ABOUT
The Centre for Ecology and Environmental Research (CEER) at Vilnius University was established in response to the growing need for a comprehensive understanding of the interactions between the environment and human health and well-being. Its origins date back to 1992, when the Environmental Studies Centre (ESC) was founded within the Faculty of Natural Sciences, bringing together researchers from various disciplines with a common goal: to develop interdisciplinary research and education in environmental sciences. The Centre was officially established in 1995, and shortly thereafter launched master's and doctoral study programmes in close cooperation with Lithuanian and international universities, research centres, and institutes.
From the outset, the Centre's activities have been grounded in interdisciplinarity, integrating expertise from biology, chemistry, physics, geography, economics, law and other fields. This approach has enabled the training of highly qualified environmental professionals capable of systematically analysing and addressing complex environmental challenges. The development of study programmes and research activities has established a comprehensive educational framework in ecology and environmental sciences, covering the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels, and is supported by modern teaching and research laboratories.
In 2005, the Environmental Studies Centre evolved into the Centre for Ecology and Environmental Research. Today, CEER is an important division of the Life Sciences Center at Vilnius University, actively delivering study programmes at all three academic levels (bachelor's, master's, and doctoral studies), conducting high-level scientific research, and participating in international projects. The Centre also plays an active role in promoting environmental awareness, fostering international collaboration, and contributing to the development of solutions related to sustainable development and environmental protection.
RESEARCH
The aims of the research are to assess 1) the impact of various stress factors on ecosystems, their changes, and 2) the state of the environment.
1. Studies on the pollution of natural environmental components and the assessment of anthropogenic impacts on various ecosystem components
Dr. G. Ignatavičius, Dr. A. Ulevičius, Dr. V. Valskys, Dr. V. Kalcienė, Dr. A. Samas, Dr. I. Nedveckytė, Dr. K. Strielė, Dr. M. Krasauskaitė
Methods: X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, geochemical analysis, microplastic analysis, GIS analysis, bacterial luminescence and other ecotoxicological studies, analysis of various biochemical markers, phytotoxicity tests, wildlife camera-traps, ultrasonic detection, field research methods.
2. Research on insect behavioural ecology and plant allelopathy
Dr. I. Nedveckytė, Dr. G. Trakimas, Dr. A. Judžentienė, Dr. D. Stancelytė
Methods: Analysis of biologically active compounds in aromatic and medicinal plants using chromatography (GC, GC/MS, and HPLC/MS), spectrometry, spectroscopy, and biological activity assays (antioxidant and antimicrobial activity). Various behavioral studies (open-field test, mazes (Y, T, I), geotaxis, phototaxis, and olfactory tests).
3. Ecology of keystone and charismatic species: impact on ecosystem structure and functioning, response to the surrounding environment
Dr. A. Ulevičius, Dr. G. Trakimas, Dr. A. Samas, Dr. G. Ignatavičius, Dr. V. Valskys, Lect. L. Matačina, Dr. J. M. Fattebert
Methods: GIS technologies, wildlife camera-traps, telemetry, ultrasonic detection, the stable isotope method, and classical field research methods.
MAIN PUBLICATIONS
- Unsal, M.H.; Ignatavičius, G.; Valiulis, A.; Prokopčiuk, N.; Valskienė, R.; Valskys, V. Assessment of heavy metal contamination in dust in Vilnius schools: source identification, pollution levels, and potential health risks for children // Toxics. Basel : MDPI. eISSN 2305-6304. 2024, vol. 12, iss. 3, art. no. 224, p. [1-24]. DOI: 3390/toxics12030224.
- Valskys, V.; Ignatavičius, G.; Wolkowicz, St.; Satkūnas, J.; Rahidul Hassan, H. Contamination and health risk assessment of potentially toxic elements in soils of different kinds of land use in Lithuania // Geological quarterly. Warsaw : Polish Geological Institute. ISSN 1641-7291. eISSN 2082-5099. 2023, vol. 67, art. no. 29, p. [1-13]. DOI: 7306/gq.1699.
- Butrimavičienė, L.; Kalcienė, V.; Nalivaikienė, R.; Arbačiauskas, K.; Jokšas, K.; Rybakovas, A. Assessment of effects of discharged firefighting water on the Nemunas River based on biomarker responses // Toxics. Basel : MDPI. eISSN 2305-6304. 2026, vol. 14, iss. 1, art. no. 41, p. 1-21. DOI: 3390/toxics14010041.
- Butrimavičienė, L.; Nalivaikienė, R.; Kalcienė, V.; Rybakovas, A. Impact of copper and zinc mixture on haematological parameters of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss): acute exposure and recovery // Ecotoxicology. Dordrecht : Springer. ISSN 0963-9292. eISSN 1573-3017. 2021, vol. 30, no. 5, p. 873-884. DOI: 1007/s10646-021-02404-7.
