Research & PhD Council

Chairwoman of the Council

Professor 

Dr. sc. ing.
Irina Yatskiv
Engineering Faculty
Irina Yatskiv
+371 67100665

Academic degree and current position in TSI: professor, leading researcher of the Engineering Faculty, Director of MSc Program “Transport and Logistics”

Previous experience: more than 10 years was Vice-rector for Research and Development, Transport and Telecommunication Institute (TSI), founder of the Laboratory of Applied Systems and chair of Mathematical Methods and Modelling Department in TSI

Membership: From 01.2017 member of ECTRI Board and from 2019 – vice-president of ECTRI; an external scientific expert in Association of Paneuropa Coach Terminals from 2009; has been chair or member of the organizing and the programme committees of the International Conference on Applied Statistics (6 events), Transportation Research (15 events), Complex Systems (4 events), etc. and reviewer in transportation journals and conference proceedings. Member of Editorial Board of Journals: Transport (WoS, SCOPUS); Maintenance and Reliability (SCOPUS), Transport and Telecommunication (WoS, SCOPUS), etc. Guest redactor of Volumes of Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems and Lecture Notes in Intelligent Transportation and Infrastructure in Springer; Procedia Engineering published by Elsevier etc.

Academic experience: Author more than 170 publications, incl. 9 books and textbooks, chapters in the books “From Transit Systems to Models: Purpose of Modelling” in book: “Modelling Public Transport Passenger Flows in the Era of Intelligent Transport Systems” (Springer Verlag, 2016), “3D City Models and urban information: Current issues and perspectives” (edpsciences, 2014), papers in International Journal of Transport, Transport and Telecommunication, Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, etc. Guest redactor of Volumes of Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems and Lecture Notes in Intelligent Transportation and Infrastructure in Springer; Procedia Engineering published by Elsevier etc. An Expert in Transport and Logistics (2008-2021) and Civil Engineering (from 2021) at the Latvian Council for Science; member of the PhD promotion committee

Teaching at post- and graduate levels: Data Analysis (PhD in Business Management, RSEBAA-BA); Multivariate Statistical Analysis, Transport Modelling, Scientific Seminar (Dr. Ing. in Telematics and Logistics, TSI); Data Mining (MSc in Computers Science, MIS, TSI); Research Seminar; Methods of Data Analysis and Business Forecasting (MSc in Transport and Logistics, TSI); etc.

Participation in projects: as leading researcher has participated in more than 20 European and Latvian research projects and more than 14 national transportation studies, and was scientific coordinator in 8 of them. Is/was national representative and management committee member of COST Actions CA16222 (WISE-ACT), TU1306 (CYBERPARKS), TU1004, TU0903, TU0804 and TU0801. Has great experience in coordinating different kind of projects in frame of Horizon 2020, FP, INTERREG, BSR programmes, she was coordinator of Horizon 2020 project “Enhancing excellence and innovation capacity in sustainable transport interchanges” (ALLIANCE)

Research interest: Data analysis, data mining, statistical analysis, mathematical modelling and simulation with application in different fields (transportation sphere, business, economics, networks, logistics and others)

Supervised Doctoral, Master and Bachelor Theses: Promoted 6 Doctoral, more than 90 Master theses and 70 Bachelor theses an official reviewer of 7 PhD theses

Awards: (2019) by Ministry of Education and Science; (2017, 2010, 2008) Latvian Education Funds; (2011, 2010, 2008) Riga Municipality

Vice-Chairman of the Council

State emeritus scientist, professor 

Dr. sc. ing., Dr. habil. sc. ing.
Igor Kabashkin
Engineering Faculty
Igor Kabaskin

Academic degree and current position in TSI: Professor, Dr.sc.ing. Dr.hab.sc.ing, leading researcher of the Engineering Faculty, Director of PhD Programme “Telematics and Logistics”.

Previous Experience: Founder and President of Transport and Telecommunication Institute for over 15 years, Vice-rector for Research and Development Affairs for more than 10 years

Membership: Member of the Joint OECD/ITF Transport Research Committee (OECD – Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, ITF – International Transport Forum), Member of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Corresponding Member of Latvian Academy of Science, President of Latvian Transport Development and Education Association, President of Latvian Operations Research Society, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal “Transport and Telecommunication”, Member of the board of the Journals “Transport”, “Technological and Economic Development”, “Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering” etc.

