Institute of Vertebrate Biology - Staff

Mgr. Veronika Javůrková, Ph.D.

Position: post-doc
Research topics: ecology and eco-physiolgy of birds
Department: External research facility Studenec
Phone: +420 560 590 621
Mobile: +420 602 530 986
E-mail: veronika.javurkovagmail.com

role of microorganisms in the evolution of life-history strategies in birds,
reproductive ecology of birds – maternal effects, antimicrobial proteins (AMPs), antimicrobial components of egg-shell-pigmentation, AMPs; incubation pattern and behaviour,
behavioural ecology – antipredator behaviour,
physiological aspects of hormonal regulation in birds – comparative approach for the role of hormones in evolution of reproductive and life-history strategies in tropical and temperate birds.

Running projects

post-doc project in co-operation with RNDr. Petr Procházka, Ph.D. and his GACR Linking events through the annual cycle: the importance of carry-over effects for the ecology of migratory birds and doc. Josef Bryja, Ph.D. focused on the molecular analysis of feather bacterial load in long-distance migratory birds.

Finished projects

main investigator:
2007–2009: project GAUK 151607/B-Bio/PřF - Functional ecology of nest construction and nest site selection in waterfowl.
2010–2011: project GAUK 147610/B-Bio/PřF - Effect of albumen antimicrobial proteins and intermittent incubation on reproductive success of precocial birds.
co-investigator:
2006–2007: project GAUK 181/2005/B-BIO/PřF - Individual reprouctive strategies in Mallards studied by noninvasive approaches of molecular techniques.
2008–2010: project VaV SP/2D3/60/08 - Integrated research of the effects and consequences of artificially reared mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) on wetland ecosystems with the application of advanced ecological and molecular techniques.

Education

2001–2003: undergraduate study - University of Ostrava, Faculty of Science, Systematic Biology and Ecology.
2004–2007: undergraduate study (MSc) – Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Science, Zoology. Diploma thesis: Antipredator behaviour of Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), (supervisor T.Albrecht).
2008–2011: Ph.D. study - Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Science, Zoology. Ph.D. thesis: Investment in reproduction and nest defense in waterfowl,(supervisor T.Albrecht).

Employment

2009–2012: junior researcher - Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Science, Department of Zoology,
2012–present: research assistant - Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Science, Department of Zoology,
2013–present: postdoctoral fellow - Institute of Vertebrate Biology, ASCR, Brno, Research facility Studenec.

Actual bachelor and MSc. students

Bc. Markéta Kyptová: Effect of environmental conditions during wintering and migration on the intensity and pathogenicity of feather bacterial load in Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus.
Bc. Lucie Novotná: Temperature-dependent activity of egg-white antimicrobial proteins in precocial and altricial birds.
Bc. Monika Pokorná: Antimicrobial function of the particular egg-shell components.
Jan Mengr: Physiological aspects of the variability in egg-shell pigmentation.

Former bachelor students

Markéta Kyptová, 2013: Diversity and evolutionary significance of feather-degrading bacteria in birds.
Lucie Novotná, 2013: Role of microorganisms in the evolution of reproductive strategies in birds.
Martina Nacházelová 2013: Mechanisms of relationship between melanin-based colouration and behavioural. syndromes in birds.