The 7th Inter-Institutional Scientific Webinar will mark an important milestone for the MR LATVIA project, as doctoral researchers gather for a dedicated PhD Students Mini-Symposium. The online event, scheduled for 18 March 2026 from 14:00 to 16:00 CET, represents the official midpoint of the international research initiative.
Designed to highlight scientific progress across partner institutions, the Mini-Symposium will feature presentations from PhD candidates working at the forefront of magnetic resonance and structural biology. The session aims to foster collaboration, promote interdisciplinary dialogue, and showcase the next generation of researchers driving methodological innovation.
Spotlight on Emerging Researchers
Doctoral candidates from the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis (LIOS) will present a diverse range of research topics. Jana Petkus will discuss liquid and solid-state NMR characterization of structural and dynamic properties of virus-like particle (VLP)–alpha-synuclein conjugates in vaccine formulations. Kristine Senkane will present structural investigations of spider silk hydrogels, while Alvis Zvirgzdins will explore the origins of ^19F coherence lifetimes and linewidths in fluorinated amino acids studied by solid-state NMR. Diana Nino Avellaneda will introduce integrated NMR methods for structural and dynamic characterization of virus-like particle-based vaccine candidates.
From the Centre de RMN à très hauts champs de Lyon (CNRS / CRMN), Claire Ollier will deliver a presentation on the “revolving power” of fast magic-angle spinning, highlighting technological advances that continue to expand the capabilities of magnetic resonance spectroscopy.
Representing the CERM/CIRMMP Infrastructure, Silvia Oliveti will present her work on the characterization of the N-terminal intrinsically disordered region (IDR) of SF3B1 using solution NMR techniques.
The event is supported by the MR LATVIA project (Development of Magnetic Resonance in Latvia), conducted in collaboration with the Centre de RMN à très hauts champs de Lyon (CRMN), France; the CERM/CIRMMP Infrastructure, Florence, Italy; and the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis (LIOS), Riga, Latvia.
Funded by the HORIZON-WIDERA-2023-ACCESS-02 programme, this initiative aims to strengthen research capacities and scientific excellence across Europe, fostering long-term cooperation and innovation in magnetic resonance research.
As the MR LATVIA project reaches its midpoint, the Mini-Symposium serves not only as a progress update but also as a platform for reinforcing scientific exchange among institutions. By bringing together early-career researchers and senior scientists in a shared forum, the event underscores the consortium’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and collaborative research in magnetic resonance methodologies and applications.
Project partners, collaborators, and members of the broader scientific community are encouraged to attend and engage in what promises to be an inspiring and forward-looking discussion.