Biography

Ivana Dostalova is a scientific consultant, independent researcher, photographer and photographic and visual researcher with 10+ years experience as a clinical scientist and researcher and 10+ years experience as a photographic and visual researcher.

Ivana started her studies in biology at the Charles University where she completed Master of Science and later Doctor of Science Degree in 2003 (State Examination: Neurobiology, Physiology, Biology General). She continued with her postgradual study in Biomedicine (Neurobiology and Physiology, State Examination: Neurobiology, Physiology, Immunology) at the Charles University and received her Ph.D. with extraordinary publication contribution in 2006. Her Diploma, Rigorous and Dissertation Theses were in the topic of neuroendocrinology and pathophysiology of eating disorders (The Role of Leptin, Resistin, and Ghrelin in the Pathophysiology of Anorexia Nervosa). For the clinical research of eating disorders she was nominated on „Czech Head“ Award in 2003 (supported by Prof. MUDr. Karel Pacák, DrSc., National Institute of Health, Bethesda) and received the Award for the Best Publication of the Year from Czech Medical Society in 2007 for the publication (Dostalova I. et al. Adipose Tissue Resistin Levels in Anorexia Nervosa) bringing evidence for the first time in the world for increased insulin resistence in adipose tissue of patients with AN. As a part of her Ph.D. study she introduced and under the supervision of the world´s most cited expert scientist in his field Prof. MUDr. Karel Pacák, DrSc. (NIH, Bethesda) used in vivo clinical microdialysis for the first time in the world for tissue sampling of adipokines; for tissue sampling of peptides in eating disorders, methodology was published (first author). Publications on which Ivana is the author or co-author reached more than 1400 citations worldwide.

From following her bachelor degree times during the Master study she was a part of the team of Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Neuroendocrinology of the Institute of Endocrinology in Prague where she participated on grant projects in cooperation with National Institute of Health in Bethesda till 2007, initially as research associate, later as a clinical scientist and researcher. From 2007 till 2013 Ivana worked as a clinical scientist and researcher in the team of worldly-renowned expert Prof. MUDr. Martin Haluzik, DrSc. at the First Faculty of Medicine and General University Hospital in Prague. From 2013 she started to work as an independent consultant worldwide, in between 2016 and 2019 she was a Member of Board of Directors in Hippokrates Foundation, Oncogynecological Centre of Excellence of the First Faculty of Medicine and General University Hospital. Ivana is certified in Clinical Microdialysis (Prof. Urban Ungerstedt, Karolinska Institutet) and she obtained as one of the first in the world PGCert academic qualification in Therapeutic Photography from Robert Gordon University, Scotland, first type of this kind in the world in 2023.

Her research interests are mainly in the neurobiology, pathophysiology, neuroendocrinology of eating disorders; introducing of new methodologies in the clinical research and treatment. The main topics of her research: neuroendocrine regulation of food intake in obesity and anorexia nervosa, neuroendocrine regulation of adipose tissue and GIT, neuropeptides and brain neuroplasticity markers.

Main Research Interests

• Neuroendocrinology
• Neurobiology
• Physiology /Pathophysiology
• Non-invasive Human Tissue Sampling (Clinical Microdialysis)
• Photography- and Visual-based New Methodologies and Tech´s
• Introducing New Methodologies in the Clinical Research and Treatment of Eating Disorders, Including with Neurodivergency and Comorbidities
• Biological Insights to Study Consciousness
• Saturating Healing Humane and Compassionate Technologies
• Therapeutic and Neuroplastic Use of Photography and Visual Stimuli
• Photography as Imaging Method in Neuroscience

In Photography:

She developed:

1. PhotoTherapeutic Free Expression Approach to communicate and renew mind and body connection and trauma healing; to explore body expressive semiology and its relation to trauma, authenticity and healing and

2. The Approach of Photographic and Visual Inquiry (PESORM* Photography-Evoked Self-Other-Relations Mindfulness~Visual~Photographic Inquiry*) to visually communicate brain on neurobiological level in connection with emotion.

Multiple global photographic awards winner, spreading humanity, peace and compassion via photography.

