The annual competition for the award «RTU Young Scientist of the Year» was launched in 2006 with the aim to promote scientific research development at RTU, to involve young scientists in research activities and evaluate the results of the scientific research of RTU scientists.
Any RTU scientist or member of the RTU academic staff with Doctoral degree and not older than 35 years is allowed to participate in the competition.
RTU Young Scientist evaluation criteria from the previous year January 1 to the current year September 1:
In 2018, the honorary title «RTU Young Scientist of the Year» was awarded to Andis Supe, Leading Researcher of the Faculty of Electronics and Telecommunications of RTU.
A.Supe’s scientific research involves investigation and improvement of fibre optic transmission systems to provide data transmission over long distances and at a lower cost.
In the 2017/2018 academic year, A. Supe published three full-text publications in the conference proceedings. Within research projects, he attracted almost 134 000 EUR to RTU. The young scientist of the year is the author of three patents. At present, one Doctoral Thesis is being developed under his guidance.
A. Supe was awarded the honorary title «RTU Young Scientist of the Year» on 12 October 2018 , during the plenary session of the 59th International Scientific Conference of RTU.
The honorary title of «RTU Young Scientist of the Year 2017» has been awarded to Jānis Šliseris, Associate Professor of the Institute of Building and Reconstruction, Faculty of Civil Engineering.
J.Šliseris's research is related to the study of building materials and structures in order to improve their strength properties. He is the Head of RTU Building Mechanics Department. He actively participates in the elaboration and improvement of content of study courses on structural analysis, as well as encourages students to undertake research activities. J.Šliseris is a scientific adviser of Master and Doctoral Theses.
In the academic year 2016/2017 J.Šliseris has published eleven papers indexed in Scopus database.
From 2016 till 2017 the young scientist has attracted over 812,000 EUR to RTU.
The building material designed by J.Šliseris and his team was awarded the first place in the International Invention and Innovation Exhibition MINOX in 2016.
J.Šliseris received the award «RTU Young Scientist of the Year 2017» on October 14, 2017 during the plenary session of the 58th International Scientific Conference of RTU.
The honorary title of «RTU Young Scientist of the Year 2016» has been awarded to Sandis Spolitis, Assistant Professor of the Institute of Telecommunications, Faculty of Electronics and Telecommunications.
S. Spolitis is the Head of Fiber Optic Transmission System Laboratory of RTU Institute of Telecommunications. In terms of high scientific level and technical support, it is the only such laboratory in the Baltic States.
In 2015 and 2016, the young scientist was a co-author of seventeen publications indexed in SCOPUS database. Hirsch index for S.Spolītis publications is 5.
S. Spolitis is a technical programme committee member of international scientific conferences «International Workshop on Fiber Optics in Access Networks – FOAN» and «Advances in Wireless and Optical Communications – RTUWO». The young scientist has participated in implementation of five international scientific projects. He is a co-author of three Latvian patents.
In 2015, S. Spolitis was granted the Werner von Siemens Excellence Award for his Doctoral Thesis «Development and Evaluation of High-Speed Optical Access Systems».
The Award «RTU Young Scientist of the Year 2016» was awarded to Sandis Spolitis during the plenary session of RTU 57th International Scientific Conference on 14 October 2016.
In 2015, an honorary title of RTU Young Scientist of the Year was awarded to a leading researcher of the Institute of Industrial Electronics and Electrical Engineering of RTU Faculty of Power and Electrical Engineering Jānis Zaķis.
The honorary title of «Young Scientist of the Year 2014» was awarded to Andris Sutka (Andris Šutka), Dr. sc. ing., Leading Researcher of the Institute of Silicate Materials of Material Science and Applied Chemistry Faculty.
From January 1, 2013 to September 1, 2014 Andris Sutka published fifteen scientific publications indexed in SCOPUS database and one monograph, as well as delivered reports at nine conferences in Japan, France, Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia. Andris Sutka works as a guest professor at the University of Tartu. Three Diploma papers and three promotion works were developed and defended under his supervision.
Andris Sutka has managed three scientific projects, attracting to RTU the funding of 99 thousand euro. He is the author of most quoted RTU publications in 2012/2013, as well as the winner of Ludvig and Maris Jansons Award in physics for promotion work «Physical properties of nanostructured nickel zinc ferrites synthesized by sol-gel method».
Andris Sutka was awarded the title «RTU Young Scientist of the Year 2014» on October 14, 2014 at the plenary session of the 55th RTU International Scientific Conference.
The honorary title of «Young Scientist of the Year 2013» was awarded to assistant professor Janis Locs (Jānis Ločs), Dr. sc. ing., Leading Researcher of the Institute of General Chemical Engineering of Material Science and Applied Chemistry Faculty.
