Optimising research resources and promoting interdisciplinarity: consolidating science at RSU

Since last year, Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) has been consolidating its research units to optimise research processes, promote interdisciplinarity, collaboration, and resource sharing, as well as to enhance the University’s excellence as a research university. These objectives are being pursued under the Consolidation Plan until the project's completion.

Liene Ņikitina-Zaķe, Director of the RSU Research Department, says that

‘consolidating science departments is particularly important at the moment, not least because the 2019-2024 international science assessment of Latvian science institutions, which includes RSU, is approaching.

We will soon begin preparing self-assessment reports of our science platforms and international experts are expected to visit RSU in mid-2025 to evaluate our research.’

In the previous International Evaluation of Scientific Institution Activity that was conducted for the period 2019-2021, RSU received a consolidated rating of "4", which is considered a very good research level. RSU was recognised as a notable university in the international scientific community with significant development potential and the possibility of becoming a highly valued partner in international collaboration projects and consortia.

Direct support for research is one of the most extensive activities to promote research excellence and the career growth of academic staff. The competition for research and academic career grants funded within the framework of the RSU and LASE Consolidation Plan concluded on 21 March this year. 32 projects from researchers from both universities received support. Among them were several collaborative projects in the field of sports science.

The research projects that were supported cover a wide range of topics: oncology, sports psychology, limiting antibacterial resistance, sports paedagogy, psychological health, enhancing athlete performance, creating innovative drug forms, public safety, media studies, and other societally significant issues.

Consolidating research units at RSU

Since 6 February, research units at RSU have been consolidated. To promote research excellence in cancer and rare disease studies, the Oncology Institute and the Scientific Laboratory of Molecular Genetics have been merged to form the Institute of Oncology and Molecular Genetics, led by Assoc. Prof. Arvīds Irmejs. The institute focuses on in-depth molecular studies of tumours and translational medicine research, while maintaining and further developing research in the field of rare, hereditary, and congenital diseases.

The Social Sciences Research Centre, headed by lead researcher Ieva Puzo, has been established within the new Faculty of Social Sciences. The centre ensures interdisciplinary development of social sciences combining resources from existing faculties of social sciences and identifying new directions for collaboration.

Researchers from the Military Medicine Research Centre will now work under the Public Health Institute led by Prof. Anda Ķīvīte-Urtāne.

The Sports and Nutrition Research Laboratory, headed by Asst. Prof. Dace Reihmane, has been established to conduct interdisciplinary research on the interaction of physical activities and nutrition in the treatment and prevention of chronic diseases (such as diabetes and cancer). This will be the first such research laboratory in Latvia. It will provide a personalised approach to research on the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases, combining therapy, physical activities, and nutrition. The laboratory will focus on strengthening international cooperation, and will also implement study and continuing education processes, supplementing the content of compulsory and elective courses with the importance of physical activities in preventing chronic diseases.

Developing a shared research infrastructure

There are plans to promote molecular and cell biology research at RSU to develop and enhance a shared infrastructure for cell research. Therefore, existing laboratories and colleagues will come together to work at the Institute of Microbiology and Virology under the leadership of Lead Researcher Zaiga Nora-Krūkle, so that researchers and students who want to work or plan experiments in cell cultures can meet in one place to plan their research and collaborate. The infrastructure is currently being planned and prepared to accommodate all equipment in the new premises.

RSU Research Centre

The RSU Research Centre has been set up under the supervision of the Vice-Rector for Science to optimise the resources for monitoring and using the research infrastructure. The centre includes existing institutes: the Institute of Public Health, the Institute of Microbiology and Virology, the Institute of Occupational Safety and Environmental Health, the newly established Institute of Oncology and Molecular Genetics, as well as the Bioinformatics Group. The institutes have been brought together under the umbrella of the Research Centre to foster collaboration between researchers, share existing facilities and resources, and to provide more opportunities for doctoral and other students to engage in research and collaboration. It is planned to optimise the work of administrative staff to better support the management and reduce the administrative burden.

Advisory Board

As part of consolidation activities, there is an intention to set up an international Advisory Board that will help management evaluate the progress, set directions for future development, and promote research excellence and international collaboration. This will help enhance the performance and quality of research in the future. RSU hopes to attract these experts as collaboration partners.