In November 2025, LEI launched the project “Linking Cardiovascular Mortality and Suicide Risks with Extreme Weather Events in Lithuania under Climate Change (CliMed-LT)”. The aim of the project is to investigate how extreme weather events affect human health and mortality risk in Lithuania and to help better prepare for the challenges posed by climate change.
Alarming Statistics
Mortality from stroke, acute myocardial infarction, and suicides remains one of the most serious public health problems in Lithuania and worldwide. Stroke is the second leading cause of death globally and one of the main causes of death in Lithuania. The number of deaths from stroke in the country is twice the European Union average. Acute myocardial infarction accounts for 38% of female deaths and 44% of male deaths from cardiovascular diseases.
Lithuania has also long been among the top ten countries in the world with the highest suicide rates. These figures indicate serious challenges to public health that require deeper understanding and new solutions.
Extreme Weather and Health Risks
Epidemiological studies conducted in the United States, China, Japan, South Korea, and European countries show that extreme climatic (weather) events can have a significant impact on human health. Heatwaves and cold spells, air pressure fluctuations, precipitation, humidity, and sunlight exposure have been linked to higher risks of stroke, acute myocardial infarction, and suicides.
However, in the Lithuanian context, these links are still poorly understood and insufficiently studied. There is a lack of detailed research that would allow an assessment of how our country’s specific climatic conditions affect public health.
Developing Advanced Forecasting Models
The CliMed-LT project, conducted in collaboration with the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU), aims to identify links between extreme weather events and their impact on public health in Lithuania. Special attention will be paid to suicide rates and mortality from non-communicable diseases – stroke and acute myocardial infarction.
To achieve this goal, data from different fields will be combined – high-resolution meteorological datasets and death registry information. Statistical methods will be used to develop advanced forecasting models that can identify the most important risk factors, quantitatively assess their impact, and model possible future scenarios in the context of climate change.
From Research to Practical Solutions
The project focuses not only on theoretical research but also on practical benefits. It aims to create early warning systems and evidence-based recommendations to help strengthen the national healthcare system’s preparedness and resilience to extreme weather events.
By combining environmental and health data, the CliMed-LT project will contribute to a deeper understanding of the interactions between climate change and public health and help build a more resilient and better-prepared healthcare system in Lithuania.
Congratulations to Deimantė Čepauskienė, Junior Research Associate at the LEI Laboratory of Heat-Equipment Research and Testing, who successfully defended her PhD dissertation on 19 December 2025 on the topic of The influence of mineral additives on ash melting behaviour and slag formation in agro-biofuels (Technological Sciences, Energetics and Power Engineering, T006).
On 10 December 2025, a stakeholder seminar of the project “Ice-jam flood risk management in Latvian and Lithuanian regions with respect to climate change” (ICEREG, LL-00136) was held in Panevėžys.
During the seminar, historical flood events, the impact of climate change on river runoff, pilot river flood hazard maps, the flood warning system in Lithuania, and risk reduction measures were presented. Participants also engaged in discussions with project experts from the Lithuanian Energy Institute and the Lithuanian Hydrometeorological Service, shared insights, and explored opportunities for cooperation.
The 2025 competition for the most advanced master’s students, doctoral students, and young researchers at the Lithuanian Energy Institute is announced.
The most advanced for 2025
Bachelor’s student – a person employed at LEI and studying in a bachelor’s program.
Master’s students – individuals employed at LEI and studying in a master’s program, or individuals employed at LEI who have not graduated from their master’s program more than two years ago.
Doctoral students – individuals studying in a doctoral program at LEI. Doctoral candidates who were on academic leave or had their studies temporarily interrupted during the reporting period are not eligible to participate in the competition.
Young researchers – individuals employed in primary positions at LEI who have graduated with a doctoral degree no more than 5 years ago (this period does not include parental leave).
Deadline to submit applications: November 27, 2025, 4:00 p.m. via email at study@lei.lt, in .docx format, named “Application_Surname_Name”. The application received from the Applicant’s e-mail is considered appropriately submitted.
The competition evaluates participants’ scientific activities performed from September 1, 2024, to August 31, 2025.
Awards will be given to the competition winners in the form of a financial incentive.
On October 29, the Lithuanian Energy Institute (LEI) organized the experts’ meeting of the project “Ice-jam flood risk management in Latvian and Lithuanian regions with respect to climate change” (ICEREG, LL-00136).
