Vytautas Magnus University

Vida Mildažienė

Professor at the Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences

Born in Vilnius on July 21, 1956. 1974-1979 studied at Vilnius University and acquired the specialty of a chemistry teacher (specialization in biochemistry). Since 1979 was junior researcher at Kaunas University of Medicine, Institute for Biomedical Research. In 1991 defended doctoral dissertation in Natural sciences (Biochemistry, bioenergetics, control of oxidative phosphorylation).

Since 1997 she is affiliated with the Faculty of Natural Sciences of Vytautas Magnus University. Gives courses in biochemistry, enzymology, membrane and bioenergetics, cell biology, integral analysis. In 1996 was awarded by the title of associate professor. In 2001 defended dissertation and received the title of advanced (habilitated) doctor in biomedical sciences (Biology, experimental application of metabolic control theory). Since 2005 she was entitled as Professor, and has professor position at the Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, VMU. IN 2008-2015 she was directing Botanical Garden of Vytautas Magnus University in Kaunas. Since 2011 – chairperson of the Joint Doctoral Commission in Biochemistry.

Research interests – bioenergetics (mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation; assessment of tissue viability), cell biology (stem and cancer cell research), systems biology. Plant biochemistry, seed physiology, molecular mechanisms of plant response to seed stress; development of innovative techniques to improve the agronomic properties of plants by using plasma technologies for seed treatment.

During short internships, Mildažienė worked at the University of Cambridge (England), the Independent University of Amsterdam (Netherlands), Thomas Jefferson University (Philadelphia, USA), Bordeaux II University (France) and Charite University in Berlin (Germany).

2004-2010 was the Chairperson of the Lithuanian Biochemical Society, since 2010 – Secretary, currently – Member of the Board. In 2007 she was awarded by Lithuanian National Science Prize. In 2008-2011 V. Mildažienė was a member of the Lithuanian Science Council. 2006-2016 she headed the Biology and Biochemistry Section of the National Student Academy. 2012-2016 -National coordinator of the international event “Fascination of Plants Day”. Since 2016 – chairperson of the Club of friends of Botanical Garden, Vytautas Magnus University. Author of three educational videos about nature.