In just one month, at the beginning of January 2026, Masaryk University's 20th expedition will set off for Antarctica. In addition to scientific research, the mission will also include a significant modernization of the medical equipment at the Czech J. G. Mendel Scientific Station, located on James Ross Island.
An automatic external defibrillator, a vital signs monitor with accessories, an ultrasound machine with a convex probe, small medical equipment, and a cabinet for medicines and other medical equipment will be sent to Antarctica in the next calendar year. Masaryk University acquired this medical equipment for nearly one million Czech crowns thanks to the initiative of MUDr. Bronislav Stibor and the companies GORDIC, spol. s r. o., BIONIK Stapro Group, s. r. o., Cheiron, a. s., Plasmametal, s. r. o., Stolařství Jan Záviška, and the Czech Antarctic Foundation.
The newly acquired medical equipment for the J. G. Mendel polar station surpasses not only seasonal stations but also a number of year-round stations in terms of its scope and level. Masaryk University plans to continue modernizing the station in the coming years. "The modernized medical equipment will significantly increase the level of care provided at the station and strengthen the expedition doctor's ability to respond to unexpected situations in the harsh conditions of Antarctica. My sincere thanks go to everyone who participated in this modernization and to the donors who made it possible," said Martin Bareš, Rector of Masaryk University, at the ceremonial handover of the equipment.
The new equipment was acquired by MU on the initiative of anesthesiologist Bronislav Stibor, a graduate of MU's Faculty of Medicine who currently works at Landesklinikum Baden bei Wien. He took part in his first expedition to Antarctica in the 2023/2024 season. His main task was to provide medical care to the expedition members and conduct medical research, which focused primarily on detecting changes in the adaptability of the cardiovascular system, changes in the regulation of the autonomic nervous system, and the composition of body tissues during a stay at the polar station. "During this expedition, I also had the unique opportunity to visit Antarctic stations of other countries, such as Chile and Uruguay. Everywhere I went, I was interested in the material and instrumental medical equipment. And that was the main impetus for approaching sponsors with a request for financial and material assistance for our station," explained Bronislav Stibor.
He is returning to Antarctica with the current expedition, this time in an expanded role that includes coordinating medical procedures and training the crew in first aid and working with new equipment. "However, the main task will be to renew and modernize the base's medical equipment. This is absolutely essential for increasing the safety of the team in a remote environment where medical care is virtually unavailable. The new equipment will enable better basic diagnostics, treatment of injuries, monitoring of vital functions, ultrasound examinations, and management of acute medical complications until the arrival of the evacuation team," added Bronislav Stibor.
Nineteen scientists and technical staff will set off for the Czech J. G. Mendel Scientific Station on James Ross Island at the beginning of January. At the end of January, a smaller group of eight polar explorers will set off for Nelson Island in cooperation with the national programs of Ukraine, Turkey, China, and Chile. This year's participants in both expeditions gathered in November for training, which everyone must complete before traveling to this harsh continent. The training covered not only legal, environmental, and safety topics, but also addressed the health and psychological aspects of participating in the expedition.
"The expedition to James Ross Island will traditionally focus on monitoring climate change, the condition of glaciers and permafrost, and research into lower plants. A new development is the deepening of cooperation with Charles University, which has resulted in the establishment of a new research section for long-term monitoring of the natural environment. The second, smaller expedition will, in addition to its own research, attempt to repair the dilapidated technical and logistical facilities of the CZ*ECO Nelson field camp on Nelson Island," said Daniel Nývlt, head of the Czech Antarctic Research Program at the Institute of Geography, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University.
On Nelson Island, the remains of buildings from the former station, founded in 1988, are used to store materials, while researchers currently stay in tents. Due to the specific natural conditions and strategic location of the island, the Czech Antarctic Research Program, based at the Institute of Geography of the Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, wants to preserve this base and will therefore attempt to repair the existing buildings in order to temporarily extend their service life. In the future, completely new modern facilities are to be built on the island to meet the needs of Czech scientists and others.
Masaryk University plays an important role in Czech Antarctic research. Since 2007, it has owned and operated the Czech Johann Gregor Mendel Scientific Station on James Ross Island, one of the fastest changing areas of Antarctica. Intense warming, glacier melting, and ecosystem changes are taking place near the Antarctic Peninsula, making it an ideal open-air laboratory for research into climate change, ecology, glaciology, and geology.
Masaryk University is also the only university in the world that oversees a national Antarctic program. The Czech Antarctic Research Program, coordinated by MU, provides long-term research and monitoring of the Antarctic natural environment, station operations, and related infrastructure. This facilitates the development of interdisciplinary research and international cooperation, while strengthening the Czech Republic's position within the Antarctic Treaty.
Photo: Radek Miča
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