PhD Alumni

Mgr. Marek Hampl, Ph.D.

Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. RNDr. Marcela Buchtová, Ph.D., Laboratory of Molecular Morphogenesis, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics CAS

PhD Thesis: Developmental processes involved in formation of the cleft lip and palate (2020)

Current Position: Postdoc, Laboratory of Molecular Morphogenesis, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics CAS

„I am currently working as a postdoc in the group of Assoc. Prof. Marcela Buchtová at the Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics of the ASCR in Brno. Here, I study the developmental processes involved in craniofacial defects using mouse transgenic models. Studying at the Department of Animal Physiology and Immunology allowed me to develop my theoretical knowledge and practical skills in the field of developmental biology. Thanks to OFIŽ, I was able to get experience also from studies abroad at the University of Turku in Finland through the Erasmus program during my master’s studies. During my doctoral studies, I participated in two internships abroad (University of Pittsburgh, USA and Medical University Vienna, Austria), where I learned to work with mouse transgenic models and established cooperation with other significant scientific groups in the field of developmental biology.“

Zakruti Dave, Ph.D.

Supervisor: prof. Mgr. Vítězslav Bryja, Ph.D., Section of Animal Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Science, MUNI

PhD Thesis: ErRORs in cellular crosstalk – importance in development and disease (2020)

Current Position: Postdoc, Department of Neuro-Oncology, Uppsala University, Sweden

„Presently, I work in Department of Neuro-Oncology, Uppsala University, as a post-doc in the lab of Dr. Michael Andäng. We are interested in understanding of what controls the balance between active and quiescent cell states in neuronal stem cells and wish to apply this knowledge towards protecting the stem cell population in patients, especially young children, undergoing chemotherapy. During my stay at OFIZ I have had an opportunity to broaden not only my skill set but also expand my scientific views and get trained in thinking critically. Over the years, I have highly benefited from the collaborative, supportive and friendly nature of the department.“

Mgr. Karol Kaiser, Ph.D.

Supervisor: Juan Carlos Villaescusa Ramirez, Ph.D., Karolinska Institute, Sweden

Co-Supervisor: prof. Mgr. Vítězslav Bryja, Ph.D., Section of Animal Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Science, MUNI

PhD Thesis: Wnt Secretion and Transport in the Mammalian Nervous System (2018)

Current Position: Postdoc, Laboratory of Prof. Fiona Doetsch, University of Basel, Switzerland

„I am currently working as postdoctoral researcher in the lab of Dr. Fiona Doetsch at the University of Basel. In my research I am focused on the role of largely unknown tissue – choroid plexus and its importance for the regulation of cerebrospinal fluid composition. I have discovered this fascinating region of the brain, which determined and sealed my postdoctoral fate, thanks to a unique opportunity to participate as a PhD student at the Section of Animal Physiology and Immunology in an exchange program with Karolinska Institute in Stockholm. From my perspective, it is exactly due to such possibilities that this section represents an exceptional workplace for studies as well as to pursue academic career in a nice environment, with terrific technical infrastructure and for the Masaryk University standards, outstanding opportunities to participate in collaborations with the most prestigious international scientific teams.“

Mgr. Jakub Harnoš, Ph.D.

Supervisor: prof. Mgr. Vítězslav Bryja, Ph.D., Section of Animal Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Science, MUNI

PhD Thesis: The Consequences of CK1ε-induced Phosphorylation of the Selected Components of the WNT/β-catenin Pathway: Structural Biology Point of View (2018)

Current Position: Postdoc, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA

„I work as a postdoc in the laboratory of prof. Sergei Sokol, where we focus on the Wnt signaling pathway and its role in the regulation of embryonic development (determination of cell polarity in vertebrate development, axis specification or development of the nervous system). Studying at OFIŽ gave me the necessary theoretical insight into the field of developmental biology and intercellular communication. But above all, thanks to OFIŽ I acquired knowledge of a wide range of molecular biology methods. By participating in the presentation of the results at international conferences, I have also gained several useful professional contacts, which helped me, among other things, to get a postdoc position at a prestigious institute in the USA.“

Pharm.Dr. Ján Remšík, Ph.D.

