Scientific Research Skills Center was established (in accordance with Resolution N23 /3 of the Representative Council of TSMU on 8 February 2012) on the basis of the Scientific Skills Laboratory (formerly - Institute of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, TSMU).
In 2008, Clinical and Experimental Medicine Institute had become part of the Clinical Skills Central Laboratory. Both institutions were under the same organization until 2010, when the Clinical Skills Central Laboratory became once again an independent organization and was renamed as Scientific Skills Lab, under the leadership of AssociateProfessor Eka Berishvili.
Currently, Associate Professor Luiza Gabunia is the Director Scientific Research Skills Center.
Within the framework of MUMEENA project, the main activity of the Center of Scientific Skills at Tbilisi State Medical University is to conduct the course of "scientific research" for the students of faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Pharmacy and coordination with the research ethics committee on experimental animals.
Within its competencies, the Center of Scientific Skills aims to develop in students:
1. Skills to use evidence-based principles and knowledge;
2. Skills to use the principles and methods of biomedical research in medical practice;
3. Critical analysis, ability to make right conclusions and use them in their practice.
Developing scientific-research skills for students include:
1. Planning and conducting scientific research;
2. Critical scientific thinking;
3. Interpreting the results;
4. Obtaining and analyzing information in the field of scientific interest.
Scientific Research Skills Center conducts “basic of scientific research skills” course.
Course content includes:
1. Research and various definitions related to research;
2. Research type (epidemiological, interventional), design and methodology;
3. Searching information in scientific databases;
4. Analysis and presentation of the article found in scientific databases;
5. Copyright;
6. Statistics and computer statistical programs;|
7. Preparation and publication of the scientific paper;
8. Writing and reviewing the grant project.
Events of the Organized by Scientific Research Skills Center, participation in international trainings and projects:
2012 year, December - "Workshop on Authorship of Peer reviewed Publications and International Conference Participation". CRDF Global-organized training;
2012 year, May - Scientific Conference of Students organized by the Scientific Research Skills Center - "Way to Research". The honorary guests of the conference were Prof. Federica Wolf (Roman Catholic University, Italy) and José Peinado (Granada University, Spain); they conducted lectures on scientific skills - on MMEENA project implementation at TSMU;
2012 year, November - Conference "MUMEENA" - "Modernization of Diplomatic Medical Education in Eastern European Neighborhood Countries". Kiev Ukraine. Director L. Gabunia presented report: "Development of Scientific Skills at TSMU."
2013 year, -Training for CRDF GLOBAL and GRDF conducted in Bakuriani on 5-14 June, "Training for Scientists for Specific Purposes in English Language”. The training was focused on raising knowledge of English, writing a scientific paper and grant in modern, academic English;
2013 year, December - Seminar - "Workshop on Strategies for Success in Proposal Writing and Authorship of Research Articles"; CRDF GLOBAL.
2014 year, - Training organized by the Center for Scientific Research Skills, Club "Vitalis" and Iv. Tarkhnishvili Students Scientific Society - "Basics of Scientific Research"; Presentations were presented by Luiza Gabunia, Director of Scientific Skills Center, Shorena Khetsuriani and Natia Gamkrelidze, Chief Specialists of Scientific Research Skills Center.
2014 year, July - 2nd Scientific Conference "Way to Research", organized by the Scientific Research Skills Center. The conference was under the guidance of our partners José Peinado (Granada University, Spain) and Federica Wolf (Rome's Catholic University, Italy);
2014year, - The personnel of Scientific Skills Center prepared methodical recommendations - "Basics of Scientific Research", which was published within the framework of "MUMEENA" project; materials and information obtained during trainings conducted by CRDF-GLOBAL and GRDF;
2014year, - Scientific Skills Center has been awarded CRDF-GLOBAL funding for professional skills trainers' grant program - The grant program included trainings for professors-teachers, doctoral students, residents, and for graduate students. Trainings were held for three days. About 180-200 participants participated in the event, which were awarded certificates at the end of the program;
2014 year, - The Scientific Research Skills Center has conducted the training - "The Basics of Scientific Research" for students and young researchers;
2014 year. - International Conference - “Microbial Ecology of Environmental Pathogens” - “Enzyme Activity and Carbohydrate Fermentation in Multiresistant Staphylococcus aureus Strains”. L. Gabunia. Sh. Khetsuriani (poster presentation);
2015 year, Georgia, Bakuriani. Multiprofile Medical Conference – “International Standards of Clinical Practice”. “Antihypertensive drugs combined using’s mechanism of action and effects”, Luiza Gabunia (presentation);
2015 year, Medical Conference – “International Standards of Clinical Practice”. „Ethics in Clinical Research Phases” (L. Gabunia. Sh. Khetsuriani, N. Gamkrelidze (presentation);
2014-2015years, University Research Program of US Embassy - "Improving research and writing skills among young academics." Sh. Khetsuriani, N. Gamkrelidze (participants);
2015year, - Medical Laboratory Qualification Program examinations – Defense Threat Reduction Agency. Cooperative Biological Engagement Program (participants);
