Professor Tõnis Kanger's research focuses on asymmetric organocatalysis, which involves accelerating and directing chemical reactions using natural compounds or their derivatives.
More recently, his work has also explored halogen bond catalysis. All these methods serve a common goal—making organic synthesis more sustainable and environmentally friendly. Although catalysis is inherently a sustainable method, its efficiency can be further improved by using organocatalysts attached to solid supports. This allows the catalyst to be reused multiple times, enhancing the overall efficiency of the process.
Professor Kanger's research group has successfully worked on both the synthesis and application of these catalysts. Supported commercial catalysts are also used in the synthesis of human milk oligosaccharides, adding significant practical value to his work.
He has authored over 100 category 1.1 publications, with a Scopus h-index of 27 and a Web of Science (WoS) h-index of 23. Kanger has successfully supervised 14 doctoral dissertations and is currently supervising four PhD students. Additionally, he has served as an opponent for doctoral theses at several European universities.
The Young Researcher of the Year, Agne Velthut-Meikas, studies female fertility issues. She has published 35 category 1.1 scientific articles, has a Google Scholar h-index of 22, and has successfully supervised two PhD dissertations, with three doctoral students currently under her guidance.
Agne Velthut-Meikas leads the reproductive biology research group at the Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, which includes members ranging from undergraduate students to researchers. This research group combines biomedical, molecular biology, and bioinformatics methods to better understand the causes of female infertility. In addition to her research, she collaborates with the Ministry of Social Affairs and other non-university organizations.
Agne Velthut-Meikas is driven by curiosity, collaboration with scientists from various fields, and the joy students experience when discovering new knowledge. "In science, very few results come from working alone in a corner. A stimulating and collaborative environment is the fastest path to innovative solutions," says the Young Researcher of the Year.