Researcher Spotlight 2026

Extraordinary personalities and their achievements

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Researcher Spotlight: Monta Brīvība

Dr. biol. Monta Brīvība 

Head of the Genome Centre at the Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre (National Institute of Research and Innovation)

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competition youth

RTU Announces LACHMAT Scholarship Competition for Pupils and Students

Riga Technical University (RTU) invites secondary school pupils, vocational education students, and bachelor’s degree students to apply for a scholarship competition. Pupils will be able to receive a scholarship for developing a research project, project work, or module assignment, while bachelor’s…

Riga Technical University

March 3, 2026

research space security

ALPSTAR Information Day Promotes Awareness of Space Opportunities for Strengthening National Defence and Security

Today, on March 3, an information day was held at the Ministry of Education and Science, during which the European Space Agency’s (ESA) ALPSTAR initiative was discussed. The initiative aims to develop a sovereign and interconnected intelligence and surveillance infrastructure that strengthens natio…

researchLatvia

March 3, 2026

science communication

Travelling Exhibition "Research Latvia 2026" on Display at the Scientific Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment "BIOR" and "AKROPOLE Riga"

The travelling exhibition "Science for Latvia 2026", created by the Ministry of Education and Science, provides a unique opportunity to learn about 12 Latvian scientific excellences and their contributions to society and research. In March, the travelling exhibition and science calendar highlight t…

researchLatvia

March 2, 2026

research

26 Research Projects Receive Funding in the Second “BioPhoT” Call

In the second research and innovation project call of “BioPhoT,” funding has been awarded to 26 top-rated projects. A total of EUR 4,710,859 will be invested in their implementation, with each project receiving up to EUR 190,000 for eight months of research and innovation activities. 26 top-r…

Amanda Boka

March 2, 2026

science communication

LU leading researcher Tatjana Pladere receives the “Optica Ambassador” title

The leading researcher at the University of Latvia (UL), Tatjana Pladere, has received the “Optica Ambassador” recognition awarded by the international professional society Optica to outstanding young leaders in the field of optics and photonics. T. Pladere is the first representative from the Balt…

Labs of Latvia

February 27, 2026

innovation

Science and Industry Join Forces to Advance Battery Technologies in Latvia

On 25 February 2026, the Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia (ISSP UL), hosted the country’s first-ever Battery Industry Day, bringing together a broad spectrum of researchers, companies, and public-sector representatives to discuss the future of battery technologies and strength…

Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia

February 27, 2026

innovation technologies

Developing Smart Asphalt Technologies for Greener Road Construction

The first experiment in Latvia to build a road using a sustainable bio-asphalt mixture—replacing a large portion of petroleum-based bitumen with lignin, a by-product of wood processing, and reclaimed asphalt—has been successful. Scientists, working in close cooperation with industry, continue to im…

Labs of Latvia

February 26, 2026

innovation

“OLEC Technology” is developing next-generation lighting

The deep-tech startup “OLEC Technology” is developing a technology that allows thin, flexible, and energy-efficient lighting panels to be manufactured more simply and potentially at lower cost than with traditional LED technologies. Currently, most LED component manufacturing takes place in …

Labs of Latvia

February 26, 2026

science communication

Get involved – help shape research that matters to Latvian society

The Ministry of Education and Science, in cooperation with the Latvian Council of Science, invites you to participate in a survey to identify society’s views on issues and challenges that are important for Latvia and in whose resolution a significant role is also played by projects implemented unde…

Latvian Council of Science

February 25, 2026

science communication

High school students invited to apply for Job Shadow Day in Switzerland and shadow Latvian scientists at CERN

Five high school students who wish to build their future careers in particle physics and accelerator technologies will once again have the opportunity, during Job Shadow Day, to visit the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Switzerland and learn about the work of scientists from Ri…

Riga Technical University

February 25, 2026

upcoming events

Seminar

Presentation of the Results of the International Evaluation of Scientific Institutions

2026-04-09

11:30 am

Latvijas Universitātes Zinātņu māja

Online event

Online training on preparing applications for the 2026 call of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

2026-04-13

All day

Online

Lecture

Lecture “From Excellence to Impact: How to Plan Meaningful Research”

2026-04-14

9:00 am

UL House of Science, Alfa Auditorium

Lecture

Open Lecture: “Novel Food and Genetically Modified Organisms“

2026-04-15

9:00 am

LU Dabas māja, Jelgavas iela 1, 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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