On 2 April, the Vilnius University Life Sciences Center (VU LSC) hosted its annual community meeting, bringing together scientists, students, and partners to review the achievements of the past year and discuss future directions. This year, the event also held symbolic significance, marking the Center’s 10th anniversary.
The meeting was opened by Prof Juozas Rimantas Lazutka, Chair of the VU LSC Council, respectfully referred to within the community as the “godfather” of the Center. He took the audience back to the very beginnings of the Life Sciences Center – to the start of construction in 2013 and the then bold vision of establishing a world-class life sciences hub in Lithuania. Reflecting on the journey, the professor emphasised the close link between science and the state: the success of VU LSC is the success of the country, and the strengthening of the state is inseparable from the science developed here.
Welcome remarks were also delivered by Vilnius University Rector Prof. Rimvydas Petrauskas, who highlighted the importance of long-term investment in science and the Center’s internationally recognised achievements. A message from the Minister of Education, Science and Sport, Raminta Popovienė, was conveyed by her advisor Rimantas Vaitkus, who noted that the Center has demonstrated that Lithuanian science is “bold, open and responsible”, making a meaningful contribution to addressing societal and national challenges. Meanwhile, Dr. Gintaras Valinčius, Chair of the Research Council of Lithuania, emphasised the core values underpinning the Center’s activities: scientific excellence, academic freedom, collegiality and mutual respect, openness to the world, non-discrimination, and active dialogue with society – values that form the foundation for the Center’s continued development.
In the annual report, the Center’s Director, Dr. Arvydas Lubys, reviewed key achievements, including the growth of international projects and publications, the strengthening of infrastructure, and increased student engagement. “Through consistent work, we are creating an environment in which science can grow and generate value for society,” he said, outlining the Center’s progress and future ambitions.
Presenting the results, he noted that around two-thirds of VU LSC bachelor’s graduates continue their studies at the Center at the master’s level. It was also noted that the number of PhD students has reached a record high, while the number of dissertations defended was the largest in the Center’s history. “This reflects not only growth, but also trust – that the environment we are building attracts young people to pursue science,” said Dr. Lubys.
The annual presentations were joined by the Center’s younger representatives – Ada Putrytė, President of the VU Student Representation at the Life Sciences Center, and doctoral representative Justinas Kavoliūnas. The student representative highlighted active engagement and initiatives that strengthen the sense of community, while J. Kavoliūnas shared insights into doctoral activities and experiences. A key message was the encouragement to pursue ideas boldly, illustrated by the example of doctoral student Ieva Šiugždaitė, whose initiative to bring people together for discussions grew into regular meetings of the VU discussion club.
During the event, the recipient of the Prof. Virginijus Šikšnys Scholarship was also congratulated. At the same time, special attention was given to members of the community whose long-term work and contributions have significantly shaped the Center’s development, growth, and international visibility.
Acknowledgments were presented to Dr. Aurelijus Zimkus and Dr. Arvydas Markuckas for mentoring young scientists; to Prof. Habil. Dr. Juozas Rimantas Lazutka for leadership in establishing the Life Sciences Center, and to Prof. Habil. Dr. Eugenijus Butkus, Prof. Osvaldas Rukšėnas, Prof. Kęstutis Sasnauskas, and Dr. Kastytis Krikštopaitis for their significant contributions to building a unified Center.
Dr. Ingrida Prigodina Lukošienė was recognised for long-standing work and leadership in the field of studies, Dr. Daiva Baltriukienė – for establishing and developing the doctoral school, and Prof. Virginijus Šikšnys, Dalia Lukšienė, Dr. Gintaras Valinčius, and Prof. Vytautė Starkuvienė-Erfle – for leadership and contributions to developing the EMBL partnership institute and strengthening the Center’s international visibility.
Prof. Eglė Lastauskienė, Dr. Rokas Abraitis, and Dr. Kristina Daniūnaitė were acknowledged for their significant contributions to managing the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, Prof. Virginijus Šikšnys and Prof. Rolandas Meškys were recognised for fostering the iGEM tradition and mentoring young teams.
Dr. Renata Gudiukaitė, Dr. Grita Skujiėnė, Dr. Mindaugas Rasimavičius, and Dr. Vilmantas Pupkis were thanked for their active contributions to the Center’s activities and science communication; the Vilnius University Student Representation at the Life Sciences Center, for strengthening the community and nurturing traditions; and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Indrė Lapeikaitė – for developing the Didactics Center and fostering a culture of learning.
Research groups were also recognised: the groups of Prof. Linas Mažutis and Dr. Giedrė Tamulaitienė – for outstanding publications in top-tier international journals, and the groups of Prof. Julija Armalytė and Prof. Rolandas Meškys – for significant publications in the international scientific arena.
Acknowledgments were also extended to partners and sponsors – Thermo Fisher Scientific Baltics, Linea Libera, Toksika, as well as Irena Juozapavičienė and Gediminas Vaitiekūnas – for long-standing partnership, support, and trust.
Recognition for responsible and meaningful contributions to the Center’s activities was shown to Dr. Milda Plečkaitytė for ensuring waste and genetically modified organism management; Dr. Kamilė Mikalauskaitė and Dr. Rūta Stanislauskienė, for courage and responsibility in a critical situation; Dr. Vytautas Petrauskas, for improving the process of final thesis preparation; Jelena Jachno, for community-building initiatives; and Aurelija Gefenienė, for the consistent development and maintenance of the Center’s website.
The event concluded with informal networking, once again confirming that the Life Sciences Center is not only a space for cutting-edge research but also a strong, collaborative community.
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You can find more moments from the event on the VU LSC Facebook account.