Curriculum vitae
Personal:
- Born: 20 January 1964 in Ružomberok, the Slovak Republic.
- Permanent residence: Pilná 754, SK- 034 74 Liptovské Revúce, Slovakia.
- Marital status: single.
- Professional education:
- Grammar School in Ružomberok, 1979-1983, leaving certificate.
- Graduated from the Forestry Faculty of Zvolen Technical University, 1987; Dipl.-Ing..
- Postgraduate study, The Ecology of Birds, 1990-1994, at the Forestry Faculty
of Zvolen Technical University; CSc. (PhD.).
- Habilitation, 2008, at the Ecological and Environmental Faculty of Zvolen Technical University;
doc. (senior lecturer, associate professor).
- Language skills:
- Slovak (mother tongue), basic Russian, fluent in English.
Employment:
- Junior Manager at the Management National Park Malá Fatra in Gbeľany (1987-1993).
- Senior Field Researcher at the Institute of Forest Ecology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Štúrova 2, Zvolen, 1993 until present.
Scientific activities:
- Avian ecology and ethology.
- Biodiversity and nature conservation.
- The relationship between birds and plants in forest communities.
- The relationship between birds and changing ecosystems.
- The ecology and ethology of the Capercaillie Tetrao urogallusand Wallcreeper Tichodroma muraria.
Theoretical and methodological studies:
- ‘The possibility of the Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) reintroduction in the Vsetínske vrchy Mountains of the Czech Republic’ - 1995.
- ‘The possibility of the Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) reintroduction in the Moravskoslezské Beskydy Mountains of the Czech Republic’ - 1996.
Scientific projects:
- ‘Structure and role of animal associations in ecotones of forest ecosystems’ (VEGA 2/2001/22) (January 1, 2002 – December 31, 2004) – principal investigator.
- ‘Food webs of model animals in forest ecosystems’ (VEGA 2/2290/95) (January 1, 1995 – December 31, 1997) – investigator.
- ‘Health state of forest woody plants in relation to biotic factors’ (VEGA 2/2030/95) (January 1,1995 – December 31, 1997) – investigator.
- ‘Research in forest reserves’ (VEGA 2/5172/98) (January 1, 1998 – December 31, 2000) – investigator.
- ‘Food webs of model animals in forest ecosystems’ (VEGA 2/7025/20) (January 1, 2000 – December 31, 2002) – investigator.
- ‘Animal ecology along a vertical gradient across forests in the Západné Karpaty Mts.’ (VEGA 2/3006/23) (January 1, 2003 – December 31, 2005) – investigator.
- ‘Ecology of model animals in sites and habitats of European importance, with focus on the species of European importance’ (VEGA 2/6007/27) (January 1, 2006 – December 31, 2008) – investigator.
- ‘Life strategies of model forest animal species living in strictly distinct environmental conditions’ (VEGA 1/0130/08) (January 1, 2008 – December 31, 2010) – investigator.
- ‘Food and habitat relations of forest animals to forest woody plants’ (VEGA 1/0110/09) (January 01, 2009 – December 31, 2012) – investigator.
- ‘Fragmentation and formation of new habitats after forest disturbances: ecological plasticity of species and their communities’ (VEGA 1/0110/09) (January 01, 2011 – December 31, 2014) – investigator.
- Genetic differentiation of the fragmented population in Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) and Black grouse (Tetrao tetrix) in the West Carpathians’ (VEGA 1/0303/12) (January 01, 2012 – December 31, 2014) – investigator.
- ‘Reactions of the animals on the changing forest structure’ (VEGA 1/0035/13) (January 01, 2013 – December 31, 2016) – investigator.
- ‘Functional important animals in dynamics of the forest ecosystems in new environmental conditions’ (VEGA 2/0052/15) (January 01, 2015 – December 31, 2018) – investigator.
Scientific-popularisation projects:
- ‘School of young natural scientists’ (APVV - „LPP-0059-06“) (November 1, 2006 – October 31, 2009) – principal investigator.
