Updated: December 24, 2025
Lab memebers
Chen-Yu Liu (劉宸佑)
Ph.D. student
Chen-Yu is an master student in the Department of Entomology at National Taiwan University, with a strong passion for insect interaction. He is actively involved in research exploring fascinating aspects of ant biology. Currently, Chen-Yu's work focuses on the mutualism between the ant of Acropyga and scale insects, aiming to uncover the genetic mechanisms behind the interaction behavior. Through his dedication, Chen-Yu contributes to advancing our understanding of the basic biology of Acropyga.
Kuan-Lin Wu (吳冠嶙)
Master student
Kuan-Lin is an master student in the Department of Entomology at National Taiwan University. He has a profound interest in ants and simultaneously keeps various types of ants as pets. Additionally, he is currently researching a type of ant guests called 'ant cricket’, aiming to understand how the ant crickets sneak into ant nests and the behavior between ant crickets and ants.
Chin-Mei Lu (盧沁玫)
Master student
Chin-Mei graduated from the Department of Entomology at National Chung Hsing University. She is currently working on ant gut symbionts, investigating the intricate interactions between insects and their associated microbes, with a focus on how these symbionts may influence ant physiology and behavior. Outside the lab, she enjoys K-pop dancing, and has an irresistible love for all things pink.
Jing-Yao Tsai（蔡景堯）
Undergraduate Student
Jing-Yao is an undergraduate student in the Department of Entomology at National Taiwan University, with a strong interest in insects. He is actively studying ant biology and is currently researching the effects of antibiotics on symbiotic bacteria in ants. His work aims to identify beneficial symbiotic bacteria that help ants survive, contributing to a better understanding of ant molecular biology.
Chan-Chun Hsieh（謝長峻）
Undergraduate Student
Chan-Chun is an undergraduate student in the Department of Entomology at National Taiwan University, deeply passionate about entomology. He is highly interested in multiple aspects of entomology and is currently exploring his own future direction. His current work focuses on behavioral differences between different clades of black cocoa ants. In his free time, he enjoys reading novels and playing board games. Magic: The Gathering is his favorite, but he seldom plays insect-themed decks.
Franciszek Mika
Visiting Student
Franciszek Mika is currently completing his bachelor of engineering degree in "breeding and preservation of wild and companion animals" at the Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW-WULS), Poland. His research interests focus on biodiversity, particularly in urban ecosystems, ecology, and citizen science includes alien and invasive species. He is currently working on the morphometrics of Dolichoderus thoracicus in Taiwan and the cryptic establishment of Hypoponera ants in Central Europe. Outside the lab, he enjoys gardening, exploring new cultures, discovering good food, and spending time with books and films.
Shih-Ting (Royce) Huang (黃詩婷)
Research Assistant
Shih-Ting finished her master degree in Global Wildlife Health and Conservation at University of Bristol. Her main research interests include population genetics, evolutionary biology, speciation and hybrid zone. She's currently working on genome assembly and niche analysis of Dolichoderus thoracicus.
Email: r22616890 [at] gmail.com
Cha Li (李察)
Administrative Assistant
(Shared appointment with Dr. Hui-Yun Tseng)
Cha Li graduated from the Department of Plant Medicine at National Chiayi University and currently works as an assistant at the Department of Entomology, National Taiwan University. His interests include listening to music, reading manga, and playing computer games. Occasionally, he also engages in outdoor activities such as hiking and cycling.
Visiting Scholars
Naoto Idogawa (井戸川直人)
JSPS Postdoctoral Fellow, Nagoya University (Japan)
Visiting period: August–September 2025
Hiroyuki Shimoji (下地博之)
Associate Professor, University of the Ryukyus (Japan)
Visiting period: September 2025
(UAAT International Young Visiting Scholar Program)
Former lab members
Former research assistant
Tzu-Chia Chen (2023-2023) – now PhD student at UC Riverside
Yi-Ting Fang (2023-2024) – now PhD student at UC Davis
Tzong-Han Lin (2024-2026) – now phD student at Sydney University
Former master student
Hsiao-Yang Chu (2022-2024)
Bo-Lei Yu (2023-2025)
Exploring supercoloniality and novel microsatellite markers in Odontomachus troglodytes: insights into a recently introduced Ponerinae ant in Taiwan. M.S.
A comparative analysis of morphology, cuticular hydrocarbons, and behavior in native and invasive populations of Dolichoderus thoracicus in Taiwan. M.S.