This year, eleven scientists will receive the named prizes established by LZA and its cooperation partners, among them several young scientists, and five young scientist awards will also be presented. The awards will be presented on Thursday, 9 April, during the LZA spring general meeting. The following awards have been conferred:
LZA named prizes
The Arturs Balklavs Prize for the popularisation of science – Mg. phys. Rihards Rusks (Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia) for his contribution to bringing science and society closer together.
The Edgars Siliņš Prize in physics – LZA corresponding member Aivars Vembris (Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia) for the body of work “Studies and applications of the light-emitting properties of small-molecule organic materials”.
The Arveds Švābe Prize in history – LZA full member Valdis Bērziņš for source-based, comprehensive and scientifically significant research that substantially enriches our understanding of twentieth-century Latvian history.
The Heinrihs Skuja Prize in biology – LZA corresponding member Viesturs Melecis for long-term ecological research and the publication of its results.
The Kaspars Bušs Prize in forest ecology and silviculture – Dr. biol. Baiba Bambe (LVMI “Silava) for her contribution to preserving the scientific legacy of Kaspars Bušs and to the study of Latvia's forest and bog ecosystems.
The Arvīds Kalniņš Prize in wood science – LZA full member Aivars Žūriņš (Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry) for the collected works “Thermochemical studies of wood” and for his significant contribution to wood science in Latvia.
Named prizes for young scientists
The Ludvigs and Māris Jansons Prize in physics – Mg. phys. Adriana Mauručaite (Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia) for the work “Thermoelectric properties of composites of antimony telluride and small-molecule organic compounds”. Supervisor Dr. phys. K. Pudžs.
The Vitauts Tamužs Prize in mechanics – Mg. sc. ing. Karunamoorthy Rengasamy Kannathasan for the work “Thermomechanical properties of new types of concrete with modern reinforcement”. Supervisor LZA full member A. Krasņikovs.
The Solomons Hillers Prize in biomedicine and the development of new medicinal preparations – Ph.D. Viktorija Vitkovska for the work “Simplified diazonamide A analogues as anticancer agents”. Supervisor LZA full member E. Sūna.
The Zenta Mauriņa Prize in philosophy – Mg. Dāvis Kaspars Sproģis for the work “The role of ‘forgetting' in the genesis of Hegel's ‘System of Science'”. Supervisor Dr. phil. E. Šimfa.
The Arvīds Kalniņš Prize for a young scientist – Ph.D. Edgars Kuka (Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry) for the collected works “Research into degradation processes and environmental risks as a basis for developing innovative wood materials”.
Young scientist awards
Young Forest Scientist Award – Dr. silv. Aldis Butlers (LVMI “Silava”) for scientific work on improving methods for greenhouse gas accounting and forecasting.
Young Forest Scientist Award – Mg. biol. Gundega Done (LVMI “Silava”) for scientific work studying the impact of deer-family ungulates on forest regeneration.
LZA Young Scientist Award – Mg. phys. Didzis Salnājs (Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia) for the work “Ultraviolet persistent luminescence properties in materials containing pyrophosphate groups”. Supervisor Dr. phys. Andris Antuzevičs.
LZA Young Scientist Award – Mg. biol. Alise Zommere for the study “Biorefining of logging residues to obtain biologically active extracts and their fractions”. Supervisor Ph.D. L. Kļaviņš.
LZA Young Scientist Award – Ph.D. Kristaps Saršūns (University of Latvia) for the work “Formation of solid solutions and characterisation of physicochemical properties in multicomponent systems of structurally similar organic molecules”. Supervisors Dr. chem. A. Bērziņš, Dr. chem. T. Rēķis.