Recipient of Prestigious UNESCO Award for Women in Science: “The Charm of Science Lies in Its Surprises”

On 12 November in Vilnius, at the Great Conference Hall of the Research Council of Lithuania, diplomas were presented to the recipients of the UNESCO Baltic States Scholarship for Women in Science competition.

In 2024, Dr. Greta Varkalaitė, a researcher at the Institute for Digestive Research at the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU), was recognised as the best young researcher in Lithuania (in the fields of natural, engineering and technology, or medical and health sciences). She was awarded a €7,000 scholarship in recognition of her achievements, supporting her pursuit of a career in research.

During the ceremony honouring nine awardees, video greetings were shared by Minister of Education and Research of Estonia, Dr Kristina Kallas, and Minister for Education and Science of Latvia, Anda Čakša, while Deputy Minister for Education, Science and Sport of Lithuania, Dr. Justas Nugaras, gave his speech in person at the event. Representatives of the national UNESCO commissions or secretaries general in each country – Hanna-Liis Kaarlõp, Baiba Molnika, and Miglė Mašanauskienė – personally congratulated and presented diplomas to the awardees. Additional congratulations were extended by the presidents of the Science Academies of the Baltic countries: Tarmo Soomere, Ivars Kalviņš, and Jūras Banys.

The Head of the Institute for Digestive Research at the LSMU Faculty of Medicine, Professor Juozas Kupčinskas, remarked that the UNESCO Baltic States Scholarship recognition is not only a symbol of scientific excellence but also a celebration of individual accomplishment, which should be both visible and serve as an inspiration for others.

“This is the most significant recognition for young female researchers in Lithuania, and it is the second awardee in the history of LSMU. The award will undoubtedly contribute to the recipient’s personal development, the further advancement of her research, and the promotion of science,” said Prof. Kupčinskas. The prestigious Award for Women in Science was presented five years ago to Professor Jurgita Skiecevičienė, a researcher at the Institute for Digestive Research.

This year’s awardee, Dr. Greta Varkalaitė, a researcher at the LSMU Institute for Digestive Research, aims to improve the early diagnosis of gastric cancer. She intends to employ the latest genetic and molecular tools, such as spatial or single-cell transcriptomics and next-generation sequencing.

Using highly sensitive, cutting-edge technological methods, Dr. Varkalaitė aims to identify molecular changes during gastric carcinogenesis and evaluate biomarkers associated with precancerous and tumour conditions. Recent studies indicate that these methods can analyse rare cell populations responsible for cancer progression, tumour subtypes, and critical factors of the tumour microenvironment.

Dr. Varkalaitė’s work will contribute to fundamental knowledge about key molecular changes in gastric carcinogenesis, providing clinical benefits for diagnosing, predicting, and treating this disease. Additionally, Dr. Varkalaitė actively participates in other projects conducted by the Institute for Digestive Research, including those funded under the Horizon Europe, other international projects, and the projects funded by the Research Council of Lithuania. These projects focus on translational microbiome research and the integration and analysis of multi-layered molecular data. In the following interview, we explore Dr. Varkalaitė’s experiences and insights together with her.

What brought you into science and particularly into the study of digestive system cancers?

I was deeply fascinated by biology and genetics during my school years, which led me to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Medical and Veterinary Genetics at LSMU (we were the first cohort of this programme). While studying, I was fortunate to complete my internship at the Laboratory of Clinical and Molecular Gastroenterology of the Institute for Digestive Research. Since then, I have worked in various roles within this group, and I appreciate the opportunity to continuously grow and develop professionally. In a way, it wasn’t me who chose the field of digestive system research – the field chose me.

What are the current global trends in this field?

Recent innovations in digestive disease research include spatial and single-cell transcriptome analysis, which provides deeper insights into the molecular mechanisms of intestinal diseases and may help improve treatment methods.

Machine learning and multi-omics data analysis (incorporating genetic, proteomic, and other markers) have become particularly important for predicting disease progression and treatment response. Translational microbiome research and therapies based on microbiome modulation, such as specific bacterial combinations that restore gut homeostasis, are actively being developed worldwide.

Non-invasive diagnostic methods, such as stool or blood biomarker analysis and new molecular technologies, remain important as well. Precision medicine is growing in significance, combining genetic, environmental, and lifestyle data to create personalised treatment plans.

I am particularly happy that our research team at the Institute for Digestive Research is involved in almost all these areas. We keep pace with global trends and hold strong positions as researchers and experts in certain fields.

How often does scientific research lead to surprising discoveries?

Most researchers would agree that experiments are full of unexpected discoveries – often requiring solutions to equations with numerous unknowns. Science is charming precisely because so much is uncovered through experimentation, step by step, as we work to test initial hypotheses. For me, the most exciting part is this detective work, solving a puzzle that ultimately contributes to our understanding of the pathogenesis of a disease and brings us closer to applying these insights in medicine.

What puzzle in your field would you most like to solve during your career as a researcher?

First of all, I would like to identify molecular signals specific to early diagnostics of gastrointestinal tumours or inflammatory bowel diseases – this could revolutionise diagnostics and patient care. However, perhaps the most significant puzzle is one I’ve yet to encounter – science is full of surprises.

The UNESCO Baltic States Scholarship for Women in Science competition carries a unique message for women, encouraging and inspiring them to explore the world of science. What advice would you give to today’s schoolgirls and students – future women in science?

I wish them courage and self-confidence. A woman’s career often comes with challenges, such as balancing a beloved job with family responsibilities. However, the world (often, just look around your workplace) is full of inspiring examples showing that women can achieve remarkable things – so long as they pursue what they love.