- Academic title:
- Professor
- Position:
- Professor MRI PAS
- Unit:
- Population Ecology — leader
- Professor: 2021
- Habilitation: 2010, Institute and Museum of Zoology Polish Academy of Sciences
- PhD: 1999, University of Warsaw, Department of Biology
- MSc: 1989, University of Gdańsk, Department of Biology, Geography and Oceanography
The main research interests of K. Schmidt are problems related to ecology and scientific basis for the conservation of carnivores. His research concerned the spatial organization and biology of the Eurasian lynx population and its impact on ungulates (roe deer and deer) in the Białowieża Primeval Forest. He also participated in research on the ecology of the wolf in north-eastern Poland, on the Norwegian population of lynx and the jaguar in Venezuela. K. Schmidt also conducted research (in cooperation with Japanese researchers) on the use of space, territorialism and activity of the Iriomote cat (Iriomote Island, Japan). His current research activities are aimed at understanding the genetic structure of the lynx population throughout Eurasia and the factors influencing the level of genetic variation and gene flow between sub-populations of these cats. He also deals with the influence of large carnivores (wolves and lynx) on the behavior and physiology of ungulates (“landscape of fear”). He is the author and co-author of about 70 scientific publications and 40 popular science works. He is the co-author of the lynx and wolf conservation plans in Poland.
- 2010 i 2011 - Venezuela, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Cientificas in Caracas - research visit - 2 months
- 2011 - Russia, Russian Research Institute of Game Management and Fur Farming - research visit - 1 month
- 2007 - Japan, Ryukyu University, Faculty of Science - research visit - 2 weeks
- 2004 - Switzerland, Bern University - research visit - 1 week
- 2000-2001 - Japan, Ryukyu University, Tropical Biosphere Research Center - research visit - 10 months
- 1998 - Norway, Norwegian Institute of Nature Research - research fellow - 4 months
- 1997 - Brazil, National Center of Research and Conservation of Carnivores - research visit - 1 month.
- 2022 - 2027 - "The multilevel impact of predation-induced stress in ungulates on the functioning of the temperate forest ecosystem". Project financed by National Science Center; leader.
- 2015 - 2020 - “In search for adaptive variation across genomes of the widespread Eurasian lynx and critically endangered Iberian lynx.” Project financed by National Science Center; leader.
- 2011 - 2014 - "Indirect influence of large carnivores on ungulates' behavior and physiology in forests of middle Europe." Project financed by National Science Center; leader.
- 2010 - 2014 - "The role of ecological factors in shaping the genetic variability of jaguar Panthera onca population in Venezuela." Project financed by Ministry of Science and Higher Education; leader.
- 2012 - 2014 - "Conservation of large carnivores in Poland." Project financed by EuroNatur Foundation (Germany); leader.
- 2009-2012: "The influence of evolutionary history and anthropogenic factors on the genetic structure of Eurasian lynx at the western edge of its range in Europe". Project financed by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education; leader.
- 2003-2007: "Genetic diversity and relatedness in the lynx population in Białowieża Primeval Forest - environmental and social circumstances". Project financed by the Committee of Scientific Research; leader.
- 2003 - 2005: "Large carnivores in northern landscapes : an interdisciplinary approach to their regional conservation". International project, funded by the Norwegian Research Council, coordinator of the Polish side.
- 2000 - 2001: "Strategy for the protection and monitoring of the lynx and the wolf population in north-eastern Poland." Project funded by the Regional Fund for Environmental Protection in Olsztyn; leader.
- 2000 - 2001: "Movement and activity pattern of the Iriomote cat (Prionailurus iriomotensis)". The project financed by the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture in Japan; leader.
- 1997 - 1999: "Mechanisms of regulatory impact of wolves on ungulate populations in Bialowieza Primeval Forest " . Project financed by the Committee of Scientific Research; contractor.
- 1993 - 1996: "Ecology of the wolf and its impact on large ungulates in Białowieża Primeval Forest": Project financed by the Committee of Scientific Research; contractor .
- 1993 - 1996: "The spatial and social organization of the population of lynx (Lynx lynx) and its impact on ungulates in Białowieża Primeval Forest". Project financed by the Committee of Scientific Research; leader
- Member of the Cat Specialist Group IUCN/SSC since 1995 r.
- Member of Scientific Council of the Mammal Research Institute PAS (since 1999) (Council Secretary 2003-2004).
- Member of Scientific Council of the Wildlife Park in Kadzidłowo (since 2005).
- Editor of Acta Theriologica (since 2003).
- Member of Local Ethics Committee for Experiments on Animals in Białystok and Olsztyn (2010 - 2020)
- Member of the Committee for Conservation and Management of Nature Resources at the Branch of Polish Academy of Sciences in Olsztyn and Białystok (since 2019).
- Award of the Department of Biological Sciences PAS for a series of research articles on ecology of lynx Lynx lynx in Białowieża Forest. Warszawa, 2000.