Zoology: diversity and distribution of molluscs, taxonomy and biology; Research and monitoring of the importance of EU species and other protected species; research and control of economically significant and invasive species; the influence of environmental factors on the developmental biology of animals. Museology: History of VU Museum of Zoology, its staff and exhibits; historical, cultural and scientific significance of the museum, public education. Educology: biology didactics, bioethics and biotechnology, neuroethics, ecological ethics, family ethics.
Present Position:
VU LSC Institute of Biosciences, Assistant professorr, VU Zoology Museum Museologist
Education:
PhD in Biomedical Sciences (zoology), Vilnius University MSc in Social Sciences (educology, ethics), Vilnius Pedagogical University BSc in Ethics, Vilnius Pedagogical University
Experience (Past Positions):
2019–present - Museologist (coordinating activities) VU Zoology museum 2018–2023 - Assistant Professor 2006–2008, 2013–2018 - Associate Professor 2003–2013 - Lecturer 996–2019 -Manager of VU Zoology museum 1993–1996 - Senior laboratory assistant 1999–2003 - Assistant Professor, Vilnius Pedagogical University 1992–1995 - Teacher (Ethics and Biology), Vilnius Žirmūnai (Vilnius City 7th Secondary School) Grammar School
Invertebrate zoological practice (BSc programme); Protected biota studies (MSc programme); Biodiversity monitoring (MSc programme); Biodiversity (MSc programme) Developmental biology (BSc programme, ERASMUS). Bioethics (BSc programme, ERASMUS); Bioethics and biotechnology (MSc programme); Neuroethics (MSc programme); Didactics of Biology (BSc programme, Related teacher‘s studies; Profesional pedagogical studies) Tutour for Foreign (European Solidarity Corpus program, ERASMUS +) and VU Volunteers; Educational programs and lectures for VU students and schools in VU Zoology Museum.
Faculty of Medicine of Vilnius University, Department of Anatomy, Histology and Anthropology, Lithuania The State Service for Protected Areas, Lithuania Marine Research Institute, Klaipėda University, Lithuania Institute of Systematic Biology, Daugavpils University, Latvia Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic University of Porto, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Researchn, Portugal Faculty of Biology, Kazimierz Wielki University, Bygdošč Poland Senckenberg Museum of Natural History, Malacology, Görlitz, Germany Senckenberg Museum of Natural History, Malacology, Dresden, Germany Center for Adaptive Behavior and Cognition, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Germany
Projects and Grants:
2021–2025 - R&D-SERVICE AGREEMENT VU (Lithuania) -BASF (Germany): Research of Biodiversity No. (1.57) 15600-INS-43. Project Manager. 2021–2022 - Integrated science education in Lithuania: achievements and future perspectives. (No. S-REP-21-3). Needs research projects (LMT - VU). Researcher. 2021–2022 - Methodological materials for integrated science education in grades 5–8, training materials for the implementation of in-service training programs, implementation of descriptions and recommendations of implementation models, customer - National Education Agency. 2018–2022 - Project “Adaptation of the Capacities of Interested Institutions in Improving the Conservation Status of River and Little Seagulls in Lithuania” No. LIFE17 NAT / LT / 00545 (LOD). Mr. expert biologist. 2018–2021 - Inventory of Vertigo geyeri of EC importance in Lithuania, code LIFE16 IPE / LT / 016 (LIFE-IP PAF-NATURALIT (Optimization of Natura 2000 network management in Lithuania, LR AM - LGF). Expert-biologist, research manager and executor. 2021 - VU Research “Inventory and research of molluscs in the whole territory of the Curonian Spit National Park” - customer - the Curonian Spit National Park Authority. 2021 - VU Research “Preparation of an Action Plan for Regulation of Invasive Species (Lucitan Arion) Population Abundance” - customer - Raseiniai district. municipal administration. 2021 - Oval gutter accounting service according to project no. 05.5.1-APVA-V-018-01-0022 “Implementation of species protection and abundance regulation measures” (Customer: LR AM, VSTT). 2020 - Establishment of conservation objectives in the habitats of the EC Oval in areas that meet the criteria for the selection of sites of importance for the conservation of natural habitats. (Customer: LR AM, VSTT). 2019–2020 - Development and testing of general education content and organization models in general education”, code 09.2.1-ESFA-V-726-04-0001. Moderator of practical events for teachers. 2020 - Project of the Environmental Project Management Agency of the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Lithuania No. LIFE16 IPE / LT / 016 “Optimization of NATURA 2000 Network Management in Lithuania” (LIFE-IP PAF-NATURALIT) (2020: In-service training and skills to perform assigned functions (state environmental monitoring) for specialists of protected areas. Lecturer-expert: Raising the qualification of ecologists. 2018 - VU Development Department Project Management Division, project “Development and Implementation of the National Science Promotion System” NR. 09.3.3-ESFA-V-711-02-0001. Lecturer (lectures and practical classes for students).
2018 - Mobile research laboratory visits to schools after the project (“Development of a System for Disclosure and Education of Young Researchers - Phase II” No. VP1-2,3-ŠMM-01-V-01-002). Scientific consultant (biologist) - supervising students' research work and conducting interesting experiments for students in scientific lectures / classes. 2016 - Inventory of Unio crassus in the territory of Lithuania. 05.5.1-APVA-V-018 “Protection of Biodiversity” (LR AM - LGF). Expert-biologist, research manager and executor. 2016 - Agreement VU (Lithuania) -DE SANGOSSE (France): "Molluscicidal bait trial under controlled conditions". Project manager.
Qualification Improvement, Sertificates:
March 25–27, 2019, Sächsische Landesstiftung Natur und Umwelt, Drezden, Germany: Freshwater mussels: Search for resettlement habitats and evaluation of protection measures; September 16–20, 2018, Verbania, Italy: The first FMCS International Freshwater Mollusk Meeting November 27–29, 2018, Clervaux, Luxembourg: International seminar: Monitoring and restoration of freshwater (mussel) habitats.
Curator of the Museum of Zoology of Vilnius University Member of the Lithuanian Entomological Society External expert of Molluscs of the State Commission of the Lithuanian Language Member of the Council of the Invasive Species of Lithuania Member of the Working Group on Wildlife Welfare Member of Lithuanian Rural Development Program 2021-2030 Program Monitoring Committee, delegated by the association Environmental Coalition
Languages:
Lithuanian (native), English, Russian, German, Latin
