#01 Climatologist Justinas Kilpys

Vaidas Petrulis is an architecture and heritage specialist with a PhD in Art History. He is also a senior research fellow at Kaunas University of Technology in the Institute of Architecture and Construction.

Last year, in 2023 he spent 6 months in Chicago, Illinois, doing research on the topic: Modernism and National Identity: Lithuanian Architects as (World War Two) WWII Refugees in US.

At the podcast we talk about:

• What makes Lithuanian architecture different?
• Specific examples of buildings in Chicago, that are using Lithuanian architecture.
• How he got an invitation to Jonas Molokas’s home archive?
• What does he wish to see happen regarding architecture in the future?

Learn more about the scholarship opportunities provided by the Baltic-American Freedom Foundation to help Baltic Scientists fund their research in the United States: www.balticamericanfreedomfoundation.org

Get ready to dive into the world of animation and cinematography with the talented Tomas Mitkus. This Lithuanian creative is no average artist - with a background in both animation and research, Tomas has some fascinating insights to share. In 2011, he participated in BAFF’s Professional Internship Program with Schell Games in Austin, Texas. Tomas is passionate about all formats and genres of cinematography, and with a focus on visual pre-production and pre-visualization, he is a master at storyboarding and concept design. Today he is a lecturer at Vilnius Gediminas Technical University and the founder and Art director at Studio Mitkus. In this episode he shares:

• How a lack of job opportunities got him into doing research.
• What is different about doing research in Lithuania from other countries?
• How different can research approaches be between practitioners and “outsiders”?
• What’s the deal with guns in Texas?
• His vision of the potential of adult animation and the social taboos surrounding it.

You won’t want to miss this so join us for another journey Beyond BAFF from animation artist to researcher and lecturer. 

Learn more about the scholarship opportunities provided by the Baltic-American Freedom Foundation to help Baltic Scientists fund their research in the United States: www.balticamericanfreedomfoundation.org

This episode is for all foodies and science enthusiasts. Our guest is Kristine Majore, a Latvian Ph.D. researcher from Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies. Kristine's research is all about the dairy industry and ways to manage waste while creating new products.  She conducted her BAFF internship at California Polytech University and is now a Senior Analyst at the Latvian Environment, Geology, and Meteorology Center. In this episode we discuss:

• The fascinating world of food science and how little it has to do with the kitchen.
• The ins and outs of shelf-stable milk and milk powder.
• The latest and most popular trends in the field of food science.
• And the surprising twist when Kristine’s roommate turned out to be a professor at the same university.

We all know the food we eat can have a major impact on the environment. Join us for another journey Beyond BAFF to learn more about food science and how researchers like Kristine are revolutionizing the industry.

Learn more about the scholarship opportunities provided by the Baltic-American Freedom Foundation to help Baltic Scientists fund their research in the United States: www.balticamericanfreedomfoundation.org

Episode 6 is for all you startup and entrepreneurship enthusiasts! Our guest is BAFF Alumnus Kalev Kaarna – a scientist turned entrepreneur from Estonia. Kalev participated in the BAFF Research Sholar program in 2015 when he spent a year at Arizona State University, researching how to enhance the impact of entrepreneurship programs and courses in universities. But that was only the beginning. Kalev immersed himself fully into business, entrepreneurship, and startup field and is now an investor and start-up coach at Superangel, an early stage Venture Capital Fund. How very suiting, as Kalev titles himself a superfan of all tech startup founders. In this episode we discuss:

• How he got into science and how he decided to leave it behind?
• Why can’t we afford Estonian entrepreneurs to burn out?
• What does the Estonian giving-back mentality mean?
• What is the most frequently asked question that Kalev gets about venture capital?
• What is the power law in startup investing?

 So, if you're curious about the world of entrepreneurship and want to hear some valuable insights from a seasoned pro, tune in to this journey Beyond BAFF! 

Learn more about the scholarship opportunities provided by the Baltic-American Freedom Foundation to help Baltic Scientists fund their research in the United States: www.balticamericanfreedomfoundation.org

Our guest today is Mindaugas Briedis, a Lithuanian researcher with an impressive background in the Philosophy of Medicine. He participated in the BAFF Research Scholar Program in 2017, when he spent 7 months as a researcher at Memphis University. Focusing on the philosophy of communication, Mindaugas now shares his time between Lithuania and Mexico, working as a professor at Mykolas Romeris University. In this episode we find out:

• How going to libraries sparked Mindaugas’ interest in philosophy.
• What led him to connecting radiology with philosophy.
• How to ask theoretical questions and have an applicable outcome.
• What is the philosophy of communication?
• And how is living in the Southern States different from living in California?

