“Freemasons are increasingly re-engaging with society. They have always stood for the principles of liberty, equality and fraternity. Those who upheld these ideals were often at the forefront of change, as these values were central to their lives. Partnerships between Masonic organisations and research institutions are well established around the world, and we are pleased to see similar initiatives becoming increasingly prominent in Lithuania,” said a representative of the Adomas Mickevičius Masonic Lodge.

The scholarship recipient was selected following a meeting of the Board of the LSMU Science Fund held on 27 April 2026, during which nine outstanding doctoral students’ applications were assessed. Candidates were evaluated on the basis of their scientific achievements, publications, participation in research projects and other criteria established in the University’s Regulations on Research Activities. Following a thorough review of the applications, the Board selected Darius Stukas as this year’s scholarship recipient.

The Giedrius Andziukevičius Nominal Scholarship, established by the Adomas Mickevičius Masonic Lodge, aims to encourage promising early-career researchers and recognise their contribution to scientific advancement. The scholarship is named in honour of physician Giedrius Andziukevičius, who served for many years as Director of the Kaunas Dainava Polyclinic. Throughout his career, he was committed to improving the quality of healthcare services, promoting innovation and creating a more patient-centred healthcare system.

Darius Stukas is pursuing doctoral studies in Biology within the field of Natural Sciences under the supervision of Professor Žilvinas Dambrauskas. His research focuses on the biology of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. By advancing the understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying one of the most aggressive forms of cancer, his work has the potential to contribute to the development of new diagnostic and treatment approaches.

According to the scholarship recipient, the award represents important recognition of the work he has undertaken during his doctoral studies.

“The award of this scholarship demonstrates that research into the biology of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is both important and highly relevant. I regard it not only as a personal achievement but also as encouragement to continue my research and pursue new scientific achievements. I am sincerely grateful to my doctoral supervisor, our research group and my colleagues for their constant support, valuable discussions and encouragement. I would also like to thank the scholarship sponsors for their trust in young researchers and for promoting their scientific research,” says Darius Stukas.

Alongside his doctoral studies, Darius Stukas is actively involved in both research and academic work. He is employed as a Junior Researcher at the Surgical Gastroenterology Laboratory of the Institute for Digestive Research, Medical Academy, LSMU. He also lectures at the Department of Surgery and the Department of Biochemistry at the Faculty of Medicine, and serves as a Junior Assistant at the Institute of Biological Systems and Genetic Research, Faculty of Animal Sciences, Veterinary Academy, LSMU.

On behalf of the University, Professor Ingrida Ulozienė, Head of the LSMU Research Affairs Department, expressed her appreciation for Darius Stukas’ contribution to the future of medicine.

“This recognition is of great importance to our entire research community and represents a meaningful tribute to the memory of Giedrius Andziukevičius. Today, Darius is conducting research of considerable importance, requiring exceptional concentration, long hours in the laboratory and great perseverance. Your recognition and financial support are therefore a truly valuable gift. This is tangible support that contributes to the advancement of future medicine and may one day help save lives. Your generosity sets an outstanding and inspiring example for society as a whole,” she said.

On 17 April, prior to the award ceremony held at the Pažaislis Monastery, the benefactors met last year’s scholarship recipient, Jolita Stabrauskienė, a doctoral student at the Department of Drug Technology and Social Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, LSMU. During their visit, they were introduced to the activities of the LSMU Pharmacy and invited to visit the Faculty of Pharmacy.

The first Giedrius Andziukevičius Nominal Scholarship was awarded in 2024 to Karolina Mėlinytė-Ankudavičė, a doctoral student in Cardiology at LSMU.

The scholarship is awarded annually to doctoral researchers whose scientific achievements and academic activities demonstrate outstanding professionalism, commitment and a significant contribution to scientific progress.

During the scholarship presentation ceremony, the benefactors thanked the Rector of LSMU for the University’s commitment to supporting promising young researchers.

