On Wednesday, 7 January, the twelve monthly ambassadors of the Science for Latvia 2026 calendar – Latvia’s leading scientists – came together at the opening event organised by Research Latvia under the Ministry of Education and Science. Each ambassador represents their scientific institution and area of research. They were selected by the Ministry as some of the brightest and most inspiring scientific voices of 2026.
This year’s October ambassador is Dr Gints Šmits, PhD in Chemistry and OSI colleague, who leads a project on spider silk research. His work could enable the development of new materials for heart valve surgeries – made from one of nature’s strongest materials, lab-produced spider silk threads.
Dr Šmits believes that exploring solutions in nature is not a trend, but a matter of respect and responsibility towards people and the future. While the other calendar ambassadors represent diverse fields – from marine biology, forestry, and crop cultivationto vegetable farming and microplastic pollution – this shared philosophy resonates across all their work. Together, they are finding innovative, nature-friendly solutions with Latvia and the planet in mind.
“Scientists help us ask both the easy and the uncomfortable questions out loud,” says Dr Ingrīda Andersone, January’s calendar ambassador and lead researcher at the Latvian Institute of Hydroecology.
“We have been producing this calendar for nine years, and I am delighted it has become a tradition,” said Dace Melbārde, Minister of Education and Science, at the opening. “Our goal is to introduce the public to Latvia’s exceptional scientists and their achievements.”
The calendar is part of a larger project: a travelling exhibition featuring the twelve ambassadors’ stories alongside twelve short films. The exhibition will be displayed both at the institutions represented in the calendar and in other public venues. Throughout January, it can be viewed at the House of Culture and Arts at Daugavpils University, branch of the Latvian Academy of Culture.
More information on the exhibition route is available at: www.researchlatvia.gov.lv
Photo: Toms Norde
