Tatjana Pladere

Tatjana Pladere is the Head of the Department of Optometry and Vision Science at the University of Latvia, where she leads with a strong commitment to inclusivity, community building, and expanding opportunities for others.

She joined the department as a laboratory assistant during her Clinical Optometry studies and advanced to principal investigator in the same year she completed her Ph.D. in Physics. Her doctoral work—developed in close collaboration with an industry partner and the first such thesis in the department—received the Latvian Academy of Sciences Award for the Most Significant Achievement in Applied Science. Today, her research focuses on human factors and visual ergonomics, including objective assessments of user experience in next-generation augmented reality. By bridging fundamental science with applied research, her group aims to develop evidence-based, user-centric solutions that support visual health, inform technology development, and improve quality of life.

Tatjana has been volunteering for Optica and other professional organizations for more than 15 years, beginning as a student co-organizing an international conference. She has served on the boards of the University of Latvia Optica and SPIE Student Chapters, organized networking and professional development activities, and led science outreach initiatives focused on remote and minority schools to broaden access to STEM and research careers. She has also served on the Board of the Latvian Association of Young Researchers, where she helped raise awareness of early-career challenges and advocate for more equitable research environments. Now in a management role, she continues to guide colleagues and students as they navigate professional choices. Her focus on reflective growth, inclusive leadership, and effective communication has contributed to the department achieving the broadest portfolio of funded research projects in its history, many in collaboration with local and international industry partners.

As an Optica Ambassador, Tatjana aims to bring together her leadership experience, interdisciplinary expertise, and dedication to community to strengthen Optica’s presence and impact across the Nordic-Baltic region and beyond, foster cross-border initiatives, and create opportunities that empower students and early-career researchers.