Mgr. Veronika Gvoždíková Javůrková, Ph.D.


Position: grant funded researcher
Research topics: 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.