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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researchLatvia: Your Gateway to Latvia's Science

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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

technologies

Europe’s microchip industry leaders to gather in Riga for “Riga Chip Summit 2026

On 13 May from 9:00 to 17:00, the international microchip industry forum “Riga Chip Summit 2026” will take place at the VEF Chamber Hall “Spīdola”, Ieriķu Street 5a, bringing together industry leaders, investors, researchers and startups from across Europe. The event is organised by the Latvian Mic…

Riga Technical University

May 11, 2026

science communication

“Saules Kauss 2026” competition: more than 200 students will build solar‑powered models

To inspire students to engage with science, technology and sustainable solutions, the Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia (ISSP UL), will host the eighteenth “Saules Kauss 2026” competition on 23 May, bringing together students from grades 5–12 from all over Latvia. The comp…

Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia

May 11, 2026

medicine

RSU Receives Nearly €1.5 Million for Early‑Career Researchers’ Projects under the Marie Skłodowska‑Curie Programme

Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) has been awarded funding under the prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) COFUND programme project Choose Europe for Science, thereby confirming its strong position in internationally competitive research. The project will be implemented by the RSU Institut…

Rīga Stradiņš University

May 8, 2026

research

The One Health Centre of Excellence Project Receives European Union Funding

A large-scale research initiative led by Latvian scientific institutions, “Centre of Excellence in an Integrated One Health Ecosystem” (IntegroHEALTH), has received support under the European Union’s research and innovation framework programme Horizon Europe, within the Teaming for Excellence call,…

Ministry of Education and Science

May 8, 2026

science policy

Latvia Strengthens Its Representation in the European Research Area - Dr. Linda Vecbiškena Begins Work in Brussels as the Latvian Council of Science Representative

The interests of the Latvian science and innovation community in Brussels will be advocated by Dr. Linda Vecbiškena, the representative of the Latvian Council of Science (LCS), who has been part of the Permanent Representation of Latvia to the European Union (EU) team since March 2026.Dr. Linda Vec…

Latvian Council of Science

May 7, 2026

science policy

Announcement of the 2026 Open Call of the Fundamental and Applied Research Programme

The Latvian Council of Science (LCS) announces the 2026 Open Call for the Fundamental and Applied Research Programme (FLPP), inviting Latvian scientific institutions to submit high‑quality research project proposals. The FLPP is the main national instrument for strengthening scientific excellence i…

Latvijas Zinātnes padome

May 7, 2026

CERN

Science Grows: Latvia’s Involvement in CERN

In just a couple of years, the number of Latvian companies in the supplier database of the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) has more than doubled – from 32 to 78. Latvian companies are also achieving strong results in fulfilling CERN orders and in pilot projects. For example, “Sors…

Labs of Latvia

May 7, 2026

project

Riga Technical University and Biocatalyst Foundation Selected as EIT Food Country Representatives for Latvia

For the period of 2026-2028, Riga Technical University (RTU) together with Biocatalyst Foundation will serve as EIT Food Country Representatives in Latvia, acting as a key link between the national agrifood innovation ecosystem and the wider European EIT Food network. EIT Food is supported by the E…

Riga Technical University

May 7, 2026

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

upcoming events

Conference

BTechPro Conference

2026-05-06

All day

Siguldas Devons

Conference

Conference “Culture and Creativity: Place-Based Innovations in Regions.”

2026-05-11

All day

Valmiera

Conference

Environmental and Climate Technologies Conference “CONECT 2026”

2026-05-12

All day

Zunda krastmalā 8

Forum

Deep‑tech Commercialization forum “Innovation Impact Forum 2026”

2026-05-12

8:30 am

University of Latvia’s House of Science, Jelgavas Street 3, Riga, in the “Alfa” auditorium

top videos

May Researcher Spotlight: Edgars Butanovs

Ph. D. Edgars Butanovs, Lead researcher at the Thin Films Laboratory of the Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia and head of the Semiconductor Thin Film Nanotechnology Group, PhD Edgars Butanovs focuses on developing ultra-wide bandgap semiconductor coatings – materials with the potential to transform high-power electronics and next-generation energy systems. His research explores how these advanced thin films can improve efficiency, reduce losses and enable new applications in optoelectronics, sensing and renewable technologies.
 

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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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