“This University, under the leadership of Professor Rimantas Benetis, is an excellent example of how the next generation of scientists should be nurtured,” they said.

Special thanks were also extended to Professor Ingrida Ulozienė, Head of the LSMU Research Affairs Department.

“Having witnessed Professor Ulozienė’s exceptional professionalism in supporting young researchers and her outstanding leadership of the Research Affairs Department, this year we looked for ways to provide even greater encouragement by increasing the value of the scholarship. We have now done so. We sincerely hope to strengthen this cooperation in the

years ahead. With leaders such as these, we can achieve a great deal,” said the representative of the Adomas Mickevičius Masonic Lodge.

“We congratulate Darius Stukas on receiving the Giedrius Andziukevičius Nominal Scholarship and wish him every success in his future research. This scholarship has already become a valued tradition, and next year we will once again invite doctoral students to apply,” the representative concluded during the award ceremony, attended by Professor Ingrida Ulozienė, Head of the LSMU Research Affairs Department, members of Giedrius Andziukevičius’ family and other invited guests.

The post Giedrius Andziukevičius Nominal Scholarship Awarded to LSMU Doctoral Student Darius Stukas appeared first on LSMU.

• Application for studies: for the 2026/2027 full academic year or autumn semester
• Application for traineeship: for the 2026/2027 mandatory traineeship or the recent graduate traineeship (applications must be submitted during the last year of studies at LSMU).
  Applications for additional summer traineeships are accepted only for Albania (University of Vlora or Aldent University) in the fields of dentistry, nursing, midwifery, laboratory medicine and PhD students.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

• ≥7 average grade at LSMU
• No academic debts
• Good foreign language skills (at least B2)
• Motivation
• Not on academic leave

APPLICATION STEPS:

• By the 23rd of April, on the Mobility-Online platform:
  • Fill out an online application form
  • Prepare a motivation video and upload the link (with public access)
  • Upload required documents
• Wait for application approval and results by email (in May).

IMPORTANT!

MORE INFORMATION:

• LSMU webpage
• Instagram: LSMU Erasmus+
• For Erasmus+ studies: Monika Grincaitė, +370 37 327301, monika.grincaite@lsmu.lt
• For Erasmus+ traineeship: Lidija Cibulskaitė, +370 37 395817, lidija.cibulskaite@lsmu.lt

LSMU International Relations and Study Centre (A. Mickevičiaus str. 9), office No. 127 and No. 124.

The post Additional Call for ERASMUS+ Exchange 2026/2027 appeared first on LSMU.

Funding under the 2026 Call will be available to the citizens of Armenia, Azerbaijan, China (People’s Republic of China and Taiwan), Georgia, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kazakhstan, Moldova, New Zealand, Philippines, South Korea, Ukraine, The United States of America, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, and foreign citizens of Lithuanian origin of non-EU and non-EFTA countries, with 70 grants in total (monthly scholarships and grants covering the tuition fee), including quotas for citizens of the following countries:

• Ukraine (20 grants).
• Foreign citizens of Lithuanian origin of non-EU and non-EFTA countries (5 grants).

No more than 10 grants are allocated per country from the list of countries mentioned above, except for citizens of Ukraine and foreign citizens of Lithuanian origin.

A monthly scholarship is set to 8 Basic Social Amounts (BSA) which is equal to 592 EUR in 2026. The grant covering the tuition fee is limited to the national standard study cost approved by the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport and shall not exceed this amount.

Please find more information HERE.

The post Call for Applications: Lithuanian State Scholarships for Master’s Studies appeared first on LSMU.

Application for traineeship: for the voluntary traineeship (summer 2026), traineeship embedded in the curriculum of the 2026/2027 academic year, and the graduate traineeship (applications must be submitted during the last year of studies at LSMU).

Eligibilty criteria:

• ≥7 average grade at LSMU
• No deferred or outstanding assessments
• Good foreign language skills (at least B2)
• Motivation
• Not on academic leave

Steps OF Erasmus+ application:

• By the 20^th of February, on the Mobility-Online platform:

1. Fill out the online application form.
2. Prepare a motivational video and upload the link (with public access).
3. Upload required documents.

