Dominik Kusý: Science is not just a job, it‘s a passion
This is how evolutionary biologist Dominik Kusý from CATRIN‘s Biodiversity and Molecular Evolution research group describes his work. Despite only recently completing his PhD, he has made a significant contribution to understanding beetle evolution. The young scientist has become fascinated by two remarkable evolutionary phenomena — neoteny, the preservation of juvenile traits into adulthood, and bioluminescence, the ability of organisms to produce light.
“My work involves combining modern methods of genome sequencing and bioinformatic analysis with classical insect systematics and morphological analysis. All this is complemented by field observations. It is thanks to this comprehensive approach that we can investigate evolutionary processes in great depth. My goal is to contribute to a deeper understanding of the evolutionary mechanisms and processes that shape biodiversity on our planet,” explained the scientist, who says he has been fascinated by nature and modern technology since childhood. Dominik Kusý Science is not just a job, it‘s a passion.
He has already had many successes, including more than 30 publications in prestigious journals and several awards. For example, he and his colleagues have used the latest phylogenomic methods to uncover previously unknown relationships between beetle lineages. By applying state-of-the-art sequencing technologies, they have made a significant contribution to the identification of beetle biodiversity centres in tropical regions, which is crucial for effective conservation of these unique and species-rich habitats at a time of ongoing biodiversity crisis.
“I appreciate immensely the freedom that science provides. The opportunity to explore my own research questions, design experiments and interpret the results is extremely stimulating. I enjoy being able to combine lab and computer work with field research. In addition, I enjoy being able to share my enthusiasm for science with the public, especially young people, at various outreach events.