Rafał Kowalczyk
- Academic title:
- Professor
- Position:
- Professor / Curator of the collection
- Unit:
- Population Ecology
- Professor: 2022
- Habilitation: 2013, Institute and Museum of Zoology Polish Academy of Sciences
- PhD: 2001, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Forestry Faculty
- MSc: 1993, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Forestry Faculty PhD: 2001
My research research interests include ecology and conservation management of large mammals. I have conducted studies on behavioral ecology, foraging strategies and palaeoecology of carnivores and large herbivores. I have published over 100 scientific articles and I have experience in popularizing science. I also participate in activities related to the protection of the Białowieża Primeval Forest and large mammals.
- Russia, Russian Research Institute of Game Management and Fur Farming, 1 month, 2011;
- South Africa, Centre for African Conservation Ecology, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, 2 weeks, 2009;
- Switzerland, KORA (Coordinated Research Projects for the Conservation and Management of Carnivores in Switzerland), 1 week, 2004;
- Norway, Norwegian Institute of Nature Research (NINA), 2 weeks, 2003;
- UK, Central Science Laboratory MAFF, Woodchester Park and Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, University of Oxford, 2 weeks, 1999.
- 2021-2025, NCN 2021/41/B/NZ8/03904 Influence of nutritional resources on a refugee species performance: European bison as a model species
- 2017-2020: Genetic diversity and factors influencing the level of infection and spread of sparganosis (Spirometra erinaceieuropaei) in wild animal populations
- 2014-2017: The history of Bison in Europe after the last glaciations. Project finance by the National Science Centre, Poland;
- 2013-2015, Factors affecting host-parasite relationship - the case of blood-sucking nematode Ashworthius sidemi invasion in wild-living European bison (Bison bonasus) in the Białowieża Primeval Forest; Project financed by the National Science Centre;
- 2013-2016: Phylogeography and population genomics of the red fox Vulpes vulpes: Project executor. Project financed by the National Science Centre, Poland;
- 2011-2014: Historical and contemporary analysis of habitat use and diet of European bison Bison bonasus: project leader. Project financed by Ministry of Sciences and Higher Education;
- 2011-2014: Space use and diet of moose in Biebrza River Valley - a model of large herbivore impact on forest habitats of Poland: Project executor. Project financed by Ministry of Sciences and Higher Education;
- 2009-2011: 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 executor. Project financed by Ministry of Sciences and Higher Education;
- 2008-2010: Genetic (DNA barcoding) i microhistological analysis of European bison diet and its impact on tree stands of Białowieża Forest: project leader. Project financed by Ministry of Sciences and Higher Education;
- 2007-2010: Polymorphism of MHC genes in European bison Bison bonasus: project executor. Project financed by Ministry of Sciences and Higher Education;
- 2006-2010: European bison conservation in the Białowieża Forest: Bison land: project executor. Project financed by EU LIFE Nature program.
- 2006-2009: Pattern of space use and synurbization of red fox Vulpes vulpes in Kraków city: project executor. Project financed by Ministry of Sciences and Higher Education;
- 2004-2007: Space use and reproductive strategies of European bison in Białowieża and Knyszyn Forests: project leader. Project financed by Ministry of Sciences and Higher Education;
- 2003-2006: Genetic diversity and relatedness in the lynx population in Białowieża Primeval Forest - environmental and social circumstances: project executor. Project financed by State Committee for Scientific Research.
- 2003- 2006: Large carnivores in northern landscapes: an interdisciplinary approach to their regional conservation: project executor - an international project financed by Norwegian Research Council.
- 2000-2002: Ecology of riparian mustelids in Białowieża Primeval Forest: project executor. Project financed by State Committee for Scientific Research.
- 1997-1999: Influence of introduced raccoon dog Nyctereutes procyonoides on two native species: red fox Vulpes vulpes and badger Meles meles in Białowieża Primeval: project leader. Project financed by State Committee for Scientific Research.
- National Council for Nature Conservation
- Committee on Environmental and Evolutionary Biology of the Polish Academy of Sciences - Chairman
- Member of the Scientific Council of the Mammal Research Institute PAS
- Associate Editor of Mammal Research
- Member of the IUCN SSC Bison Specialist Group