Vladislav Ilík

You studied Ecological and Evolutionary Biology with a focus on parasitology at the Department of Botany and Zoology, and today you continue to pursue a career in science. How did you get into it?

At first, I didn’t even intend to pursue a career in science. I was very interested in plants, so I decided to study botany. But in my freshman year, I realized that I didn’t enjoy the field that much.

That’s when I came across a lecture by the Parasitology research group, which is part of the Department of Botany and Zoology, and it really caught my attention. I figured I could give parasitology a try so I wouldn’t have to switch to a completely different field and waste an entire year of my studies.

So I ended up in parasitology somewhat by chance. I didn’t really find my niche until I wrote my bachelor’s thesis and started taking various courses in parasitology. The world of parasites began to fascinate me immensely at that time, and it still holds my interest to this day.

How do you look back on your time studying at the Faculty of Science?

It was a wonderful time. I didn’t really have any expectations before starting my studies. I was pleasantly surprised to find that we had lots of hands-on labs where we could try out different things firsthand – sometimes quite literally.

These labs made studying much more engaging and fun compared to elementary or high school, where you were much more confined to your desk and didn’t get to do many hands-on activities.

I was also very surprised by the level of both the lectures and the coursework, which was much higher than I expected, and it was precisely this university experience that awakened my scientific spirit.

During your doctoral studies, you participated in the MUNI Mendel Doctorandus program and became one of its first graduates. How would you evaluate it?

My advisor introduced me to this new program. I would describe it as an interesting opportunity to broaden my horizons. Among other things, the program encourages students to attend various lectures and workshops that aren’t directly related to their field of study – ones they might not even have heard about during their regular coursework.

I mostly chose from a selection of seminars related to the life sciences that were offered in in collaboration with the Mendel Museum at Masaryk University, or I was very interested in lectures on human genetics. These were always presented by very inspiring people, including even some who had won the Nobel Prize.

One of the requirements of the MUNI Mendel Doctorandus program is to complete an internship abroad. I believe that international internships can provide wonderful new experiences that can later prove valuable in a scientific career. It’s good to broaden your horizons beyond your own field and see how other institutions, laboratories, teams, and people operate. This can then be a great help in one’s own research, within a research team, or even in life.

Focusing solely on one specific thing or direction tends to be a common pitfall in science.

You yourself traveled to the United Kingdom and the U.S. during your studies. What did your stays abroad give you?

They were amazing experiences that helped me in every way, but most of all, of course, in my career. While abroad, I established many new collaborations and friendships. I even continue to collaborate with some of these people and see them regularly to this day. And, of course, as a young student, it was also great for me to experience independent life abroad.

You mentioned that your trips abroad helped you establish valuable collaborations. Can the MUNI Mendel Doctorandus program similarly help with your career? Would you recommend it to other students?

I think it would definitely be a good idea to include it on your resume. It could come in handy, for example, when applying for various grants or projects. MUNI Mendel Doctorandus is an internationally recognized program, and if you’re considering working in your field outside the country – even if only for a short time – I think it could be a big help. Above all, though, the program pushes you to go the extra mile, which is an advantage in and of itself.

In your research, you focus on the genomics and epidemiology of parasitic nematodes and their hosts. What does that involve?

I use DNA sequencing and analysis to study intestinal parasites in humans and great apes and to provide insight into how these parasites are transmitted between humans and animals.

In areas where people commonly come into contact with these parasites, it’s important to understand the possible routes of transmission and, based on that, inform local authorities or residents directly to implement protective measures or educate the public.

At the same time, we are also working to identify new genes that could be suitable for the development of diagnostic tools or drugs. Many intestinal parasites lag far behind the best-known and most widespread bacterial and viral pathogens in terms of diagnostics and development, even though the number of people affected by intestinal parasites is much greater than it may seem at first glance.  

Our team is also studying parasites that are somewhat neglected but are found in large numbers around the world.

Could the results of your research one day have practical applications?

Our team focuses primarily on researching parasitic strongylid nematodes and roundworms – parasites that are often overlooked worldwide, even though they are commonly found in both humans and animals in Africa, Asia, and South America. They used to be common in Europe and North America as well, but thanks to the widespread distribution of medications and established hygiene standards, they were largely eradicated from these regions.

Now, however, due to the massive movement of people and animals, growing drug resistance, and more favorable climatic conditions, they are returning to these regions. Today, they are commonly found in the warmer regions of southern and southeastern Europe, and a few cases have even been recorded in our region. 

Although it’s always a long journey, we would like to apply our research to everyday life in the future – so that it is meaningful not only to researchers within the scientific community but directly to the people who are struggling with parasitic diseases.

With parasites, however, this is particularly challenging because they cannot be easily obtained or maintained in cultures the way some viruses and bacteria can. And just as new drugs and tools are developed, parasites – as living organisms – are constantly evolving to successfully thwart our efforts. It’s actually a constant struggle for survival. 

And what do you enjoy most about your work?

Discovery. What I enjoy most is that you can constantly be discovering new things. Even though my work involves routine, just like in any other profession, exploring and discovering new things is something that has always fascinated and delighted me.

At the Institute of Vertebrate Biology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, I work on similar topics as I do at Charles University, where I’m also based, and I’d like to launch my own projects in the future. Together with the scientists I stay in touch with, we’ve come up with some project ideas, and we’re currently submitting grant applications and waiting to see if any of them are successful.

Finally, what advice would you give to students who are just beginning to consider a career in science?

Don’t be afraid to explore – and by that I mean various aspects of your studies as well. In my opinion, it’s good to travel as much as possible during your studies, because there are so many opportunities to go places – whether it’s study abroad programs, internships, or conferences – you can find inspiration everywhere. You often meet all kinds of people and learn about their research. Personally, scientific conferences always give me a huge boost.

Vladislav Ilík

He works at the Institute of Vertebrate Biology of the Czech Academy of Sciences and the Department of Zoology at Charles University, where he conducts research on the genomics and epidemiology of parasitic nematodes and their hosts.

Career and professional path

He graduated from the Faculty of Science with a degree in Ecological and Evolutionary Biology, specializing in Parasitology. In his research, he uses DNA analysis to study intestinal parasites and identify new genes that could aid in the development of diagnostic tools or medications.

He is also one of the first graduates of the MUNI Mendel Doctorandus program and, during his studies, completed study abroad programs at Nottingham Trent University in the United Kingdom and Cornell University in the United States.

Photo: Vladislav Ilík archive