By June 22, fill out a short questionnaire: https://forms.gle/9TkE444L9KTc9MKz5

A group of scientists and Ph.D. students from the Nature Research Centre (NRC) participated in the 10th Conference of the Scandinavian-Baltic Society for Parasitology (SBSP) in Tartu, Estonia, on 5-7 June 2023. The theme of the conferences was – Parasites and hosts in a shared environment. Lithuanian Ph.D. students and scientists from the P.B. Šivickis Parasitology Laboratory, Entomology, Molecular Ecology and Mammalian Ecology Laboratories presented 17 scientific presentations on species and genetic diversity, co-infections, vectors, host-parasite-microbiota interactions and other ecological aspects of parasites in fish, amphibians, birds and mammals.102 scientists from 17 countries attended the conference.

During the pre-conference symposium, dr. Carolina Chagas and dr. Vaidas Palinauskas gave presentations to young scientists about research careers and the NRC’s “Early Career Researchers Committee”. During the conference, Ph.D. student Ivanna Dmytriieva received the Audience Award for the best oral presentation, and German Liberato was awarded the best parasite photo in the “Golden Flea” competition.

At the end of the official conference program, during the SBSP General Assembly, V. Palinauskas completed his 10-year term as Vice President and NRC scientist, dr. Olena Kudlai was elected as the new Lithuanian representative and SBSP Secretary.

For more information about the conference visit: https://csbsp10.emu.ee

The annual NRC Early Career Researchers (ECR) Picnic, organized by the ECR Committee, took place on 2 June 2023. During the event, researchers met new Ph.D. students and postdoctoral trainees, got to know each other, discussed collaborative activities, engaged in activities to foster the ERC community, enjoyed good vibes, and got away from the routine. The ECR Committee presented the results of its first year’s activities, its plans for the future, and invited an open discussion on issues of concern.

The ECR Committee wished everyone a fruitful summer, successful expeditions, and many new discoveries.

 

ECR Committee
Photos by Justas Dainys

On 5–9 June 2023, researchers of NRC’s Laboratory of Ecotoxicology participated in the 10th International Conference on Environmental Management, Engineering, Planning and Economics (CEMEPE) and SECOTOX Conference“ in Greece and presented results of their investigations.

Oral presentations:

Dr. Tomas Makaras „The effects of graphene-based nanomaterials on salmonids behaviour at their early stages of development“

Dr. Gintarė Sauliutė „Effects of oomycete pathogens in salmonid fish: exposure and recovery study“

Dr. Milda Stankevičiūtė „Characterization of genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of fungal-like organisms on rainbow trout larvae“

Dr. Roberta Valskienė „Cytogenetic effects of tire fire effluents on early life stages of Salmo trutta“

 

Doctoral student Mindaugas Kazlauskas „Effect of graphene oxide and metal mixture on test organisms of different trophic levels: toxicity and bioaccumulation of metals“

Poster presentations:

Dr. Nataliia Matviienko „Study of the protective potential of different groups bioactive substances to juvenile carp“

Doctoral student Renata Butrimienė „Effects of oral exposure of CdSe/ZnS-COOH quantum dots on gut microbiota and bioaccumulation in tissues of Salmo trutta fario“

 

More information is available at: https://cemepe10.civil.auth.gr/

 

Scientific research is conducted based on:

Project funded by the Research Council of Lithuania – MULTIS (No. S-MIP-21-10) and ARFA (No. S-MIP-22-51)

Project funded by EU’s Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions – MSCA4Ukraine

https://www.cpeg2023vilnius.chgf.vu.lt/

On 17 May, during the scientific conference dedicated to the 175th anniversary of duke geologist Antanas Karolis Giedraitis, Senior Researcher Dr. Gražina Skridlaitė was awarded the “Golden Geologist’s Hammer” from the Antanas Giedraitis Geological Foundation for highly notable long-term geological research, teaching or production activities and for significant geology publicity, popularization and youth educational activities.

Sincere congratulations and wishes of energy, enthusiasm and success in future investigations!

Hybrid, 28-31 August 2023 (hosted by the Vilnius University and Nature Research Centre, Vilnius)

https://www.cpeg2023vilnius.chgf.vu.lt/

All Nature Research Centre Early Career Researchers are invited to the traditional picnic on 2 June!

We will welcome the summer, discuss the past year and plans for the future, and have a good time together.

We are excited to see you at 12 noon at the Stone Exposition Meadow in the NRC courtyard, Akademijos Str. 2.

Remember a cuppa, a biscuit with your coffee, and encourage your colleagues to participate 🙂

Let’s create a celebration together.

 

We look forward to seeing you all,

ECR Committee

On 23 May, at NRC Laboratory of Fish Ecology (Verkių St. 98, Vilnius), Senior Researcher Dr. Vytautas Kesminas presented a book “Lietuvos lašišinės žuvys: biologija, ekologija ir išteklių apsauga” (Salmonidae of Lithuania: Biology, Ecology and Stock Protection). The book was presented by Assoc. Prof. Egidijus Bukelskis and the author of the book Dr. Vytautas Kesminas. Opinions were shared by Dr. Linas Ložys, Dr. Nijolė Kazlauskienė, and fishery specialists Leonas Kerosierius and  Valdas Gečys.

The popular science monograph presents an overview of Salmonidae, their origin, development, evolution, and phylogenetic relationships between separate fish groups. Rich information is presented on salmonids living all over the world, on their diversity, biological peculiarities, distribution, and protection, with the focus on species living in Lithuanian waters. The second part of the monograph describes the results of scientific investigations related to the state and changes of Salmonidae and gives recommendations on the reconstruction of fish stocks and efficient protection measures. The book is intended for researchers, students and all who are interested in salmonids.

If you wish to acquire a book, please apply to: simona.cetvergaite@gamtc.lt

 

During a visit to the Kaunas Tadas Ivanauskas Zoological Museum, Director of Nature Research Centre, Prof. Dr (HP) Sigitas Podėnas, and Director of the Kaunas Tadas Ivanauskas Zoological Museum, Ramūnas Grigonis, signed a collaboration agreement. During the meeting, representatives of the institutions gave profiles of their research and infrastructure, visited museum exposition and collections, shared ideas of collaboration, and discussed joint research activities and doctoral studies.