Andrzej Zalewski | Mammal Research Institute

Education and scientific degrees

Professor: 2020
Habilitation: 2008, Museum and Institute of Zoology of the Polish Academy of Sciences,
PhD: 1998, Warsaw University, Department of Biology, Warsaw
MSc: 1990, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Department of Biology, Toruń

Research profile

My research focuses on population and behavioural ecology of animals. In particular, I analyse the complex relationships between behaviour, morphological variability, and population dynamics in the context of geographic and temporal environmental variation. An important part of my work is the study of biological invasions, which I treat as natural experiments allowing for the observation of adaptive processes in real time. I investigate how organisms colonizing new areas modify their behaviour and morphological traits in response to selective pressures, and how biotic factors (e.g., competitors, pathogens) and abiotic factors (e.g., climatic variability) may regulate the growth and expansion of invasive species’ populations.

International experience

2005-2007 – University of Aberdeen, Scotland, 2 years post-doc;
2000 – Laurentian University, Canada, 1-month training visit;
1990 – Uppsala Agricultural University, Sweden, 1.5-month training scholarship.

Research projects

2025-2028: Carnivores in the Anthropocene: linking climate and environmental changes to skull morphology adaptations in mustelids. Financed by the National Science Centre, 2024/55/D/NZ8/01744 – project executor.
2024-2028: How do wolves and humans shape beaver spatial behaviour and ecosystem impacts? Financed by the National Science Centre, 2024/52/C/NZ8/00332 – project executor.
2017-2023: Spatial dynamics, genetic diversity and influence of Aleutian mink disease virus on introduced American mink and native mustelids. Financed by the National Science Centre, 2016/23/B/NZ8/01010 – project leader.
2018-2022: Can wolves regulate mesocarnivore behaviour, spatial distribution and temporal activity patterns in anthropogenic landscapes in Poland? Financed by the National Science Centre, 2017/25/B/NZ8/02466 – project executor.
2015-2018: Spatial and temporal differentation of immune related genes and parasite pressure in invasive population of raccoon Procyon lotor. Financed by the National Science Centre, 2014/15/B/NZ8/00261 – the main project executor.
2014-2017: Influence of American mink invasion on numerical, behavioural and genetic changes in waterfowl populations in Poland Financed by the National Science Centre, 2013/09/B/NZ8/03339 – project executor.
2013-2016: Adaptation of alien invasive species - the impact of ranch escapee American mink on feral population. Financed by the National Science Centre, 2012/05/B/NZ8/01247 – project leader.
2011-2014: Protection of water and marsh birds in five national parks – reconstructing habitats and curbing the influence of invasive species. Financed by Life+, LIFE09 NAT/PL/000263 – project leader.
2008-2011: The ecological and genetic basis of American mink control: response of invasive species population to eradication Financed by MNiSW, N N304 221835 – project leader.
2008-2011: Invasive predator control: response of American mink to eradication in relation to farm distribution (MinkControl). Financed by Marie Curie Actions - European Re-integration Grants, PERG02-GA-2007-224814 – project leader.
2008-2011: Competition and factors affecting distribution of pine and stone martens in city of Wrocław. Financed by MNiSW, N N304 049734 – project executor.
2008-2011: Factors affecting dispersal and genetic structure of raccoon: invasive predator control. Financed by MNiSW, N N309 135535 – project executor.
2006-2008: Ecology of stone marten (Martes foina) and a mechanisms of colonization large urban areas in case of Krakow, Financed by the State Committee for Scientific Research, 2 P04F 072 30 – project executor.
2005-2007: Expansion and influence on native fauna of raccoon (Procyon lotor) in a forest and flouted areas in north-eastern Poland, Financed by the State Committee for Scientific Research, 2 P04G 110 28 – project executor.
2005-2007: Control of an invasive predator for conservation: spatial density dependent dispersal in American mink. Marie Curie Intra-European Fellowship; financed by EU, FP6-2002-Mobility-5, no. 009848 – project leader.
2000-2002: Riparian predators in river valleys of Białowieża Primeval Forest. Financed by the State Committee for Scientific Research, 6 P04F 018 18 – project leader.
1998-1999: Influence of the American mink (Mustela vison) on birds in Słońsk ornithological reserve. Financed by the State Committee for Scientific Research, 6 P04G 064 14 – project executor.
1997-1999: Effect of raccoon dog introduction on badger and red fox populations in Białowieża Primeval Forest. Financed by the State Committee for Scientific Research, 6 P04C 057 12 – project executor.
1993-1996: Spatial organization of pine marten in primeval forests of Białowieża National Park. Financed by the State Committee for Scientific Research nr 6 P205 080 06 – project leader.

Additional functions

Member of the Scientific Council of the Mammal Research Institute PAS;
Member of the Scientific Council of the Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS;
Member of the Scientific Council of the Institute of Nature Conservation PAS;
Associate Editor of Mammal Research;
Member of the Martes Working Group;
Member of the Committee for Conservation and Management of Nature Resources at the Branch of Polish Academy of Sciences in Olsztyn and Białystok.

Membership and Awards

2015 – Award Best Life+ Nature Projects
2000 – Award of the Department of Biological Sciences of the Polish Academy of Sciences for a series of publications on ecology of the pine marten Martes martes
1997 – Yearly Fellowship of the Foundation for Polish Science for Outstanding Young Researchers