Expertise and focus:

I work at the Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Czech Republic. My research expertise is in the field of anatomy, histology and embryology. More specifically, I deal with quantitative description of microscopic structure of tissues and organs, especially 1) blood vessels in humans and in experimental surgical models (atherosclerosis, abdominal aortic aneurysm, etc.), 2) tissue healing supported by bioengineered scaffolds, 3) experiments investigating the relationship between microscopic structure and biomechanical properties of tissues and organs, and 4) mapping of normal microscopic structures and tumor microenvironments in human and large animal models on a macroscopic scale. The outcomes of my work can be found in the following scientific databases: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7200-9894, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=tonar+z&sort=pubdate, https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Zbynek-Tonar and others.

Form of mentoring meetings:

Either way, online or offline

Has an experience in:

Academic career

Webpage, CV en , CV cz

Previous mentoring experience: 

I have mentored 10 PhD students, 9 of whom have successfully graduated. I have also been a consultant to two other successful PhD students. Most of them have remained working in academia. Some are already supervising their PhD students themselves. I founded the Laboratory of Quantitative Histology. For two years, I was chair of the departmental board of the PhD program in Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, in which we formulated PhD learning outcomes, requirements and guidelines for newly approved PhD supervisors, guidelines and recommendations for PhD study plans, and more, see https://mooc.cuni.cz/course/view.php?id=144 I believe this history corresponds in content to the notion of mentoring, but we have not yet called it that programmatically.

Motivation: 

I am currently the head of the Institute. I support the professional growth of my co-PIs, their habilitation, and international mobility. I participate in the courses of the Centre for Lifelong Learning of Charles University, in the design of university teaching within the university alliance 4EU+. I am an advocate of transparent transfer of experience, implementation of good practice from other departments, taking inspiration from abroad.

Career guidance topics you can discuss with the mentor: 

• Identifying and utilizing one's skill set

• Differences between academic and non-academic careers

• Creating a career plan, strategy

Research related experience the mentor is ready to share with the mentee: 

• Preparation of scientific publications - how to do it correctly, efficiently, and with quality

• Grant writing process, grant application consultation

• Management of science and research in an academic institution

• Innovative teaching methods