University of Latvia Women Scientists Receive L’Oréal Grants

The panel of judges led by Jānis Stradiņš, Academician and Chairman of the Latvian Academy of Science Senate, decided to award two Latvian representatives of Life Sciences and one representative of Material Sciences. Liene Ņikitina-Zaķe, Doctorate of Medical Sciences, main researcher at the University of Latvia (UL) Faculty of Medicine and the Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, as well as director of Genome Centre Database, is to receive the Grant for research The Genetic Study of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Latvia’s Population. The project aims to examine genes significantly affecting the origin and progress, as well as effectiveness of the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis – a disease mainly damaging joint and surrounding tissues. The project will identify the genes variation in patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and healthy individuals who have donated their DNA for research. This will help gain an in-depth understanding of the role various genes play in the origin, progress and effective medication of rheumatoid arthritis. It will be possible to use the obtained findings not only in future research, but also in clinics, in order to adjust the rheumatoid arthritis therapy to particular patients. The Latvian Grant For Women in Science was also given to Baiba Švalbe, Master of Natural Science, PhD student of the UL Faculty of Medicine and assistant at the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Pharmacology. The Grant will be used to conduct research The Significance of L-carnitine in the Functioning of Brain. The object of research is L-carnitine, which is widely used as a food supplement and regulates the delivery of fatty acids – the source of energy – in the mitochondria – the “power plants” of cells. B. Švalbe is going to explore the role of reduced L-carnitine concentration in energy supply to the brain. The research findings will open up new opportunities for treatment of nervous system diseases. Marija Dunce is the third receiver of the Grant. She is a Master of Natural Science, specializing in Physics and researcher at the UL Institute of Solid State Physics. The young scientist will use the Grant for the research Phase Transitions and Physical Properties of Solid Solutions based on Na1/2Bi1/2TiO3. The researcher will study the possibilities of physical characteristic changes by altering the concentration of ingredients in the new ferroelectric material group created together with her colleagues. Unlike ferroelectrics used nowadays, for instance, in the manufacture of sensors, optics, transformers, capacitors, memory elements and ultrasonic transducers, these new materials do not contain lead, which is recognized as hazardous to health and the environment, or contain only low concentrations of lead. The research will enable improving the traditional application of these materials. L’Oréal Latvia For Women in Science Grant was founded in 2005. Over the seven years it has been awarded to 21 female researchers. Latvia is the only Baltic State to establish a national grant to support women scientists within the framework of L’Oréal Group and UNESCO’s international programme For Women in Science.
L’Oréal For Women in Science Grant is awarded with the support of the Latvian National Commission for UNESCO and the Latvian Academy of Sciences. Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga, Academician and former President of Latvia, is the Honorary Patroness of the Grant.

Translated by students of the professional study programme Translator of the University of Latvia.