Supervisor: Mgr. Karel Souček, Ph.D., Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences

PhD Thesis: Regulation of plasticity of cell surface phenotype and its role in cancer progression (2018)

Current Position: Postdoc, Human Oncology & Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA

„After successful PhD defense at the Department of Animal Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, focused on tumour cell plasticity, I joined the research team of Dr. Adrienne Boire at MSK, where as a postdoc I work on research of immunology of breasts, lungs and melanoma cancer metastases to the central nervous system.“

Mgr. Kateřina Straková, Ph.D.

Supervisor: Prof. Gunnar Schulte, PhD. (Karolinska Institute, Sweden)

Co-Supervisor: prof. Mgr. Vítězslav Bryja, Ph. D., Section of Animal Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Science, MUNI

PhD Thesis: Interaction of Class Frizzled receptors with G proteins and Dishevelled (2017)

Current Position: Assistant professor, Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, MUNI

„I have been teaching the basics of biology to students studying at the Faculty of Medicine, MUNI – medical students, dentists, medical technicians or physiotherapists. Most of my work consists of communicating with students, preparing lectures and seminars, and organizing teaching at our department.“

Mgr. Martina Danešová, Ph.D.

Supervisor: RNDr. Antonín Lojek, CSc., Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences

PhD Thesis: Production of reactive oxygen metabolites and nitric oxide by phagocytes under inflammatory conditions and possibilities of prevention

Current Position: Research Specialist, Enantis s.r.o.

„The main focus of my work is the development of a dosage form and the preclinical testing of a potential drug that is facilitating the healing of chronic wounds and is based on growth factors. My responsibility is the cooperation with MUNI and other universities, academies of science, and companies involved in our research.“

Ing. Viktor Horváth, Ph.D.

Supervisor: doc. RNDr. Peter Fedoročko, CSc.

PhD Thesis: High effectiveness of platinum complexes with adamantylamine in overcoming resistance to cisplatin and suppressing proliferation of ovarian cancer cells in vitro

Current Position: International Key Account Manager EMEA Subregion South-East, Roche Diagnostics

„My job position includes business development in relation to large international laboratory diagnostic institutions and companies. In my work for Roche Diagnostics, my knowledge of cell and tumour biology acquired during my studies at Masaryk University in Brno has always helped me a lot.“

Mgr. Silvie Kremserová, Ph.D.

Supervisor: doc. Mgr. Lukáš Kubala, Ph.D., Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences

PhD Thesis: The role of myeloperoxidase in vascular inflammation

Current Position: Postdoc – Inflammation Program, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, IA USA

„After my PhD defense, I decided to stay in the academic sphere, extend my skills acquired during my studies at the Faculty of Science of MUNI and continue as a postdoc in the labora-tory of prof. Nauseefa. Here, I have been investigating the cell death of human neutrophil granulocytes after ingestion of methicillin-resistant S. aureus. The main focus of my work is to plan and conduct experiments, write publications and grants, and present the obtained data at seminars and international conferences.“

Mgr. Alena Votavová, Ph.D.

Supervisor: doc. RNDr. Vladimír Ptáček, CSc., Section of Animal Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Science, MUNI

PhD Thesis: The research of new methods in laboratory breeding of bumblebees

Current Position: Research specialist, Fodder Research Institute and Agricultural Research, Troubsko (Výzkumný ústav pícninářský, s.r.o. a Zemědělský výzkum, s.r.o.)

„As part of my studies at OFIŽ, I worked on the topic of bumblebee breeding. During my studies, I got a job in VUP and ZV Troubsko as a researcher. I am in charge of managing bumble-bee breeding, obtaining and solving research projects, and also commercially selling bumblebees and everything associated with it.“

Mgr. Libor Vojtek, Ph.D.

Supervisor: doc. RNDr. Pavel Hyršl, Ph.D., Section of Animal Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Science, MUNI

PhD Thesis: Usage of luminometric methods in animal innate immunity studies

Current Position: Sales Representative and Application Specialist, Department of Molecular Biology, BioVendor a.s.

„My job at BioVendor includes complete solution for customers in the field of life science and clinical diagnostics. Thanks to this work, I am constantly in contact not only with the latest technologies, but also with new people.“