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Study for sustainable use of plant and soil biological resources

The overall aim of the doctoral school is to promote interdisciplinary studies of plants and soil by enriching experience of participating master and doctoral students.  The students will learn about new research methods and get insight into the cutting-edge research in plant and soil science. Participation in the doctoral school will put the narrow research area pursued within students’ master and doctoral studies in a wider context, and will promote interinstitutional and multidisciplinary scientific cooperation.

 

Specific tasks of the school:

  • to promote cooperation between two doctoral programmes of UL in biology and environmental sciences, as well as between the Faculty of Biology UL and the Faculty of Geography and Earth Sciences in the field of studies and uses of natural resources;
  • to increase scientific competence by involvement of researchers from other universities and research institutions, e.g., University of Daugavpils, Latvian Institute of Forest Research Silava,  State Priekuļi Plant Breeding Institute;
  • to involve distinguished foreign scientists in implementation of doctoral studies in the field of the Doctoral School;
  • to use new innovative methods in organization of the Doctoral School and implementation of doctoral studies.

The main research disciplines represented in the Doctoral School:

  • Biodiversity research – changes in biodiversity due to land use and management, biotope fragmentation and homogenization; diversity and physiology of soil and plant-associated microorganisms; genetic diversity in wild endangered plant species and populations; ecophysiological and physiological aspects of plant biodiversity conservation.
  • Forestry research – impact of climate change on forest ecosystems; tree systematics and ecology; biodiversity and conservation of forest resources;
  • Agrobiotechnology research – genetic diversity and mapping of agriculturally important traits in Latvian crop species; molecular marker technologies for crop plant breeding for sustainable safe and high quality food;  
  • Environmental research – impact of land use change and soil contamination on soil, plants and ecosystems; bioconversion and bioremediation technologies.

Governing body:

  • Professor Ģederts Ieviņš, Dr.habil.biol. (Faculty of Biology, University of Latvia) – chairman;
  • Professor Guntis Brūmelis, Dr.biol. (Faculty of Biology, University of Latvia) – vice chairman;
  • Nils Rostoks, Dr.biol. (Faculty of Biology, University of Latvia) – secretary;
  • Arnis Druka, Dr.biol. (James Hutton Institute, Dundee, Scotland, UK);
  • Pēteris Evarts-Bunders, Dr.biol. (Daugavpils University);
  • Tālis Gaitnieks, Dr.mežk. (Latvian Institute of Forest Research „Silava”);
  • Professor Uldis Kalnenieks, Dr.biol. (Faculty of Biology, University of Latvia);
  • Jozas Labokas (Juozas Labokas), Dr.biol. (Nature Research Centre, Institute of Botany, Vilnius, Lithuania);
  • Professor Oļģerts Nikodemus, Dr.geogr. (Faculty of Geography and Earth Sciences, University of Latvia);
  • Professor Īzaks Rašals, Dr.h.biol. (Institute of Biology, University of Latvia);
  • Dainis Edgars Ruņģis, Dr.biol. (Latvian Institute of Forest Research „Silava”);
  • Ilze Skrabule, Dr.lauks. (State Priekuļi Plant Breeding Institute)