2019: PhD in Parasitology, Masaryk University (Czech Republic)
2015: Master in Zoology, Masaryk University (Czech Republic)
2013: Bachelor in Ecology and evolutionary biology, Masaryk University (Czech Republic)
Joined the group in June 2018
Research project: Monitoring of African wetlands using macroinvertebrates and parasites with traditional and modern tools: balancing ecosystem and societal needs – AfroWetMap
During my academic journey, I gained respect for the often-neglected taxa being parasitic flatworms and applied integrative approaches to correctly evaluate their interspecific boundaries, evolutionary history and dynamics. In this context, I have become particularly interested in diversity, population dynamics and both the macro and microevolutionary of the parasite fauna worldwide studying their phenotypic plasticity as a prerequisite for diversification and speciation linked to population structure and connectivity, community composition and demographic history. In the AfroWetMaP programme we address the large gap in our knowledge of the biodiversity (including parasite load) of African wetlands, and will study macroinvertebrates (MI) and their metazoan parasites in selected African wetlands. AfroWetMaP uses these species as indicators of environmental quality, employing both traditional morphological identification and DNA barcoding to build a reference databank and link larvae to adults, while adapting existing eDNA technology to enhance monitoring efficiency for macroinvertebrates and parasites. By combining environmental health assessment and “landscape pathogenicity” monitoring, AfroWetMaP has a clear societal component within a One Health framework.
My favorite quote: “There is no planet B.”