Team Leads
Anna Kozlova
Team Co-Lead
MSc Biomedicine
Why iGEM?
I wanted to step out of my comfort zone, learn along the way, and meet new people who share similar interests.
Hidden talent
I am good at solving solid color jigsaw puzzles.
Favourite molecule
Geosmin
Eduards Teodors Mincis
Team Co-Lead
BSc Biotechnology and Bioengineering
Why iGEM?
I am passionate about SynBio and keen to explore the real academic world.
Hidden talent
I'm actually quite good at cooking and baking.
Favourite molecule
SPIDR (Scaffold Protein Involved in DNA Repair)
Wet Lab
Alina Sivačova
Wet Lab & Dry Lab
MSc Food Science
Why iGEM?
As a milk technologist, I joined to turn casein into a wound-healing material — and prove that milk is more than food.
Hidden talent
I can grow mold and yeast on virtually anything — from a leftover Cinnabon to condensed acid whey.
Favourite molecule
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
Timothey Koksharov
Wet Lab & Dry Lab
Bsc Bioengineering and Biotechnology
Why iGEM?
It is experience, it is opportunity to use your knowledge and skill to develop a complex project.
Hidden talent
Talanted people are talanted in everything.
Favourite molecule
Copper sulfate (CuSO4)
Vladislav Sladzevsky
Wet Lab & Wiki Coding
Bsc Biotechnology and Bioengineering
Why iGEM?
iGEM is a great opportunity to develop my professional skills and challenge myself.
Hidden talent
I can shift from silent thinker to energetic talker without missing a beat.
Favourite molecule
H2O
Polina Sergejeva
Wet lab
Medicine
Why iGEM?
I joined iGEM because I wanted to get new experience in lab work
Hidden talent
I’m still searching for them
Favourite molecule
Oxygen. I literally can’t live without it
Evelina Brokere
Wet lab & HP
Bsc Biotechnology and bioengineering
Why iGEM?
Respect, power, banana... and science! I joined iGEM to gain respect in the scientific world, harness the power of synthetic biology, and of course to have some fun.
Hidden talent
I can do the voices of characters from multiplication shows.
Favourite molecule
Green Fluorescent protein
Ieva Lāce
Wet Lab & HP
Bsc Biology
Why iGEM?
I joined iGEM because I really liked the idea of creating something from a scratch and to feel more inspired about the field I am majoring in.
Hidden talent
I have pretty good flexibility and can do splits.
Favourite molecule
Caffeine
Everita Elīna Sinicina
Wet Lab & Dry Lab
MSc Biology
Why iGEM?
It's my second year with iGEM Latvia-Riga, I'm inspired by iGEM's mission and passionate about making science more accessible in our country. Once an iGEMist always an iGEMist.
Hidden talent
I can recite the whole Shrek movie.
Favourite molecule
Atropine
Dry Lab
Estere Mitjkova
Wet lab & Dry lab
Bsc Biology
Why iGEM?
I wanted to expand my vision in biology and do something useful in the summer.
Hidden talent
I'm quite flexible.
Favourite molecule
H2O
Human Practices
Mariya Belonogova
HP Lead
Medicine
Why iGEM?
To challenge myself and gain new experience and contacts.
Hidden talent
i can do a cartwheel :D
Favourite molecule
GABA
Anna Apine
HP & Fundraising
Bsc Chemistry and Chemical Technology
Why iGEM?
I joined iGEM because it seemed like a really good experience to have.
Hidden talent
Perhaps cooking
Favourite molecule
Ethylacetate
Fundraising
Arta Adele Pore
Fundraising Lead & HP
Medicine
Why iGEM?
Who doesn't love Paris and science?
Hidden talent
I can make amazing bagels from scratch.
Favourite molecule
Sucrose
Social Media & Graphic Design
Amēlija Taranda
Social Media Lead
Medicine
Why iGEM?
iGEM is a cool space to connect with cool people, whilst improving yourself so you can become cooler😎
Hidden talent
I can beatbox and ride a unicycle.
Favourite molecule
GABA
Alisa Beilina
Design Lead & Wet Lab
Medicine
Why iGEM?
I chose iGEM to challenge myself and turn bold ideas into something real.
Hidden talent
I can make a very loud clicking sound with my tongue.
Favourite molecule
Serotonin
Programming
Laura Melngalve
Wiki Lead & Social Media
Medicine
Why iGEM?
iGEM gives a platform to meet like-minded people and a place to grow and improve your skills.
Hidden talent
I can make amazing tiramisu in 15 minutes.
Favourite molecule
Octaethylporphyrin
Advisors
Andrii Shekhirev
The founder of the "Biocatalyst" foundation. The initiator of iGEM programme in Latvia.
Principal investigator
Prof Tālis Juhna
Professor and vice-rector for research at Riga Technical University (RTU) Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering with a focus on water and wastewater biology.
Jānis Liepiņš
Secondary Principal Investigator. PhD, researcher at University of Latvia, Institute of Microbiology and Biotechnology. Head of the Laboratory of Yeast Nutritional Physiology.