awards
Young Researcher Output Award 2022, Lingnan University
Award of Excellence by Teaching Assistant 2010-2011, Faculty of Science, The University of Hong Kong.
Honorable Mention for Best Student Paper in Conservation, 2011 Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Minneapolis, Minnesota, July 2011
Best Student Presentation Award (Biology Paper), Turtle Survival Alliance and IUCN Tortoise and Freshwater Turtles Specialist Group, 8th Annual Symposium, Orlando, Florida, August 2010.
Professional Service
2013 - present Member, IUCN Species Survival Commission Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles Specialist Group
2014 - present Associate Editor of journal Herpetological Conservation and Biology
2017 - present Associate Editor of journals Aquatic Invasions and BioInvasions Records
2022 - present Review Editor of journal Frontier in Ecology and Evolution
2019 - present Member, Endangered Species Advisory Committee, Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Hong Kong SAR Government
2020 - present Member, Wild Pig Management Advisory Group, Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Hong Kong SAR Government
2019 - present Member, Dumping at Sea Appeal Board Panel, Environmental Protection Department, Hong Kong SAR Government
2019 - 2022 Member, Advisory Council on the Environment, Environmental Protection Department, Hong Kong SAR Government
2021 - 2023 Executive Committee, Hong Kong Bird Watching Society
2017 - present Director, Hong Kong Society of Herpetology Foundation
2018 - 2023 Board Member, Outdoor Wildlife Learning Hong Kong
2022 - 2023 Member, Mai Po Management Committee, World Wide Fund for Nature Hong Kong
2018 - present Scientific Advisory Committee, Ocean Park Conservation Foundation, Hong Kong
2011 - present Licensed bird ringer, issued by Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Hong Kong SAR Government
Ad-hoc reviewer of manuscripts for: Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, Aquatic Invasions, American Journal of Primatology, Asian Herpetological Research, Behavioral Processes, BioInvasions Records, Biological Conservation, Chelonian Conservation and Biology, Conservation Biology, Ecology and Evolution, Ecosystems and People, Environmental Conservation, Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, Global Ecology & Conservation, Herpetologica, Herpetological Conservation and Biology, Journal of Applied Ecology, Journal of Herpetology, Journal of Natural History, North-Western Journal of Zoology, Oryx, PeerJ, PLOS ONE, Salamandra, Scientific Reports, The Egyptian Journal of Remote Sensing and Space Sciences, Zookeys, Zoological Research, Zoological Studies, Zootaxa
Ph.D. Restoration Ecology and Conservation, July 2012
School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong
B.Sc. Environmental Life Science, June 2007.
Department of Ecology and Biodiversity, The University of Hong Kong
Working Experience
Lecturer in Wildlife and Conservation (August 2023-present), School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Suffolk.
Adjunct Assistant Professor (August 2023-present), Science Unit, Lingnan University.
Assistant Professor (August 2019-August 2023), Science Unit, Lingnan University.
Honorary Assistant Professor (August 2019-present), Division of Ecology and Biodiversity, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong.
Research Assistant Professor (July 2018-July 2019), Division of Ecology and Biodiversity, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong.
Lecturer (August 2014–June 2018), Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University. Teach courses related to environmental science and ecology for Master and Undergraduate programs
Conservation Officer (November 2011–July 2014), Kadoorie Conservation China, Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden. Manage biodiversity conservation projects and conduct ecological research in China.
Research Assistant (June 2006–August 2006), Department of Ecology and Biodiversity, The University of Hong Kong. Assist ecological research.
Teaching Experience
Lecturer in Wildlife and Conservation (2023-present), School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Suffolk
Course taught:
BSc programme in Wildlife, Ecology and Conservation Science
Animal behaviour
Contemporary topics in wildlife conservation
Ecology
Ornithology
Assistant Professor (2019–2023), Science Unit, Lingnan University
Courses taught:
Clusters courses offered by Core Curriculum and General Education Office
Ecology: The Science of Environmental Issues (2019–present)
Food: Technology, Health and Environment (2019–present)
Conservation and Biodiversity (2021-present)
Lecturer (2014–2018), Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University
Courses taught:
MSc in Environmental and Public Health Management
Sustainable Management System (2014–2018)
Principles of Environmental Management (2014–2018)
Carbon and Energy Management (2014–2018)
BSc in Applied Biology
Ecology (2014–2018)
Introduction to Environmental Sciences (2014–2018)
Introduction to Biology (2017–2018)
General Education for undergraduate students
You and Your Environment (2014–2018)
You and Your Health (2017–2018)
Funded Grant Proposal
Environment and Conservation Fund, Hong Kong Government, “Assessing prevalence of pathogens in endangered freshwater turtle populations", HKD499,200. Yik-Hei Sung, Jonathan Fong, Julia Leung; 2023–2025.
Lantau Conservation Fund, “Conservation of Romer's tree frogs: Assessment of population status across Lantau and impacts of emerging threats”, HKD1,612,660. Yik-Hei Sung, Jonathan Fong, Michael Lau, Jia Huan Liew, Simon Sin; 2023–2025.
Lantau Conservation Fund, “An integrative taxonomy approach to clarify the status of the short-legged toad (Boulenophrys brachykolos) population in Lantau”, HKD424,700. Yik-Hei Sung, Jonathan Fong; 2022–2024.
Ocean Park Conservation Fund, “New technological and traditional behavioral approaches for freshwater turtle conservation", HKD392,680. Yik-Hei Sung, Brian Katona, Jonathan Fong; 2021-2023.
