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Yasunori attended Okayama University Medical School in Okayama, Japan, obtaining his M.D. in 2005. He then pursued his graduate studies at Rockefeller University in New York, USA. Working in the laboratory of Dr. Cori Bargmann, he investigated the mechanisms governing ion channel localization to nerve terminals using C. elegans. After receiving his Ph.D. in Neurobiology in 2010, Yasunori moved to Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, where he worked as a postdoctoral fellow in the laboratory of Dr. Pietro De Camilli, supported by fellowships from the Uehara memorial foundation and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. Using a combination of genome editing, biochemistry, quantitative cellular imaging, and optogenetics, he studied the regulatory mechanisms that govern cellular lipid homeostasis. Yasunori joined the faculty at Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore as a Nanyang Assistant Professor in 2016. In 2020, he was selected as a European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) Global Investigator. He was promoted to Associate Professor with Tenure in 2022 and appointed as a Visiting Professor at Kumamoto University, Japan, in 2023. He was also appointed as Assistant Dean for Faculty Affairs in 2023 and subsequently Vice for Faculty Affairs in 2024. He was awarded the National Research Foundation, Singapore (NRF) Investigatorship in 2024. His laboratory employs mammalian cell biology and C. elegans genetics to tackle fundamental questions in cellular lipid regulation as well as the mechanisms that underlie neurological disorders.
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Tomoki received his Ph.D. from Kyoto University, Japan in 2017 under the supervision of Dr. Hye-Won Shin and Dr. Kazuhisa Nakayama. Prior to his graduate studies, Tomoki attended Kyoto University, obtaining his Bachelor of Science (2012) and Master of Science (2014) both in Pharmaceutical Science. Being supported by Japan Society for the Promotion of the Science (JSPS) Research Fellowship for Young Scientists (2016-2017 as DC2, 2017-2018 as PD), Tomoki studied the role of phospholipid flippase in plasma membrane bilayer asymmetry. He published his findings in two research articles in The Journal of Biological Chemistry as a first author. He also co-authored papers in Nature Communications, Molecular Biology of the Cell, The EMBO Journal. In the Saheki lab, Tomoki studies the role of membrane contact sites in intracellular lipid traffic. Tomoki was awarded Overseas Research Fellowship from Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (日本学術振興会・海外特別研究員) in 2019. He was also awarded LKCMedicine LEARN Grant (30K) in 2022. Being recognized for the impact of his research, he was awarded LKCMedicine LEARN Research Excellence Award in 2023. He was promoted to Senior Research Fellow in 2024. In 2024, he was awarded National Medical Research Council (NMRC) Open Fund - Young Investigator Research Grant (OF-YIRG).
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Dylan received his Bachelor of Science (Honours) with Highest Distinction in Biological Sciences from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU) in 2019. During his final year project, he investigated the molecular mechanisms of cellular cholesterol traffic in the Saheki lab. Prior to his undergraduate study, Dylan attended Singapore Polytechnic and obtained his diploma in Biomedical Sciences, winning the ALS Technichem Award in 2012 and the BioFactory DBS APEX Award in 2014 for his excellent performance. Dylan started his research in the Saheki lab in May 2018 and decided to continue to stay for his PhD studies. In the Saheki lab, Dylan aims to study the role of membrane contact sites in cellular lipid homeostasis. Native of Singapore, Dylan spends his free time traveling around the world. Dylan was awarded the competitive Graduate Student or Postdoctoral Research Travel Award by ASBMB in 2024 for his work on the development of a novel cholesterol biosensor.
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Haoning received his Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) with Highest Distinction in Mechanical Engineering (Design) from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU) in 2021. During his final year project, he developed a microfluidic device for characterizing the phenotypes of leukocytes under the supervision of Dr. Hou Han Wei at NTU. He also successfully led a team of 60+ members for robotics projects as president of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) Robotics Club. Haoning joined our lab and started his graduate study in July 2021. In the Saheki lab, Haoning aims to study the molecular mechanisms of intracellular cholesterol transport. Native of China, Haoning spends his free time visiting various places in Singapore.