Previous Teaching

Opponencies of Doctoral Theses on the First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague (Human Physiology and Pathophysiology)

Lectures on Pathophysiology for Foreign Students (Regulation of Food Intake, Pathophysiology of Eating Disorders) – 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague

Invited lecture in the University of Cambridge about introducing of in vivo microdialysis to measure adipokine levels in eating disorders

Uncounted Oral or Poster Presentations on Conferences

Last Selected Trainings

Program in Integrative Psychotherapy for Health Care with a Focus on Complex Interdisciplinary Treatment (Supervision: Psychiatrist Prof. MUDr. Hana Papežová, DrSc., Head of Eating Disorders Centre, 1^st Faculty of Medicine, Prague) (2025-2030)

The Professional Course in Positive Neuroplasticity Training (Dr. Rick Hanson, Ph.D., Berkeley, UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center) (2024)

Mindful Photography Training Programme for Professional Practitioners (Ruth Davey, UK) (2022)

Training in Expressive Semiology and visual expression according to global research of Arno Stern (Martina Weissgerber, FR) (2021-2022)

Publications

Citations: More than 1400 worldwide

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy ameliorates mRNA expression of inflammation-related genes in subcutaneous adipose tissue but not in peripheral monocytes of obese patients.

Trachta P, Dostálová I, Haluzíková D, Kasalický M, Kaválková P, Drápalová J, Urbanová M, Lacinová Z, Mráz M, Haluzík M. Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2014 Mar 5;383(1-2):96-102.

Preadipocyte factor-1 concentrations in patients with anorexia nervosa: the influence of partial realimentation.

Kaválková P, Dostálová I, Haluzíková D, Trachta P, Hanušová V, Lacinová Z, Papežová H, Domluvilová D, Zikán V, Haluzík M. Physiol Res. 2012;61(2):153-9.

Association of macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1 with nutritional status, body composition and bone mineral density in patients with anorexia nervosa: the influence of partial realimentation.

Dostálová I, Kaválková P, Papežová H, Domluvilová D, Zikán V, Haluzík M. Nutr Metab (Lond). 2010 Apr 23;7:34.

The role of ghrelin in the regulation of food intake in patients with obesity and anorexia nervosa.

Dostálová I, Haluzík M. Physiol Res. 2009;58(2):159-170.

Fibroblast growth factor 21: a novel metabolic regulator with potential therapeutic properties in obesity/type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Dostálová I, Haluzíková D, Haluzík M. Physiol Res. 2009;58(1):1-7.

The endocrine profile of subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue of obese patients.

Dolinková M, Dostálová I, Lacinová Z, Michalský D, Haluzíková D, Mráz M, Kasalický M, Haluzík M. Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2008 Sep 10;291(1-2):63-70.

Serum visfatin levels in patients with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.

Dostálová I, Sedláčková D, Papežová H, Nedvídková J, Haluzík M. Physiol Res. 2009;58(6):903-907.

Serum concentrations of adipocyte fatty acid binding protein in patients with anorexia nervosa.

Haluzíková D, Dostálová I, Kaválková P, Roubíček T, Mráz M, Papežová H, Haluzík M. Physiol Res. 2009;58(4):577-581.

Adipose tissue resistin levels in patients with anorexia nervosa.

Dostalova I, Kunesova M, Duskova J, Papezova H, Nedvidkova J. Nutrition. 2006 Oct;22(10):977-83.

Increased insulin sensitivity in patients with anorexia nervosa: the role of adipocytokines.

Dostálová I, Smitka K, Papežová H, Kvasnicková H, Nedvídková J. Physiol Res. 2007;56(5):587-594.

Simultaneous decrease of plasma obestatin and ghrelin levels after a high-carbohydrate breakfast in healthy women.

Sedláčková D, Dostálová I, Hainer V, Beranová L, Kvasničková H, Hill M, Haluzík M, Nedvídková J. Physiol Res. 2008;57 Suppl 1:S29-S37.

Plasma concentrations of fibroblast growth factors 19 and 21 in patients with anorexia nervosa.

Dostálová I, Kaválková P, Haluzíková D, Lacinová Z, Mráz M, Papezová H, Haluzík M. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2008 Sep;93(9):3627-32. doi: 10.1210/jc.2008-0746. Epub 2008 Jun 17. PMID: 18559909 Clinical Trial.