2015 year, - Workshop by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) – “Research Proposal Writing”. March 13. Tbilisi/Georgia (participants);
2015 year, TEMPUS - Project International Conference „Improving Academic Standards in Education“. Tbilisi, Georgia (participants);
2015 year, Conference – “Ethical Aspects of Scientific Research”. Within the framework of scientific and innovative festival (organizers, active participants);
2015 year, – 3rd Scientific Conference "Way to Research", organized by the Scientific Research Skills Center;
2015 year, Training “Presentation and Publication of Scientific Research” (organizers, trainers);
2015 year, February 14-22, Association of postgraduate education of Georgian doctors. "Antihypertensive drugs combined using’s mechanism of action and effects“. L. Gabunia (presentation);
2015 year, April 8-10, - “Development of Scientific Research Skills in TSMU” – L. Gabunia (presentation). 2nd International Conference for Students and young Scientists”. Ukraine;
2016 year, „Workshop on Scientific Writing and Publishing“ The American Society for Microbiology (participants);
2016 year, Conference - ”Healthy Lifestile – Scientific evidence and controversial issues - 2”– within the framework of Innovations and Science Festival. Tbilisi (organizers, active participants);
2016 year, Training – “Practical Issues of Biomedical research” in the framework of Innovations and Science Festival. Tbilisi (organizers, active participants);
2016 year, Conference – “Actual issues of Environmental Health” within the framework of national week of preventive lead poisoning (organizers);
2016 year, Training - „Good Health Research Practice“ (participants);
2016 year, Conference “Actual Issues of Modern Medicine” (participants);
2016 year, Conference ORPHEUS “Research Skills Curriculum for Undergraduate Students at Tbilisi State Medical University“ (representator – N. Gamkrelidze) supported by the United States Embassy University Research Project, Germany;
2017 year, Conference “MSCA Tbilisi”. Team work on behalf of the European Commission);
2017 year, – Brokerrage Event „The ICT Proposers' Day“,(L. Gabunia - Participant, EaP- project awarded);
2017 year, - TSMU events within the framework of Innovations and Science Festival. Tbilisi (organizers, participants);
2017 year, International Congress „Pharmacology and Chemistry of Natural Compounds“ - poster presentation - “Actuality of polypragmasy and rational pharmacotherapy in Georgia” (participants);
2018 year, Opening Ceremony of V International Medical and Pharmaceutical Congress for Students and young Scientists - BIMCO– 2018 (L. Gabunia – lecture “Actual Issues of Rational Pharmacotherapy and Polypragmasy”. Ukraine;
On April 26-28, 2018, participation in workshop „Development of Institutional Animal Use and Care Committees System in Georgia: Facts and Challenges“ Organized by the Georgian Association of Laboratory Animal Sciences "GALA" and the United States Disease Control Center (CDC), supported by the United States Department of Defense Threat Reduction (DTRA)
Encouragements and Awards:
2014 year - Diploma for “Support and Training" in Seminar - " Basics of Scientific Research" (Student Scientific Society; Student Scientific-Research Club "Vitalis", TSMU);
2014 year – Diploma for “supervising of students scientific papers” (Student Scientific Society, TSMU);
2015 year – Diploma for “Encouragements of Tbilisi State Medical University In the formation of scientific research skills, students practical preparation"- Bukovinian State Medical University, Chernivtsi, Ukraine.
The Science Skills Center has prepared and published the following:
2014 year - Method Recommendations - "Basics of Scientific Research". Tbilisi, TSMU
2016 year – Original textbook for Students of TSMU and young scientists - "Methodology and Skills of Scientific Research", Tbilisi, TSMU. The original textbook is dedicated to the development of scientific skills at the level of basic education;
From 2015 year - Conferences held within the framework of "Science and Innovation Festival" organized by the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia;
2016 year - "Practical issues of Biomedical Research" (Method Recommendations).
The Scientific Skills Center has prepared and published the conferences - "Healthy Lifestyle - scientific evidences and controversial issues" and "innovations in medicine" (within the framework of international festival of science and innovation - 2017) collected materials of reports .
The Scientific Skills Center has prepared and published the conferences - "Healthy Lifestyle - scientific evidences and controversial issues" and "innovations in medicine" (within the framework of international festival of science and innovation - 2017) collected materials of reports .
Scientific Research Skills Center - Future Plans and perspectives
Strategic aims:
Development of computer classes for working in scientific databases (2018-2019 y.);
Improving scientific cooperation with research institutes of TSMU and promote the involvement of students in their scientific work (2018-2021y.);
Organization of the International Scientific Conference or Congress of Students and Young Scientists (2018);
Establishment Laboratory for teaching basic Lab. Skills. Research Study (2019-2020);
Participation in Horizon 2020 projects, promotion of research innovations, development of collaboration in the framework of joint research projects with leading institutions and researchers.
Objectives
Improving teaching of scientific skills, cooperation with international medical Universities and similar centers of Medical Schools, and exchange of study experiences in the course of scientific skills.
Professor Luiza GABUNIA MD.PhD.
Director