My name is Haogao Gu (顾豪高), now an Associate Research Scientist at Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University.
I study the evolution and epidemiology of virus infections, viral sequence features and virus-host interactions. I am good at bioinformatic and statistical analysis of viral sequencing data, and my research has provided novel insights on both basic virology and applied science on controlling virus transmission. My contribution to this field is reflected in my publication record of 
I enjoy solving biological problems with computational methods, I have been developing some tools (Check my Github) for studying virus evolution. I like playing basketball and hiking during my leisure times.
Selected Publications
- Haogao Gu*†, Jifan Li*, Wanying Sun, Mengting Li, Kathy Leung, Joseph Wu, Hsiang-Yu Yuan, Maggie Wang, Bingyi Yang, Matthew McKay, Ning Ning, Leo Poon†. Optimizing global genomic surveillance for early detection of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants. Nature Communications, (2026)
- Haogao Gu, Ahmed Abdul Quadeer, Pavithra Krishnan, Lydia Chang, Gigi Liu, Daisy Ng, Samuel Cheng, Tommy Lam, Malik Peiris, Matthew McKay, Leo Poon. Within-host genetic diversity of SARS-CoV-2 lineages in unvaccinated and vaccinated individuals. Nature Communications, 14, 1793 (2023)
- Haogao Gu*, Ruopeng Xie*, Dillon Adam*, Joseph Tsui*, Daniel Chu*, Lydia Chang, Sammi Cheuk, Shreya Gurung, Pavithra Krishnan, Daisy Ng, Gigi Liu, Carrie Wan, Samuel Cheng, Kimberly Edwards, Kathy Leung, Joseph Wu, Dominic Tsang, Gabriel Leung, Benjamin Cowling, Malik Peiris, Tommy Lam, Vijaykrishna Dhanasekaran†, Leo Poon†. Genomic epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 under an elimination strategy in Hong Kong. Nature Communications, 13, 736 (2022)
- Haogao Gu, Pavithra Krishnan, Daisy Ng, Lydia Chang, Gigi Liu, Samuel Cheng, Mani Hui, Mathew Fan, Jacob Wan, Leo Lau, Benjamin Cowling, Malik Peiris, Leo Poon†. Probable Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant in Quarantine Hotel, Hong Kong, China, November 2021. Emerging Infection Diseases, 28 (2): 460. (2022)
- Kenrie PY Hui, John CW Ho, Man-chun Cheung, Ka-chun Ng, Rachel HH Ching, Ka-ling Lai, Tonia Tong Kam, Haogao Gu, Ko-Yung Sit, Michael KY Hsin, Timmy WK Au, Leo LM Poon, Malik Peiris, John M Nicholls, Michael CW Chan†. SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant replication in human bronchus and lung ex vivo. Nature, 603 (7902), 715-720. (2022)
- Hui-Ling Yen, Thomas HC Sit, Christopher J Brackman, Shirley SY Chuk, Haogao Gu, Karina WS Tam, Pierra YT Law, Gabriel M Leung, Malik Peiris, Leo LM Poon†, Samuel MS Cheng, Lydia DJ Chang, Pavithra Krishnan, Daisy YM Ng, Gigi YZ Liu, Mani MY Hui, Sin Ying Ho, Wen Su, Sin Fun Sia, Ka-Tim Choy, Sammi SY Cheuk, Sylvia PN Lau, Amy WY Tang, Joe CT Koo, Louise Yung. Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 delta variant (AY. 127) from pet hamsters to humans, leading to onward human-to-human transmission: a case study. Lancet, 399 (10329), 1070-1078. (2022)
* Co-first authors; † Corresponding authors.
News
- 2026-05-16 I am joining the Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University as an Associate Research Scientist, my mentor is Sen Pei.
- 2024-12-02 I got the The HKU-Pasteur Fellowship for visiting Institut Pasteur, Paris for three months, my mentor is Sebastian Duchene.
- 2023-04-21 I am awarded the RGC postdoctoral fellowship (totalling stipend >1.2 million HKD for 36 months) from the University Grant Committee (Hong Kong)!
- 2021-11-23 As a team member, I got Outstanding Project Team on COVID-19 Research Awards from the Hong Kong government!