Scientific Board

The Scientific Board have been elected by researchers working in the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis (IOS).  The newly-elected Scientific Board commenced work on December 19, 2022.

Prof. Edgars Sūna
Edgars Sūna

Chairman of the Scientific Board

IOS employee since 1990. In 1996 visited the University of Wisconsin-Madison (USA) as Research Intern with Prof. E. Vedejs. Dr. chem. form the University of Latvia (1999). Since 2003 – Head of Laboratory at IOS, since 2006 – Principal Scientist. Awards: The Order of the Three Stars (2020), G. Vanags award (2014) and Paul Walden medal (2013). Full Member, Latvian Academy of Science (since 2015). Professor of Chemistry at the University of Latvia.

Prof. Kristaps Jaudzems
Foto Kristaps Jaudzems

Deputy Chairman of the Scientific Board

Head of the Laboratory of Physical Organic Chemistry of IOS. Dr. Obtained experience at The Scripps Research Institute (USA), The Center for High-Field NMR of Lyon (France) and the Australian National University. The main scientific interests are focused on investigations of protein structure and protein-small molecule interactions by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Full Member, Latvian Academy of Science. Associate Professor of Chemistry at the University of Latvia.

Dr. chem. hab. Gunārs Duburs
Foto Gunars Duburs

Honorary Member

From 1964-2017 – Head of Laboratory of Membrane active compounds and β-diketones. He is working at the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis since 1957. Full member of the Latvian Academy of Sciences since 1992. Mentor of 15 PhD students. Developed two original preparations for medicine, one for agriculture. Awards: Three Star Order, Latvian State prize, G.Vanag’s award, P.Walden’s award, O.Schmiedeberg’s medal, D.H.Grindel’s medal, S.Hiller’s medal.

Dr. chem. Pāvels Arsenjans
Foto Pavels Arsenjans

Started a carrier at Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis in 1994. Dr.chem. in Organic Chemistry (2001) from the University ofLatvia. Since 2005 is the head of the Pharmacotherapeutic synthesis group. Has been awarded the Solomon Hiller Medal and the Gustavs Vanags Award. Full member of Latvian Academy of Sciences.

Prof. Maija Dambrova
Foto Maija Dambrova

Graduated Faculty of Chemistry in the University of Latvia, where defended also MSci in Biology. PhD in Pharmaceutical biosciences from Uppsala University (Sweden); holds a MBA degree from Riga International School of Economics and Business Administration. Since 2001 is the Head of the Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Pharmacology. Has been awarded D. H. Grindelis and S. Hiller medals, L`Oréal Latvian fellowship “For Women in Science” with the support of the Latvian National Commission for UNESCO and the Latvian Academy of Sciences. Full member of Latvian Academy of Sciences.

Dr. chem. Liene Grigorjeva
Liene Grigorjeva

Working at LIOS since 2006, and holding the position of a Principal Scientist in the Organic Synthesis Methodology Group since 2018. Graduated from the Faculty of Material Science and Applied Chemistry at Riga Technical University (RTU) and obtained Ph.D. in Chemistry in 2013. Completed internships at the University of Houston (USA) from 2013 to 2016.

Recipient of several prestigious awards, including the M. Straumanis – A. Ievin’s Award (2010), E. Lukevica Award (2014), Solomon Hiller Award (2016), and the L’Oréal Baltic For Women in Science Fellowship Award (2023). Associate professor at RTU and a corresponding member of the Latvian Academy of Sciences.

Dr. chem. Mārtiņš Katkevičs
Foto Martins Katkevics

Since 2004 Principal Scientist and since 2007 Head of Biologically Active Compound Synthesis Laboratory. Graduated from Riga Technical University Faculty of Chemical Technology and acquired a doctor degree in chemistry in 1996. From 1997 to 1999 postdoctoral research associate in Prof. K. Tamao group at Kyoto University.

Dr. pharm. Edgars Liepiņš
Foto Edgars Liepins

In 2001 graduated from Riga Stradins University. PhD in Pharmaceutical Pharmacology from the University of Latvia (2005). Since 2006 – Principal Scientist at the Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Pharmacology. Full Member of the Latvian Academy of Sciences.

Dr. chem. Ilga Mutule
Foto Ilga Mutule

Working at LIOS since 1996, she has held the position of the Principal Scientist in the Laboratory of Organic Synthesis Perspective Technologies since 2018. In 2006, I. Mutule earned a PhD Chemistry from the Faculty of Material Science and Applied Chemistry at RTU. She has undergone internships at Uppsala University (Sweden, 1998-2000), the University of Michigan (USA, 2011), and the RWTH Aachen University (Germany, 2014).

Dr. chem. Vita Ozola
Foto Vita Ozola

LIOS employee since 1989 and since 2006 – Principal Scientist. Graduated from Riga Technical University with a Diploma in Chemical Engineering. PhD in Bioorganic chemistry from IOS in 1998. Postdoctoral research associate in Prof. C.E.Müller’s group at the Julius Maximilians University of Würzburg (1998) and the University of Bonn (1999). Visiting researcher at King’s College London (1996, Prof. C.B.Reese).

Dr. chem. Kārlis Pajuste
Foto Karlis Pajuste

Working at LIOS since 2002. Since 2016, Kārlis Pajuste has held the position of leading researcher and head of the Laboratory of Membrane-Active Compounds and β-Diketones. Kārlis Pajuste graduated from the Faculty of Chemistry at the University of Latvia, where he obtained a doctoral degree in chemistry in 2010. From 2006 to 2009, he spent one year on a research internship at the University of Kuopio (Finland) in the group of Prof. A. Urtti. He is a corresponding member of the Latvian Academy of Sciences.

Dr. chem. Aiva Plotniece
Foto Aiva Plotniece

LIOS employee since 1991, principal scientist since 2005. Graduated Faculty of Chemistry at University of Latvia (1991), defended M.Sci. (1996) and PhD (Dr.chem.) (2003). Awarded by L`Oréal Latvian fellowship “For Women in Science” with the support of the Latvian National Commission for UNESCO and the Latvian Academy of Sciences (2007). Full member of Latvian Academy of Sciences.

Dr. chem. Gints Šmits
Foto Gints Smits

IOS employee since 2005 and since 2019 – the head of Laboratory of CNS Active compounds. Ph.D. degree in chemistry from Riga Technical University in 2015. Postdoctoral research associate in Prof. Nicolai Cramer’s group at Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (2015-2016). Awarded with Solomon Hiller prize in 2015.  Assistant Professor at Riga Technical University.

Dr. chem. Jānis Veliks
Foto Janis Veliks
Dr. med. Līga Zvejniece
Prof. Raivis Žalubovskis
Foto Raivis Zalubovskis

Started a professional carrier at Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis in 1994. Obtained PhD in Organic Chemistry at KTH (Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden); B.Sc and M.Sc degrees were obtained at University of Latvia. Associate Professor at Riga Technical University.

Dr. chem. Kārlis Pajuste un Dr. med. Līga Zvejniece are replacing Dr. chem. Osvalds Pugovičs and prof. Aigars Jirgensons while they temporarily put down their Scientific Board mandates.