Italian Students Explore Wood Chemistry in Latvia: Erasmus+ Experience at LSIWC Laboratories
From May 26 to June 20, 2025, the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry hosted three students from the Italian Istituto di Istruzione Superiore “Enrico Mattei” as part of an Erasmus+ mobility initiative. Melissa Saturno, Sara Manes, and Francesco Delle Donne spent four weeks exploring the daily routines of scientific work while improving their practical laboratory skills at LSIWC.
Hands-On Work in Real Laboratories
The students were engaged in three of the institute’s leading research laboratories – Wood Degradation and Protection, Biorefinery, and Polymer Laboratories. Their activities ranged from sample grinding and moisture analysis to more complex procedures such as FTIR spectroscopy and polymer testing.
Melissa Saturno shared that the most impressive part for her was the opportunity to work independently with equipment that is normally off-limits at school:
“At school, we’re rarely allowed to operate the machinery ourselves, so doing an extraction on my own here for the first time was really cool.”
Francesco Delle Donne enjoyed learning about spectral analysis and various aspects of chemistry, while Sara Manes emphasized the importance of working with wood materials and biomass analysis:
“I gained a lot of knowledge about the chemical processes involved in wood processing.”
Their learning experience was made possible through the dedicated support of several researchers. In particular, special thanks go to Ph.D. Errj Sansonetti, researcher at the Wood Degradation and Protection Laboratory, and Miķelis Kirpļuks, leading researcher at the Polymer Laboratory, who provided invaluable guidance during hands-on tasks. The program was coordinated by Ph.D. Anda Fridrihsone, Erasmus+ project contact person at LSIWC, who ensured smooth communication and organizational flow throughout the internship.
Supervisor’s Perspective
LSIWC scientist and internship supervisor Dr. sc. ing. Ramūnas Tupčiauskas praised the students’ motivation and dedication:
“Although still students, they were highly motivated to work alongside experienced researchers. They quickly picked up tasks, completed them with care, and took on both simple and complex responsibilities – from biomass grinding to FTIR spectral acquisition. I’m very satisfied and believe this was a mutually enriching experience.”
Although the school selected the internship destination, the students unanimously agreed that the experience offered not only practical learning but also broadened their personal perspectives. Melissa noted that stepping outside her comfort zone and working in a real research setting helped her better understand the professional environment. Sara saw it as an important step for her academic future and CV, while Francesco summed up the experience simply: “Beautiful. I learned a lot.”
A Heartfelt Thank You
In conclusion, all three students warmly reflected on their time in Latvia, emphasizing both the professional growth and personal development they experienced. They felt welcomed and supported – even when conversations were in Latvian, the team made sure they understood the topic and felt included.
This was not only an opportunity to gain new skills, but also a chance to experience how science is done in a real research environment.
“Thank you for the warm welcome and for letting us be part of your team – it was a wonderful experience,” the students shared.
