Mgr. Petr Pyszko, Ph.D.

Focus: biodiversity, bryophagous insects, microbiota of herbivorous insects, biostatistics

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petr.pyszko@osu.cz 

Position: Researcher, assistant professor

Education

  • PhD in Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava
  • Master’s in Systematic Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava

Internships

  • Shanghai Normal University, China
  • University of Florida, USA
  • Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Brunei
  • Adam Mickiewicz University, Poland (Erasmus)

Work experience

  • Assistant professor (biostatistics & quantitative ecology), Department of Biology and Ecology,
    University of Ostrava (2019 – present)
  • Head of the Natural Science Department, Těšín Museum – curator (ecology & entomology) (2017–2019)
  • University of Ostrava, Institute of Environmental Technologies (2014–2018)

Projects & research

  • GAČR 25-16274S: Maladaptive behavior and species turnover as a key to understanding the vulnerability of freshwater communities to rapid environmental changes.
  • GAČR 25-17553S: Disentangling the role of the gut microbiome in the diversification of feeding
    niches in butterflies (Lepidoptera) using taxa with atypical feeding strategies.
  • TAČR SS07010206: Role and management of overlooked urban-greenery types for sustainable settlement development in times of climate change.
  • National Programme Biodiversity Protection 2024, No. 132416: Biomonitoring of diurnal butterflies at sites in western Těšín administered by ČSOP Cieszynianka.
  • National Programme Biodiversity Protection 2024, No. 132417: Biomonitoring of diurnal butterflies at ČSOP Cieszynianka sites in the Beskydy Mountains.
  • GAČR 23-07026S: Uncovering relationships between ambrosia gall midges and their symbionts: an overlooked model of the evolution of fungal farming.
  • National Programme Biodiversity Protection 2022, No. 132208: Inventory of invertebrates in the Stará Ves u Bílovce quarry.
  • GAČR 22-29971S: Is the assembly of the gut microbiome in insect herbivores driven by stochastic influences or deterministic interactions?
  • CZ.02.1.01/0.0/0.0/16_019/0000803: Excellent Research as support for adapting forestry and wood science to global change and the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
  • National Programme Biodiversity Protection 2018, No. 131828: Mapping the biodiversity of the
    Girová peak and its surroundings.
  • GAČR 18-08803S: The microbiota of herbivorous insect symbionts: a key to understanding host specialisation?
  • National Programme Biodiversity Protection 2017, No. 121749: Spatial distribution and ecology
    of bryophagous beetles of the family Byrrhidae.
  • 01211/2016/RRC: Distribution of mosses and bryophagous insects along an altitudinal gradient
    in the mountains of central China – team member.
  • IET TEWEP CZ.1.05/2.1.00/03.0100: Theoretical aspects of energy-from-waste treatment and environmental protection from negative impacts.
  • GAČR 14-042583: Why do tropical forests harbour more species of herbivorous insects and parasitoids than temperate forests?

Outreach, university & representative activities

  • MŠMT 0003/7/NAD/2022: Future Scientist in the World of New Technologies.
  • INTERREG V-A CZ.11.3.119/0.0/0.0/16_022/0001153: Innovation in education to improve
    graduate employability in ecotourism.
  • MŠMT 0040/7/NAD/2019: MŠMT student-motivation projects University for a Day.
  • MŠMT 0030/7/NAD/2017: MŠMT student-motivation projects University for a Day.
  • Popular-science lecturer (entomology & ecology)
  • Project manager/lecturer for outreach projects (Beskydy under the Lens, University for a Day, University for Talent).

Memberships

  • Czech Union for Nature Conservation
  • Czech Odonatological Society
  • Czech Society for Ecology

Awards

  • Rector’s Award, University of Ostrava, for outstanding research by scholars younger than 35
    years.
  • Forests Outstanding Reviewer Award 2022
  • Rector’s Award, University of Ostrava, for significant civic‐engagement by students