I am interested in ecology, evolution and systematics of bark and ambrosia beetles (Scolytinae), particularly in their interactions with host trees, symbiotic fungi, and predators. My research work has focused on three topics:
- Relationships between scolytids and their associated microflora. The communities of fungal symbionts of tropical ambrosia beetles seem to be unexpectedly diverse, and, contrary to the contemporary paradigm, show little specificity to their beetle associates. Notably, some of the most phylogenetically derived beetles rely on symbiont theft.
- Ecology of tropical bark and ambrosia beetles. In the course of my collaboration with Binatang Research Center I established and managed projects investigating the host specificity, community structure and beta-diversity of tropical bark and ambrosia beetles. The projects rely heavily on collaboration with the local parataxonomists, and are yielding significant datasets.
- Evolution and systematics of the haplo-diploid inbred Xyleborina ambrosia beetles. In the Holistic Insect SystematicsLaboratory at MSU I am working on the generic revision of the subtribe and on revision of several genera.
- Relationships between the populations of temperate bark beetles (especially the palearctic Spruce bark beetle Ips typographus), their predators and host trees, with special focus on the semiochemical basis of these interactions.
present: Dept. of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, research associate (postdoc) at Dr. Cameron Currie's lab.
2009: Ph.D. in Entomology, Dept. of Entomology, Michigan State University. Major advisor: Prof. A. I. Cognato, PhD.
2008: Ph.D. in Entomology, Faculty of Sciences, University of South Bohemia, Czech Republic. Major advisor: Prof. Vojtech Novotny, PhD.
2008-2009: Bohart Museum of Entomology, University of California-Davis; research affiliate.
2004-2006: Dept. of Entomology, Texas A&M University, graduate research assistant, major advisor: A. I. Cognato.
2006: Binatang Research Center, Madang, Papua New Guinea; research associate, research station manager.
2004-present: Institute of Entomology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice; research associate.
2004: M.Sc. in Entomology at the Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of South Bohemia, Czech Republic, advisor: Dr. V. Novotny.
Coleopterists Society
Michigan Entomological Society
Royal Society SE Asian Rain Forest Research Programme
Entomological Society of America
New Guinea Binatang Research Center
MSU Department of Entomology Hudson grant for student conference travel, October 2009, $400.
MSU College of Natural Science, Dissertation Completion Fellowship, Spring semester 2009, $6000.
MSU College of Natural Science, Summer Research Fellowship, 2008, $6000.
MSU College of Agriculture, conference travel, February 2007, $200.
MSU Department of Entomology Hudson grant for student conference travel, February 2008, $400.
MSU Department of Entomology Hudson grant for student conference travel, March 2007, $600.
MSU Council of Graduate Students Conference Grant. 23 May 2008. $300.
Grant Agency of the University of South Bohemia, Czech Rep., graduate student research grant Host specificity of bark beetles of Papua New Guinea. 2003, $4,300.
Sophia Foundation (Czech Republic), 2003: Semiochemical interactions between bark beetles and their natural enemies, $500.
South Bohemia University, Faculty of Sciences, Student Grant Agency, 2004: Increasing the attractivity of pheromone baits for the Spruce Bark Beetle using host tree terpenoids, $800.
Dr. R. Dreisbach Memorial award for outstanding achiewement in the PhD program, Department of Entomology, MSU, 2009.
Student and Young Professional Participation Award, Entomological Society of America, January 22, 2009.
Eugenia McDaniel Teaching Award for excellence, dedication and accomplishment in teaching, Department of Entomology, MSU, 2008.
Czech (native), English, Neo-Melanesian Pidgin English, basics of Perl.