Awarding of the Latvian Academy of Sciences Prizes and Young Scientists’ Awards

The awarding of prizes by the Latvian Academy of Sciences (LAS) takes place annually during the spring general assembly. In 2025, the LAS Senate has decided to grant the LAS Senate Recognition Certificates to several LAS members, as well as approved the decisions of the LAS Prize Expert Commissions and decided to award the LAS Named Prizes and Young Scientists’ Awards.

LAS Named Prizes

• Professor Mārcis Auziņš (University of Latvia) – Artūrs Balklavs Prize for Science Communication for a creative approach to popularizing fundamental science and for the book “Flirts ar patiesību” (Flirt with Truth) (Riga: Jumava, 2024).

• Dr. phyl. Sandis Laime (Institute of Literature, Folklore, and Art, University of Latvia) – Fricis Brīvzemnieks Prize in Folklore Studies for the book "Latviešu teiku tipu un motīvu rādītājs: Raganas. Latvian Legend Type and Motif Index: Witches" (Riga: Institute of Literature, Folklore, and Art, University of Latvia, 2024).

• Dr. agr. Ina Alsiņa (Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies) – Pauls Lejiņš Prize in Agricultural Sciences for a collection of works “The Influence of Growing Conditions on the Growth, Development, and Yield Formation Quality of Crops”.

Named Prizes for Young Scientists

• Mg. phys. Anete Bērziņa (Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia) – Ludvigs and Māris Jansons Prize in Physics for the work “Third and Higher Order Nonlinear Optical Effects in Organic Materials”. Supervisor: Dr. phys. Arturs Bundulis.

• Ph.D. Jaymin Vrajlal Sanchaniya (Riga Technical University) – Vytautas Tamuzas Prize in Mechanics for the work “Technology, Properties, and Application Study of PAN Nanofibers”. Supervisors: Dr. sc. ing. I. Ļašenko, LAS Full Member A. Krasņikovs. [Information available in English – PDF].

• Mg. chem. Mārtiņš Ķaukulis (Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis) – Mārtiņš Straumanis – Alfrēds Ieviņš Prize in Chemistry for the work “Synthesis and Reactivity of Fluorinated 2-Methylene-Tetrahydropyridines”. Supervisors: Dr. pharm. M. Ruciņš, Dr. chem. N. Pikun.

• Ph.D. Kristaps Valkovskis (Riga Technical University) – Emīlija Gudriniece Prize in Chemistry for the work “Energy Profile of Annulated Azidopyrimidines and Their Reactions with Nucleophiles”. Supervisor: LAS Full Member M. Turks.

• Ph.D. Anna Lielpētere (Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Riga Technical University) – Edvīns Vedējs Prize in Chemistry for the work “Electrochemical Oxidation of Stannylmethyl Ethers and Furan Derivatives for the Development of New Synthesis Methods”. Supervisor: LAS Full Member A. Jirgensons.

• Mg. phil. Tomass Stepiņš (University of Latvia) – Zenta Mauriņa Prize in Philosophy for the work “Conditions of Perceptual Normativity in Husserl’s Concept of Passive Synthesis”. Supervisor: Dr. phil. U. Vēgners.

Young Scientists’ Awards

• Mg. phys. Vitālijs Dimitrijevs (Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia) – for the work “Studies of Lattice Dynamics Anisotropy in Metals Using X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy”. Supervisor: LAS Full Member A. Kuzmins.

• Mg. chem. Laura Pauniņa (University of Latvia) – for the work “Synthesis of Amino Acids Containing N-Heterocycles”. Supervisor: LAS Corresponding Member J. Veliks.

• Mg. agr. Kristiāna Skutele (Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies) – for the work “Macroalgae Washed Ashore on the Latvian Coast of the Baltic Sea and Their Agrochemical Properties and Applications in Agriculture”. Supervisor: Dr. geol. S. Mešķis, Consultant: Mg. agr. A. Dorbe.