- ‘Natural science – a great friend of us’ (APVV - „LPP-0011-09“) (September 1, 2009 – August 31, 2012) – principal investigator.
Scientific publications & citations:
- 86 scientific papers [20 in journals recorded in Current Contents (13 abroad) and 56 in journals not recorded in Current Contents (24 abroad), 4 in inland reviewed conference papers, 6 in inland non-reviewed conference papers].
- One monograph; ‘An ecological and ethological study of Wallcreeper (Tichodroma muraria) in the Slovak Carpathians’.
- 10 chapters in scientific books (2 abroad).
- 7 abstracts from abroad science conferences.
- 17 abstracts from inland science conferences.
- 5 lectures on abroad science conferences.
- 4 posters on abroad science conference.
- 23 lectures on inland science conferences.
- 8 posters on inland science conferences.
- Citations from WEB OF SCIENCE (101).
- Citations from SCOPUS (160).
- Citations in foreign publications not registered in quoting indices (149).
- Citations in inland publications not registered in quoting indices (99).
Head of bachelor's theses and diploma theses:
- Head of bachelor’s theses (15).
- Head of diploma theses (22).
- Consultant of diploma theses (3).
Head of PhD-theses:
- Supervisor (2).
- Supervisor – specialist (1).
Scientific-popularisation activities:
- 19 popularisation-scientific books about nature for children:
- ‘Stories of aunt Fir-tree’ (1996)
- ‘A year with little Paul in nature’ (1998)
- ‘Strolls with little Paul in nature’ (2000)
- ‘Fairy tales of Mother Nature’ (2003)
- ‘Fairy tales from under the Black Rock’ (2004)
- ‘Fairy tales from the Lily-of-the valley’s valley’ (2004)
- ‘Fairy tales about the orphan Tit’ (2007)
- ‘Fairy tales of Granny Nature’ (2008)
- ‘As little Tit knows the seclusions of the Olinka’s valley’ (2009)
- ‘An optional reader of the small natural scientist - 1st volume: Fairy tales from the Olinka’s valley’ (2010)
- ‘An optional reader of the small natural scientist - 2nd volume: Fairy tales from the Olinka’s valley’ (2011)
- ‘’ (2014)
- ‘’ (2014)
- ‘’ (2014)
- ‘All "the top..." on our birds’ (2015)
- ‘Nature - what do (not) you know on it?’ (2015)
- ‘Biographies of the animals and flowers in nursery rhymes’ (2015)
- ‘’ (2015)
- ‘’ (2015)
- 53 popularisation-scientific books about nature for adults:
- ‘Capercaillies – my love’ (1997)
- ‘Meditation with Capercaillies’ (1998)
- ‘Ecological essays’ (2007)
- ‘Meditation with Bears’ (2007)
- ‘Meditation with Wallcreepers’ (2007)
- ‘Unforgettable experiences with Lynxes’ (2007)
- ‘Poetry of nature’ (2008)
- ‘Poetry of forest’ (2008)
- ‘Nature in the changes of the year’s cycle’ (2008)
- ‘Meditation with nature’ (2008)
- ‘Reflexions on God and nature’ (2008)
- ‘Engaged with nature’ (2009)
- ‘A fairytale bird garden’ (2009)
- ‘My double love Wallcreeper and Capercaillie’ (2009)
- ‘From my bird garden’ (2009)
- ‘A jolly-grave stories from the nature’ (2010)
- ‘Capercaillie in poetic meditation and drawings’ (2010)
- ‘Wallcreeper in poetic meditation and drawings’ (2010)
- ‘My fairytale life under the protection of tree guardian angels in heavenly skies’ (2010)
- ‘Symphony of the Nature’ (2011)
- ‘Bird boxes and feeders in the Fairy-tale Bird Garden and Fairy-tale Wallcreeper’s house’ (2011)
- ‘Impressions of the Nature’ (2011)
- ‘Fragments from the nature’ (2011)
