The success stories of our alumni and researchers, now spread across the globe and speak for us. Their journeys are a continuation of our story. Their achievements were shaped not only by the knowledge gained at the university, but also by the opportunities they took advantage of during their studies, which included scholarships and internships abroad.
Internship and exchange programs in the United States (USA) are strategically important for VILNIUS TECH, as they contribute to increasing the university’s international visibility and improving the quality of studies as well as research. These programs also strengthen the university’s reputation: participation in exchanges with US academic institutions demonstrates the university’s openness and international credibility. This helps attract talented students, lecturers, additional funding for projects and other joint initiatives.
Interships at NASA
VILNIUS TECH is particularly proud that every year students leave for internships at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in the United States. Students work on a wide range of projects at various facilities and divisions. This includes anything from developing satellite systems to creating sensors capable of monitoring astronauts’ health in space. This type of experience opens doors to the world’s leading technology companies and inspires them to create their own innovations. Below are the experiences and achievements of several alumni who completed internships at NASA.
Associate Professor Dr. Laurynas Mačiulis, who studied Aviation Mechanical Engineering at the Antanas Gustaitis Aviation Institute (AGAI) and later earned his doctoral degree there, worked at the Ames Research Center in 2012, analyzing thermodynamics, flight dynamics, and heat transfer processes. Today, he leads the Lithuanian space and defense technology company Astrolight and shares his experience with the younger generation at AGAI.
Doc. dr. Laurynas Mačiulis/ Photo from personal archive
Another Aviation Mechanical Engineering student, Vytenis Buzas, also went to the Ames Research Center in 2012. He analyzed advanced nanosatellite propulsion systems and their applications for orbit maintenance and payload recovery. Today, Vytenis is the co-founder and CEO of the unmanned defense systems manufacturer UDS.
Vytenis Buzas/ Photographer J. Stacevičius
Thanks to Laurynas Mačiulis and Vytenis Buzas, Lithuania became a spacefaring nation. They initiated and led the project of Lithuania’s first satellite, LituanicaSAT-1, in 2014 and also co-founded the space technology company NanoAvionics.
„Online media“ photo / Laurynas Mačiulis and Vytenis Buzas, the creators of the first Lithuanian satellite, Lituanica SAT-1
Lukas Jakas, who studied Aviation Mechanical Engineering at AGAI, completed an internship at the Ames Research Center in 2017. Most of his time there was spent conducting phased microphone array tests. He currently works as a freelance engineer, providing 3D modeling, design-for-manufacturing, project development, and related services to companies in the US market.
Lukas Jakas/ Photo from personal archive
Julija Semenenko,
Julija Semenenko, who studied Engineering Informatics at the Faculty of Fundamental Sciences (FMF), went to NASA for an internship in 2016. Together with her team, she developed a mobile application for satellite monitoring that allows users to view all satellites orbiting Earth in real time.
Julija Semenenko/ Photographer VILNIUS TECH
Narūnas Kapočius, a Telecommunications Engineering student at the Faculty of Electronics, went to the Ames Research Center in 2017. There, he contributed to the CHOMPTT 3U CubeSat space technology project and worked on CAD design, electronics development (PCB), data processing software, engineering simulations, and testing. He currently serves as Senior Engineering Project Manager at the cloud optimization platform Cast AI.
Narūnas Kapočius/ Photo from personal archive
Justina Gineikytė, who studied Bioengineering at FMF, completed her internship in 2019 at the Ames Research Center’s Nanotechnology Center, in the Biosensors Laboratory. Together with her team, she worked on developing a sensor designed to measure human hydration levels. She now works as a microfluidics engineer at the biotechnology startup Atrandi Biosciences, founded by scientists who returned to Lithuania from abroad. The company recently secured a new USD 25 million investment from Lux Capital and other venture capital funds.
Justina Gineikytė/ Photo from personal archive
Paulina Draugelytė, a graduate of the Aerospace Engineering Master’s program at AGAI, contributed during her 2024 internship to the transformation of NASA infrastructure into modern unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) research and flight training facilities. Her input also benefited scientific mission planning and other initiatives. These efforts included programs such as Smart Mobility, FireSense, ACERO, UTM, ATM-X, PAAV, and others. She is currently the co-founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of a stealth startup.
Paulina Draugelytė/ Photo from personal archive
Scholarship from the Baltic-American Freedom Foundation
Another exceptional opportunity to gain professional experience in world-class companies is through a scholarship from the Baltic-American Freedom Foundation (BAFF), which enables participants to undertake internships at various US businesses, corporations, and organizations. Through these opportunities, students expand their professional networks and gain firsthand experience of American culture and lifestyle.
One of the participants was Dr. Agnė Vaiciukevičiūtė, an alumna of the Faculty of Business Management, who took advantage of this opportunity in 2019. At the time, she was pursuing doctoral studies and completed a one-year internship at the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA) in Washington, D.C. In addition, Dr. Agnė Vaiciukevičiūtė taught at VILNIUS TECH for nearly ten years, served as a member of the Senate, worked as Vice Minister of Transport and Communications of Lithuania, and currently serves on the Vilnius City Council.
Dr. Agnė Vaiciukevičiūtė/ Photographer LR Susisiekimo min. nuotr.
In 2016, Civil Engineering alumnus Dr. Vytautas Tumulėnas also completed an internship in the USA, working as a BIM/VDC Engineer at Skanska. He now works at SRP Projektas, a transport infrastructure development company, where he serves as Head of the BIM Department.
dr. Vytautas Tumulėnas/ Photo from personal archive
Another alumnus of the Faculty of Civil Engineering, Dr. Povilas Dabrila, gained VDC professional experience during an internship at Skanska in 2024. He continues his research activities at VILNIUS TECH and serves as an advisor at the Lithuanian Armed Forces Defence Staff. Povilas is also the founder of the construction process analysis company ReframeBIM. In addition, he has been pursuing the rank of lieutenant through the Junior Officer Command Training Program (JKVM) for the past three years.
Dr. Povilas Dabrila/ Photographer A. Jaunius
Fulbright Program
Scholarships and international internships are not only created for students but also for experienced researchers. The Fulbright Program is one of the world’s most prestigious academic exchange and scholarship programs, funded annually by the United States to support researchers in conducting studies and carrying out professional projects. Recipients include Nobel Prize winners, heads of state, renowned scientists, artists, and entrepreneurs. VILNIUS TECH can proudly say that two of its researchers have received this unique opportunity.
The first was Professor Emeritus Dr. Habil. Gintaris Kaklauskas from the Faculty of Civil Engineering, who completed an internship at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 1996. There, he carried out the project “An Inverse Physical Modeling Method for Cracked Reinforced Concrete in Tension Using Experimental Data from Reinforced Concrete Beams.” The university offered him a permanent position, but the professor says he always wanted to live in Lithuania and work at his Alma Mater.
Prof. habil. dr. Gintaris Kaklauskas/ Photographer VILNIUS TECH
In 2025, Associate Professor Dr. Skirmantė Mozūriūnaitė from the Department of Urban Design at the Faculty of Architecture was awarded this prestigious scholarship. She went to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to prepare a scientific monograph manuscript entitled Rebuilding Sustainable and Smart Cities After the War.
Associate Professor Dr. Skirmantė Mozūriūnaitė/ Photographer S. Bernotas
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