- Judžentienė, A.; Kundrotaitė, A.; Charkova, T.; Nedveckytė, I. Phytochemistry and allelopathic properties of invasive heracleum sosnowskyi aqueous extracts against lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), timothy (Phleum pratense L.) and white clover (Trifolium repens L.) // Plants: Special Issue Extraction, Isolation and Characterization of Bioactive Compounds from Plants : Basel. eISSN 2223-7747. 2026, vol. 15, iss. 3, art. no. 346, p. 1-21. DOI: 3390/plants15030346.
- Blažytė-Čereškienė, L.; Apšegaitė, V.; Nedveckytė, I.; Pečiulytė, D.; Būda, V. Fungus-infected Grain and Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella: Oviposition and comparative sensitivity to infestation biomarker // Journal of applied entomology. Hoboken : John Wiley and Sons Inc. ISSN 0931-2048. eISSN 1439-0418. 2025, vol. 149, iss. 9, p. 1444-1451. DOI: 1111/jen.13475.
- Kolbjonoks, V.; Popovs, S.; Krams, R.; Trakimas, G.; Munkevics, M.; Krama, T.; Rantala, M. J.; Contreras-Garduno, J.; Rodrigues de Souza, A.; Adams, C. B.; Joers, P.; Krams, I. Dietary escitalopram reduces movement variability and enhances behavioral predictability in Drosophila melanogaster // Biology. Basel : MDPI. ISSN 2079-7737. 2026, vol. 15, iss. 1, art. no. 51, p. [1-11]. DOI: 3390/biology15010051.
- Popovs, S.; Munkevics, M.; Krama, T.; Krams, R.; Sledevskis, E.; Trakimas, G.; Zants, K.; Grigorjeva, T.; Mizers, V.; Kolbjonoks, V.; Jõers, P.; Krams, I. Explaining the survival of the sickest: altered walking patterns are linked with improved adult survival in Drosophila melanogaster grown with predators during larval development // Behaviour. Leiden : Brill Academic Publishers. ISSN 0005-7959. eISSN 1568-539X. 2024, vol. 161, iss. 2, p. 133-148. DOI: 1163/1568539X-bja10254.
- Galinskaitė, L.; Ulevičius, A.; Valskys, V.; Samas, A.; Busher, P. E.; Ignatavičius, G. The influence of landscape structure on wildlife–vehicle collisions: geostatistical analysis on hot spot and habitat proximity relations // ISPRS International journal of geo-information. Basel : MDPI. ISSN 2220-9964. 2022, vol. 11, iss. 1, art. no. 63, p. [1-12]. DOI: 3390/ijgi11010063.
- Ignatavičius, G.; Ulevičius, A.; Valskys, V.; Galinskaitė, L.; Busher, P. E.; Trakimas, G. Lunar phases and wildlife–vehicle collisions: application of the lunar disk percentage method // Animals. Basel : MDPI AG. eISSN 2076-2615. 2021, vol. 11, no. 3, art. no. 908, p. [1-10]. DOI: 3390/ani11030908.
- Busher, P. E.; Mayer, M.; Ulevičius, A.; Samas, A.; Hartman, G.; Rosell, F.. Food caching behavior of the Eurasian beaver in northern Europe // Wildlife biology. Ronde : Wildlife biology. ISSN 0909-6396. eISSN 1903-220X. 2020, vol. 2020, no. 3, art. no. wlb.00734, p. [1-10]. DOI: 2981/wlb.00734.
DEPARTMENT STAFF
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Employee
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Position
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Contacts
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Courses taught
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List of publications
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Dr. Gytautas Ignatavičius
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Associate Professor |
(+370) 5 239 8299
Saulėtekio al. 7, V107 kab.
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| Dr. Julien Michel Fattebert |
Research Professor |
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| Dr. Asta Judžentienė |
Senior Researcher |
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Dr. Virginija Kalcienė
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Associate professor
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+370 5 239 8750
Saulėtekio al. 7, V103 kab.
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| Dr. Lina Matačina |
Lecturer |
(+370) 5 223 4433
Saulėtekio al. 7, V105 kab.
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Dr. Irena Nedveckytė
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Associate Professor
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+370 5 239 8750
Saulėtekio al.7, V103 kab.
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Dr. Arūnas Samas
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Assistant Professor
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+370 5 219 3222
Saulėtekio al.7, V101 kab.
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| Goda Stankevičiūtė |
Junior administrator, Laboratory assistant |
+370 5 239 8750
Saulėtekio al. 7, V103 kab.
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Dr. Giedrius Trakimas
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Associate Professor, Senior Researcher
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+370 5 219 3222
Saulėtekio al.7, V101 kab.
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| Dr. Alius Ulevičius |
Associate Professor |
(+370) 5 223 4433
Saulėtekio al. 7, V105 kab.
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Dr. Vaidotas Valskys
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Associate Professor
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(+370) 5 223 4433
Saulėtekio al. 7, V105 kab.
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| Dr. Saulius Vasarevičius |
Invited Professor |
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| Diana Puško |
PhD student |
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| Donata Stancelytė |
PhD student |
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| Kristina Strielė |
PhD student |
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| Miglė Krasauskaitė |
PhD student |
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