Roberta Spangelytė, a PhD student at the Laboratory of Biochemistry and Technology of the Institute of Horticulture of the Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry, has achieved a significant international milestone – she became a joint first-place winner at the InSPiR2eS Global Pitching Research Competition 2025 (IGPRC2025).
Her path to global recognition began at the national IGPRC competition in Lithuania, hosted by the Faculty of Economics and Business at Kaunas University of Technology. Winners of the national competition earned the right to represent Lithuania in the IGPRC global semifinals, where young researchers from around the world competed. Successfully advancing through this stage, Roberta reached the finals, where she received the highest distinction.
At the global competition, Roberta presented her interdisciplinary research “Enzymatic extraction and fermentation of plant-based raw materials for women’s nutrition”, which combines plant science, biochemical processes, and nutrition.
For Roberta, this recognition represents an important validation of her academic path. “For me, this is a world-class acknowledgment that the problem I am studying is relevant, and that the direction I am pursuing as a first-year PhD student is the right one,” – she says.
Although her academic path is rooted in agronomy and food science, her research is clearly interdisciplinary. The practical applicability of her work is particularly important. “I want science not to remain purely theoretical. Competitions like this and the scientific pitching format help communicate complex ideas clearly and understandably – both within the academic community and to the general public,” – she emphasises.
A key focus of Roberta’s research is improving women’s nutrition and supporting their health. According to her, the growing attention to women’s health opens new opportunities for innovation, but also requires a responsible, scientifically grounded approach. “It is important to me that the products developed are safe, evidence-based, and meant to complement a balanced diet, not replace it,” – she notes.
In her PhD research, Roberta plans to ferment and analyse less commonly used plant-based raw materials – leaves and roots – with connections to traditional medicine and women’s health.
“The technology itself enzymatic extraction is notable because it allows very targeted action. Enzymes break specific bonds in plant structures, enabling selective release of desired bioactive compounds. Controlled fermentation then allows us to modify the composition of these compounds, increase their bioavailability, create new compounds, or reduce unwanted substances,” – Roberta explains.
The InSPiR2eS Global Pitching Research Competition (IGPRC) is a worldwide competition for PhD students and early-career researchers to present short scientific ideas (“pitches”). The competition is held in multiple stages: national, global semifinals, and finals. Participants present their research using the Research Pitch Framework (RPF) method, and evaluation criteria include clarity, relevance, structure, meaningfulness, and the ability to engage an international expert panel.
The competition not only highlights high-quality scientific research but also strengthens young scientists’ communication skills and raises the international visibility of Lithuanian science.
National competition initiator and organiser, Assoc. Prof. Neringa Gerulaitienė, expressed her joy at Roberta’s success. “This achievement clearly demonstrates that the national IGPRC stage in Lithuania serves as a strong platform for selection and preparation. Participants not only present their research but also learn to structure and communicate it so that it is understandable to an international audience. This is the result of consistent effort and mature scientific communication,” – she says.
The text was prepared by Neringa Gerulaitienė, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Economics and Business, Kaunas University of Technology