The effect of short-term exercise on plasma leptin levels in patients with anorexia nervosa.

Dostalova I, Bartak V, Papezova H, Nedvidkova J. Metabolism. 2007 Apr;56(4):497-503. doi: 10.1016/j.metabol.2006.11.008. PMID: 17379007

Expression of adipokines and estrogen receptors in adipose tissue and placenta of patients with gestational diabetes mellitus.

Kleiblova P, Dostalova I, Bartlova M, Lacinova Z, Ticha I, Krejci V, Springer D, Kleibl Z, Haluzik M. Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2010 Jan 15;314(1):150-6. doi: 10.1016/j.mce.2009.08.002. Epub 2009 Aug 12. PMID: 19682537

Increased subcutaneous abdominal tissue norepinephrine levels in patients with anorexia nervosa: an in vivo microdialysis study.

Nedvídková J, Dostálová I, Barták V, Papezov H, Pacák K. Physiol Res. 2004;53(4):409-13. PMID: 15312000 Free article.

Serum concentrations and subcutaneous adipose tissue mRNA expression of omentin in morbid obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus: the effect of very-low-calorie diet, physical activity and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.

Urbanová M, Dostálová I, Trachta P, Drápalová J, Kaválková P, Haluzíková D, Matoulek M, Lacinová Z, Mráz M, Kasalický M, Haluzík M. Physiol Res. 2014;63(2):207-18. doi: 10.33549/physiolres.932530. Epub 2014 Jan 8. PMID: 24397804 Free article.

Basal and exercise-induced sympathetic nervous activity and lipolysis in adipose tissue of patients with anorexia nervosa.

Bartak V, Vybiral S, Papezova H, Dostalova I, Pacak K, Nedvidkova J. Eur J Clin Invest. 2004 May;34(5):371-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2362.2004.01344.x. PMID: 15147335

Leptin concentrations in the abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue of patients with anorexia nervosa assessed by in vivo microdialysis.

Dostálová I, Kopský V, Dusková J, Papezová H, Pacák K, Nedvídková J. Regul Pept. 2005 May 15;128(1):63-8. doi: 10.1016/j.regpep.2004.12.029. PMID: 15721489

The influence of obesity and different fat depots on adipose tissue gene expression and protein levels of cell adhesion molecules.

Bošanská L, Michalský D, Lacinová Z, Dostálová I, Bártlová M, Haluzíková D, Matoulek M, Kasalický M, Haluzík M. Physiol Res. 2010;59(1):79-88. doi: 10.33549/physiolres.931705. Epub 2009 Feb 27. PMID: 19249917 Free article.

Serum concentrations and tissue expression of a novel endocrine regulator fibroblast growth factor-21 in patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity.

Mraz M, Bartlova M, Lacinova Z, Michalsky D, Kasalicky M, Haluzikova D, Matoulek M, Dostalova I, Humenanska V, Haluzik M. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2009 Sep;71(3):369-75. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2265.2008.03502.x. Epub 2008 Dec 11. PMID: 19702724

Increased serum concentrations of macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1 in patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus: the influence of very low calorie diet.

Dostálová I, Roubícek T, Bártlová M, Mráz M, Lacinová Z, Haluzíková D, Kaválková P, Matoulek M, Kasalicky M, Haluzík M. Eur J Endocrinol. 2009 Sep;161(3):397-404. doi: 10.1530/EJE-09-0417. Epub 2009 Jun 10. PMID: 19515791 Clinical Trial.

Application of in vivo microdialysis to measure leptin concentrations in adipose tissue.

Dostálová I, Pacák K, Nedvídková J. Int J Biol Macromol. 2003 Sep;32(3-5):205-8. doi: 10.1016/s0141-8130(03)00055-2. PMID: 12957318

Changes of noradrenergic activity and lipolysis in the subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue of hypo- and hyperthyroid patients: an in vivo microdialysis study.

Nedvidkova J, Haluzik M, Bartak V, Dostalova I, Vlcek P, Racek P, Taus M, Behanova M, Svacina S, Alesci S, Pacak K. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2004 Jun;1018:541-9. doi: 10.1196/annals.1296.067. PMID: 15240413

Effects of hypo- and hyperthyroidism on noradrenergic activity and glycerol concentrations in human subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue assessed with microdialysis.

