[{Image src='Plikusiene_Ieva_04.jpg' caption='Professor Dr. Ieva Plikusienė\\© Vilnius University' height='500' alt='Professor Dr. Ieva Plikusienė' class='image_left'}]
!!André Mischke Prize 2026 awarded to Professor Dr. Ieva Plikusienė

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__The Young Academy's [2026 André Mischke Prize for Science and Policy|https://yacadeuro.org/andre-mischke-prize-for-science-and-policy-winner-prof-dr-ieva-plikusiene] has been awarded to Professor Dr Ieva Plikusienė, researcher and lecturer at the Faculty of Chemistry and Geosciences of [Vilnius University|https://www.vu.lt/en] and Chief researcher at the [Centre for Physical Sciences and Technology|https://www.ftmc.lt/en], Lithuania. __
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!About Ieva Plikusienė

Prof. Plikusienė is an internationally recognised interdisciplinary researcher working at the intersection of life sciences, physics, and nanotechnology. Her work centres on the development of advanced biosensors — particularly immunosensors — and the characterisation of thin-film properties using highly sensitive optical and acoustic methods. During the COVID-19 pandemic, her research on protein–antibody interactions using next-generation optical-acoustic sensors attracted international recognition and helped raise the profile of Lithuanian science on the global stage. This work was subsequently honoured by the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science programme, which in 2022 named her one of the fifteen most promising young scientists in the world — only the second Lithuanian scientist ever to receive this distinction.
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What distinguishes Prof. Plikusienė is not scientific excellence alone, but her sustained and consequential engagement with policy. In 2025 she became the first Lithuanian scientist ever appointed to the Scientific Advisory Board of the UNESCO International Basic Sciences Programme — a top-tier expert group that shapes global science policy grounded in fundamental research and contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. She describes the role as an opportunity to strengthen national competencies through centres of excellence, promote international knowledge exchange, and ensure Lithuania has a meaningful voice in international scientific decision-making. She has also served as an expert evaluator for Horizon Europe EIC Pathfinder, FET Open, and DG CONNECT programmes. As Chair of the Young Academy of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences (2023 - 2025) and a Board Member of Invest Lithuania (2025 - present), she has worked across institutional boundaries to connect frontier research with economic strategy and governance — contributing directly to Lithuania’s 2026 - 2030 investment strategy focused on productivity, expertise, and long-term competitiveness.
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Prof. Plikusienė is a tireless communicator of science. Through public lectures, expert media appearances in radio and television, and outreach initiatives, she builds bridges between the research community and the broader public. Her visibility as a L’Oréal-UNESCO Rising Talent laureate strengthens public trust in science and actively promotes diversity and inclusion in European research. In 2023, her work at the intersection of science, education, and European collaboration was recognised with the Lithuanian European of the Year Award, conferred by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania and the European Commission. The following year, the President of Lithuania awarded her the Medal of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas— in recognition of her contributions to civil and public life.
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''In awarding Prof. Dr Ieva Plikusienė the André Mischke YAE Prize for Science and Policy, the Young Academy of Europe honours a scientist who embodies the ideals of its founding mission: excellence in both scientific research and engagement in science policy.''
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!Prof. Plikusienė will deliver the 2026 André Mischke Prize Lecture at the __Academia Europaea__ annual conference [Building Bridges 2026|https://hun-ren.hu/building-bridges-2026] on the 15th of October in Budapest.

!About the André Mischke Prize

The [Young Academy of Europe Prize|https://yacadeuro.org/prize], first introduced in 2017, is awarded annually to early to mid-career professionals in recognition of their outstanding achievements and contributions to key areas of the YAE. In 2019, the YAE Prize was renamed the ‘André Mischke YAE Prize for Science and Policy’ in honour of the YAE Founding Chair, [André Mischke|Member/Mischke_Andre] MAE.
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The prize is awarded to support and promote:
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*science
*evidence-informed policymaking
*science communication
*future generation scientists and scholars in Europe

!About the Young Academy of Europe

[The Young Academy of Europe|https://yacadeuro.org] is organised as a bottom-up initiative of a dynamic and innovative group of recognised European young scholars with outspoken views about science and science policy. Since 2019, we are a registered charity organisation.
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The Young Academy of Europe provides input and advice from a younger generation’s perspective – a vital input to shape EU-wide policy for the benefit of future European scholars.

The key aims of the YAE are to:
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*Provide advice and feedback on science policy across Europe, from a “younger” perspective
*Involve top young scientists in the future European research strategy, such as Long Range Plans and ESF Roadmaps
*Promote evidence-based policy across all European countries
*Support other young scientists in Europe in their further development and in thinking strategically about the future of their own discipline
*Create and foster a network of top young researchers across the disciplines in Europe
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The YAE seeks to widen participation across Europe and across the research domains.

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[{Image src='YAE.jpg' caption='' height='90' alt='YAE'}]