Harvard Medical School training programme – promoting excellence at RSU

Since 2024, Riga Stradiņš University (RSU) has been offering an excellence programme for doctoral students and early career researchers to promote international experience and excellence in Latvian research. After two rounds of selection, Latvia has been represented at Harvard Medical School by doctors and RSU lecturers Kārlis Rācenis, Dana Kigitoviča, Kristīne Ivanova, Anna Saliņa, and Valdis Ģībietis.

The Global Clinical Scholars Research Training programme is a one-year training programme organised by Harvard Medical School, designed for clinicians to provide in-depth knowledge across all stages of the research process – from drafting grant proposals and initiating projects to analysing data and presenting findings.

The one-year programme includes three in-person workshops, five to six interactive webinars monthly, as well as more than 80 recorded online lectures. Each participant is expected to dedicate 7–10 hours per week to viewing pre-recorded materials, attending live online lectures, consulting with lecturers, working on team assignments, and developing their individual final project. During the programme, researchers study in an international environment alongside peers from various countries, collaborating to create a deeper understanding of how to design and conduct both observational and experimental clinical studies, analyse and interpret the collected data, prepare successful project proposals, and lead clinical research groups across different healthcare institutions. In addition to the core foundation courses, participants are offered the opportunity to personalise their learning experience by selecting specialised knowledge (Advanced Epidemiology or Clinical Trials) and an elective course (Drug Development, Secondary Analysis of Clinical Trials, or Survey Design), in accordance with their research interests. As part of the programme, each participant is required to develop and submit a research proposal.

It is expected that this programme will contribute to the advancement of research excellence in Latvia, as reflected in scientific publications, new research projects, and international collaboration.

Upon successful completion of the programme, participants receive a certificate and also become associate members of Harvard Medical School and Harvard University Alumni Association. RSU also intends to organise joint “Research Breakfast” events for doctoral students, where the programme’s participants will share their experiences and pass on the knowledge gained to foster the development of science in Latvia. 

March 2025. Assistant Professor Kārlis Rācenis (2nd row 6th from the left) with fellow trainees at Harvard Medical School