On 1–5 December, NRC researcher of the Laboratory of Quaternary Research Dr Gražyna Kluczynska carried out a scientific visit to the Institute of Geological Sciences of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Warsaw as part of the bilateral cooperation and exchange programme between the Lithuanian and Polish Academies of Sciences. The aim of the visit was to broaden knowledge and improve practical skills in the analysis, identification, and interpretation of subfossil Cladocera remains. As subfossil Cladocera research in Lithuania is a newly developing field, the visit provided an important opportunity to acquire essential methodological expertise in consultation with leading experts in the field, such as Dr. Edyta Zawisza and others. During the visit, particular attention was devoted to issues of taxonomic identification, data processing and visualisation methods, as well as the use of subfossil Cladocera data in palaeoenvironmental reconstructions. The experience and knowledge gained will serve as a valuable contribution to ongoing palaeoecological research.

The scientific visit was highly beneficial both for strengthening professional competencies and for enhancing interinstitutional cooperation. It laid a solid foundation for long-term collaboration and further development of joint scientific research.

Our Doctoral Candidates: Pioneers in Research

Exciting news this week – an article about the scientific microfossil collections stored at Nature Research Centre has been published in an international journal “Revue de micropaléontologie”. The authors are Dr. Darja Dankina, Dr. Agnė Venckutė-Aleksienė, and Dr. Gailė Žalūdienė. The article presents the types and scale of microfossil collections that Nature Research Centre has been accumulating for several decades. This is one of the richest and most important micropaleontological collections in Lithuania, offering a unique opportunity to study the past of our planet. These are not only extensive collections, but also scientifically significant type specimens and holotypes used for species descriptions and international comparative studies.  The collections contain fossils of acanthodians (ancient fish), conodonts (teeth of marine organisms), foraminifera shells, and other microfossils that help reconstruct ancient marine environments and the geological development of the Baltic region. The article emphasizes that it is important not only to preserve these scientific resources, but also to continuously update, inventory, and publicize them in order to ensure their availability and maximum use in new research. In this way, the collections remain an important platform for contemporary scientific research and the generation of new data.

We are delighted with our Nature Research Centre’s staff and are happy to share some great news! The article “Re-evaluation of the Devonian ichthyofaunal assemblage from Lithuania and Belarus” on fish finds from the Devonian period has just been published. Authors: Darja Dankina, Dmitry P. Plax, Ingrida Bagdanavičiūtė, and Jonas Šečkus.

The article was published in a prestigious journal Paläontologische Zeitschrift (PalZ),  which means an important recognition for the team and another step forward in deepening the paleontological history of the Baltic region.

We congratulate the authors and welcome their contribution to scientific progress!

Link to the article:

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12542-025-00754-9?utm_source=rct_congratemailt&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=nonoa_20251204&utm_content=10.1007/s12542-025-00754-9

Our Doctoral Candidates: Pioneers in Research

On 28 November, the Geological Society of Lithuania held its general meeting. Dr. Jonas Satkūnas, a geologist at Nature Research Centre, was re-elected as the chairman of the society for a new three-year term. Congratulations and best wishes for success!

We are delighted and proud that this year the title of Honorary Member of the Geological Society of Lithuania is awarded to Birutė Poškienė, Director of Nature Research Centre’s Museum of Minerals, for her many years of educational activities and the guidance of society, especially young people – both schoolchildren and students – on the paths of knowledge about the Earth’s depths.

Congratulations!

 

Photos by Augustas Uktveris and Violeta Pukelytė

Our Doctoral Candidates: Pioneers in Research

On 26 November, Aurelija Žuolytė and Matas Gavenauskas, doctoral students from NRC Laboratory of Mycology, together with Rūta Urbonaitė, a student at Vilnius University, who has internship at NRC Laboratory of Mycology, delivered oral presentations at the 14th International Conference of Young Scientists “The Young Scientists for Advance of Agriculture” (AGRISCI 2025).

The conference brought together young scientists from various countries to discuss innovations in agriculture, biology, biotechnology, and environmental protection. Presentations by representatives of Nature Research Centre revealed current trends in mycological research and their importance for sustainable agriculture and ecosystem protection.

We are delighted with the active participation of our young scientists in the international scientific community and wish them every success in continuing their research!

On 27 November, the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences hosted the 18th Lithuanian Young Scientists Conference “Biofuture: Perspectives in Natural and Life Sciences,” which annually attracts promising researchers from across the country.

The event was officially opened by the President of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences, Acad. Jūras Banys, and welcoming speeches were given by Acad. Limas Kupčinskas and Dr. Edita Šmergelienė. The plenary presentations covered highly topical issues: Acad. Sonata Jarmalaitė presented the genetic factors of longevity and the directions of research in this field, and Prof. Tomas Lapinskas introduced advanced methods of cardiac imaging.

Young scientists from Nature Research Centre who participated in the conference presented their latest research in the fields of biology, biotechnology, medicine, and geosciences. The following issues were discussed:

• research in bee microbiota and their importance for ecosystem functionality;
• potential of fungal biocontrol in combating plant pathogens; and
• search for entomopathogenic fungi in Lithuanian soils and their potential for sustainable agriculture.

These investigations reveal complex natural processes and their practical significance for agriculture, biodiversity, and environmental protection.

The Commission of the Division of Biological, Medical and Geosciences of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences awarded the following young scientists from Nature Research Centre:

• Vilija Lapinskaitė, 2nd place for the presentation “Diversity and functional potential of honeybee drones in their environment”
• Algirdas Valys, 3rd place for the presentation “The effect of essential oils on different components of the ScV-L-A totivirus”

The conference ended with lively discussions on the trends revealed by the research results and the future plans of young scientists. This was followed by an awards ceremony to honour the best speakers.

Congratulations to the winners and best wishes for continued success in their research!