So, if you're curious about the intersection of philosophy and medicine - don’t miss this chance to join us for another fascinating journey Beyond BAFF.

Learn more about the scholarship opportunities provided by the Baltic-American Freedom Foundation to help Baltic Scientists fund their research in the United States: www.balticamericanfreedomfoundation.org

Tune in for another episode of Beyond BAFF podcast, where we continue to highlight remarkable scientists from the BAFF alumni community. Our guest is Regina Soobard - an Estonian researcher focused on science education toward sustainable development. Regina participated in BAFF’s Research Scholar Program in 2019 when she conducted her research at Michigan State University, seeking a more extensive understanding of using ‘big ideas’ and design-based modeling in science education. In this episode we find out

• What is scientific literacy and why it matters?
•  How to monitor meaningful learning?
•  Why is it important to understand interdisciplinarity?
•  Where are science and science education heading?
•  How does coaching training help to be a better educator?

Regina shares insights from her experience in the U.S. as well as her current work at the University of Tartu as an Associate professor of Science Teaching and the program director for Secondary School Science teachers. 

Learn more about the scholarship opportunities provided by the Baltic-American Freedom Foundation to help Baltic Scientists fund their research in the United States: www.balticamericanfreedomfoundation.org

Welcome to the 3rd episode of Beyond BAFF, where we explore the journeys of the alumni of the Baltic-American Freedom Foundation. This time we sit down with Marta Lange, a Latvian researcher, and former BAFF intern. Marta's medical engineering specialty and experience in cardiovascular imaging research led her to a fellowship at Houston Methodist Hospital in Texas Medical Center. In this episode we find out:

• What does it mean to be a fellow at a US hospital?
• Marta's work with researching radiation in the operating room and transcranial doppler system innovation (in collaboration with NASA)
• The crucial differences between a real hospital vs Grey’s Anatomy and whether doctors in Texas really wear cowboy boots during surgery?
• What happens if you bike to work in Houston?
• Her current research in the field of skin cancer research at Riga Stradins University Medical Technology Education Centre.

Join us for an insightful and engaging conversation with Marta Lange, as we delve into her BAFF experience as well as her research in multispectral imaging for medical diagnostics!

Learn more about the scholarship opportunities provided by the Baltic-American Freedom Foundation to help Baltic Scientists fund their research in the United States: www.balticamericanfreedomfoundation.org

Rev up your engines and join us for an electrifying episode of Beyond BAFF podcast featuring the brilliant Raivo Sell! As a professor of robotics and head of the Autonomous Vehicles research group at TalTech, Raivo is no stranger to cutting-edge technologies and future innovations. In this episode we discuss:

• What inspired him to start developing Autonomous Vehicle Shuttles, which is thefirstEstonian self-driving vehicle?
• How implementing technology is a step-by-step process, not an overnight thing.
• Ways he has continued his collaboration with contacts he made in the US.
• How does Raivo see the future of autonomous vehicles?
• The surprising thing about South Carolina?

So buckle up and get ready for a wild ride filled with knowledge, and technological advancements. And just to get your motor running, here's a joke: Why did the robot go on a diet? To reduce his circuit size! (we'll let Raivo take it from here with the real tech talk).

Learn more about the scholarship opportunities provided by the Baltic-American Freedom Foundation to help Baltic Scientists fund their research in the United States: www.balticamericanfreedomfoundation.org

Welcome to the first episode of Beyond BAFF, the podcast that explores the experiences and stories of the Baltic-American Freedom Foundation's alumni. Our guest today is Justinas Kilpys, a Lithuanian researcher who participated in the program in 2019.

During his internship, Justinas worked on applications of the random forest algorithm for snowfall detection using satellite passive microwave sensors. In this episode, we delve into:

• His day-to-day work as a snowfall detection researcher in the U.S. & the challenges he faced when he moved there with his family.
• Justinas' insights on climate change and sustainable development issues from his perspective as a hydrometeorologist.
• His experiences working as a Data Scientist for Climate Risk at Danske Bank in Lithuania.
• What kind of weather changes does he foresee for the Baltic countries in the future?
• The connection between financial risks and weather risks.
• And why did Justinas sometimes have team meetings in Mandarin during his internship?

Tune in and join us on this journey Beyond BAFF!

Learn more about the scholarship opportunities provided by the Baltic-American Freedom Foundation to help Baltic Scientists fund their research in the United States: www.balticamericanfreedomfoundation.org