- ‘Nature – my heart affair’ (2011)
- ‘Fragments from the notebook of the natural scientist’ (2011)
- ‘Almanac of the nature’ (2011)
- ‘Wallcreeper – „The heavenly angel“ with carmine wings’ (2012)
- ‘Enchanting nature’ (2012)
- ‘My homeland – most picturesque earthly paradise…’ (2013)
- ‘A symphony of light and shadow’ (2013)
- ‘’ (2013)
- ‘Tichodroma muraria’ (2013)
- ‘Capercaillie a feathered creature with absolutely marvellous body curves’ (2013)
- ‘’ (2013)
- ‘Gallery of Veľká Fatra mountains’ (2014)
- ‘Life nicest from the dreamed... with the nature on the heavenly level αF-P-R’ (2014)
- ‘Healing draughts of the festive picture poetry of the nature’ (2014)
- ‘God signature on the astounding work of the nature’ (2014)
- ‘’ (2014)
- ‘Clarification of the soul’ (2015)
- ‘’ (2015)
- ‘’ (2015)
- ‘Our nature in cube’ (2016)
- ‘A year in the nature’ (2016)
- ‘Nature celebrates the Creator – Pictures from the God’s Nature Book’ (2016)
- ‘’ (2016)
- ‘Birds of the mountain and alpine ranges’ (2016)
- ‘Land area under the Black rock - Garden Eden’ (2017)
- ‘Second wind’ (2017)
- ‘Christian and ecology’ (2018)
- ‘Criss-cross through nature’ (2019)
- ‘’ (2019)
- ‘In wandering shoes in Slovak nature’ (2020)
- 2844 popularisation-scientific articles on the life in the nature in magazines.
- 6196 pularisation-scientific presentations and interviews on the life in the nature on radio.
- 369 popularisation-scientific interviews on the life in the nature on television.
- 1844 popularisation-scientific lectures on the life in the nature in primary and secondary schools.
- 1190 popularisation-scientific terrain excursions for pupils and students.
- 25 courses in ‘Summer school of the young natural scientists’.
- 7 popularisation-scientific films about nature, birds, animals and flowers:
‘In the forest theatre’ (1991) (about the Capercaillie)
‘Wallcreeper – heavenly angel with carmine wings’ (2001) (about the Wallcreeper)
‘The two loves of Dr Saniga’ (2001) (about the Capercaillie and the Wallcreeper)
‘The Veľká Fatra Mountains’ (2001) (about nature in the Veľká Fatra Mountains)
‘The wings of M. Saniga’ (2008) (about life and philosophy of the natural scientist)
‘Fascinating choreography of the heavenly angel with carmine wings beautyflying’ (2013) (about the aerial ballet of the Wallcreeper)
‘The life symphony of a supernatural bird from the most heavenly of areas’ (2013) (about the life of the Wallcreeper) - Travelling exhibition in 1998: ‘Capercaillies – my love’ (A collection of 92 Capercaillie pen drawings with text), in the Andrej Kmeť Slovak National Museum in Martin, the Stredoslovenské Museum in Banská Bystrica, the Liptovské Museum in Ružomberok, the Oravské Museum in Dolný Kubín , the TANAP Museum in Tatranská Lomnica, and in the Považské Museum in Žilina).
- Travelling exhibition in 1999: ‘Wallcreeper – a feathery jewel of the limestone rocks and azure heaven’ (A collection of 110 Wallcreeper pen drawings with text, in the Andrej Kmeť Slovak National Museum in Martin, the Stredoslovenské Museum in Banská Bystrica, and in the Považské Museum in Žilina).
- Travelling exhibition in 2002-2003: ‘Poetry of Nature’ (A collection of 100 colour photographs of nature, in the Andrej Kmeť Slovak National Museum in Martin, the Stredoslovenské Museum in Banská Bystrica, and in the Považské Museum in Žilina).