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Minyoung received her Bachelor of Science (Honours) with Distinction in Chemistry and Biological Chemistry from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU) in 2023. During her undergraduate study, she joined URECA program where she studied the alternative splicing of pre-mRNA with formation of secondary structures under the supervision of Dr. Phan Anh Tuan. During her final year project, she worked on characterization of near-infrared organic fluorescence molecule under the supervision of Dr. Xing Bengang at NTU. Prior to her undergraduate study, she finished IB diploma program at USIG, an International School in China. Minyoung joined our lab in early 2023 and started her graduate study in July 2023. She was awarded the Provost Graduate Award in 2023. In the Saheki lab, Minyoung aims to study the mechanisms of intracellular cholesterol transport. Minyoung spends her free time tutoring students and knitting.
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Cassandra received her Master of Science and Bachelor of Science in Biological Science from Nagoya University, Japan in 2021, supported by a Japanese government scholarship and the JUGAS-Nagoya University G30 scholarship. During her time at Nagoya University, she studied the molecular basis behind the decline of odour-sensing abilities of C. elegans under the supervision of Dr. Kentaro Noma and Dr. Ikue Mori. Prior to her undergraduate and master studies, Cassandra attended Singapore Polytechnic and obtained her diploma in Biomedical Science. After working at Estee Lauder Companies in Japan, she joined the Saheki lab in July 2024. In the Saheki lab, Cassandra aims to study the importance of cellular cholesterol distribution in physiological homeostasis. In her free time, she enjoys hobbies like bouldering and collecting houseplants.
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Louis Lim received his Bachelor of Science (Honours) with Distinction in Biological Science with Second Major in Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU) in 2024. During his undergraduate studies, he joined URECA program, investigating the co-localization of microglia with blood brain barrier in mice cortical sections, under supervision of Dr. Eyleen Goh at LKC. For his final year project, he used transcriptomics to reveal blood biomarkers associated with early and late stages of Alzheimer’s disease, with Dr. Chiam Keng Hwee at BII (A*Star). In the Saheki lab, Louis aims to study cholesterol trafficking in neurons in health and disease. In his free time, Louis loves to volunteer in eldercare and tutoring students.
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Michelle received her Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) with Highest Distinction in Bioengineering from Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore, in 2024. While at NTU, Michelle participated in the iGEM Competition as part of Team NTU in 2021, where, under the mentorship of Dr. Tan Meng How, her team used CRISPR/Cas12 technology to develop a diagnostic assay for diseases. For her final year project, Michelle focused on constructing a ferritin-hydrogel complex using naturally derived polymers, exploring its potential applications in flexible electronics. In August 2024, Michelle joined the Saheki Lab as a Research Assistant, where she aims to study the mechanisms of intracellular cholesterol transport. During her free time, Michelle volunteers as an English teacher for Indonesian domestic workers in Singapore.
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Jun completed her Ph.D. at the University of Sydney, Australia in 2019 under the supervision of Dr. Peter Thorn. She received her first postgraduate training, investigating cellular polarisation using C. elegans zygote as a research model under the supervision of Dr. Fumio Motegi. She worked with Dr. Chii Jou Chan and Dr. Alpha Yap between 2021-2023. With her passion to continue C. elegans research, she completed a short voluntary placement in Dr. Sean Coakley’s lab in the University of Queensland and subsequently joined the Saheki lab at NTU, Singapore in 2024. Using her favourite research model, C. elegans, Jun investigates the potential roles of membrane contact sites in establishing and maintaining cellular polarisation during embryonic development.
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Wataru received his M.D. from Tokushima University, Japan. He obtained his Ph.D. in Medicine from Kumamoto University in 2023 under the supervision of Professor Makoto Suzuki. His doctoral research was primarily conducted in the Department of Immunology at Tokyo Medical University, under the guidance of Professor Tadashi Yokosuka. He published a research article in Nature Communications and a review article in Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, and also co-authored papers in Communications Biology and iScience. In recognition of his achievements, he was awarded the President’s Award of Kumamoto University and the Young Investigator Award from the Japan Lung Cancer Society in 2023. In April 2025, he joined the Saheki lab as a research fellow, supported by the Overseas Research Fellowship from the Takeda Science Foundation. His current research focuses on the role of cholesterol in membrane remodeling. He is interested in applying cholesterol biosensors to visualize membrane dynamics in living cells. Outside of research, Wataru enjoys traveling and spending time with his children.
Previous Lab Members
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