ORCiD iD: 0000-0002-0587-1599
Tel. +370 682 35 987
E-mail: rita.verbylaite@lammc.lt
Liepų St. 1, Girionys, LT-53101 Kaunas dist., Lithuania
Education
2004–2005 Master in Conservation and Utilisation of Plant Genetic Resources, Birmingham University, United Kingdom.
2003–2006 Master in Genetics, Vilnius University, Lithuania.
1999–2003 Bachelor in Ecological Biology, Vilnius University, Lithuania.
Academic degree
2015 Doctor of Biomedical Sciences (Ecology and Environmental Sciences), dissertation “European aspen (Populus tremula L.) in Lithuania: genetic diversity of plus trees and populations, assessed using molecular markers”, Vytautas Magnus University.
Research fields
- Molecular research of plants
- Genetics of forest trees
- Ecological and conservation genetics
Position
Since 2018 Researcher, Department of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding, Institute of Forestry, LAMMC.
Memberships and affiliations with professional organisations
- Member of Lithuanian Biotechnology Association
- Member of Lithuanian Scientific Society
- Member of Society of Lithuanian Foresters
Involvement in programmes and projects
- 2025–2028 Ministry of Agriculture EIP activity group (Strategic Plan for Lithuanian Agriculture and Rural Development 2023–2027) project “Development and improvement of technologies for growing edible oyster fungi”, executor.
- 2024–2028 COST Action CA23121 “Genetic Nature Observation and Action” (GENOA), member of the Management Committee.
- 2024–2026 Environmental Project Management Agency project “Establishment of core collections of Solver birch (Betula pendula Roth.) for each provenance from clones of Lithuanian birch seed orchards”, leader.
- 2024–2025 Central Project Management Agency project of the measure for the progress of the science development No. 12-001-01-02-01 “Strengthen innovation ecosystem in science centers” support for identified start-up R&D projects” project “Testing an R&D idea – monitoring and protecting the genetic diversity of habitats”, leader.
- 2024 Lithuanian Research Council funded project “Funding for upgrading science infrastructure”, leader.
- 2023–2026 Lithuanian Research Council Researcher Groups project “Tilia cordata Mill. and associated wild insect pollinators: diversity, abundance and genetic monitoring in protected forest areas”, executor.
- 2022–2026 LAMMC long-term research programme “Sustainable Forestry and Global Changes”, executor.
- 2021–2024 Ministry of Environment project “Evaluation of European and Manchurian ash susceptibility to Hymenoscypus fraxineus, fungus that causes ash dieback, in Lithuania”, leader.
- 2021–2023 EU Structural Funds Priority 1 “Promotion of Research, Experimental Development and Innovation” measure 01.2.2-CPVA-K-703 “Promotion of activities of centres of excellence and centres for innovation and technology transfer” project “Strengthening the commercialisation of knowledge generated by the Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry and technology transfer activities”, executor.
- 2020–2022 Ministry of Environment project “Preparation of aspen seed plantation project by identifying the sex of aspen plus trees and establishing the optimal scheme for crossbreeding”, leader.
- 2020–2022 Research Council of Lithuania postdoctoral internship project “Adaptation potential of Alnus glutinosa in future forests under climate change: genetic monitoring in natural distribution extremes” (ALNUSGENMON).
- 2019–2024 COST Action CA18201 “An integrated approach to conservation of threatened plants for the 21st century” (CONSERVE PLANTS), coordinator at the Institute of Forestry.
- 2019–2023 COST Action CA18134 “Genomic Biodiversity Knowledge for Resilient Ecosystems” (G-BIKE), member of Working Group 2.
- 2019–2021 Ministry of Environment project “Creation of forest genetic monitoring methodology for Scots pine, Norway spruce, common oak and silver birch in Lithuania”, executor.
- 2019 International collaboration with Copenhagen University project “Ash-Adapt – Evolutionary potential of natural Fraxinus excelsior populations challenged by novel pests and pathogens”, leader of Lithuanian team.
- 2017–2021 LAMMC long-term research programme “Sustainable Forestry and Global Changes”, executor.
- 2015–2018 Research Council of Lithuania National Research Programme “Sustainability of Agro-, Forest and Water Ecosystems” project “Response and plasticity of different tree species and juvenile-stage forest communities under impact of climate change and other environmental stressors” (MIŠKOEKOKAITA), executor.
- 2007–2011 Lithuanian Government project “Estimation of genetic structure in fast growing trees, development of new genotypes and assessment of tolerance to the stress factors using biotechnological methods”, executor.
- 2007–2008 Ministry of Environment project “Study of genetic polymorphism of Populus tremula plus trees and identification of molecular markers for resistance to stem rot”, executor.
- 2006–2010 m. EU BPD 6 framework programme “TREEBREEDEX: A working model network of tree improvement for competitive, multifunctional and sustainable European forestry”, executor.
- 2006–2007 Lithuanian 2004–2005 Single Programming Document measure “Human Resources Development in Scientific Research and Innovation” project “Establishment of interactive plant biotechnology centre”, observer.
- 2001–2006 COST Action E28: “GENOSILVA: European Forest Genomics Network”, executor.
- 2001–2006 Lithuanian Government project “The establishment of theoretical and methodological bases for identification of genetic polymorphism and assessment of embryogenic potency of forest trees in vitro”, executor.
SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS (click the link here)
