Golden Owl Award goes to RSU Assist. Prof. Zanda Priede for outstanding performance in science

On 11 October, neurologist and Assistant Professor of the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery of the Faculty of Medicine, Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) Zanda Priede received the Golden Own Award by AS Grindeks for her significant contribution to science. Cardiologist Vilnis Dzērve-Tāluts received the D.H. Grindelis Award for lifetime achievement in recognition of his contribution to medicine and pharmacy in Latvia. Simultaneously, an interactive exhibition of drawings dedicated to science, titled Ar aizrautību dzīvībai, was opened in the lobby of the RSU main building. The exhibition authors were this year’s and past award winners, in cooperation with AS Grindeks.

RSU Assist. Prof. Zanda Priede is currently studying neurodegenerative diseases with an aim to develop biomarkers that would enable early detection of specific brain cell death and provide an opportunity to establish the development of various neurodegenerative diseases in time, such as Alzheimer's, and foster the prevention of risk factors.

“A special message lies behind each Grindeks Award reminding us that science plays a crucial role in the development of the pharmacy industry where research and development of each product is based on scientifically-grounded studies,” stresses AS Grindeks Chairman Kirovs Lipmans.

The recipient of the A.H. Grindelis Award – cardiologist Vilnis Dzērve-Tāluts has been working at the Institute of Cardiology and Regenerative Medicine since 1977. Under his leadership, internationally recognised epidemiological studies of cardiovascular diseases and their risk factors have been carried out. These studies contributed greatly to the drafting of cardiovascular disease prevention programmes in Latvia.

Achievements in Latvian science drawn with coloured pencils

In recognition of Latvian achievements in chemistry, biology, medicine and pharmacy and following world trends to present complex information in an exciting and simple way, a technologically innovative exhibition of drawings, titled Ar aizrautību dzīvībai is open to visitors until 31 October in the RSU main building.

Fourteen professionals, i.e., the winner of this year’s and previous Grindeks Award winners, drew their achievements in the development of medicine and pharmacy in Latvia on a sheet of paper with coloured crayons and pencils. Augmented reality technology Overly will allow visitors to bring the sketches to life and visualise the stories of their achievements. The goal of the exhibition is to promote youth interest in the hard sciences and public awareness of achievements in Latvian science. 

This year’s and the following previous Grindeks Award winners took part in the exhibition: Vilnis Dzērve-Tāluts, Zanda Priede, Elmārs Grēns, Vija Eniņa, Dace Ķikute, Jānis Vētra, Osvalds Pugovičs, Andrejs Ērglis, Juris Pokrotnieks, Ināra Logina, Maija Dambrova, Ivars Kalviņš, Marina Makrecka-Kūka and Edijs Vāvers.

The D. H. Grindelis Award is the highest professional award in the fields of medicine and pharmacy. It is presented in honour of the first natural scientist, doctor, pharmacist and professor of Latvian origin David Hieronymus Grindel (Latvian: Dāvids Hieronīms Grindelis) (1776-1836). For the first time it was awarded in 1995. Among award recipients are academician and professor Jānis Stradiņš, professor Elmārs Grēns, Head of the Latvian Centre of Cardiology Andrejs Ērglis and other outstanding personalities. Whereas the Golden Owl Awards have been granted every two years since 1998 for excellent achievements in science.