Janis Locs has been working on the following research projects:
Janis Locs implemented five scientific projects and contracted works, attracting to RTU more than 150 thousand LVL.
Janis Locs is an RTU Senator, a member of the Association of Latvian Young Scientists, a member of the Latvian Materials Research Society, a member of the Scientific Council of Maritime Administration of Latvia, a member of Management Committee COST Action MP1005 “From nano to macro biomaterials (design, processing, characterization, modeUng) and applications to stem cells regenerative orthopedic and dental medicine (NAMABIO)”, a member of International Scientific Committee of “The 1st Virtual International Conference on Advanced Research in Scientific Areas”, a member of International Scientific Committee of “The Tenth Students' Meeting, SM-2013”, a member of Management Committee of COST Action MP 1301 “New Generation Biomimetic and Customized Implants for Bone Engineering”.
Janis Locs was awarded the title «RTU Young Scientist of the Year 2013» on October 14, 2013 at the plenary session of the 54th RTU International Scientific Conference.
The honorary title of «Young Scientist of the Year 2012» was awarded to Anatolijs Borodinecs (Anatoļijs Borodiņecs), Dr. sc. ing., Professor of the Institute of Heat, Gas and Water Technology of the Faculty of Civil Engineering.
From January 1, 2011 to September 1, 2012 Anatolijs Borodinecs developed twelve scientific publications in the conference proceedings and two publications in scientific journals, as well as participated in five conferences abroad. Under the supervision of Anatolijs Borodinecs, 3 Master theses and 3 Doctoral dissertations were defended. Professor participated in five scientific projects and implemented three scientific projects, attracting to RTU approximately 258 thousand LVL.
The most significant projects:
Innovative technologies in energy resources production and consumption and low carbon emission ensuring with renewable energy resources, the measures to support the limitation of environmental and climate degradation – LATENERGI: 2nd project «The analysis of Latvian regions energy resource diversity and development of measures for effective consumption of energy resources ensuring sustainable energy supply».
Anatolijs Borodinec received the USA Fulbright Scholarship for 6 months at Pennsylvanian State University, as well as visited the University of Washington College of Built Environments within the framework of experience exchange program, during the visit he delivered lectures for architecture faculty students «Building energy efficiency: building envelopes and building systems».
Since 2004, seven publications of Anatolijs Borodinec have been included in SCOPUS, PROQUEST and Web of Science databases.
The honorary title of «Young Scientist of the Year 2011» was awarded to Remo Merijs-Meri, Associate Professor of the Institute of Polymer Materials of the Faculty of Materials Science and Applied Chemistry.
From January 1, 2010 to September 1, 2011 Remo Merijs-Meri published 24 significant conference publication collections concerning the conducted research, one publication in the Collection of Scientific Proceedings of Riga Technical University and seven publications in scientific journals. He participated in eight Latvian scientific conferences delivering reports and 16 conferences abroad (in Portugal, France, Ukraine, Italy, Lithuania, Romania, Hungary and Spain). Two Master theses were defended under the supervision of R. Merijs-Meri.
The most significant projects:
Remo Merijs-Meri took part in the implementation of contracted works, research projects and State Research Programme Projects, attracting to Riga Technical University more than 378 thousand LVL.
The young scientist participated in a number of organizational activities: COST projects and project meetings, international conference «Baltic Polymer Symposium» and many other. Remo Merijs-Meri is a leading specialist in technical support at RTU Polymer Materials Testing Laboratory.
The honorary title of «Young Scientist of the Year 2010» was awarded to Associate Professor Maris Turks (Māris Turks), Dr. chem., Head of the Institute of Technology of Organic Chemistry (ITOC) of the Faculty of Materials Science and Applied Chemistry (FMSAC).
From January 1, 2009 to September 1, 2010 M. Turks developed 30 significant scientific publications in the conference proceedings concerning the conducted research, 2 publications in the Collection of Scientific Proceedings of Riga Technical University and 13 publications in scientific journals. He participated in 2 Latvian scientific conferences delivering reports and 7 conferences abroad (in Austria, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Italy, etc.), submitted applications for 6 patents. In the lapse of time from January 1, 2009 to September 1, 2010 under the supervision of Maris Turks 2 Master theses were defended.