• Wait for application approval and final results by email until the 9^th of March.

Additional information for ERASMUS+ STUDIES:

• Choose a Host university only from the Erasmus+ Partners list;
• Before filling out the application – review the compatibility of the study programme and study subjects at LSMU and the Host university.

Additional information for ERASMUS+ TRAINEESHIPS:

• It is recommended for students to find a place for traineeship by themselves or to choose from the Erasmus+ Partners list. This step must be completed before filling out the application form.

More information about the Erasmus+ programme:

• LSMU webpage
• Instagram: LSMU Erasmus+
• Facebook: LSMU Erasmus+
• For Erasmus+ studies: Monika Grincaitė, +370 37 327301, monika.grincaite@lsmu.lt
• For Erasmus+ traineeship: Lidija Cibulskaitė, +370 37 395817, lidija.cibulskaite@lsmu.lt

LSMU International Relations and Study Centre (A. Mickevičiaus str. 9), office No. 127 and No. 124.

The post Call for ERASMUS+ Exchange Studies and Traineeships for 2026/2027 appeared first on LSMU.

First place in “Future Pharmacy 2025” went to Gabija Guntoriūtė and Kotryna Gečiauskaitė (“NACREO – strength inspired by nature”), second place was secured by Ūla Levanaitytė and Augustė Adomaitė (improved insulin syringe with a dual indicator system), and third place went to Hamidreza Sahaleh (RevoPharm (Revolution in Pharmacy). A special scholarship was awarded to Digna Narkevičiūtė (a hormone cycle support solution for active women).

“I established the Future Pharmacy scholarships to encourage you to create, explore, not be afraid to make mistakes and try again. Because that is how science develops. I want these scholarships to be not just a symbol, but an impetus – additional inspiration to take another step forward. Each of you is being recognised today not only for your ideas, but also for your forward-looking vision. For the efforts that the audience does not see. For the imagination that sometimes quietly surpasses any laboratory,” said Prof. Dr Jurga Bernatonienė, Head of the Department of Drug Technology and Social Pharmacy at the Faculty of Pharmacy of LSMU, addressing the scholarship recipients.

This year’s scholarship recipients were warmly welcomed by Prof. Ramunė Morkūnienė, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy at LSMU: “Every innovation begins with the courage to think differently, ask questions, seek solutions, and be part of change. The future of Lithuanian pharmacy is digital, personalised, sustainable, and focused on people, whose health is the most important goal for all of us. I wish you success and inspiration in generating new ideas, and I hope that your ideas will translate into real pharmaceutical products and innovations. The POWER TO CHANGE and the POWER TO CREATE are in your hands, dear students.”

Bold ideas for pressing challenges

This year’s scholarship competition stood out for its diversity of participants, with students from Lithuania and other countries actively participating individually and in teams. Their work covered a wide range of topics, reflecting the most pressing challenges in pharmacy.

The ideas presented this year included a treatment for infected wounds, a rub-on stick for quality sleep, a natural antioxidant and energy booster, a smart micronutrient monitoring app, 3D-printed capsules for prostate cancer support, mucoadhesive nanofibre for nausea, a non-invasive glucose biosensor, an improved insulin injector, and many other unique and intriguing ideas and solutions inspired by modern technology and the need to improve health and quality of life.

According to the founder of the scholarship, Prof. Dr J. Bernatonienė, most of the projects were not only creative but also feasible, which shows that young pharmacy specialists are capable of not only dreaming but also creating practical solutions that may reach pharmacies and medical institutions in the future.

The expert commission that evaluated the students’ ideas emphasised that the quality of the work was exceptionally high this year and that the solutions were suitable for real-life application in healthcare.

Talented young people look to the future of pharmacy

Addressing global health challenges – from chronic diseases to mental health, from sustainability to personalised medicine – requires a bold and new approach.

