Dr Ko Cheuk-kei Jackie earned her PhD in 2026 from the Division of Ecology and Biodiversity at the School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong. Her doctoral research focused on the molecular epidemiology of bacterial and viral pathogens associated with exotic pet populations in Hong Kong, a rapidly growing but underexplored area of disease surveillance. During her PhD, she investigated the genetics and transmission dynamics of a broad range of pathogens for which exotic pet species serve as vectors or reservoirs, and evaluated their potential impact on both public health and wild animal populations. Through her doctoral training and subsequent work as a research assistant, Dr Ko gained extensive experience in experimental design, project management, and specialised technical skills in antimicrobial resistance and microbiota research. Now launching her independent research career as a post-doctoral fellow, she is dedicated to exploring the complex interactions between antibiotic intake and the endogenous microbiome in humans and animals, aiming to translate her findings into insights for One Health.

1. JCK Ko, YWY Choi, ESK Poon, N Wyre & SYW Sin (2024) Prevalence, genotypes, and infection risk factors of psittacine beak and feather disease virus and budgerigar fledgling disease virus in captive birds of Hong Kong. Archives of Virology. 169(91). doi: 10.1007/s00705-024-06017-3. [First author, IF 2.5 (2024), rank 22/42 Virology]
2. JCK Ko, YWY Choi, ESK Poon, N Wyre, JLL Go, LLM Poon & SYW Sin (2024) Prevalence and genotype of Chlamydia psittaci in pet birds in Hong Kong. Plos One. 19(9). e0306528. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0306528. [First author, IF 2.6 (2024), rank 44/136 Multidisciplinary Sciences]
3. JCK Ko, CLL Tam, MM Tian, KWH Lee, A Yan & SYW Sin (submitted in 2025) Widespread antibiotic-resistant Salmonella in exotic reptiles and amphibians at a global exotic pet trade hub: An emerging zoonotic threat. [Major Revision]