Education, Experience, and Academic Achievements š
I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology from the University of Vic, Spain, in 2009. Following this, I pursued a Master’s degree in Medical Genetics at Vilnius University in 2014, and later obtained a PhD in Biomedical Sciences from the same institution in 2018. Subsequently, I embarked on a post-doctoral fellowship in 2023. Throughout my career, I’ve been affiliated with Vilnius University Medical Faculty since 2009. My research interests primarily revolve around human genome variation, population genetics, natural selection, next-generation sequencing, and genomic data analysis. I further honed my expertise through traineeships at various esteemed institutions, including Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona, Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre in Riga, and University of Szczecin, Poland. Over the past five years, I’ve led two successful projects and currently serve as a principal investigator on an ongoing project. My contributions have been recognized through presentations at international conferences and numerous ISI publications. Notably, in 2022, I was nominated for the “Discovery of the Year” award for my analysis of the Lithuanian genome.
Contribution to Research & Development š¬
My research focuses on genetic variations and human population studies, particularly in Northeastern European populations like Lithuania. By leveraging whole-genome sequencing data, I’ve identified introgressed Neanderthal segments in Lithuanians, candidate genetic regions under positive selection, and immune-related genes relevant to viral interactions. These findings offer valuable insights into our evolutionary history and adaptation, shedding light on present-day susceptibility and responses to infections. Notably, I spearheaded the sequencing of 75 Lithuanian genomes, a milestone in our country’s research landscape. This work not only enriches our understanding of human evolution but also holds implications for medical research, personalized medicine, and population health. Through my contributions, I aim to advance the fields of genetics, genomics, and population genetics, ultimately contributing to broader scientific and healthcare advancements.