Biophysical Society Bulletin | October 2025

Biophysicist in Profile

Currently, he faces a quintessential challenge of scientific inde pendence, learning “how to formulate a scientific problem that is complex enough to be interesting, relevant enough to acquire funding, but also simple enough to be solved using available scientific equipment and other means.” Despite these challenges, Pupkis finds deep satisfaction in his work, particularly in teaching. His responsibilities include introduc ing undergraduate students to differential equations and plant physiology, and he participates in educational projects aimed at improving university pedagogy. “However, nothing can overshad ow working with students as a teacher,” he emphasizes. “It is extremely satisfying to inspire these ‘lightbulb’ moments when students suddenly understand a complex concept.” The Lithuanian system encourages early research involvement, with students often becoming co-authors on scientific publi cations. Pupkis takes pride in events like The Coins, an annual conference organized entirely by students at the Life Sciences Center, and which regularly attracts notable attendees, including Nobel Prize winners. “One of the most rewarding aspects of my work is experiencing those ‘aha’ moments after thinking extensively about a particular problem,” he shares. “These moments can occur while reading, walking around, or preparing lunch—it feels amazing when it becomes clear that everything can be solved by a particular experiment.” Pupkis values the collaborative nature of biophysics, crediting the supportiveness of his research community for his career progress. He maintains collaborations with groups in Poland and Hungary and serves as a council member of the Lithuanian Biophysical Society, organizing conferences and educational events.

His involvement with the Biophysical Society has been particu larly meaningful. A BPS-EBSA Student Poster Award in 2023 led to participation in the Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, where he received a Travel Award and delivered a platform presentation. “As a scientist, I have never received a greater honor,” he notes. Looking ahead, Pupkis sees biophysics as uniquely positioned to address global challenges. “Biophysicists come in many differ ent ‘flavors,’ as there are many ways to become one,” he ob serves. The field’s interdisciplinary nature makes its practitioners well-suited for science communication and evidence-based policy making. His personal research goals remain focused on “deciphering how various stressors regulate plant photosynthetic activity, which particular signaling molecules bridge vastly different physiological processes, and how.” He has a positive outlook on the future: “I am optimistic that there will always be students interested in plants, in biophysics, and in making our world a better place.” For young scientists entering the field, Pupkis offers measured but encouraging advice: “Young people should not be afraid to ask questions and find a supportive community that encourages that.” He acknowledges that scientific problems often lack clear solutions, but emphasizes that “with humility of not knowing and a persistent curiosity, the power of the human mind is almost unlimited.” When not immersed in research or teaching, Pupkis returns to those formative influences of his childhood—working from his family’s country house, cycling through the countryside, and read ing with a cup of tea. These moments of reflection, away from laboratory equipment and lecture halls, continue to inform his understanding of the natural world he has dedicated his career to exploring.

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October 2025

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