Military Medicine Research and Study Centre
The Military Medicine Research and Study Centre (MMRSC) conducts research and implements study courses and courses of continuing education in the field of military medicine. The centre was established in 2017 with an aim to coordinate activities in the sphere of humanities and medicine and contribute to ensuring national safety and defence capabilities.
MMRSC objectives
- To carry out research work on the efficiency of new diagnostic and treatment methods and approaches in the field of military medicine
- To organise and conduct training with an aim to provide theoretical knowledge and analytical skills with regard to the organisation, management and principles of action of military medical care organisations
- To participate in local and international, as well as interdisciplinary research projects in the field of military medicine and cross-sectional studies in disciplines which correspond to the profile of the MMRSC
- To coordinate cooperation with national and international research organisations in the field of military medicine and represent RSU in their activities
- To provide support to RSU doctoral students and residents, students and other researchers in implementing their research projects and training
- To disseminate the outcomes of studies carried out by the MMRSC that could be used for improving the diagnosis and treatment of patients, contribute to the drafting of guidelines and pilot projects in health technologies in the field of military medicine
- Recognition
On 25 May 2021, DAIF Latvija congratulated the winners of the Latvian Defence and Security Industry Awards 2022 at the NBS Industry Days together with its partners.
The RSU Centre for Military Medicine Research and Studies received an award in the Education category (pictured: Leading Researcher, Military Medicine Research and Study Centre, Prof. Ainārs Stepens).
On October 7, 2020, the Federation of Security and Defence Industries of Latvia presented the Defense Industries annual Award in Education and Research. Pictured (from left): RSU MMRSC researcher, doctoral student Darja Nesteroviča (), RSU MMPSC Head Ainārs Stepens and first place winner RSU MMRSC leading researcher, doctor psychiatrist prof. Māris Taube ('Leadership Tools for Suicide Prevention').
Researcher Kārlis Rācenis won the first prize and received the Federation of Security and Defence Industries of Latvia annual Award in Education and Research for his study 'Use of phage therapy in military medicine'.
Prof. Māris Taube with the 2017 Scientific Achievement Award received from the NATO Science and Technology Organization for the project HFM-RTG-218 'Suicide in the military environment'.
- MMRSC news archive
Projects
| Programme | Project title | Aim | Implementation period | Project participants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RSU Research Grant | Modifiable Bio and Life-Style Markers in Predicting Cognitive Decline | To determine whether lifestyle and biological markers predict abnormal cognitive aging prior to the onset of clinical symptoms. | 2021–2022 | Scientific supervisor: A. Stepens Lead researchers: V. Arnis, A. Platkājis, I. Griškēviča Researchers: K. Šneidere, Z. Ulmane Support staff: E. Ozoliņa, A. Šneidere-Šustiņa, G. Upesleja, A. Maskalāne, N. Zdanovskis, R. Naglis, R. Alksnītis |
| ERDF and IDAL 1.2.1. specific support goal "To Increase the Private Sector Investments R&D"; measure 1.2.1.2. "Support for Improvement of Technology Transfer System" | Clinical Personality Inventory | Commercialization of the Latvian Clinical Personality Inventory (LCPI) in Latvian and Russian cultural enviroments | 2020–2022 | RSU research group (Project manager: A. Stepens Leading researchers: V. Perepjolkina J. Koļesņikova K. Mārtinsone; project administrator: D. Zamerovska) |
| Continuation of RSU State Research Grant Programme | The Effect of Lifetime Physical Activity on the Burden Caused by Cognitive Disfunction and Depression in Elderly | Studying the association of long-term aerobic exercise with ageing-induced cognitive processes, changes and symptoms of depression. | 2019–2020 | Scientific supervisor: A. Stepens Leading researchers: V. Arnis, A. Platkājis, I. Griškēviča Researchers: K. Šneidere, Z. Ulmane Support staff: E. Ozoliņa, A. Šneidere-Šustiņa, G. Upesleja, A. Vanaga |
| Contract study with Exonicus Inc. | Virtual reality trauma simulation (Phase 2) | To develop five additional scenarios for virtual reality simulators for training needs on medical assistance in case of military trauma, in accordance with ATLS standards. | 2019 | A. Stepens |
| Contract research with Exonicus Inc. Anatomy Next | Virtual reality trauma simulation (Phase 1) | To develop the initial scenarios for virtual reality simulators for training needs on medical assistance in case of military trauma in accordance with ATLS standards. | 2018–2019 | A. Stepens |
| NATO Research and Technology Organisation, Human Factors and Medicine Research Group HFM-ET-174, HFM-RTG-313 | Re-introduction of phage therapy in military medicine | To draft therapy and clinical research protocols to assess the efficiency of phage therapy in treatment of bacterial infections | 2018–2022 | National representative: K. Rācenis |
| NATO Research and Technology Organisation, Human Factors and Medicine Research Group HFM-RTG-283 | Reduction of the burden of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) | To identify the causes of MSD and risk factors related thereto in various NATO member states. To identify prevention activities to reduce disabilities caused by MSD to military persons | 2017–2021 | National representative: A. Stepens Researcher: D. Ņesteroviča |
| Rīga Stradiņš University, Riga Technical University, Ministry of Defence | Development of computer-based personality assessment system | To develop a computer-based personality assessment system based on the Latvian clinical personality test with an aim to assess personality traits and symptoms of psychological disorders for high-risk professions (military persons, police officers, emergency services employees etc.) | 2017–2020 | RSU research group (Scientific supervisor: A. Stepens Leading researchers: M. Taube K. Martinsone V. Perepjolkina J. Koļesņikova J. Ļubenko E. Rancāns Scientific assistant K. Šneidere) |
| NATO Research and Technology Organisation, Human Factors and Medicine Research Group HFM-RTG-277 | Strengthening the role of leaders in suicide prevention in military structures of NATO member states | To draft guidelines for commanding officers representing various ranks outlining the recognition of suicide risks in the military environment and providing practical advice for their prevention | 2016–2021 | National representative, Assistant to the group leader: M. Taube HFM panel mentor: A. Stepens |
| Contract research with the Ministry of Defence | Pilot evaluation of ergonomic parameters of uniforms | To evaluate various ergonomic parameters of uniforms | 2017 | J. Reste, E. Šmagris, I. Vanadziņš, A. Stepens |
| NATO Research and Technology Organisation, Human Factors and Medicine Research Group HFM-RTG-218 & RSY 275 | Suicide in the military environment | To recognise suicide risks and provide practical guidelines for their prevention | 2015–2017 | National representative, Assistant to the group leader: M. Taube |
Overview of research activities
Cooperation
The Science and Technology Organization (STO) is a NATO subsidiary body established with a view to meeting to the best advantage the collective needs of NATO, NATO Nations and partner Nations in the fields of Science and Technology.
The Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Latvia
is the leading public administration institution in the defense sector that develops and implements national defense policy, plans resources for national defense and provides management and military education for personnel involved in national defense.
The Federation of Security and Defence Industries of Latvia (DAIF Latvija) unites a wide range of companies, as well as the country's leading universities and research institutes and the educational and research institutions established within them. It is the only organisation on the national level that represents companies and universities working in the security and defense sector, which has been recognised as a cooperation partner by the Ministries of Defence, the Interior and Foreign Affairs.
Employees
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