RSU researchers strengthen clinical research skills through Harvard international programmes
Photo from the researchers' private archive
Developing internationally competitive clinical research requires more than just good ideas. It also demands advanced knowledge of study design, data analysis, scientific publishing and the development of international research projects. For this reason, the RSU Faculty of Medicine actively supports its researchers' participation in world-class professional development programmes.
Five researchers from the Faculty of Medicine have successfully completed the Harvard Medical School clinical research programme, while a further four are currently enhancing their expertise through the Clinical Science Scholars programme jointly delivered by Harvard Medical School and Semmelweis University. The knowledge they have gained is already being applied in their academic and research activities, including the preparation of scientific publications and international grant applications and the advancement of new research initiatives.
A clinical researcher must be more than an expert in their field. They must also be able to design and conduct high-quality research, analyse data, collaborate within international teams and secure funding to advance scientific research. The international Harvard programmes in which RSU researchers participate are specifically designed to foster these competencies.
This year's programme participants represent several medical disciplines, including traumatology and orthopaedics, gynaecology and obstetrics, anaesthesiology and intensive care, as well as rheumatology. They were selected through a competitive process based on their motivation and previous research achievements, and all four participants have been awarded scholarships by Semmelweis University to support their studies.
The Clinical Science Scholars programme is intensive and combines face-to-face and remote learning. It includes three in-person seminars complemented by regular online sessions. Participants devote an average of 7–10 hours per week to their studies by watching pre-recorded lectures, attending online seminars, working in teams and completing a final research project that applies newly acquired knowledge in practical clinical research.
Commenting on the benefits of the programme, Māra Klibus, lecturer and scientific assistant at the Department of Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care and Clinical Simulations of the RSU Faculty of Medicine, said: ‘Participating in the Harvard Medical School Clinical Science Scholars programme has so far been an intensive and highly rewarding experience. It has enabled me to deepen my knowledge of clinical research methodology, biostatistics and study design.
I particularly value the opportunity to learn from renowned faculty members and to collaborate with colleagues from different countries by sharing experiences, engaging in discussions and working together to solve practical research challenges.
This experience has encouraged me not only to acquire new knowledge but also to look at my previous work from a fresh perspective and consider how best to apply what I have learned to my future research.’
The professional development of researchers is one of the key prerequisites for a strong academic environment. By expanding the competencies of its researchers through world-class professional development programmes, RSU is reinforcing not only the University's research capacity but also contributing to the advancement of clinical research in Latvia. Investing in people ultimately leads to higher-quality research, more successful international collaboration and greater opportunities to develop knowledge-based solutions that improve patient care and public health.