During the meeting, project partners discussed the main results achieved and presented the draft guidelines for early warning of ice-jam floods, risk mitigation measures, and hazard and risk maps for the pilot areas. Discussions were also held on the agenda of the upcoming meetings with stakeholders from Lithuania and Latvia and on the presentations for the Final Conference.
The meeting was attended by experts from the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre (LEGMC), the Lithuanian Hydrometeorological Service (LHMT), and the Lithuanian Energy Institute (LEI).
For the second consecutive year, Lithuanian researchers joined the InSPiR2eS Global Pitching Research Competition (IGPRC). This international initiative empowers early-career academics to communicate their research ideas with clarity and purpose.
What began as a small event at Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) has grown into a national platform for collaboration and inspiration. This year, the competition gathered young researchers and doctoral students from six Lithuanian institutions and a wide variety of fields – from physics and chemistry to economics, marketing and psychology.
The Lithuanian round of IGPRC 2025 built on last year’s success, evolving from a university-hosted seminar into a national event with a shared goal: to improve how researchers tell the story of their science. Participants were challenged to present their work using the Pitching Research Framework – a simple but powerful structure designed by Professor Robert Faff to help academics express the “what, why and how” of their research in just a few minutes. The atmosphere at KTU’s School of Economics and Business was both competitive and collaborative, with participants learning not only to pitch their ideas but also to listen, connect, and build bridges across disciplines.
At its heart, IGPRC reflects a shift that many universities are now embracing – research communication as a core academic skill. By focusing on storytelling, clarity, and purpose, the competition helps young scholars move beyond jargon and complexity, allowing their ideas to resonate with both academic and wider audiences.
Four winners to represent Lithuania on the global stage
After a day of inspiring presentations, the jury announced four national winners who will represent Lithuania in the IGPRC 2025 Global Semifinals: Gabrielė Bumbulytė Žukevičienė (Nature Research Centre), Justina Jaseliūnaitė (Lithuanian Energy Institute), Syed Muntazir Mehdi (KTU School of Economics and Business), and Roberta Spangelytė (Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry). These talented researchers stood out not only for their scientific excellence but also for their ability to communicate complex ideas with passion and precision.
Each winner brought a unique perspective to the competition. Gabrielė Bumbulytė Žukevičienė presented research on how food and beverage industry by-products can be transformed into high-value protein and biofertilizers, offering a sustainable model for the circular bioeconomy. Justina Jaseliūnaitė impressed the judges with her study of microchannel vortices and their role in improving cooling systems – a technical topic explained in a way that anyone could follow. Syed Muntazir Mehdi examined the delicate balance between efficiency and cognitive agency in AI-driven customer interactions, reflecting on how technology influences human decision-making. Meanwhile, Roberta Spangelytė focused on enzyme-assisted extraction and fermentation of underutilised plants to improve women’s nutrition, showing how science can directly impact health and wellbeing.
All four winners will compete with peers from around the world for a share of the AUD 20,000 prize pool. But beyond the financial reward, most participants see the experience itself as the real prize – an opportunity to gain confidence, receive constructive feedback, and see their work through a global lens.
From framework to movement: the InSPiR2eS network
Behind the competition stands Professor Robert Faff, a renowned academic and founder of the InSPiR2eS network. His Pitching Research Framework has become a global tool for academics who want to refine how they communicate their ideas. The framework encourages researchers to focus on the essence of their work – identifying the problem, explaining the approach, and highlighting why it matters.
“Lithuania’s engagement in the IGPRC this year has been truly inspiring,” said Professor Faff. “The national event reflected a wonderful blend of research diversity, intellectual curiosity, and communicative clarity – exactly what the Pitching Research Framework aims to cultivate. The quality of the pitches was exceptional, with participants showing impressive mastery not only of their research ideas but also of how to tell their research story with confidence and purpose.”
Faff’s collaboration with Lithuanian institutions, particularly with KTU, has played a significant role in building local capacity for effective research communication. Through workshops, mentorship, and international networking, he has helped doctoral students and early-career researchers gain a new appreciation for the human side of science – its stories, questions, and societal impact. The growing involvement of Lithuanian universities signals that this approach is taking root, gradually transforming the way researchers prepare, present, and promote their ideas.
