Latvia’s most significant scientific achievements of 2025

In the Latvian Academy of Sciences’ annual competition for the most significant scientific achievements in Latvia in 2025, 12 studies from various fields have been selected as winners. Alongside a sizable number of other notable scientific achievements, the studies include conceptually new mathematical models for characterising multi-electron transistors with potential applications in quantum computing, as well as a new drug candidate with strong prospects of becoming an effective and safe treatment for diabetes and obesity.

A total of 55 submissions were evaluated in the 2025 competition: 26 represented the humanities and social sciences, while 25 were in the fields of natural sciences, engineering, technology, medical and health sciences, and four were in agricultural sciences.

“The results of the Latvian Academy of Sciences’ evaluation of Latvia’s best scientific achievements in 2025 demonstrate that Latvian science is increasingly securing a foothold within the EU and global scientific ecosystem, exemplifying high-level research both in theoretical or fundamental science and in efforts to develop new technologies and materials, as well as through research in the humanities and social sciences,” says Ivars Kalviņš, President of the Latvian Academy of Sciences.

Traditionally, among the 12 most significant scientific achievements researchers from the University of Latvia stand out, and this year was no exception, with UL researchers contributing three of the best studies.

Most significant achievements in applied research in 2025

• Innovative Methods and Tools for the Stable and Secure Operation of the Baltic Energy System.
  (Riga Technical University, Institute of Industrial Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Energy. Authors: Antans Sauhats, Andrejs Utāns, Ivars Zālītis, Aleksandrs Dolgicers, Jevgeņijs Kozadajevs, Zane Broka, Kārlis Baltputnis, Romāns Petričenko, Gatis Junghāns, Dmitrijs Guzs, Diāna Žalostība, and Gunārs Cingels.)

• Drug Candidate ATR-258 for the Treatment of Diabetes and Obesity, Successfully Completing Phase I Clinical Trials.(Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis. Authors: Ilga Mutule, Edgars Sūna, Linda Supe, Jana Spura, Krista Jaunsleine, Vadims Kovada, and Mārtiņš Priede.)

• Structural Vaccinology against Lyme Disease: a New Step towards the Development of a Safer and More Durable Vaccine.(Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre. Authors: Kalvis Brangulis, and Dagnija Tupiņa.)

• Research into African Swine Fever virus and Epidemiology in the context of Surveillance and Control Strategies.(Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment “BIOR.” Authors: Edvīns Oļševskis, Kristīne Lamberga, Svetlana Cvetkova, Žanete Šteingolde, Mārtiņš Seržants, Santa Ansonska, Māra Užule, Laura Krivko, Daina Pūle, and Aivars Bērziņš.)

• From Birch Bark to Sustainable Wood Materials: Suberinic Acid Innovations in the Circular Bioeconomy.(Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry. Authors: Jānis Rižikovs, Aigars Pāže, Daniela Godiņa, Rūdolfs Bērziņš, Kalvis Liepiņš, Guntis Sosins, Ainārs Bobulis, Artūrs Raimonds Feldmanis, and Ketrina Plantus.)

Most Significant Achievements in Fundamental Research in 2025

• Laying the Foundations of Quantum Electronics Theory // Multi-electron Transistor Theory.
  (University of Latvia, Faculty of Exact Sciences and Technologies. Authors: Elīna Pavlovska, Mārtiņš Kokainis, Ralfs Šuba, Ģirts Barinovs and Vjačeslavs Kaščejevs.)

• Theoretical Models and New Research Methods for Controllable Active Matter Ensembles.
  (University of Latvia, Laboratory of Magnetic Soft Materials. Authors: Andrejs Cēbers, Mihails Birjukovs, Māra Šmite, Bhagyashri Dada Shinde, Guntars Kitenbergs, Damien Faivre, Andrejs Tatuļčenkovs, and Rūdolfs Livanovičs.)

• A Fundamentally New Method for Photochemically Induced Radical Generation in Halogen Atom Transfer Reactions.
  (Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis. Authors: Nagarajan Ram Kumar, Anete Patrīcija Raiskuma, Larisa Baumane, Sergejs Beljakovs, Kaspars Traskovskis, and Jānis Veliks.)

• Ziemele, I. State Continuity and Nationality: The Baltic States and Russia. Past, Present and Future as Defined by International Law. 2nd revised edition. De Gruyter Brill, 2025.
  (Riga Graduate School of Law. Author: Ineta Ziemele.)

• Daija, P. Mediators of the Enlightenment: Baltic German Clergy in Latvian Literature, 1815–1848. Riga: National Library of Latvia, 2025.
  (National Library of Latvia. Author: Pauls Daija.)

• Kļaviņa, S. The Cornerstones of Baltic Studies Created by Jānis Endzelīns. Riga: Zinātne, 2025.
  (University of Latvia. Author: Sarma Kļaviņa.)

• Agrarian Reform: The Revival of Farmers and Agricultural Development in Latvia. Jelgava: Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, 2025.(Authors: Editor-in-chief Irina Pilvere, Ilze Būmane, Mārtiņš Cimermanis, Dainis Ģēģeris, Anda Jankava, Agnese Krieviņa, and eight additional authors.)

The 2025 competition was the 24th to take place

To promote Latvia’s scientific achievements to a wider audience, the Latvian Academy of Sciences began compiling and evaluating accomplishments across all scientific fields in 2002. In 2024, the competition was held for the 23rd time.

In recent years, between 40 and 55 scientific achievements have been submitted on average. For example:

• In the 2024 competition, 47 submissions were evaluated, 12 of which were selected as the most significant scientific achievements, ranging from a biomimetic method for producing spider silk to cryogenic insulation materials used in the maiden flight of the European launch vehicle Ariane 6.
• A year earlier, in 2023, 49 submissions were evaluated, and 10 works received awards, spanning developments including ultra-fast data transmission modulators for AI and 5G/6G networks, as well as efficient photocatalytic hydrogen production using solar energy.
• In the 2022 competition, 55 projects were submitted, of which 12 were highlighted as the most significant achievements in theoretical and applied science.
• In 2021, 42 submissions were received, with 11 works being recognised as the most significant scientific achievements, while a further 11 researchers received certificates of recognition.
• In 2020, 41 scientific works were submitted; three of which were highlighted in applied science and along with eight in the field of theoretical science.