Forum's organising and scientific team is made up members with significant practical and theoretical experience in organising international scientific events:

Elīna Dimiņa

Development Manager at Children's Clinical University Hospital

Public health expert with interest in infectious diseases epidemiology, infection control and antimicrobial resistance. I believe that data and technologies are still underestimated resources for promotion of public health.

Sandra Lejniece

Prof. Sandra Lejniece, MD, PhD is a multiple awarded, certified haematologist and expert of the Latvian Science Council with over 30 years of experience in field of haematology and oncology. Prof. Lejniece is currently Dean at the Department of Doctoral Studies, professor at Department of Internal Disease, Riga Stradins University and Chief of Chemotherapy and Haematology Clinic at the Riga Easte University Hospital. She graduated from Faculty of General Medicine in Riga, Latvia in 1987 and obtained haematology certification at Latvian Academy of Medicine in 1990. Following completion of her traineeship and obtaining PhD degree in 1998, prof. Lejniece held several positions including those of Head of Study Programme ‘’Medicine’’, Head of the National Centre of Haematology and Head Haematologist in Riga, Latvia. Prof. Sandra Lejniece, MD, PhD was a lead of numerous research projects in fields of biomedicine, haematology, and oncology. She published 8 monographs and books, 217 scientific publications, edited and reviewed journals in her field of interest. Prof. Lejniece participated in numerous clinical trials (phases Ib – IV) as a Principal Investigator. Her main research interests are focused on risk factors in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, chronic myeloid leukemia, bleeding disorders, rare haematological diseases, non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas.

Zanda Daneberga

Dr. Lars O. Baumbusch is a molecular biologist working as a senior scientist and project group leader at the Dep. of Pediatric Research, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Norway. In his career, he investigated genomic instability, molecular signatures of circulating and disseminated tumor cells (DTCs), and long non-coding RNAs in breast cancer applying modern molecular biology methods and applied bioinformatics. Since 2012, he is working at the Dep. of Pediatric Research, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet on the molecular biology of oxidative stress and childhood cancer. Together with colleagues and his team, he examines genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and epigenomic changes using animal models of perinatal asphyxia and patient samples. During the last years, he focused on the characterization of the genomic profiles of primary tumors and DTCs of high-risk neuroblastoma patients applying different single cell and sequencing techniques. In addition, he was engaged as an adjunct associate professor at the University of Oslo from 2006 to 2010 and as an associate professor/professor at the Oslo Metropolitan University, Norway from 2018 to 2021. Perspectives: Progress in medical research requires sample collections like the Norwegian Childhood Cancer Biobank (NCCB). These modern biobanks provide the opportunity to combine clinical information with state-of-the art biotechnology and analytical techniques enabling a translation research approach. For more details about the scientific projects, publications, and perspectives of LOB please see https://ous-research.no/baumbusch.

Mārcis Leja

Chairman of the Scientific Council of the Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Senior Researcher of the Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, and Professor of Molecular Biology at the University of Latvia. He has defended his PhD from Leiden University, having worked as a researcher at the Uppsala University Institute of Neuroscience in the Netherlands, studying bacterial viruses. Prof. Kloviņš has created the Genome Database of the State Population, and implemented many research projects, identifying the role of the human genome and the microbiome in causing various diseases. He is the author of more than 90 internationally quoted publications, a member of the Latvian Academy of Sciences.

John Tully

John Tully is the Chairman of the Board of MikroTik, a Latvian-based network equipment manufacturer which has been focusing on the development of cost-effective, secure and powerful wireless and data technologies – from 60 GHz solutions to LTE, 5G, and core networking routers. Mr. Tully has also started the Genomics Data Network and the charitable non-profit Latvian Pediatric Cancer Initiative that supports free genetic testing for pediatric cancer patients in Latvia. Since 2021, he has also been serving as the President and Chairman of the Board of the American Chamber of Commerce in Latvia.

Valts Ābols

Valts Abols serves as the CEO of Children University hospital (CUH) in Latvia. Valts’ ambition is to build the Digitally Enabled Integrated Children Health Ecosystem that embraces all children, their families, health professionals and caregivers with the common aim to improve children health and help them to realize their full potential. Valts serves on the Board of European Children Hospital organisation (ECHO) advocating for children’s health and their access to the best quality care through the collaborative work of children’s hospitals.

Agrita Kiopa

Agrita Kiopa holds a PhD in Public Policy from Georgia Institute of Technology and is the Vice-Rector for Science at Rīga Stradiņš University. Dr Agrita Kiopa's responsibilities include development of Rīga Stradiņš University as an internationally recognised research institution, and supervision of doctoral education. Before joining the Rector’s team, she was a Deputy State Secretary and Director of the Higher Education, Science and Innovation Department at the Ministry of Education and Science of Latvia. Her professional and research interests include organization theory and science human capital.

Rolands Lappuķe

Raimonds Lapiņš

After graduating Riga Stradiņš University Laura has become an innovation enthusiast and has communication background in youth NGOs, sports marketing, transport and communication. Laura currently works in Ministry of Economics as senior expert. Laura assists in organizing Forum's panels.

Research assistant in molecular biology, genetics and bioinformatics of Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre with strong skills in biological research, data collection, interpretation and management.  Passionate about participating in the exploration of the full potential of precision medicine.