It is evident that change and innovation develop where courage and knowledge meet, and the future of pharmacy will depend on bold ideas, creative solutions, and people who believe that innovation can make the world a better place. That is why the Future Pharmacy scholarship is intended for those who are not afraid to dream and turn their dreams into reality. This scholarship is an invitation to create tomorrow, to which the most talented pharmacy students have been actively responding for several years in a row,” noted Prof. Valdas Jakštas, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy at LSMU.

According to Prof. J. Bernatonienė, the contenders reflected this very direction for the future in their work: responsible, conscious, and innovative pharmacy, centred around people and their quality of life.

The Future Pharmacy Scholarship 2025 proved once again that future Lithuanian pharmacy specialists are ready to make a difference. The new generation of future pharmacy specialists sees much more than just the pharmacy counter – they are determined to address global health, sustainability and innovation challenges, create new solutions for the world and look boldly to the future.

We look forward to next year and new ideas that will undoubtedly continue to shape the future of global pharmacy,” said Prof. J. Bernatonienė.

About the competition

The creator and founder of the Future Pharmacy scholarship competition is Prof. Dr J. Bernatonienė, who donated the funds from the prestigious 2021 Lithuanian Science Award to the scholarship fund.

Each year, the competition entries are assessed by experts from a range of pharmaceutical disciplines. First-place winners are awarded a €1,000 scholarship, second-place winners €700, and third-place winners €500. In addition, a special €800 scholarship is awarded by Prof. Jurga Bernatonienė.

The post Future Pharmacy Scholarship 2025: Young Leaders’ Creativity Bridging Science and Societal Needs appeared first on LSMU.

1. An application letter to participate in the Honorary Scholarship Competition (addressed to the Rector). Download an application letter→
2. A free-form Curriculum Vitae;
3. Documents proving active participation in student activities (certificates can be obtained from the heads of your organizations/centers) and/or the need for financial aid (students who have lost their parents (adoptive parents) or guardians, students with disabled parents (adoptive parents) or guardians, or students from large families);
4. Documents proving voluntary participation in the internationalization of the University, creation of a multicultural environment, as well as increasing of knowledge about the University abroad through continuous activities (certificates, attestations, recommendations of International Relations and Studies Centre etc. confirming the achieved results for the spring semester of 2024/2025);
5. Other documents proving the achievements of a student.

Documents certifying grade point average (GPA) will be booked for all students who had applied for the honorary scholarship (students will not need to apply at the Dean’s office for the certificates).

NOTE:

• GPA shall not be lower than 8.
• The scholarship shall not be awarded to students who had already been awarded a scholarship from other funds in year 2025/2026.
• The submitted documents must be compiled into one document saved in PDF format, the title of which must include the Name, Surname, Faculty (abbreviated) and course (year).
• Documents shall be submitted via e-mails: info@lsmusa.lt and socialinis.komitetas@lsmusa.lt. Should you not get a response within 36 hours that the documents have been received, please call +370 600 32330 or write to the LSMU SA Facebook page.
• The meeting of the Honorary Scholarship Committee will be held on 16 December from 1:00 p.m. Address: A. Mickevičius st. 9, Kaunas, in the meeting hall of the Rectorate.
• Candidates’ participation in the Committee meeting is mandatory. Students who have applied to participate for the scholarship competition will be informed about the date and time of the interview by e-mail.

If you have any questions regarding the preparation of the documents, please contact the LSMU Student Representative Office administrator at info@lsmusa.lt  or by phone +370 600 32330 and +37069616104.

