Imants Ziedonis’ Award "Time for Ziedonis" presented to Maija Dambrova for her contribution to science

Latvian poet and public activist Imants Ziedonis would be celebrating his 85th birthday this May. Marking the occasion on 3 May, at the fifth Time for Ziedonis awards ceremony, held in the Liepāja Concert Hall Lielais dzintars, Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) professor Maija Dambrova received the award in the science category “The Attack of the Butterflies” which is presented to science personalities – to those shining the light for others.

The Time for Ziedonis award in the science category was presented to lead researcher at the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Pharmacology, professor at RSU Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and academic at the Latvian Academy of Sciences, Maija Dambrova.

The laboratory led by her has provided a major contribution to the exploration of the mechanism of action of the most well-known export product of Latvia – meldonium and in the discovery of a new candidate drug. "Currently our attention is devoted to the treatment of a rare heart disease which currently has no medication,” Maija Dombrava shared in a radio interview on Latvian Radio, aired on 3 May.  

Together with her colleagues, Maija Dambrova is six-time winner of the Latvian Academy of Science achievements award. She is confident, persistent and demanding. A Latvian patriot. Progressive working methods have been introduced under the professor's stewardship and she has encouraged the publishing of scientific articles in international journals; not that widespread in Latvia at the beginning of this century, yet common practice in Europe. Maija Dambrova serves as an example that Latvia can have outstanding scientific personalities, provide excellent leadership of scientific processes and set up a target-oriented and motivated team. The professor has also supervised the elaboration of seven PhD theses.  

It is noteworthy that Prof. Maija Dambrova and Imants Ziedonis were born on the same day. “Ziedonis and I both have the same birthdate in common – the third of May (…) and I agree that a scientist must see those special things that are excellently shown by Ziedonis in his works,” Maija Dambrova shares her viewpoint. 

Five candidates were nominated for the Time for Ziedonis award in the science category – researchers who have achieved excellence in their research areas - among these were RSU researcher Inese Čakstiņa and head of the RSU doctoral study programme Sociology, Anda Laķe. 

Winners of the award received a statuette by sculptress Olga Šilova and a monetary award of 3000 EUR from the Boris and Inara Teterev Foundation.

The Time for Ziedonis award is awarded in five categories and was established in 2014 with the aim to inspire, recognise and praise creative work and the values that were important for the poet I. Ziedonis himself – excellence, passion, a sense of mission, stance, success and identity.