Dr. biol. Sarmīte Strautiņa has made a remarkable contribution to horticultural science, with over 40 years dedicated to berry crop breeding. During her career, she has developed and officially registered 10 raspberry, blackcurrant, and gooseberry cultivars in Latvia, and 2 blackcurrant cultivars in Lithuania. She began her work at the Institute of Horticulture in 1980 after graduating from the Faculty of Biology at the University of Latvia and continues to conduct research across various fields of horticulture.

Her work has also significantly advanced environmentally friendly berry cultivation technologies, with research and methods that have supported the development of commercial berry growing in Latvia through extensive on-farm trials. Notably, her study on strawberry and raspberry cultivation under cover was the first of its kind in the Baltic States.

Sarmīte’s contribution to the maintenance and enrichment of the lilac collection is particularly noteworthy. Over more than 30 years, she has evaluated numerous lilac hybrids developed by Pēteris Upītis and Līga Kārkliņa, selecting 11 cultivars, now registered in Latvia and partially in the International Lilac Register in Canada. In 2015, under her leadership, the lilac garden was expanded with new cultivars and species, making Dobele a unique location in the Baltic region and Europe. The lilac park, which Sarmīte oversees, serves not only as a scientific resource but also as a cultural and tourism destination, attracting thousands of visitors every spring.

She has participated in more than 20 scientific projects, including six international projects, and is the author or co-author of 167 publications, including 41 indexed in SCOPUS and WoS, numerous popular science articles, and several books. She has played a vital role in the training of commercial growers and has contributed to educating the next generation of horticulturists, supervising numerous bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral theses at the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies.

In recognition of her contributions to science and horticulture, Sarmīte Strautiņa has received high-level awards from the state and local governments, as well as the Award of Merit from the International Lilac Society for her work in preserving the lilac collections of P. Upītis and L. Kārkliņa. Her work not only enriches horticulture in Latvia but also promotes its visibility on the international stage.

Just as importantly, Sarmīte is a kind, wise, and supportive colleague, always ready to listen, offer thoughtful advice, and create a calm and harmonious working environment.

We sincerely congratulate her and wish continued health, strength, and inspiration as she continues to guide and inspire us all.

The State Emeritus Scientist status and lifetime grant are awarded by the Latvian Academy of Sciences to outstanding, internationally recognized scientists upon reaching the statutory retirement age.