The following scholarships will be awarded:

• LSMU honorary scholarship for achievements in developing the internationality of the University (for students who are actively involved and have achieved great results in the fields of increasing the internationality of LSMU, creating a multicultural environment, as well as growing the awareness of LSMU abroad).
• Prof. Juozo Kupčinsko Scholarship (for the 3-6 year student of the Medicine study programme of the Faculty of Medicine).
• Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis Scholarship (for student of the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Public Health).
• “Camelia” Scholarship (for students of “Pharmacy” study programme of the Faculty of Pharmacy).
• “Eurovaistinė” Scholarship (for student of “Pharmacy” study programme of the Faculty of Pharmacy).
• “Aconitum” Scholarship (for students of “Pharmacy” study programme of the Faculty of Pharmacy).
• „Pirmas žingsnis“ Scholarship (for a student of rehabilitation field of studies of the Faculty of Nursing).
• Slaugos konsultacijų centro SIDABRA Scholarship (for a student of nursing and midwifery of the first and second cycles of the Faculty of Nursing).
•  „Dr. VET“ Scholarship (for 5-6 year student of the “Veterinary Medicine” study programme of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine).
• Veterinary Pharmacy Association Scholarship (for a student of the “Veterinary Medicine” study programme at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine).
• “Magnum Veterinarija” Scholarship (for a student of the “Veterinary Medicine” study programme of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and for a student of the “Animal Science” study programme at the Faculty of Animal Science).
• Annamaria Lucia Newmark Scholarship (for international student of the “Veterinary Medicine” study programme at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine).

The post Honorary Scholarship Competition appeared first on LSMU.

Key changes and updates:

• Registration for activities opens 7 days in advance and remains open until the start of each session.
• Pre-registration is required for independent training in the gyms (see the Registration → Gym). 

Other information

• Football and tennis training continue at Žeimenos g. 106.
• MMA training is now available in addition to the combat sports sessions (Dainavos g. 3).
• Dance – Full Body Tone sessions will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays at 5 p.m.
• Online group health enhancement workouts will take place on Mondays and Wednesdays at 6:15 p.m.
• Two groups will be formed for health enhancement workouts at the Faculty of Nursing (on Mondays and Thursdays).
• Morning workouts will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting at 6:30 a.m. (Tilžės g.).
• Basketball training for the entire community will be on Mondays at 6:30 p.m. (Jankaus g. 2).
• Various other activities continue, including badminton, table tennis, Nirvana fitness, functional training, and more.

For more information, please visit: https://sportas.lsmu.lt/en

The post The New Season at the Sports Centre is Launching   appeared first on LSMU.

Two types of support are available to Lithuanians from abroad: a scholarship and/or a social allowance.

• The monthly scholarship is 227.5 EUR.
• The social allowance is a one-off payment, granted in view of the applicant’s social situation (ranging from 232 EUR to 319 EUR).

Lithuanians from abroad who are studying at Lithuanian higher education institutions and wish to apply for state support for the autumn semester of 2025 shall complete the following steps between 25 August 2025 and 30 September 2025:

1. Register on the Foundation’s website and fill out the online application form. Applications for support are submitted online on the Foundation’s website by logging in via electronic banking or electronic signature systems.

2. First-time applicants applying for the support must submit documents confirming their status as Lithuanians living abroad before the application deadline. The required documents include:

• A copy of a document issued by a local Lithuanian community or another institution confirming Lithuanian descent,
• Or copies of documents proving they have lived abroad for at least 3 years and, upon returning the Republic of Lithuania, began studies in grades 8–10 or grades I–IV of a gymnasium (grammar school).

3. Students applying for the social allowance must indicate the social criterion under which they are applying for the allowance in the application and must provide the Foundation with the supporting documents (e.g. birth certificates, death certificates, etc.) or certified copies by the application deadline as a proof of their social situation, unless informed otherwise by the Foundation.

4. All documents issued by foreign institutions and submitted to the Foundation must be translated into Lithuanian and legalised or certified with an Apostille, unless international agreements of the Republic of Lithuania or EU legislation provide otherwise.

The Director of the Foundation will issue a decision on granting or denying support to Lithuanians from abroad no later than 10 working days after the application period closes. Higher education institutions will be informed of the decision by email.

In-person consultations at the State Studies Foundation are available by prior appointment only, arranged with a Foundation specialist.

