Prague, Czechia
I am a PhD student at Charles University in Prague focused on the phylogeny, taxonomy, and biogeography of Saharo-Arabian reptiles, particularly lacertid lizards from the Horn of Africa. My work combines evolutionary biology, biodiversity assessment, and field-based herpetological research across arid regions of the Middle East and Africa. I have participated in multiple international field expeditions in Saudi Arabia and Somalia, gaining experience in biodiversity surveys, specimen collection, field logistics, and research in remote environments. I am interested in opportunities related to: • biodiversity monitoring • conservation fieldwork • ecological and zoological surveys • herpetofaunal research • international research collaborations Technical interests and experience include phylogenetics, taxonomy, morphometrics, biodiversity surveys, and field sampling methodologies.
Field herpetological survey focused on mapping reptile and amphibian occurrence in the Central Bohemian Region, assessing population status, and evaluating the impact of environmental and anthropogenic factors on long-term population dynamics. Responsibilities included field monitoring, species identification, ecological data collection, habitat assessment, and biodiversity documentation contributing to conservation and management efforts. The survey was conducted within the project Monitoring and Mapping of Selected Species of Plants and Animals and Observation of Protected Area Subjects (Project ID: CZ.05.01.06/01/22_027/0001252).
PhD position investigating the spatial patterns of diversification hotspots in Saharo-Arabian squamate reptiles. The work combines phylogenetic, phylogenomic and macroevolutionary approaches to understand the evolutionary history and biogeography of species-rich reptile lineages across the Saharo-Arabian realm, spanning from Western Sahara to Pakistan. Key responsibilities included: Generating and analyzing genomic and genetic datasets for broadly distributed squamate reptile groups Inferring phylogenetic relationships within key taxa using modern evolutionary and bioinformatic methods Identifying macroevolutionary hotspots characterized by elevated diversification, endemism, and evolutionary uniqueness Applying multidimensional spatial phylogenetic and diversification analyses to detect regions with unique speciation trajectories and active diversity generation Contributing to research outputs in evolutionary biology, biogeography, and biodiversity science The PhD research is co-funded by the Czech Science Foundation (GAČR) project 25-17736S (2025–2027).
Field research in the Jizan region, Saudi Arabia, focused on surveying poorly studied reptile species (e.g. Neumann's Orangetail Lizard – Philochortus neumanni, Leviton's awl-headed snake – Lythorhynchus gasparetti) and collecting occurrence records, tissue samples, and habitat preference data. Work included species identification, ecological field surveys, and biodiversity documentation, as well as sample collection for phylogenetic, phylogenomic and biogeographical analyses aimed at improving understanding of regional herpetofaunal diversity.
Field herpetological survey focused on mapping reptile occurrence in the Central Bohemian Region, assessing population status, and evaluating the impact of environmental and anthropogenic factors on long-term population dynamics. Responsibilities included field monitoring, species identification, ecological data collection, habitat assessment, and biodiversity documentation contributing to conservation and management efforts. The survey was conducted within the project Monitoring and Mapping of Selected Species of Plants and Animals and Observation of Protected Area Subjects (Project ID: CZ.05.01.06/01/22_027/0001252).
Field research in Somaliland, Somalia focused on collecting occurrence records, tissue samples, and habitat preference data for reptiles and amphibians. Responsibilities included species identification, ecological field surveys, biodiversity documentation, and sample collection for phylogenetic and biogeographical analyses aimed at improving understanding of regional herpetofaunal diversity. Collected data contributed to research on two newly described Hemidactylus species (house geckos) from the coastal regions of northern Somaliland. Contributions included field data acquisition, and scientific collaboration, resulting in peer-reviewed publications describing two new species.
Field research focused on collecting occurrence records, tissue samples, and habitat preference data for reptiles and amphibians in the Makkah Province, Saudi Arabia. Responsibilities included species identification, ecological field surveys, biodiversity documentation, and sample collection for phylogenetic analyses and biogeography studies. Collected data contributed to research projects focused on the Sinai Fan-Toed Gecko (Ptyodactylus guttatus) and dwarf geckos (genus Tropiocolotes) in Saudi Arabia. Contributions included field data acquisition, laboratory work and scientific collaboration resulting in co-authorship on peer-reviewed publications.