Researcher Spotlight 2026

Extraordinary personalities and their achievements

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Researcher Spotlight: Edgars Butanovs

Ph. D. Edgars Butanovs 

Lead Researcher at the Thin Films Laboratory and Head of the Semiconductor Thin Film Nanotechnology Group at the University of Latvia, Institute of Solid State Physics

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research in Latvia

in brief

We are building a stable and strong national research environment, enabling international and public-private partnerships to emerge.

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why Latvia

Latvia's research policy is developed in order to create the maximum number of opportunities both in the research and education system and in the business environment.

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mission

We believe that a culture of knowledge offers the best opportunities for creating and sustaining a strong civil society in a world that is constantly changing.

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research spotlight

science communication

A Career in Science: From Student to Researcher

The 11th episode of the Ministry of Education and Science’s EU‑funded podcast “See Further!” is dedicated to careers in science, together with experts highlighting the path from a student’s first ideas to high‑level research and international competitiveness.With the arrival of spring, many young p…

TVNET | Ministry of Education and Science

May 6, 2026

science communication

Meet the Young Scientist – Diāna Hristenko

Diāna Hristenko is a doctoral candidate at the University of Latvia’s Faculty of Humanities, where she is developing her dissertation “The Sovietization of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Baltic States, 1944–1953.” To learn more about research in theology, international collaboration, and th…

Latvian Association of Young Researchers

May 6, 2026

natural sciences

Gene Banks for Biodiversity

Climate change is rapidly altering familiar environmental conditions, affecting both agriculture and natural ecosystems. The frequency of extreme weather events is increasing, precipitation patterns are shifting, and as a result, vegetation growth conditions are changing as well. At the same time, …

Ilona Noriete | the newspaper "Ogres Vēstis"

May 5, 2026

research

10 Scientist Teams to Represent Latvia at The “Hello Tomorrow Global Summit 2026

The biomedical and photonics research platform “BioPhoT”, in collaboration with “Hello Tomorrow” international experts, has selected 10 strong BioPhoT research teams through a competitive process. On 11–12 June in Amsterdam, these teams will represent Latvia at one of the world’s most significant d…

The biomedical and photonics research platform “BioPhoT”

April 30, 2026

innovation

“Alternative Plants” Addresses Medical Challenges

The Latvian biotechnology startup “Alternative Plants” has received European funding and become a partner in two projects addressing pressing challenges in medicine. One of the supported projects aims to use bioengineering solutions based on renewable resources to prevent antibiotic resistance…

Labs of Latvia

April 30, 2026

space

New guide for Latvian industry and research organisations: how to successfully participate in European Space Agency procurements

Latvia’s space sector continues to develop, and an increasing number of companies and research organisations are showing interest in participating in European Space Agency (ESA) projects. To strengthen the ability of Latvian entities to compete successfully in ESA procurements, a practical guide ti…

European Space Agency

April 29, 2026

social sciences

European Social Scientists Convene in Athens to Establish New Standards in Public Opinion Research

From 21 to 23 April, Athens (Greece) hosted the 27th National Coordinators’ Forum of the European Social Survey (ESS ERIC). During the meeting, researchers from across Europe—including representatives from Latvia, Dr Jurijs Ņikišins, Senior Researcher at the University of Latvia’s Faculty of Econom…

Jurijs Ņikišins | National Coordinator of the European Social Survey (ESS) in Latvia

April 29, 2026

science policy

Improving Research Project Selection Will Strengthen Public Trust in Science

On Tuesday, 28 April, the Cabinet of Ministers approved amendments prepared by the Ministry of Education and Science to the procedures for the evaluation and administration of funding for Fundamental and Applied Research Project (FLPP) projects. The amendments provide for the inclusion of public op…

Ministry of Education and Science

April 28, 2026

medicine

From environment to body: first human biomonitoring study in Latvia reveals main sources of pollution

On 21 April, researchers from the Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) Institute of Occupational Safety and Environmental Health presented the results of the most comprehensive human biomonitoring study conducted in Latvia to date, which for the first time, on such a large scale, analysed the presence of…

Rīgas Stradiņa universitāte

April 28, 2026

natural sciences

Intensive Forestry as a Climate Mitigation Measure: An Interview with Dr. silv. Aldis Butlers, Researcher at LSFRI “Silava”

From time to time, new or fashionable words and phrases appear in the public space. Are greenhouse gas emissions (hereafter – emissions) also “in fashion”, given how often they are mentioned? And can a scientist even answer such a question?A scientist’s work is, to some extent, tied to political pr…

zemeunvalsts.lv (Latvian environmental and land-use policy platform)

April 28, 2026

upcoming events

Conference

BTechPro Conference

2026-05-06

All day

Siguldas Devons

Hybrid event

DataverseLV – Celebrating the First Year in the Dataverse community

2026-05-06

10:00 am

LU Doktorantūras skolas zālē “Sapere aude”, Kalpaka bulvārī 4, Rīgā.

Conference

International scientific conference HISTORY: SOURCES AND PEOPLE

2026-05-07

All day

Daugavpils University

Face-to-face event

Europe Day in Latvia

2026-05-09

11:00 am

Vērmanes Dārzs, Rīga

top videos

April Researcher Spotlight: Monta Brīvība

Dr. biol. Monta Brīvība is Head of the Genome Centre and Researcher in the Precision Medicine Group at the Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre. At the Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, genome research drives Monta Brīvība's efforts to understand how genetic variation shapes human health. As Head of the Genome Centre and researcher in the Precision Medicine Group, she explores how genomic data can reveal disease risks and support the development of more accurate, personalised healthcare. BMC is one of the centres established by the National Research and Innovation Institute (NIRI), promoting excellence in biomedical research.

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March Researcher Spotlight: Žanete Šteingolde

Mg. med. vet. Žanete Šteingolde is Head of the Microbiology and Pathology Laboratory at the Institute "BIOR", working at the intersection of animal, environmental and public health, developing research based on the "One Health" approach. Her work focuses on animal infectious diseases, including zoonoses, combining laboratory diagnostics with epidemiological analysis. The researcher participates in a European co-funded international "One Health" surveillance project, studying diseases that affect both animals and humans – including West Nile fever, which was detected in Latvia for the first time in 2024.

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February Researcher Spotlight: Edgars Kuka

Ph. D. Edgars Kuka, Researcher at the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry. Edgars Kuka is a researcher at the Wood Degradation and Protection Laboratory of the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry.

His work is dedicated to understanding how various environmental factors, including moisture, microorganisms, and solar radiation, affect the properties of wood materials and how innovative solutions can extend their service life, making the use of biomaterials broader and more sustainable. His research promotes more efficient use and protection of wood as an environmentally friendly material.

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