Additional documents may be submitted:

• As electronic documents via email to fondas@vsf.lt or through the information system at https://epristatymas.lt
• By post to: A. Goštauto g. 12-407, 01108 Vilnius.
• Placed in the mailbox located by A. Goštauto g. 12, Vilnius. (marked “VALSTYBINIS STUDIJŲ FONDAS”).

If students who do not hold a Lithuanian personal identification code encounter difficulties logging into the Foundation’s information system when applying for the support, they should contact us by phone at +370 658 30997, by email at aldona.valatkeviciute@vsf.lt,  or visit the Foundation during the reception hours.

If the contact person responsible for liaising with the Foundation regarding the allocation of support has changed, please inform us by 10 September 2025, specifying the new contact’s name, surname, position, address, phone, fax, and email.

For more information on the conditions and procedures for granting the support, please contact us by phone at +370 658 30997.

The post Applications Open to Lithuanians from Abroad Studying in Lithuania for Financial Support appeared first on LSMU.

From Practical Tasks to Memorable Internships

Kristina chose her studies because of their uniqueness: the programme combines knowledge of food production, chemistry, biochemistry, biology, physics, technology, and health sciences. While there was some uncertainty at the time due to the programme being new, she had no doubts about choosing the university itself.

“I have always been interested in nutrition and food, and I enjoyed cooking. Since childhood, I have been drawn to cuisine and the food industry. At school, I became curious about restaurants, food safety, and quality, and I independently delved into food standards and label reading. LSMU was on top of my preferences as it had good reputation, modern laboratories, and integration with health sciences. When I applied to the Food Science programme in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, it was the first intake of the programme, so there was a bit of uncertainty – but I am happy with my choice,” she shares.

Although the lectures required her to memorise a lot of theoretical material, this was well balanced by engaging practical classes and captivating laboratory work.

“I liked that there was a lot of hands-on assignments. We didn’t just learn food processes theoretically – we baked bread, brewed beer, made cheese and preserves ourselves. We conducted food safety tests in the lab, examined which processes were safer, and investigated how product shelf life is tested,” she recalls.

The Food Science programme provided a strong theoretical foundation that proved useful in practice. Kristina gained further knowledge and skills both in Lithuania and abroad.

“There were many internships, training sessions, and short-term contracts which I would undertake alongside my main job. I would travel to Switzerland, Germany, France, Denmark, Italy, the USA, the UK, and Ukraine for work related to my specialisation. I had the opportunity to work in several Michelin-starred restaurants, a chocolate factory in Denmark, and an industrial bakery in San Francisco, USA – where I also studied at a private bread-baking institute and earned a diploma in advanced bread-making technology,” the specialist recounts.

University Life Also Brought Joy

Kristina remembers actively participating in various university activities. She sang in the LSMU choir ‘Neris’ and co-founded the Food Society with fellow students, where they would share food-related news and interesting facts.

“We would go on field trips to food companies and food fairs. We also organised food science events with lecturers, where we invited guests and teaching staff to gather after lectures or work and share their knowledge. I know that after my studies, the Student Scientific Society’s Food Science Circle was established, so today’s Food Science students still have opportunities to get involved,” she says.

For those considering applying to LSMU, she advises being prepared to work hard. Nevertheless, anything can be achieved provided there is genuine interest.

“The workload in some subjects is unquestionably heavy, but LSMU is a higher education institution, and that is to be expected. If you are determined, it is even possible to combine studies with work. People here are very warm-hearted, there is a variety of activities and student organisations. Studying in a programme with like-minded peers is rewarding. If you are interested in food science, I can assure you that you will meet peers who are passionate about food, food production, nutrition, and health,” she says with a smile.

Experience in Michelin-Starred Restaurants

Today, Kristina works at the Swiss headquarters of DSM-Firmenich, in the Nutrition and Care business group, specialising in vitamin products. However, her career started over 12 years ago, working in restaurants while still a student – rising from kitchen assistant to head pastry chef.