Academic experience: Author of more than 600 academic and research publications, author of 68 patents. Expert of the Latvian Council of Science in Civil and Transport Engineering, Chairman of promotion council for PhD degree in Civil and Transport Engineering, Chairman of Professor Council in Telematics and Logistics.

Teaching at post- and graduate level: 45 years of pedagogical experience in university; courses: Research Methodology (PhD programme); New Trends of Telematics and Logistics Development (PhD programme), Research Methodology (MSc programme), Theory of Systems and System Analysis (MSc programme), Transport Policy (MSc programme), Intelligent Transport Systems (MSc programme), Reliability Engineering (BSc programme) etc.

Participation in projects: has participated in 37 international projects (in 26 projects as national coordinator of the projects) and 26 Latvian research projects and programs (in 23 as head of the projects) within the frame of COST Activities, Horizon 2020, Framework Programs, INTERREG etc. 

Research Interests: Transport Telematics and Logistics, Smart Cities, Analysis and Modelling of Transport Systems, Intelligent Transport Systems, Reliability of Electronics Systems, Internet of Things, Cyber-Physical Systems, Information Technology Applications, Electronics and Telecommunication, Decision Support Systems, Avionics, Air Traffic Control Systems and others.

Supervised Doctoral, Master and Bachelor Theses: Supervisor of 9 PhD theses and more than 200 Master and Bachelor theses.

Awards: 2 Gold and 5 Silver Medals of International Research and Innovation Exhibition of Innovators (1985-1990); Honorary title “Latvian Honored Inventor”, Latvian Parliament (1989); Award for Innovative Excellence in Teaching, Learning and Technology, USA (1998); Award and memorial medal for outstanding research in computer science and informatics,  Latvian Academy of Sciences (2001); Award and memorial medal for outstanding performance of research in air navigation, communication and radar technology, Latvian Academy of Sciences (2002); Certificate of Recognition as a significant contribution to the research and educational work in the transport, logistics and information technology, as well as on the international success in science, Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Latvia (2014); Certificate of Honor of the Latvian Academy of Sciences for research in the field of transport and logistics (2019).

Council members

Professor 

Dr. sc. ing.
Aleksandr Grakovski
Engineering Faculty
Alexander Grakovski
+371 67 109 394

Scopus

Academic degree and current position in TSI: professor, leading researcher of the Engineering Faculty, Director MSc Program “Computer Engineering and Electronics”.

Previous experience: for more than 6 years was Dean of Computer Science and Telecommunication Faculty (Engineering Faculty), Head of Telecommunication Department in Transport and Telecommunication Institute (TSI), founder of the Laboratory of Image Processing, Biometry & Automated Border Control Systems in TSI.

Membership: Member of ECTRI (since 2017), Latvian Operations Research Society, Latvian Higher School Professors Association; member of European Engineering Deans Council (2012-2013); has been a member of the steering and programme committee of the International Conference on Innovative Vocational Education and Training in Transport Area (IVETTA), 2005; programme committees of the International Conference Reliability and Statistics in Transportation and Communication (RelStat), Latvia, (10 events), Dependability of Computer Systems (DepCoS-RelMex), Poland (3 events), etc., and reviewer in transportation journals and conference proceedings. Member of Editorial Board of Journals: Transport and Telecommunication (WoS, SCOPUS), Computer Modeling and New Technologies (2012), etc.

Academic experience: Author of more than 90 publications, incl. 14 books and textbooks, chapters in the book “Sensor Network Technology Applications in the Water Supply and Transport Systems”, Ribickis, L., et al. (Scientific Monograph, Riga, RTU Press, 2017, in Latvian), papers in International Journal of Transport, Transport and Telecommunication, Mathematical Modelling and Analysis. An Expert in Transport and Logistics (2008-2021) and Civil Engineering (since 2021) at the Latvian Council for Science; member of the PhD promotion committee. Member of the expert working group of the Electronic Communications Sector Council of the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Latvia (since 2010).

Teaching at post- and graduate level: System Theory (Dr.ing. in Telematics and Logistics, TSI); Computer Vision and Image Processing (MSc in Computers Science, TSI); Laboratory Research Workshop (MSc in Electronics, TSI); etc.

Participation in projects: as a leading researcher has participated in more than 15 European and Latvian research projects and 2 national transportation studies, has been a scientific coordinator in 4 of them, has participated in COST Action TU0804, Horizon 2020, FP, INTERREG, BSR programme’ s projects.

