Born in 1954. From 1972 to 1979 studied at the Faculty of Medicine of the Riga Medical Institute, including one year in subordination (general surgery). From 1978 to 1980, continued his studies at the Riga Medical Institute (neurosurgery internship). From 1980 to 1984, did his postgraduate studies at the Kiev Neurosurgery Institute and thereafter defended his medical sciences candidate dissertation “Long-term endovasal chemotherapy in combined treatment of brain gliomas”. In 1988 and 1990, specialized in neurosurgery at the Harvard University, Boston, USA. Actively participated in the Latvian, former USSR and foreign professional neurosurgery congresses, conferences, symposiums and seminars.

Work
After graduating the Riga Medical Institute (1980), started to work as a new specialist at the 7th hospital in the specialty of a neurosurgeon. In 1985 worked not only in his specialty but also at the Riga Medical Institute as a new scientific collaborator, contributing to the Latvian Neurovascular Centre managed by Prof. G. Eniņš. Up to 1993, worked at the centre as a senior scientific collaborator. In 1989, established at the Riga medicine Institute a new CNIL Department – Department for Laser Neurosurgery where J. Puriņš was elected as the first chair. In 1993, J. Puriņš established LLC “Laser Neurosurgery Clinic” offering practical services in neurosurgery and carrying out pedagogic activities. In 1999, J. Puriņš was invited by the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Latvia to develop a neurosurgery curriculum; he was also elected as the neurosurgery lecturer. In 2011, he established an experimental surgery centre at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Latvia; he was also elected to be manager and associated professor. Scientific medical activities conducted in the field of neurosurgery, complex treatment of malignant brain tumors and surgical treatment of peripheral nervous system, mostly – discogenic radiculitis. J. Puriņš is the author of 36 scientific articles. In 1993, he was awarded the degree of medical sciences candidate, but in 1995 – the doctor of medicine. He worked and supervised scientific projects in the Harvard University from 1989 to 1991, as well as in the Centre for Laser Medicine of the Free University of Berlin from 1990 to 1992.He has given scientific lectures at the Main University, Goteborg University and Padova University. He has conducted scientific collaboration with Philips Medical company on laser energy medical studies. Supervised by J. Puriņš, students of the University of Latvia learn the foundations of neurosurgical practice and science. J. Puriņs has worked at the Board of the Latvian Association of Neurosurgeons, as well as the Board of the Baltic Association of Neurosurgeons. He has actively popularized his specialty and latest accomplishments in the Latvian Television, various newspapers journals and radio.