Pavel Kozák, Rector of the University of South Bohemia, was elected President of the International Association of Astacology at the International Association of Astacology Symposium 2026, held in New Orleans from 31 May to 7 June 2026. As a result, the University of South Bohemia will have its rector serving as the head of this global scientific organization for the next two years.
The association has set preserving crayfish biodiversity and continuing high-quality research as its main goals for the coming period. It also aims to attract more young scientists from among students to the field.
Together with the rector, a rare travelling fossil of a crayfish, estimated to be 140 million years old, which is associated with the presidential role, has also travelled to the Czech Republic.
