On September 16–17, 2025, Tbilisi State Medical University hosted the coordinators of the DAAD-SDG funded international partnership project, “Preparation of Georgian Students in Medicine and Biology for a Scientific Career in Life Sciences and Medicine”, Professor Ulrich Martin from Hanover Medical School and Dr. Gabi Froriep, Head of Doctoral Programs.
On September 16, Professor Ulrich Martin delivered an interactive lecture addressing critical issues in recombinant DNA technologies, spanning traditional, contemporary, and future approaches. The lecture was primarily intended for TSMU students who, as part of this project, completed the 2024 elective course “Preparation for a Scientific Career” and participated in the LISA Summer Academy internship at Hanover Medical School in August–September 2025. The lecture was also attended by representatives from TSMU’s Departments of Immunology, Molecular and Medical Genetics, including Professor Tinatin Chikovani, Professor Tinatin Tkemaladze, Associate Professor Nino Kikodze, Associate Professor Eka Kvaratskhelia, TSMU project coordinator Associate Professor Nona Janikashvili, as well as doctoral students Nino Chighvinadze and Ketevan Mekvabidze, along with students and researchers.
On September 17, Dr. Gabi Froriep conducted a course on transformative skills for students and other interested participants.
During the visit, discussions focused on feedback from LISA Summer Academy participants and the significance of the internship for their career development. Plans were also made for individual student research projects to be conducted over the next six months at TSMU’s Human Genome and Epigenome Research Center and the Iv. Bakhtadze Medical Biotechnology Institute. Research outcomes will be presented in theses and formal presentations.
At the conclusion of the meetings, both Georgian and international project coordinators discussed prospects for expanding opportunities for TSMU students and alumni to participate in international projects.