A culture of clarity and connection
The Lithuanian round of IGPRC was organised by Assoc. Prof. Neringa Gerulaitienė from KTU’s School of Economics and Business, who also serves as Lithuania’s country node leader for the InSPiR2eS network. For her, the competition is more than just an event – it is part of a broader effort to nurture a culture of open and confident research communication in Lithuania.
“I am truly delighted that we succeeded in bringing this global competition to Lithuania,” she said. “The growing interest and participation from different institutions show that the Pitching Research Framework is becoming an important tool for developing research communication skills. It is inspiring to see how Lithuanian researchers are learning to present their ideas with clarity and confidence and connect with the global research community through InSPiR2eS.”
The jury, which included Professor Faff alongside Dr Rūta Ubarevičienė, Ernestas Uzdila, Dr Ieva Barauskienė, Dr Farrukh Naseem Qureshi, Dr Meda Andrijauskienė and Dr Eglė Butkevičiūtė, praised the participants’ enthusiasm and diversity. “It’s wonderful to see young researchers engaging in high-quality science communication and sharing their work across fields and institutions,” said Dr Ubarevičienė, Chair of the Young Academy of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences. “Such initiatives fill an important gap in Lithuania’s research culture, and I hope this becomes a lasting tradition.”
Assoc. Prof. Gerulaitienė echoed this sentiment: “We are incredibly proud of all participants and the progress we see in developing research communication skills across Lithuania. I do not doubt that our finalists will represent Lithuania with excellence on the global stage and continue to inspire other young researchers to share their ideas with confidence.”
Source: https://en.ktu.edu/news/ktu-hosts-the-national-round-of-the-global-pitching-research-competition/
Congratulations to Noura Ragab Abdelaty Elsalamouny, a PhD Student at the LEI Laboratory of Nuclear Installation Safety, who successfully defended her PhD dissertation on 24 October 2025 on the topic of “Numerical investigation of Severe Accident Phenomena based on Experimental investigations applying BEPU approach” (Technological Sciences, Energetics and Power Engineering, T006).
PhD students of the Lithuanian Energy Institute (LEI) visited the Institute’s experimental laboratories, exploring six LEI research subdivisions: Center for Hydrogen Energy Technologies, Laboratory of Combustion Processes, Laboratory of Materials Research and Testing, Plasma Processing Laboratory, Laboratory of Heat-Equipment Research and Testing, and Nuclear Engineering Laboratory.
During the tour, the students learned about the infrastructure, ongoing research, and achievements of these subdivisions. They had the opportunity to see advanced technologies firsthand and learn about innovative solutions applied across various scientific and industrial fields to enhance sustainability and efficiency. The students showed great interest in the work of LEI researchers and asked questions about current projects and studies.
The laboratory visit helped the students gain a deeper understanding of LEI’s activities and the diversity of scientific research conducted at the Institute, enriching their knowledge and experience.
A researcher Dr. Ljubiša Gavrilović from the Institute for Energy Technology (IFE), Norway, visited the Lithuanian Energy Institute (LEI) for one week from September 29th till October 3rd to strengthen collaboration and expand knowledge in thermal conversion of solid materials and gas processing with plasma applications.
The researcher from IFE participated in hands-on training and joint research activities with LEI scientists. The main focus was improve syngas composition in terms of H2/CO ratio thermally decomposing plastic waste via plasma gasification under different water vapour amount, which support key tasks within the ongoing project “Plastic waste conversion to methanol through water vapor plasma gasification and advanced catalytic synthesis” funded by Nordic Energy Research and the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Lithuania. During his visit, the IFE researcher participated in experimental runs and contributed to the syngas analysis using FTIR and GC systems.
During the visit, the IFE researcher gained practical training and experience with FTIR gas analyzer Bruker OMEGA 5, portable gas analyzer VISIT 07 and gas chromatography systems Agilent and have deepened the knowledge in the field of gasification and plasma processing of solid and gaseous materials.
To strengthen collaboration, the researcher from IFE made a detail presentation about their group research and ongoing projects at IFE. Also the researcher visited the facilities of two laboratories: Laboratory of Combustion Processes and Plasma Processing Laboratory, and was introduced with research areas and ongoing projects at LEI related to pyrolysis, gasification and combustion. In addition, was discussed about future calls for joint applications.
This collaboration supports the exchange of early-career researchers and helps build long-term scientific capability at both institutions. The visit improved scientific expertise while encouraging innovation and international cooperation in sustainable chemical technologies.