Early Career Scheme, University Grants Committee, “Population dynamics of endangered freshwater turtles—from long term monitoring to tangible conservation actions", HKD979,374. Yik-Hei Sung, Kevin Shoemaker; 2021-2024.
Ocean Park Conservation Fund, “Hong Kong as a hub and home for declining Tokay geckos: analysis of genetic diversity ", HKD202,300. Timothy Bonebrake, Pauline Dufour, Caroline Dingle, Yik-Hei Sung; 2020–2021.
Environment and Conservation Fund, Hong Kong Government, “Uncover the underground - Distribution and population status of endemic blind snakes and Bogadeks’s burrowing lizards”, HKD482,400. Yik-Hei Sung, Jonathan Fong; 2020–2022.
Ocean Park Conservation Fund, “A data-driven approach to strengthening trade enforcement of turtles ", HKD488,544. Yik-Hei Sung, Jonathan Fong; 2019–2021.
Ocean Park Conservation Fund, “Are our amphibians in peril of a lethal pandemic? Tracking an emerging amphibian fungal disease in Hong Kong newts and other amphibians in the wild and pet trade market", HKD497,754. Simon Sin, Anthony Lau, Yik-Hei Sung; 2019–2021.
General Research Fund, University Grants Committee, “Conservation genomics of two endangered Hong Kong turtles—the big-headed turtle (Platysternon megacephalum) and Beal’s eyed turtle (Sacalia bealei) “, HKD1,032,078. Jonathan Fong, Matthew Fujita, Yik-Hei Sung. 2019-2022.
Environment and Conservation Fund, Hong Kong Government, “Building a natural history collection of Hong Kong’s amphibians for conservation and education, with a genetic case-study on the endangered Romer’s tree frog (Liuixalus romeri)”, HKD1,094,304. Jonathan Fong, Yik-Hei Sung. 2019–2021.
Seed Fund for Basic Research, The University of Hong Kong, “Chemical communication in freshwater turtles”, HKD148,980. Yik-Hei Sung, Simon Sin, 2019-2020.
Ocean Park Conservation Fund, “Conservation genomics of the critically endangered golden coin turtle (Cuora trifasciata) and application to ex-situ breeding and wildlife DNA forensics", HKD599,722. Jonathan Fong, Yik-Hei Sung, 2018-2020.
Environment and Conservation Fund, Hong Kong Government, “Filling the knowledge gap - Current status of endangered freshwater turtles”, HKD497,720. Yik-Hei Sung, Jonathan Fong, Caroline Dingle, Ricky Spencer; 2018–2020.
Ocean Park Conservation Fund, “Safeguarding endangered turtle populations in Hong Kong”, HKD576,960. Yik-Hei Sung, Jonathan Fong; 2017–2019.
Environment and Conservation Fund, Hong Kong Government, “Impacts of Alien Herpetofauna on the Local Ecosystem in Hong Kong”, HKD367,480. Yik-Hei Sung; 2016–2017.
Ocean Park Conservation Fund, “Conservation of Endangered Freshwater Turtles in Hong Kong”, HKD311,370. Yik-Hei Sung, Nancy Karraker; 2015–2017.
Awards
Young Researcher Output Award 2022, Lingnan University
Award of Excellence by Teaching Assistant 2010-2011, Faculty of Science, The University of Hong Kong.
Honorable Mention for Best Student Paper in Conservation, 2011 Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Minneapolis, Minnesota, July 2011
Best Student Presentation Award (Biology Paper), Turtle Survival Alliance and IUCN Tortoise and Freshwater Turtles Specialist Group, 8th Annual Symposium, Orlando, Florida, August 2010.
Professional Service
2013 - present Member, IUCN Species Survival Commission Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles Specialist Group
2014 - present Associate Editor of journal Herpetological Conservation and Biology
2017 - present Associate Editor of journals Aquatic Invasions and BioInvasions Records
2022 - present Review Editor of journal Frontier in Ecology and Evolution
2019 - present Member, Endangered Species Advisory Committee, Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Hong Kong SAR Government
2020 - present Member, Wild Pig Management Advisory Group, Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Hong Kong SAR Government
2019 - present Member, Dumping at Sea Appeal Board Panel, Environmental Protection Department, Hong Kong SAR Government
2019 - 2022 Member, Advisory Council on the Environment, Environmental Protection Department, Hong Kong SAR Government
2021 - 2023 Executive Committee, Hong Kong Bird Watching Society
2017 - present Director, Hong Kong Society of Herpetology Foundation
2018 - 2023 Board Member, Outdoor Wildlife Learning Hong Kong
2022 - 2023 Member, Mai Po Management Committee, World Wide Fund for Nature Hong Kong
2018 - present Scientific Advisory Committee, Ocean Park Conservation Foundation, Hong Kong
2011 - present Licensed bird ringer, issued by Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Hong Kong SAR Government
Ad-hoc reviewer of manuscripts for: Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, Aquatic Invasions, American Journal of Primatology, Asian Herpetological Research, Behavioral Processes, BioInvasions Records, Biological Conservation, Chelonian Conservation and Biology, Conservation Biology, Ecology and Evolution, Ecosystems and People, Environmental Conservation, Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, Global Ecology & Conservation, Herpetologica, Herpetological Conservation and Biology, Journal of Applied Ecology, Journal of Herpetology, Journal of Natural History, North-Western Journal of Zoology, Oryx, PeerJ, PLOS ONE, Salamandra, Scientific Reports, The Egyptian Journal of Remote Sensing and Space Sciences, Zookeys, Zoological Research, Zoological Studies, Zootaxa