Rimvydas Vasaitis

Background
Degrees
PhD in Forest Protection (1989) St.Petersburg Forest Technology University. Dissertation: “Wound decay in stands of Picea abies associated with logging damage and bark stripping”
PhD in Forest Pathology (1998) Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Uppsala. Dissertation: “Ecology of fungi colonizing wounds of Picea abies with special emphasis on Stereum sanguinolentum”
Doctor Habilitus in Biology (September 1999). Vilnius University. Dissertation: “Population biology and silvicultural significance of fungi colonizing wounds of spruce, oak and ash”
(each of the dissertations consist of separate non-overlapping studies)
Docent (Associate Professor): year 1994 (Lithuanian University of Agriculture) and 2009 (Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences)
Current employment: researcher & forest pathologist, Dept. of Forest Mycology & Pathology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU)
Previous appointments
- 1986-1989: PhD student, St.Petersburg Forest Technology Academy, Russia
- 1989-1992: researcher, Lithuanian Forest Research Institute
- 1992-2001: assistant professor, then docent, Lithuanian University of Agriculture
- 1999-2001: post-doc, Dept. of Forest Mycology & Pathology, (SLU).
- 2001-2009: researcher
- Since 2010: current appointment at SLU
Research profile
Falls within forest health, and is mainly focused on fungal diseases of trees in all stages of life, – from seedling, up to old-growth tree. It deals with forest and urban trees from over 10 species, and includes wide range of diverse fungal pathogens, but also insect pests.
Main subjects: i) forest pathology and protection; ii) silviculture; iii) mycology.
Ecostystems: European temperate and boreal forests.
Competence areas (in alphabetical order): - biodiversity and nature conservation; - dieback, wilt and canker; - disease identification and diagnosis; - disease management, silvicultural and biological control; - drought, fire and wind (abiotic) damage; - economic impact; - endophytes and mycorrhiza; - forest decline and self-regeneration; - forest disease (damage) survey and modelling; - forestry and silviculture; - fungal community ecology and population genetics; - fungus-insect associations; - invasive and emerging diseases and insect pests; - logging and wildlife damage; - post-fire fungi; - root rot in forest stands; - shoot and foliar diseases; - stem decay.
Supervision
PhD students at SLU
- Vaidotas Lygis. “Root infecting fungi in conifer plantations in Lithuania: biology and management”. Thesis No. 2005:4
- Audrius Menkis. “Root associated fungi of conifer seedlings and their role in afforestation of agricultural land”. Thesis No. 2005:106
- Natalija Arhipova. “Heart rot of spruce and alder in forests of Latvia: impact and possibilities for silvicultural control”. Thesis No. 2012:49
- Remigijus Bakys. “Dieback of Fraxinus excelsior in Baltic Sea region: associated fungi, their pathogenicity and implications for forestry”. Thesis No. 2013:10
(assistant supervisor of six other PhD students, all defended)