Maryam Barati Moghaddam

I have participated in several international projects. As a visiting researcher at Politecnico di Torino, I developed a mathematical model for identifying pollutant sources in river networks. After my PhD, I received a national scholarship from the Slovak Republic and worked as a researcher at the Institute of Hydrology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, on a project focused on identifying unknown pollution sources in urban sewer systems. I then worked on a project on urban ecohydrology at the University of Florence.
The MERIT fellowship offers an exceptional opportunity to conduct ambitious and innovative research projects. The Czech Republic’s strong commitment to environmental preservation, combined with the opportunity to enhance my skills in mathematical modeling and hydrology through collaboration with leading experts at the Hydrological and Climate Variability research team at the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (CZU), motivated me to apply for this fellowship.
My research project addresses one of the significant environmental concerns in Europe, including Central Bohemia and the Czech Republic, namely the increasing volume of microplastics (MPs) in freshwater resources. I will develop a novel mathematical model to simulate the complex dynamics of MPs in river systems, considering hyporheic exchange processes. Combining mathematical modelling with lab experiments, I will also examine the impact of particle size and flow rate on MPs’ dynamics. This interdisciplinary project merges hydrology, water quality, environmental science, applied mathematics, and statistics to create a tool for protecting water resources from MP contamination.
The MERIT fellowship will significantly advance my career by providing interdisciplinary research opportunities and enhancing my research profile, particularly in developing mathematical models to address global environmental challenges.

The fellowship will help me expand my professional network, improve my employability, and position me as a strong candidate for prestigious grants, ultimately supporting my goal of leading my own research group.

Rufin Marie Toghueo Kouipou

My professional objective is to significantly mitigate the challenges of infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Africa and globally. I aspire to contribute to developing the next generation of antibiotics. My ambition is to enhance pharmaceutical innovation by discovering and characterizing novel lead compounds from microorganisms found in underexplored ecological environments in Africa. I require a more robust research foundation and network to realize this vision, which I believe the MERIT Fellowship program can provide. Additionally, conducting research in the Czech Republic, known for its rich research culture and accomplishments, will equip me with the essential scientific training needed to evolve into the investigator I aspire to be. Through the MERIT Fellowship, I anticipate enhancing my competencies in grant writing, science communication, leadership, and mentorship, thereby becoming a more effective researcher.
My research proposal for the MERIT Fellowship focuses on investigating microbial species with the potential to synthesize bioactive chemical precursors for antibiotic discovery. This initiative will also contribute to the broader understanding of natural products by generating high-quality scientific research within an academic framework. The MERIT Fellowship will allow me to engage with a pharmaceutical company, bridging the divide between academia and industry, which is crucial for achieving my goals. This secondment will facilitate scientific discovery and provide insights into how to translate research outcomes into viable products that address societal challenges.
Before receiving the merit fellowship, I had the opportunity to excel in multiple fellowship programs, which enabled me to conduct research at various esteemed institutions. These included the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) in India, the Welcome Centre for Anti-infectives Research (WCAIR) in the United Kingdom, and the Institute of Natural Resources and Agrobiology of Salamanca (IRNASA) in Spain. Additionally, I engaged in numerous international conferences, where I presented my research findings to fellow scholars.

Lison Zunino

I completed my PhD in Montpellier, France, at the Genetic Improvement and Adaptation of Mediterranean and Tropical Plants (AGAP) Institute and the Diversity-Adaptation-Development of Plants Unit (UMR DIADE), where I focused on the local adaptation of wild olive trees to climate. During my PhD, I attended a congress in Prague in 2022, where I got a taste of Czech Republic science and culture, which made me want to learn more about both. The MERIT fellowship in the Czech Republic is an excellent opportunity for that, and it is my first research project since my PhD and my first experience working in a laboratory abroad.
I aim to specialize in studying how organisms adapt to global change through genomics. The Laboratory of Molecular Ecology within the Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics was an ideal fit for addressing this issue.
The MERIT fellowship allows me to gain expertise in evolution and adaptation by collaborating with different field specialists. The research project aligns with ongoing research themes in the Czech Republic and contributes to a deeper understanding of the evolutionary processes of global change.
This project is significant as it could lead to the development of new methods for studying biodiversity conservation and crop species adaptation in the face of global change, both in the Czech Republic and Europe.