This page provides an overview of the main research areas and topics of the Department’s researchers and instructors, as well as the model taxa used in their research. The research topics presented here may serve as a basis for students’ theses or research projects within the Student Research Conference (TDK). Students interested in any of the topics are encouraged to contact the respective supervisor by email to discuss further opportunities and currently available research topics.
Gergely Hegyi (gergely.hegyi at ttk.elte.hu; Behavioural Ecology Group)
Scientific fields: evolutionary biology, behavioural ecology, ecology, biostatistics
Keywords: rapid evolutionary change, optimization of reproduction, coloration, pigment, nanostucture, signals
Model taxa: hole-nesting birds
Publications: https://behavecol.elte.hu/web/index.php/gergely-hegyi/
Levels: BSc, MSc, PhD
Dávid Herczeg (herczeg.david at ttk.elte.hu; HUN-REN-ELTE-MTM Integrative Ecology Research Group)
Scientific fields: evolutionary ecology, disease ecology, ecotoxicology
Keywords: emerging diseases, host-parasite systems, adaptive plasticity, animal behaviour, anthropogenic pollutants, microplastics
Model taxa: amphibians
Publications: Google Scholar
Levels: BSc, MSc, PhD
Gábor Herczeg (gabor.herczeg at ttk.elte.hu; HUN-REN-ELTE-MTM Integrative Ecology Research Group)
Scientific fields: evolutionary biology, behavioural ecology, conservation biology
Keywords: adaptation, animal personality, evolution, phenotypic plasticity, global environmental change
Model taxa: no restrictions, but primarily amphibians and isopod crustaceans
Publications: ResearchGate
Levels: BSc, MSc, PhD
Gergely Horváth (gergely.horvath at ttk.elte.hu, https://sites.google.com/view/gerghorvathresearch/home; HUN-REN-ELTE-MTM Integrative Ecology Research Group)
Scientific fields: evolutionary biology, behavioural ecology, biostatistics
Keywords: animal personality, behavioural strategies, repeatable traits, active thermoregulation, environmental stressors, microplastic, evolution
Model taxa: reptiles, terrestrial and aquatic isopods
Publications: https://sites.google.com/view/gerghorvathresearch/publications; Google Scholar
Levels: BSc, MSc, PhD
Renáta Kopena (kopena.renata at ttk.elte.hu)
Research fields: disease ecology, parasite ecology, evolutionary biology, behavioural ecology
Keywords: ecology of infectious diseases, host–parasite systems, vectors and vector-borne pathogens, reservoir hosts, adaptation
Model taxa: reptiles, ticks, insects
Publications: MTMT
Levels: BSc, MSc, PhD
Miklós Laczi (miklos.laczi at ttk.elte.hu, Behavioural Ecology Group; HUN-REN-ELTE-MTM Integrative Ecology Research Group)
Scientific fields: behavioural ecology
Keywords: sexual selection, climate change, visual signals, parental care, mate choice
Model taxa: mainly birds
Publications: MTMT, Google Scholar, ORCID, Scopus, ResearchGate
Levels: BSc, MSc, PhD
Balázs Rosivall (rosivall at elte.hu, Behavioural Ecology Group)
Scientific fields: evolutionary biology, behavioural ecology, ecology
Keywords: sex ratio adjustment, extra-pair paternity, parental care, mate choice, offspring development, fitness, reproductive success, climate change
Model taxa: primarily birds
Publications: MTMT
Levels: BSc, MSc, PhD
Gergely Szövényi (gergely.szovenyi at elte.hu)
Scientific fields: conservation biology, ecology, faunistics, taxonomy
Keywords: faunistic exploration, alien species, climate change, vulnerability, establishment of new populations, pollinators, conservation genetics
Model taxa: grasshoppers (Orthoptera) and herps
Publications: Google Scholar
Levels: BSc, MSc, PhD
Júlia Katalin Török (julia.katalin.torok at ttk.elte.hu)
Scientific fields: protistology, hydrobiology
Keywords: environmental condition of natural habitats; relationships of species assemblages and environmental variables; spatiotemporal patterns; climate change
Model taxa: protists, zooplankton, aquatic macroinvertebrates
Publications: MTMT, Google Scholar
Levels: BSc, MSc, PhD