Haluzik M, Nedvidkova J, Bartak V, Dostalova I, Vlcek P, Racek P, Taus M, Svacina S, Alesci S, Pacak K. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2003 Dec;88(12):5605-8. doi: 10.1210/jc.2003-030576. PMID: 14671140

The use of microdialysis to characterize the endocrine production of human subcutaneous adipose tissue in vivo.

Dostálová I, Kaválková P, Haluzíková D, Housová J, Matoulek M, Haluzík M. Regul Pept. 2009 Jun 5;155(1-3):156-62. doi: 10.1016/j.regpep.2009.03.008. Epub 2009 Mar 27. PMID: 19328826 Clinical Trial.

[The role of adiponectin in increased insulin sensitivity of patients with anorexia nervosa].

Dostálová I, Smitka K, Papezová H, Kvasnicková H, Nedvídková J. Vnitr Lek. 2006 Oct;52(10):887-90. PMID: 17063798 Czech.

[Recently discovered hormones with a role in energy homeostasis].

Krykorková I, Nedvídková J. Cas Lek Cesk. 2003 Feb;142(2):80-3. PMID: 12698533 Review. Czech.

Loss of meal-induced decrease in plasma ghrelin levels in patients with anorexia nervosa.

Nedvídková J, Krykorková I, Barták V, Papezová H, Gold PW, Alesci S, Pacak K. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2003 Apr;88(4):1678-82. doi: 10.1210/jc.2002-021669. PMID: 12679456

Awards

2023 TEDx Talk, TEDx Prague Women „Take a Picture of It! Photography is a Tool to Communicate with Mind.“

2008 Endocrine Society Award for the Best Poster Presentation at the Endocrine Society Meeting, Slovakia

2007 Czech Medical Society Award for the Best Publication of the Year

2003 Nominated Finalist for “Česká hlava” Award for the clinical research of eating disorders (supported by Prof. MUDr. Karel Pacák, DrSc.)

 

Sony World Photography Awards 2023 National & Regional Awards Shortlist

Lens Culture Portrait Awards 2024 Editor´s Pick

Lens Culture Critics Choice 2024 Editors Pick

Lens Culture Portrait Awards 2024 Editors Pick

Lens Culture Emerging Talent Awards 2024 Editors Pick

(International Photography Awards) IPA 2024 Awards Honorable Mention Professional People Self-Portrait

IPA 2024 Official Selection Professional 5times

International Photography Awards 2023 Deeper Perspective Award Honorable Mention Project Community (for the photographic processing and contribution to community and mental health for the project „Swimming Women“)

Lens Culture Portrait Awards 2024 Editor´s Pick

IPA 2023 Awards Honorable Mention Professional People

IPA 2023 Awards Honorable Mention Professional Fine Art

IPA 2023 Official Selection Professional 7times

Lens Culture Art Photography Awards 2023 Editors Pick

Lens Culture Black White Photography Awards 2023 Editors Pick

Lens Culture Critics Choice 2023 Editors Pick

IPA Awards 2022 Official Selection Professional Portrait

BBA Photography Prize 2022 Longlist Berlin PhotoWeek Selection

Lens Culture Street Photography Awards 2020 Editors Pick

Lens Culture Art Awards 2019 Editors Pick

Art Limited Abstract Awards 2019 Honorable Mention

Czech Press Photo 2019 2nd Place Portrait

Czech Press Photo 2018 Nomination For The 1st Place Art & Culture

Links:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivana-dostalova-dsc-phd-20a54745/

https://www.researchgate.net/scientific-contributions/I-Dostalova-39182605

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=dostalova%20i

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=ivana+dostalova+anorexia+nervosa

https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article-abstract/93/9/3627/2597448

https://www.medvik.cz/bmc/view.do?gid=545942&type=2

Photographic and art works:

Ivana exhibits and her works are represented in the private collections worldwide and in the permanent collection of Bastille Design Centre in Paris.

http://ivana.dostal.eu.com/

TEDx Talk: About science, humanity, and photography

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghC0SsxdFL4