Research Interests: Mathematical modelling, numerical methods, dynamics of chaotic systems, signal and image processing in different fields (transportation sphere, biometry, networks, logistics and others). 

Supervised Doctoral, Master and Bachelor Theses: Promoted 1 Doctoral, more than 50 Master theses and 60 Bachelor theses, an official reviewer of 8 PhD theses.

Awards: by Latvian Education Fund in Computer Science (2017), IT industry (X-Infotech, 2016-2017), Riga Municipality (2010).

Professor 

Dr. oec.
Irina Kuzmina-Merlino
Transport and Management Faculty
Irina Kuzmina-Merlino

Academic degree and current position in TSI: Professor, Leading Researcher of the Faculty of Transport and Management, Director of study program MSc in Business and Management.

Previous experience: 41 years’ experience in Higher Education teaching Accounting and Finance; managing of high educational departments, and more than 25 years’ experience in industry as a consultant and professional advance qualification trainer.  

Membership: Since 2014 – Programme Committee Member and since 2018 vice-chair of the International Scientific Conference “Reliability and Statistics in Transportation and Communication”, RelStat (Scopus, WoS); Since 2006 – Member of the Advisory Committee of the Annual International conference, Bulgarian Association for Management Development and Entrepreneurship; Since 2015 – reviewer for the Emerald’s Emerging Markets Case Studies, EMCS, and 2018 member od editorial board (Scopus); Since 2020 – Reviewer of The Central European Business Review Journal, CEBR (Scopus, WoS); Since 2015 – International Strategic Management Conference, Peer-Review Committee (WoS); Since 2015 – The Clute Institute, Journal of Business Case Studies, member of Editorial Board (WoS); Since 2018 – the University of National and World Economy, Sofia, Bulgaria, The University Yearbook, member of the Editorial Board; in 2012 – vice-chair of the 9th International Conference in Accounting and Finance in Transition, ICAFT-2012; 2011 – 2013 – The European Council for Small Business and Entrepreneurship, ECSB Country Vice President for Latvia.

Academic experience:

Author more than 80 publications, incl. 2 study books, 3 monographs and book chapters.  An Expert in Economics and Business of the Latvian Council for Science; 2013–2020 – Member of the Joint Professors’ Council in Economics and Business (RISEBA, BA School of Business and Finance, Ventspils University); Member of the Joint* Professors’ Council in Economics and Business, incl. Management Sciences (TSI, Turības University and BA School of Business and Finance); Since 2016 –  Research and PhD Council at TTI; 2005-2007 – Latvian Association of Certified Auditors, LZRA – member of examination commission in Financial Accounting.

Teaching activity: Bachelor programme: Accounting, Management Accounting, Entrepreneurship, Financial Reporting and Analysis. Master programme: Financial Management, International Financial Reporting Standards, IFRS; Financial and Management Analysis; Research Seminar. Doctoral programme: Financial Management.

Professional advanced qualification: Corporate Financial Management; Management Accounting; Business Plan preparation; Financial Reporting and Analysis based on IFRS.

Participation in projects: ERASMUS+ „Spread Your Wings” Nr. 2017-1-PL01-KA203-038782 project (2018-2020). ALLIANCE – Enhancing excellence and innovation capacity in sustainable transport interchanges. Grant agreement Nr. 692426 (2016–2018). ERAF project, VIAA, State Education Development Agency project “Development of institutional capacity of TSI Scientific Institution” Project Nr. 2.DP/2.1.1.3.3./15/IPIA/VIAA/006 (2015). ESF project nr. 1DP/1.1.2.1.2./09/IPIA/VIAA/011 for the year 2009-2014 „Doctoral study support programme”. The Economics and Law Sciences Expert’ Commision of the Latvian Council of Science: The main directions of Research in Economics and Law Sciences in 2003 – 2011 by LCS (different projects)

Research Interests: Financial and Management Accounting, International Reporting, Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development, Digital Techniques in Management and Finance.

Supervised Doctoral, Master and Bachelor Theses: Supervision of the Master’s Theses (average 5 works per study year) Master of Social Sciences in Management; an official reviewer of PhD thesis; Supervision of the Doctoral Theses.

