Laboratory for the study of craniofacial evolution & development

Dr. Robert Černý

Group leader

Robert specializes in the evolution and development of cranial structures, skeletal elements, and evolutionary shifts in vertebrate body plans. His research particularly focuses on the evolutionary trajectories of basal ray-finned fishes and their significance in understanding vertebrate evolution.

FULL CV

Agáta Horáčková

Ph.D. student

Agáta is interested in the evolution and development of cranial skeletal structures, with a particular focus on trabeculae and the adenohypophysis.

Master’s thesis (2019), Bachelor’s thesis (2017)

Tomáš Suchánek

Ph.D. student

Tomáš’s current research focuses on the evolution and development of the dermal skeleton and its elements (such as scales, fin rays, and odontodes), with an emphasis on non-teleost ray-finned fishes.

Master’s thesis (2021), Bachelor’s thesis (2018)

Martin Dušek

Master’s student

Martin studies the evolution and development of the vertebrate spiracle region, currently focusing on ‘basal’ ray-finned fishes such as the Senegal bichir and the sterlet sturgeon.

Bachelor’s thesis (2024)

Adam Križan

Master’s student

Adam is interested in the evolution of holosteans and their developmental peculiarities.

Bachelor’s thesis (2025)

Václav Vodrážka

Master’s student

Václav is dedicated to the study of head structures during the evolution of vertebrates, especially in fossil jawless vertebrates.

Bachelor’s thesis (2025)

Zuzana Klaciková

Research assistant

Zuzana has a background in molecular and developmental biology. She is responsible for the molecular part of the adenohypophysis project, focusing on the gene expression analysis.

Master’s thesis (2025)

Jesus Emmanuel Jimenez-Jimenez

Technician

Jesus is responsible for bichir breeding at our facility.