Lithuanian science is gaining recognition on the global stage. This year, 6 researchers from Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) were ranked among the top 2 per cent of the most cited scientists worldwide, with their work shaping new research and making a tangible impact across the globe. Their studies – spanning areas such mathematical modelling, organic electronics, food science, polymer chemistry, and sustainable engineering – show that researchers from Lithuania can confidently stand alongside international leaders.
This prestigious list is compiled annually by Stanford University in collaboration with Elsevier. It evaluates researchers based on the impact of their publications, including citations, co-authorship, and overall contribution to their fields. Only the top 2 per cent of the most cited scientists are listed, making inclusion a remarkable academic achievement.
Among those representing KTU on this year’s list are Professor Minvydas Kazys Ragulskis, Professor Juozas Vidas Gražulevičius, Professor Petras Rimantas Venskutonis, Dr Ayodeji Emmanuel Tope Amobonye, Dr Ahmed Samy Yousef Saed and Dr Mantas Lukoševičius.
While citation metrics capture influence, it is even more interesting to learn what each scientist values most. We asked: “What do you consider your greatest achievement? What are you most proud of?” Their answers reveal how personal dedication, mentorship, and scientific curiosity go hand in hand with measurable impact.
Ahmed Samy Yousef Saed
He specialises in recovering valuable materials from various waste streams – including textiles, wind turbine blades, electronic, cigarette waste, and metallised food packaging plastics – and developing waste-to-energy strategies to generate renewable energy.
Now, Yousef represents Lithuania in the European Network for Metal-Organic Frameworks: Coordinating Research and Development to Promote Technological Solutions (EU4MOFs) project, which unites researchers and industry to transform metal-organic framework innovations into practical solutions for healthcare, clean water, and sustainable energy – a field recently recognised with the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
Reflecting on his achievements, Yousef notes:
Among all these achievements, I am especially proud of pioneering feather recycling and the recycling of non-woven materials. Our team was among the first to introduce these topics to the scientific and technological community, laying the foundation for innovative and sustainable solutions in these overlooked areas.
Minvydas Kazys Ragulskis
Currently, he leads the international project Towards PERsonalized Cancer Chronotherapy (PERCC), which aims to align cancer treatments with patients’ biological rhythms to enhance therapy effectiveness and reduce side effects.
When asked about his greatest achievement, Prof. Ragulskis smiles and says it can be summed up by a single number – 14. “That’s how many of my students have successfully defended their doctoral dissertations,” he explains.
What makes him most proud are not his own accomplishments, but those of his students.
For example, Ugnė Orinaitė and Inga Telksnienė won the Lithuanian Presidential Scholarships while still studying. Four of my former students now hold associate professor positions. Paulius Palevičius is the head of the Department of Mathematical Modelling, Mantas Landauskas served two terms as Vice-Dean for Research at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences and now supervises his own doctoral student. Ishak Ertugrul completed a postdoctoral fellowship and currently works as an associate professor at Mus Alparslan University in Turkey. The Lithuanian Society of Young Mathematicians awarded Tadas Telksnys for the best doctoral paper. Finally, Ernestas Uzdila serves as president of the KTU Doctoral Students’ Association.
Juozas Vidas Gražulevičius
Although modest about his achievements, Prof. Gražulevičius has been recognised with three Lithuanian Science Awards in 1997, 2008, and 2025 and the Baltic Assembly Prize for Science in 2014. “I have not made any ground-breaking discoveries that would change the direction of global science – I consider myself an ordinary scientist. Therefore, I regard these awards as my greatest achievements,” he says humbly.
What he values most, however, is mentorship.
At the age of 74, I am proud to have maintained my scientific activity – for many years I have been among the 2 per cent of the most cited researchers – and to have earned the respect of my research group without any administrative authority. I am also proud that, under my supervision, 32 colleagues have successfully defended their dissertations. Four of them have become professors, and two have received the Lithuanian Science Award.
Ayodeji Emmanuel Tope Amobonye
Originally from Nigeria, he brings an international perspective and valuable experience to KTU’s growing research community.
Asked what he is most proud of, Dr. Amobonye points not to awards or publications, but to people.
I would consider the students that I have taught and supervised who have graduated and are doing well in their respective fields as my greatest achievements.
Petras Rimantas Venskutonis
Venskutonis is now leading a project Future of plant-based food: Bridging the gap of new proteins and FLAVOURsome, aiming to improve taste while promoting sustainable, low-emission food production.
When asked about his greatest achievements, Prof. Venskutonis mentions several milestones that mark his long and successful scientific career:
I received the Lithuanian Science Award in 2004 for achievements in technological sciences and again in 2021 in physical sciences – our field is highly interdisciplinary,” he says. “In 2022, I was elected to the International Academy of Food Science and Technology (IAFoST) under the International Union of Food Science and Technology (IUFoST) – the leading organisation in our field worldwide. And in 2025, I was honoured to be elected to the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences.
