Hoon-Ki Sung | Principal Investigator
Hoon-Ki Sung received his MD and PhD from the University of Yeungnam, South Korea. Following these trainings, he worked at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) in the laboratory of Dr. Gou Young Koh. In 2006, he moved to Toronto and joined the laboratory of Dr. Andras Nagy at the Tanenbaum-Lunenfeld Research Institute at Mount Sinai Hospital. In 2014, he established his research laboratory in the Physiology and Experimental Medicine Program at The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute. His research is supported by CIHR, CFI, Banting and Best Diabetic Centre, and ALS Foundation.
Kafi Ealey | Research Fellow
I am a senior postdoctoral research fellow in the lab investigating interactions between immune cells and adipose stem cells in aging of adipose tissues. I love reading, fitness, good coffee and food!
Jacques Togo | Research Fellow
I am Dr. Jacques Togo, a research fellow at the Sung Lab. With a focus on investigating the mechanisms underlying intermittent fasting, I am exploring how this approach can help slow down aging and metabolic disorders such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. Specifically, my research aims to uncover the role of hepatic Cpt1a expression in sustaining the metabolic benefits of intermittent fasting and understanding its regulation. Additionally, my work includes investigating the potential of intermittent fasting as a treatment or means to slow down fatty liver disease, which is one of the most rapidly evolving and deadly diseases worldwide. Apart from my passion for scientific research, I enjoy sightseeing, playing the piano, and discussing space and extraterrestrial life. I find watching documentaries about space and the universe fascinating as it provides deeper insights into our place in this vast cosmos.
Hae Jeong Lee | Visiting Scientist
Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Samsung Changwon Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Changwon, Korea
MD/PhD, Graduate School of Medicine, Department of Physiology, Yeungnam University, Daegu, Korea
College of Medicine, Keimyung University, Daegu, Korea
Project: Effects of Intermittent Fasting on Intestinal Epithelial Cells
I have been working as a paediatric gastroenterologist for 15 years at Samsung Changwon Hospital in Korea. My experience primarily lies in the clinical setting, but I have a strong desire to gain more experience in laboratory work. I have been given the opportunity to study with Professor Hoon-Ki Sung, who is conducting research on obesity, and I am working as a visiting scientist for one year (Sept. 2022 to Aug. 2023). I have been learning various laboratory methods from the members of our lab and am currently involved in culturing intestinal organoids. The members of the Sung Lab are kind and enthusiastic, which has made my experience in the lab enjoyable.
Ju Hee Lee | PhD Student
PhD Candidate, Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, 2023
I study the effect of intermittent fasting on adipose tissue remodeling – particularly regulation of adipocyte progenitor cells.
I love watching crime documentaries, playing board games, and karaokeing!
Qi Wei (Samuel) Zhang | PhD Student
PhD Candidate, Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto
I received my bachelor’s degree in Anesthesiology and my master’s degree in Surgery in China. I spent approximately three years working as an intern anesthesiologist and surgeon at a hospital. During my master’s degree, my research focused on bariatric surgery, specifically studying how bypassing different lengths of the small intestine affects the secretion of multiple gastrointestinal hormones. Since joining the Sung Lab, my research has centered on examining the effects of the AMPK pathway on adipose remodeling and metabolism.
Some of my hobbies include traveling, taking photos, singing, and watching horror movies.
Nathaniel Vo | M.Sc. Student
H.B.Sc., Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, 2022
Hello! I’m Nathaniel. I study adipose tissue remodelling and the neurovascular architecture and cellular changes associated with healthy vs. unhealthy fat here at the Sung Lab.
I love doing sports! Especially dragon boating, you can catch me on Lake Ontario in the summer time 😉
Sean Jeong | 4th Year Undergraduate Student
B.Sc. Candidate, University of Toronto, 2023
Hi I’m Sean! For my 4th year thesis project I am investigating the mechanism behind how intermittent fasting resolves adipose tissue fibrosis primarily by analyzing single nucleus sequencing data. Outside of school, I enjoy hiking, exercise, and exploring Toronto with my high school friends.