- Travelling exhibition in 2016: "Nature notices of God glory" (A collection of 60 colour photographs of nature, in the University Library of the Catholic University in Ružomberok)
- Travelling exhibition in 2016: "Fragments from the nature" (A collection of 50 photographs of nature, in the Europa Shopping Center in Banská Bystrica, the Gallery in the village Hniezdne)
Academic activities:
- External lectures at the Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Department of the Ecology and Environmental Education – since 2010 Department of the Environment (2001-2015); titled ‘Biological diversity’, ‘Ethology of animals’, ‘Ornithology’ and ‘System of Chordates’, Guaranty of the bachelor and master field of study ‘Pedagogy of biology in combination’, the Catholic university in Ružomberok (2015-until present).
Awards:
- ‘Diploma for the 1st place in the faculty competition of the Students scientific activity – Section BIO I.’ (1987).
- ‘Honorary degree for the participation in the nationwide competition of the Students scientific activity in the school year 1986/1987’ (1987).
- ‘Honorary degree for the 1st place in the nationwide competition of the Students scientific activity in the field forestry’ (1987).
- ‘Rector’s Award for excellent results of the exams and student’s scientific activities on the Faculty of Forestry of the Technical University in Zvolen’ (1987).
- ‘The Slovak Academy of Sciences Award for popularisation-scientific activity’ (1998).
- ‘The Ministry of Education Award (2nd place) for popularisation-scientific articles ‘Almanac of the nature’ in the journal QUARK in 2006’ (2006).
- ‘The Honourable mention of the village Liptovské Revúce for long-lasting successful presentation of the village in the field of the publications, scientific work and writing’ (2007).
- ‘Book of the Liptov region 2008’, titles: ‘Ecological essays’ and ‘Poetry of Nature’ (2009).
- ‘Mayor’s Award (town Ružomberok) for the important contribution by the education of the young in the sphere literature and nature protection’ (2009).
- ‘The Slovak Academy of Sciences Award for popularisation-scientific and educational activity’ (2010).
- ‘BAYER Award – Top-ranking award for permanently sustainable development – National environmental contest 2010’ laureate in the category ‘Environmental act of the year’ (1st place), for the project ‘A fairy-tale bird garden’ (2010).
- ‘Thank-you letter of the town Ružomberok for development of the Slovak journalism and promotion of the town Ružomberok’ (2010).
- ‘Book of the Liptov region 2011’ – 3rd place, title: ‘Almanac of the Nature’ (2012).
- ‘The Slovak Academy of Sciences Award for science popularisation for the lifelong activities with the emphasis to the amount of the books and presentations in the media’ (2012).
- ‘The ANDREJ RADLINSKÝ’S Award for the contribution in median sphere’ (2013).
- ‘The honourable mention for high quality processed texts in the book: “My homeland – most picturesque earthly paradise…” in the 7th competition THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BOOK AND ADVERTISING MATERIAL ABOUT SLOVAKIA IN 2013’ (2014).
- ‘The bronze medal Prof. RNDr. Oskár Ferianc, DrSc.’ (2014).
- ‘3rd place in the Category BOOKS ON THE REGION, title: “Gallery of Veľká Fatra mountains” in the 8th competition THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BOOK AND ADVERTISING MATERIAL ABOUT SLOVAKIA IN 2014’ (2015).
- ‘Memorial letter of the magazine QUARK on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of its constitution as thank-you for the amiable and long-term cooperation by popularisation of the technic and science’ (2015).
- Thank-you letter on the occasion of 25th anniversary of the creation of the Faculty of the Ecology and Environmental Sciences of the Technical university in Zvolen (2016)
- 2nd place in the Category BOOKS ABOUT SLOVAKIA, title: A symphony of light and shadow in the 9th competition THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BOOK AND ADVERTISEMENT MATERIAL ABOUT SLOVAKIA IN 2015 (2016)
- ‘The Slovak Academy of Sciences Award for popularisation-scientific and educational activity’ (2017).