VU Physicist Dr Mažena Mackoit-Sinkevičienė Awarded Baltic Women in Science Fellowship

Dr Mažena Mackoit-Sinkevičienė, a scientist from the Faculty of Physics at Vilnius University (VU), has been awarded the Baltic Women in Science fellowship, within a programme co-organised by the Baltic National Academies of Sciences and National Commissions for UNESCO. A researcher has been awarded a 2025 fellowship in the category of Doctor of Sciences in Natural Sciences, Engineering, and Technology. The €7,000 fellowship recognises her scientific achievements and supports further research.

The joint award ceremony for the Baltic laureates will take place on Thursday, 27 November at 13:00 at the Latvian Academy of Sciences in Riga.

“For me, this award is not only an honour, but it’s also a celebration of my contribution to science. Lithuania has talented women scientists, and I am proud to be part of this community. I sincerely thank my colleagues in the Quantum Optics Group – working with you is both a privilege and a true pleasure. Finally, I am deeply grateful to my family for their constant support and belief in me. Without you, this journey in the field of quantum science would not have been possible,“ says Dr M. Mackoit-Sinkevičienė.

Her research advances the frontiers of quantum technologies. She investigates how vortex-shaped light interacts with atomic particles – work that opens new possibilities for precision control of light in atomic media. Her ongoing study explores the use of ultra-cold atomic systems (optical lattices) to generate spin-squeezed quantum states, enabling measurements with far greater accuracy than conventional techniques. By optimising atomic arrangements to improve the efficiency of generating these states, her research represents an important step toward next-generation quantum sensors and clocks.

She places strong emphasis on promoting science and enhancing scientific communication. As Vice-President of the Lithuanian Physical Society, she oversees national initiatives that foster the growth and internationalisation of the physics community. She is one of the co-authors of Lithuania’s Quantum Technology Roadmap and serves on the Board of the Lithuanian Quantum Technologies Association “Quantum Lithuania”.

The mission of the Women in Science Baltic Fellowship is to showcase scientific achievements, raise the visibility of women in science, and inspire the next generation of talented students to pursue careers in science. Established in 2024 by the Academies of Sciences of Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania, in cooperation with the UNESCO National Commissions of all three Baltic States, the fellowship supports outstanding young women scientists in their pursuit of excellence.