Researcher Spotlight 2026

Extraordinary personalities and their achievements

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Researcher Spotlight: Jānis Ārents

Ph. D. Jānis Ārents 

Leading Researcher at the Robotics and Machine Perception Laboratory of the Institute of Electronics and Computer Science

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Latvia’s Diaspora Scientists Database Unites Researchers Worldwide

 

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researchLatvia: Your Gateway to Latvia's Science

Science creates, surprises and drives forward

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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

research science policy

Latvia’s scientific community is invited to assess the research environment in Latvia

How does the scientific community assess the working environment in Latvia, what challenges does it face in its daily work and professional development, and what improvements are needed? To gain a broader understanding of the situation from the perspective of those working in it, the Latvian Counci…

Latvian Council of Science

October 1, 2026

science communication entrepreneurship innovation

From coffee and tea by-products to cosmetic ingredients: the POLYCLAY-UV project reaches its final stage

The research project POLYCLAY-UV, implemented by the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies (LBTU), is reaching its final stage, introducing a new approach to valorising coffee and tea industry by-products as high-value ingredients for cosmetic applications. The project focuses on the …

Latvijas Biozinātņu un tehnoloģiju universitāte

October 1, 2026

space

Latvia to Continue Its Participation in the European Space Agency

On Tuesday, 29 September, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the informative report prepared by the Ministry of Education and Science (MES) on the development of Latvia’s space sector and its participation in the European Space Agency (ESA). The government gave conceptual support to continuing Latvi…

Ministry of Education and Science

September 30, 2026

science communication

Rare Earth Metals, Wood and Lupins - What Do They Have in Common? The Answer Lies in Ionic Liquids

Ionic liquids can unlock opportunities across remarkably diverse fields - from wood processing and extracting valuable compounds from wild lupins to developing cleaner methods for obtaining rare earth metals. In the “Latvia in Science” programme on Radio SWH TV, Eduards Baķis, leading researcher at…

Delfi.lv

September 30, 2026

science communication

The Travelling Exhibition “Research Latvia 2026” on Display at The National Institute of Research and Innovation (NIRI) and Riga Zolitūde Gymnasium

The travelling exhibition “Research Latvia 2026”, created by the Ministry of Education and Science, offers a unique opportunity to discover 12 outstanding Latvian scientists and their contributions to the development of society and research. In May, the travelling exhibition and the science calenda…

researchLatvia

September 30, 2026

research

A €10 million defence AI research centre will be established in Latvia

European defence technology company “NestAI” has announced the opening of a new research and development (R&D) centre in Latvia. As part of the project, the company plans to invest 10 million euros over the coming years and build a team of up to 30 scientists and engineers to develop artificial…

kursors.lv

September 29, 2026

collaboration medicine biomedicīna

The University of Latvia will strengthen cooperation in genomics and precision medicine with global leader Illumina

The University of Latvia (UL), together with the National Research and Innovation Institute, Rīga Stradiņš University, Riga East University Hospital, Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital and the Children’s Clinical University Hospital, signed a memorandum of understanding with global genomic…

University of Latvia

September 29, 2026

achievements

Archaeology, soil, bioplastics. What are the Latvian recipients of the Baltic Fellowship for Women in Science researching?

Research on ceramics in archaeology, agricultural soil research in the context of climate change, and research on composite materials and biopolymers in chemistry – these are the fields represented by young Latvian female scientists that have received recognition in the annual “Baltic Fellowship fo…

LSM.lv

September 28, 2026

science communication research

Laima Vēvere on working in science and a material developed in Latvia for the “Ariane 6” launch vehicle

Laima Vēvere entered science while looking for a profession that would not involve routine. For 15 years, she has worked at the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry (LSIWC), researching polyurethane materials derived from renewable raw materials, including their use in cryogenic insulation. Th…

Ministry of Education and Science

September 28, 2026

natural sciences

At Akmeņrags Lighthouse, visitors can explore and feel the underwater landscape of the Baltic Sea

Opposite Akmeņrags Lighthouse, moraine elevations form the European Union protected habitat “Stony Reefs in the Sea”, which is one of the most significant protected habitats in the Baltic Sea. The unique underwater relief was formed as a result of glacial activity. In everyday life, it is hidden be…

Dace Kreijere, lsm.lv

September 25, 2026

upcoming events

Online event

Seminar Series “Science-Based Youth Sports: How to Recognise and Reduce Physical and Mental Health Risks?”

06.10.2026

Plkst. 12:00

Seminar

A seminar “Lost in Translation? Why Biomarker Discoveries Rarely Reach Patients”

07.10.2026

Plkst. 14:00

Rīgas Stradiņa universitāte, Farmācijas studiju un pētniecības centrs, Konsula iela 21, 204. telpa

Forum

Precision Medicine Networking Forum 2026

08.10.2026

All day

Mūkusalas iela 3, Rīga, Latvija

Conference

Scientific and Practical Conference on Medical Law 2026

08.10.2026

Plkst. 10:00

Dzirciema iela 16, Kurzemes rajons, Rīga, LV-1007

top videos

September Researcher Spotlight: Jānis Ārents

At the Robotics and Machine Perception Laboratory of the Institute of Electronics and Computer Science (IECS), PhD Jānis Ārents leads research on how robots can navigate complex environments, interpret human instructions and apply learned skills to new tasks.His work seeks answers to a central question: how to enable robots to move through forests, construction sites or industrial settings and interact with humans as naturally as colleagues.

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August Researcher Spotlight: Ieva Leimane

Mg. soc. sci. Ieva Leimane. As a Researcher and Project Manager at the Sustainability Research Unit of the Bioeconomy Department at the Institute of Agricultural Resources and Economics (IARE), Mg. soc. sci. Ieva Leimane focuses on sustainable agricultural practices, biodiversity conservation on farmland, socio-economic assessments, and cooperation among stakeholders in agriculture and rural development. Her work promotes sustainable rural development and environmental protection in agriculture.

 

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July Researcher Spotlight: Līga Lepse

As a Head of Scientific Board, Leading Researcher at the Agrotechnical Research and Variety Evaluation Department at the Institute of Horticulture (IH) Dr. agr. Līga Lepse, where she has dedicated several decades to researching vegetable cultivation technologies and plant breeding. Her work addresses questions of growing global importance – how to produce healthy, high‑quality vegetables while protecting the environment and using resources responsibly.

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