Awards: LR Ministry of Education and Science, Certificate of honour of the Ministry of Education and Sciences, Minister Baiba Rivža (26.10.2007). Latvian Academy of Sciences, Certificate of honour of the Ministry of Sciences, LZA president Ojārs Spārītis (06.09.2019). Nomination in ‘The best tutor of the Year 2008’ from Latvia. The Institute of Certified Financial Management, ICFM (10.12.2008), London, the United Kingdom.

Motto: “Do what you love, and do it with love”.

Professor 

Dr. sc. ing.
Mihail Savrasov
Engineering Faculty
Mihail Savrasov
+371 67100665

Current position:Vice-rector for Academic and Research, Associated professor and leading researcher of the Engineering Faculty, Director of the MSc study program “Management of Information Systems”, head of the “Laboratory of Applied Modelling (SimLab)”, head of research cluster “Modelling-Based Systems Analysis and Design (MADSYS)”.

Experience: more than 18 years of academic and research experience, more than 12 years in academic and research administration positions: Dean of the faculty, head of Research and development department. Microsoft Certified professional in Microsoft SQL Server;  Certified specialist in using PTV VISION software (traffic flow simulation); Coursera certificates in Creating Dashboards and Storytelling with Tableau, Essential Design Principles for Tableau, Fundamentals of Visualization with Tableau, Visual Analytics with Tableau, Enterprise Systems, Innovation Product Management, Building Conversational Experiences with Dialogflow; IBM Cognitive classes certificates in Big Data Foundations – Level 2, Applied Data Science with Python – Level 2, Deep Learning.

Membership: Member of the Latvian Simulation and Modelling Society, member of Latvian Transport Development and Education Association (LaTDEA), programme committee member of International Multi-Conference Reliability and Statistics in Transportation and Communication (2017-2024), programme committee member of Conference on sustainable urban mobility (2016, 2018, 2020, 2024), Programme committee member, member of editorial board Transport and Telecommunication Journal.

Teaching activity: Information Systems and Technologies (6ECTS, master level), Research Seminar 2 (3ECTS, master level), Systems Analysis and Modelling (6ECTS, bachelor level), Technical Writing (3ECTS, bachelor level), Foundation of AI (6ECTS, bachelor level).

Publication activity: Author/co-author of more than 30 research publications in journals and conference proceedings (indexed in SCOPUS/WoS). Co-author of several methodological books for students, co-author of the monography “Sensor Network Technology Applications in the Water Supply and Transport Systems” .

Projects: for the last years participated in more than 20 international projects (Horizon2020, FP7, Erasmus+, IEE, COST) and more than 10 contract research projects with the industry.

Supervised theses: 32 master level and 16 bachelor thesis supervision with successful defence; supervision of PhD thesis in a topic “Assessment Framework for Hyperloop Technology”; the official reviewer of 5 PhD thesis.

Research fields/domains: simulation modelling, information systems, AI application.

Awards: Award in competition „For the best bachelor, master and PhD work related with transport issues in Riga city” (2010, 2009, 2008, 2007), Khaim Kardonsky memory foundation award for research in statistics and reliability (2007), K. Irbīša award (2004).

Motto: “Do not be afraid of new things”.

Hobby: Carpentering, numismatics.

Professor 

Dr. oec.
Inna Stecenko
Transport and Management Faculty
Inna Stecenko
+371 67100613

Secretary of the Council

Assoc. professor 

Dr. sc. ing.
Evelina Budilovica
Head of Research Administration Department
Transport and Management Faculty
evelina-budilovica-foto

Current position – Assistant professor

Experience – more than 15 years of experience in transport planning and simulation in the Riga municipality, more than 1 year in academic and research as assistant of professor and lecture in TSI Certified specialist in using EMME software (traffic flow simulation.

Membership Member of the Latvian Simulation and Modelling Society, Association “WOMEN IN TRANSPORT”

Teaching activity – Geography of Transport Systems (4ECTS, master level), Decision Making Methodologies (2ECTS, master level), Sustainable Transport Interchanges (6ECTS, master level)

Publication activity – Author/co-author of 11 research publications in journals and conference proceedings (indexed in SCOPUS/WoS).

Projects – for the last years participated in more than 2 international projects (Horizon2020, INTERREG): ALLIANCE project (https://alliance-project.eu/) – participant, SUMBA (https://sumba.eu/) – project coordinator

Supervised theses – 2 master level thesis supervision with successful defence

Research fields/domains – simulation modelling, sustainable transportation, mobility

Awards – ALLIANCE PROJECT. Scientific Excellence Award 2018

Motto – Don’t give up

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