“I worked at prestigious Lithuanian restaurants such as ‘Džiaugsmas’, ‘Nüman’, ‘Nineteen18’, and at the hotel ‘Pacai’ – ‘Nordic Food Republic’. I also had a chance to work in a one-Michelin-starred restaurant in Switzerland and completed an internship at the two-star Michelin restaurant CODA in Germany. I also worked as a food technologist, continued studying the science of baking, and helped open several bakeries. I was involved in the development of new products. Among the most memorable projects was the one where we had to enhance the recipe of the Lithuanian vegan chocolate ‘Ach’,” she says, describing the beginning of her career.

Later, she deepened her knowledge through a Master’s programme in France, earning two degrees: in Food and Agricultural Sciences and in Business Administration.

“While studying for my Master’s, I worked at an international market research company where we researched tastes and consumer preferences for food and beverages. Simply put, we studied what ‘delicious’ means in different countries. Later I became interested in marketing, but at the same time I didn’t want to drift away from food and nutrition. Eventually, I found a job that enabled me to combine both,” she shares.

Great Responsibility at Work

Kristina now works with more than 150 different forms of vitamins. Her daily work involves engaging with an international team and collaborating with colleagues from over 100 countries.

“I deal with various nutrition segments: the food and beverage industry, food fortification, dietary supplements, infant nutrition, medical nutrition, and pharmaceuticals. I analyse our products and those of competitors, study production processes, ingredient benefits, and scientific research. I translate all of this into ‘human language’ – so our clients and sales teams understand what makes our products unique, which form suits respective product and application,” she explains.

Her job also comes with a range of challenges. One of the biggest is the responsibility of information and communicating it accurately to clients.

“What we communicate to clients can reach millions of end consumers. It is therefore essential to make sure everything is correct, supported by evidence, and clear. By working together with scientists, legal experts, and technologists, we must verify and confirm that the information we share is accurate. It may relate to technologies, ingredient formulations for end products, health benefits of ingredients, or scientific study results – such as bioactivity, solubility, absorption, or stability,” she says.

From Fascinating Knowledge to Meaningful Projects

Kristina has been involved in projects aimed at improving nutrition and health in vulnerable communities around the world.

“There was a need to create a more stable form of vitamin A for food fortification in developing countries – to increase the nutritional value of flour with vitamin A. This is one of the least stable vitamins, so during transport, storage, or production, its activity decreases – especially in hot, humid regions with challenging food safety conditions. The result was a more sustainable, clean-label, more stable, and smaller-particle-size dry vitamin A palmitate. Our ingredients, a large portion of which is vitamin A, reach over 640 million people in vulnerable groups worldwide who lack essential minerals and vitamins. It is a wonderful feeling knowing that my work helps improve people’s health,” she says.

The dynamic job also provides a sense of inner fulfilment.

“I enjoy building my knowledge every single day. One day it is fermentation, the next I am diving into raw material supply chains. I was surprised to learn, for example, that in Europe, vitamin C is not made from citrus fruits, but from maize or wheat,” says Kristina.

Knowledge Useful at Work and in the Kitchen

With more than 12 years of experience in the food industry, she also uses her expertise in daily life. She believes that knowing what you eat or drink makes life not only more interesting but safer.

“Understanding food labels is very useful. I can also apply my knowledge in food chemistry when I combine ingredients at home.

Even before my studies, I was fascinated by the flavour pairing theory. I now choose food products and supplements more responsibly, am better informed about food ingredients, and learn about new findings and studies – both technological and clinical – on healthier products, ingredients, and innovations. With knowledge of food science, I can eat more healthily and deliciously,” she explains.

She shares her knowledge not only with clients but also with others.

“I unwind from office work in the kitchen. I make kombucha and homemade vinegar, bake bread, and I am always fermenting something. I also share my culinary stories on Instagram,” says LSMU Food Science graduate Kristina Liukaitytė.

Learn more about the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

The post A Fascinating Path from Michelin-Starred Kitchens to Life-Saving Projects appeared first on LSMU.