Hong Wei Sun
About Hong Wei Sun
Hong Wei Sun serves as the Section Chief at NIAMS, NIH, where he has contributed significantly to NGS data analysis and authored numerous publications in high-impact journals. With a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and extensive experience in bioinformatics, he has mentored many scientists and co-invented several patents.
Work at National Institutes of Health
Hong Wei Sun has served as Section Chief at the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), NIH since 2003. In this role, he has overseen various projects and initiatives related to next-generation sequencing (NGS) data analysis. His leadership has contributed to the development of numerous NGS data analysis pipelines, focusing on methodologies such as ChIP-Seq, ATAC-Seq, RNA-Seq, and others. His work has been instrumental in advancing the understanding of complex biological systems through innovative data analysis.
Education and Expertise
Hong Wei Sun earned his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Iowa, where he studied from 1987 to 1992. Prior to this, he obtained a Master of Science in Biochemistry from the University of Toronto, completing his studies from 1984 to 1986. His academic background has provided a strong foundation for his expertise in bioinformatics and NGS data analysis, enabling him to contribute significantly to the field through both research and mentorship.
Background in Bioinformatics
Hong Wei Sun has extensive experience in bioinformatics, having worked in various capacities before joining NIH. He served as a Senior Bioinformatics Scientist at Gene Logic from 1997 to 2001 and held a position as a Bioinformatics Staff Scientist at Bayer for nine months in 1996. Additionally, he completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Yale University School of Medicine from 1992 to 1996. His diverse background has equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of bioinformatics applications in research.
Achievements in Research and Innovation
Hong Wei Sun has co-authored 56 publications based on NGS data since 2010, with 30 appearing in high-impact journals such as Nature, Science, and Cell. He has co-authored a Medical Bioinformatics textbook and contributed to the development of two Java programs, JOINSOLVER and PAPST. His innovative contributions include being a co-inventor on nine issued patents, reflecting his commitment to advancing bioinformatics. He has also received three 'Outstanding' ratings in the 2020 NIH BSC review for his contributions to the research community.
Mentorship and Leadership
In his role as Section Chief, Hong Wei Sun has demonstrated a commitment to mentorship and leadership by training and mentoring over 50 research scientists in the past five years. He has been a founding member of four bioinformatics groups, overseeing a team of more than 30 professionals, including computer scientists, statisticians, and biologists. His leadership fosters a collaborative environment that encourages the development of future talent in the field of bioinformatics.