Professor tutors 2 Doctoral dissertations. He has actively participated in and led a number of research projects:
Latvian-Belarusian cooperation agreement «Tetrahydroindazols: synthesis, chemical transformations and biological activity»;
EUREKA project: «The technology of anticancer and autoimmune illnesses treating drug Leacadin active substance synthesis, the development of analysis methods and registration documentation (ASMF) according to the EU standards»;
The Latvian Council of Science thematic research project «Synthesis of new carbopeptoids and their triazole analogues, and research on secondary structure»;
The Latvian Council of Science cooperation project «Development of multiheterocyclic chemistry to obtain novel biologically active compounds»;
Contracted work with Daugavpils University «The perception of nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum and the infrared spectrum»;
RTU scientific research project «The synthesis of sugar-isoxazole conjugates obtained from 3-nitromethyl arranged carbohydrates»;
RTU fundamental and applied research projects: «Derived from glucose spiro-oxazolidinones as novel biologically and catalytically active ligands»; «The synthesis of disaccharides bounded with extended bis-triazole bridge».
Developing the mentioned projects, Maris Turks attracted to RTU approximately 77 thousand LVL for research activities.
Organizational work at scientific events and institutes: a member of the RTU promotion council «RTU P-01», an expert of the Latvian Council of Science, a member of the Council of RTU Faculty of Materials Science and Applied Chemistry.
Associate Professor Maris Turks was awarded the title «RTU Young Scientist of the Year 2010» on October 14, 2010 at the plenary session of the 51th RTU International Scientific Conference.
The honorary title of «Young Scientist of the Year 2009» was awarded to Oksana Nikiforova (Oksana Ņikiforova), Dr. sc. ing., Associate Professor of the Institute of Applied Computer Systems (IACS), Department of Applied Computer Science (DACS) of the Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology (FCSIT).
From January 1, 2008 to September 1, 2009 O. Nikiforova developed 12 significant scientific publications in the conference proceedings concerning the conducted research, 4 publications in the Collection of Scientific Proceedings of Riga Technical University, 2 publications in scientific journals and developed 1 textbook: «Object-oriented technology and tools for large program system development». She participated in 2 Latvian scientific conferences delivering reports. In the lapse of time from January 1, 2008 to September 1, 2009 under the supervision of Oksana Nikiforova 7 Master theses and 1 promotion work were defended. Associate Professor tutors 4 Doctoral dissertations.
Oksana Nikiforova has actively participated in and led a number of research projects:
Developing the mentioned projects, Oksana Nikiforova attracted to RTU about 5 thousand LVL for research activities.
Organizational work at scientific events:
Oksana Nikiforova was the organizer and leader of the workshop «Model – driven architecture: foundations, practices and implications» at the international conference «ADBIS 2009». She is a member of the editorial board of the RTU scientific journal Information Technologies series «Applied Computer Systems» and an editor of the RTU scientific journal Information Technologies series «Applied Computer Systems». O. Nikiforova is the chairperson of the section «Applied Computer Systems» of RTU student scientific and technical conference. She is a member of RTU Academic Assembly, Scientific Secretary of RTU Computer Science and Information Technology Council and a member of the State Control Committee.
Associate Professor Oksana Nikiforova was awarded the title «RTU Young Scientist of the Year 2009» on October 14, 2009 at the plenary session of the 50th RTU International Scientific Conference.
The honorary title of «Young Scientist of the Year 2008» was awarded to Kaspars Kalnins (Kaspars Kalniņš), Dr. sc. ing., Associate Professor of the Institute of Materials and Structures of the Faculty of Civil Engineering.
From January 1, 2007 to September 1, 2008 K. Kalnins developed more than 16 significant scientific publications in the conference proceedings concerning the performed research, two publications in the Collection of Scientific Proceedings of Riga Technical University, co-authored two monographs «Latvia in EC 6th framework programme» and «The planning and analysis of experiments». Kaspars Kalnins participated in three Latvian scientific conferences delivering reports and nine conferences abroad (in the USA, Canada, Germany, Poland, Hungary, Israel, Austria, etc.). In the lapse of time from January 1, 2007 to September 1, 2008 under the supervision of Kaspars Kalnins 2 Master theses were defended. He tutors two Doctoral dissertations.
Kaspars Kalnins has actively participated in and led a number of research projects:
FP 6: COCOMAT – Improved material exploitation at safe design of composite by airframe structures accurate simulation of collapse; ENCOMAR-TRANSPORT – Enhanced co-operation between EU member states and associated candidate states in maritime transport.
FP 7: SEREN – Security research Ncp network – phase 1; COSMOS – Cooperation of space NCPs as a means to optimise services.
The Latvian Council of Science project «Numeric and experimental estimation of dynamically loaded composite structures durability properties».
Contract work: Ltd. Arhitektoniska izpetes grupa «The development of technical project for the roof of the nave of Riga Dome Cathedral».
Ministry ordered research: «GRID calculation environment: theory, methods, application».
RTU in-house scientific research project «Scanning methods for three-dimensional composite structures quality control».
The Ministry of Education and Science – Riga Technical University project «Numerical modelling and experimental testing of composite structures load bearing properties» and «The optimization of ribbed composite structures load bearing capacity with experimental validation».
