Could you give a few information about yourself and your scientific background, including previous studies and obtained degrees?

I obtained my B.Sc. in Applied Chemistry from Kaunas University of Technology (Kaunas, Lithuania). Drawn to medicinal chemistry through undergraduate internships, I moved to Sweden to pursue an M.Sc. in Pharmaceutical Technology at Lund University. I then broadened my knowledge in drug discovery by completing a two-year R&D rotational graduate program at AstraZeneca in Gothenburg. 

Could you provide details about your scientific research, and previous projects, listing your key expertise and skills?

My research spans organic and computational chemistry with a particular focus on drug discovery. During my M.Sc., I designed and synthesized carbohydrate-based inhibitors, gaining experience in glycochemistry and multi-step synthesis. At AstraZeneca, I strengthened my skills in synthetic chemistry through methodology development for sulfur(VI) bioisostere and reaction optimization using high-throughput experimentation. I further expanded into computational chemistry, applying docking and free energy perturbation to investigate how protein conformations affect these structure-based drug design tools. 

What was the motivation for joining the Aureus project? 

I truly enjoyed working in AstraZeneca’s multidisciplinary environment, which reaffirmed my decision to further grow as a drug discovery scientist through the DC1 project, combining chemistry and biology to develop molecular tools against multidrug-resistant S. aureus. 

What is the motivation and aim of your PhD project?

My PhD investigates underexplored enzymes essential for S. aureus cell wall formation. By designing and synthesizing molecules that mimic their natural substrates, I aim to develop tools that block these enzymes and uncover their molecular mechanisms and interactions with inhibitors.  

Could you write a few sentences about yourself, your hobbies, interests? 

Outside the lab, I enjoy hiking, camping, exploring new cultures, reading fiction and biographies, exercising, and experimenting in the kitchen.