We are happy and proud to share that our PhD student Ieva Šiugždaitė has been awarded a LSC scholarship for her active contributions to science communication and public engagement. This recognition reflects not only her consistent work in research, but also her commitment to making science more accessible, engaging, and understandable, while helping connect the academic community with the broader public.
Over the past year, she has contributed to science outreach in a variety of ways. She initiated the VU Discussion Club, an initiative aimed at fostering the university as a home of lively thought. Through monthly discussions, representatives of different fields are invited to explore abstract philosophical and socially relevant topics together.
She also won the science communication competition “Mokslo tiltai-tinklai” with her presentation “How Psychedelics Affect Synaptic Plasticity”, received third place in the competition “Bioateitis: gamtos ir gyvybės mokslų perspektyvos” with the presentation “Psychedelics Modulate Microglial Cell Function and Phagocytosis of the Extracellular Matrix”, and gave the presentation “Brain Immune Cells Contribute to Network Plasticity” at the international ERA-NET NEURON project JTC2023 Resilience: EnviroMood Symposium in Bilbao. Congratulations!