(Developing the mentioned projects, Kaspars Kalnins attracted to RTU approximately 100 thousand euro for research activities).
Organizational work at scientific events:
In 2007 K. Kalnins was the head of the competition «Come and Study at RTU!» of RTU competition for secondary school students, in 2008 the competition judge. Associate Professor Kaspars Kalnins prepared RTU ISM video presentation of composite structures research for RTU stand within the framework of Baltic Region Innovation Week related to the project «Arena of Innovations».
K. Kalnins participated in organisation of the 9th international conference of the Latvian Maritime Academy «Water transport and infrastructure 2007», was EC research section organizer and plenary session chairperson.
Kaspars Kalnins was nominated for the Ministry of Education and Science award Latvian National Contact Point FP7 priorities – transport, including aeronautics, space and security. The Ministry of Education and Science nomination – ESRIF representative from Latvia.
Associate Professor Kaspars Kalnins was awarded the title «RTU Young Scientist of the Year 2008» on October 14, 2008 at the plenary session of the 49th RTU International Scientific Conference.
The honorary title of «Young Scientist of the Year 2007» was awarded to Ilja Galkins (Iļja Galkins), Dr. sc. ing., Associate Professor of the Department of Industrial Electronics and Electrotechnology of the Institute of Industrial Electronics and Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Power and Electrical Engineering.
From January 1, 2006 to September 1, 2007 I. Galkins developed more than 10 significant scientific publications in the conference proceedings concerning the conducted research, two publications in the Collection of Scientific Proceedings of Riga Technical University, participated in nine Latvian and foreign scientific conferences delivering reports (in Estonia, Slovenia, Ukraine, Poland, Spain, Denmark). Under the supervision of I. Galkins 3 Master theses were defended in 2006 and 4 Master theses – in 2007. He tutors three Doctoral dissertations. Associate Professor Ilja Galkins submitted for publishing 3 textbooks – collection of practical tasks for the course of «Power Electronics», summary of lectures «The automation of technological processes using MSP430 microcontrollers», collection of practical tasks «The automation of technological processes using MSP430 microcontrollers».
Ilja Galkins has taken active part in and led a number of research projects:
ERDF co-financed project «Control of matrix type reactive power and the highest harmonic controllers using discharge logic»,
The Latvian Council of Science project «Semiconductor reactive power compensation equipment and active filter development and research»,
RTU research project «The development and research of uninterruptible power supply systems with super condensers»,
The Ministry of Education and Science – Riga Technical University project «Solar power photovoltaic converter positioning system installation, force converter development and system analysis».
(Developing the mentioned projects Ilja Galkins, attracted to RTU more than 105 thousand euro for research activities).
In the lapse of time from January 1, 2006 to September 1, 2007 Associate Professor Ilja Galkins actively cooperated with Tallinn University of Technology (TTU) in the field of methodical and research activity. It is planned to develop two textbooks in cooperation with Estonian colleagues «Increasing energy efficiency using modern energy accumulators».
Associate Professor Ilja Galkins was awarded the title «RTU Young Scientist of the Year 2007» on October 11, 2007 at the plenary session of the 48th RTU International Scientific Conference, within the framework of the celebration of the 145th anniversary of Riga Technical University.
The honorary title of «Young Scientist of the Year 2006» was awarded to Talis Juhna (Tālis Juhna), Dr. sc. ing., Associate Professor of the Department of Water Engineering and Technology of the Institute of Heat, Gas, and Water Technology, Faculty of Civil Engineering.
From January 1, 2005 to September 1, 2006 T. Juhna developed 3 significant scientific publications in the conference proceedings concerning the conducted research, 4 publications in the Collection of Scientific Proceedings of Riga Technical University, 2 publications in scientific journals, took part in the development of 2 monographs as a co-author, developed 3 textbooks. He participated in one Latvian and one foreign scientific conference delivering reports. In the lapse of time from January 1, 2005 to September 1, 2006 under the supervision of T. Juhna 5 Master theses were defended. Associate Professor Talis Juhna tutors 2 Doctoral dissertations.
Talis Juhna has taken active part in and led a number of research projects:
Developing the mentioned projects, Talis Juhna attracted to RTU 245,507 LVL for research activities.
Organizational work at scientific events and institutes:
Vice-Dean for Research of the Faculty of Civil Engineering, Executive Director of RTU Faculty of Civil Engineering Centre of Building Science, organized international conference «Technologies for pure drinking water in the Baltic Region».
Associate Professor Talis Juhna was awarded the title «RTU Young Scientist of the Year 2006» on October 14, 2006 at the plenary session of the 47th RTU International Scientific Conference