Michael Mikát

Dr. Michael Mikát is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Zoology at Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic. His academic journey began with doctoral studies in Zoology/Entomology at Charles University (2014-2020), followed by a visiting research scholar position at the University of New Hampshire (2016). Most recently, he completed a prestigious Marie Curie-Sklodowska Global Fellowship (2020-2023) working jointly at Martin Luther University in Halle-Wittenberg, Germany and York University in Toronto, Canada under the supervision of Professor Robert J. Paxton and Associate Professor Sandra M. Rehan.

Dr. Mikát's research focuses on the evolution of social behavior in insects, particularly in small carpenter bees of the genus Ceratina. His work spans multiple disciplines including behavioral ecology, evolutionary biology, and entomology. He has conducted extensive field research across diverse geographical regions including Europe, North America, Bangladesh, and Guatemala, examining the nesting biology, social structure, and evolutionary patterns of these fascinating insects. His research has revealed important insights into facultative sociality, biparental care, and the role of relatedness in social evolution among Ceratina bees.

His current research portfolio includes phylogenomic studies of Ceratina bees using ultraconserved elements, investigations into the relationship between social behavior and reproductive strategies, and studies of pollination ecology. Dr. Mikát has built a substantial dataset comprising 16,570 nests across 29 Ceratina species, providing unprecedented insights into the natural history of these insects.

Dr. Mikát has received recognition for his work through the prestigious Marie Curie-Sklodowska Global Fellowship. His research has resulted in numerous publications in high-impact journals, with findings that challenge previous notions about the social evolution of insects. His work demonstrates that Ceratina bees exhibit remarkable diversity in social behavior, with facultative sociality occurring across both tropical and Mediterranean species.

As a mentor, Dr. Mikát has guided numerous students in field research, particularly during his expeditions to Bangladesh and other regions. His laboratory at Charles University continues to investigate the evolutionary patterns and ecological adaptations of social insects, with particular focus on the genus Ceratina.