Research at GAU Medical School
Research at the Georgian American University (GAU) Medical School is a core component of its academic mission, supporting the advancement of medical knowledge, innovation, and evidence-based practice. Integrated within the MD program and faculty activities, research at GAU promotes interdisciplinary collaboration, international engagement, and the development of critical scientific skills among students and academic staff.
The School fosters a dynamic research environment that addresses contemporary healthcare challenges through both fundamental and applied research. Its research activities are supported by dedicated institutional structures and international partnerships, ensuring alignment with global standards and active contribution to the European Research Area.
Interdisciplinary Research Unit (IRU-GAUMS)
The Interdisciplinary Research Unit at GAU Medical School (IRU-GAUMS) serves as a platform for international and cross-disciplinary research collaboration. The Unit brings together Georgian and international researchers from leading European institutions.
IRU-GAUMS integrates expertise across medicine, neuroscience, psychology, public health, social sciences, and digital technologies, enabling comprehensive approaches to complex health and societal challenges. The Unit plays a key role in strengthening international research partnerships and supporting the integration of Georgian researchers into the European Research Area.
Through its collaborative framework, IRU-GAUMS enhances the visibility, impact, and innovation capacity of GAU Medical School’s research activities.
Biomedical Research Center (Institute)
The Biomedical Research Center (Institute) is the principal scientific unit of GAU Medical School, responsible for conducting and supporting research in medicine and healthcare. The Center focuses on generating high-quality basic and clinical evidence, as well as addressing current and emerging issues in modern medical practice.
The Center brings together experienced researchers and early-career scientists, creating a collaborative and academically rigorous environment. Medical students are actively involved in research projects under faculty supervision, contributing to the development of their analytical and scientific competencies.
In addition to its research activities, the Center organizes local and international conferences, workshops, and academic events, supporting knowledge exchange and the dissemination of research findings.
Contact Information:
Zviad Kirtava, MD, PhD
Principal Investigator, Head of Interdisciplinary Research Unit
Medical Schoolzviadkirtava@gau.edu.ge
Leading researcher in PUI and digital wellbeing in Georgia; Management Committee representative for Georgia and WG1/WG5 member of COST Action CA16207 — European Network...
Leading researcher in PUI and digital wellbeing in Georgia; Management Committee representative for Georgia and WG1/WG5 member of COST Action CA16207 — European Network for PUI (2018-2022), comprising 109 researchers from 37 countries. PI of FREEDOM_WIDE (Horizon Europe Widening EEI, 15/15, 2026) and NSF Grant FR-25-463 Problematic Use of Internet in Young Adults: Assessing the scope and health impacts (Georgian National Science Foundation, 2026). Co-PI of DIGI-WELL (Horizon Europe Health Cluster, submitted April 2026). Author of the first empirical PUI study in Georgia (JBA, Vol. 13, S1:152-153, 2025). Expert evaluator for European Commission Framework Programmes and Horizon Europe (10 occasions, 1997-2025). Former member of the BMJ Editorial Board (2000-2004) and Chair of the European Health Committee Steering Committee, Council of Europe (2005-2006).
Scientific staff of the School of Medicine:
Zviad Kirtava, MD, PhD
Principal Investigator, Head of Interdisciplinary Research Unit
Medical Schoolzviadkirtava@gau.edu.ge
Leading researcher in PUI and digital wellbeing in Georgia; Management Committee representative for Georgia and WG1/WG5 member of COST Action CA16207 — European Network...
Leading researcher in PUI and digital wellbeing in Georgia; Management Committee representative for Georgia and WG1/WG5 member of COST Action CA16207 — European Network for PUI (2018-2022), comprising 109 researchers from 37 countries. PI of FREEDOM_WIDE (Horizon Europe Widening EEI, 15/15, 2026) and NSF Grant FR-25-463 Problematic Use of Internet in Young Adults: Assessing the scope and health impacts (Georgian National Science Foundation, 2026). Co-PI of DIGI-WELL (Horizon Europe Health Cluster, submitted April 2026). Author of the first empirical PUI study in Georgia (JBA, Vol. 13, S1:152-153, 2025). Expert evaluator for European Commission Framework Programmes and Horizon Europe (10 occasions, 1997-2025). Former member of the BMJ Editorial Board (2000-2004) and Chair of the European Health Committee Steering Committee, Council of Europe (2005-2006).
Nino Gzirishvili, MD, ScD
Assoc. Professor, Researcher, Neurologist, Epileptologist, Clinical Neurophysiologist
Medical Schoolninogzirishvili@gau.edu.ge
Associate Professor, GAU School of Medicine; Head of Epilepsy and Sleep Disorders Division, American Hospital Tbilisi. Provides neurophysiological and EEG expertise cri...
Associate Professor, GAU School of Medicine; Head of Epilepsy and Sleep Disorders Division, American Hospital Tbilisi. Provides neurophysiological and EEG expertise critical to the neurobehavioral research components of both FREEDOM_WIDE and DIGI-WELL. Core team member of the Germany-Georgia epilepsy surgery project with Charite Universitatsmedizin Berlin (BMBF/BMZ funded, 2017-2024; Springer, 2024, doi: 10.1007/s10309-024-00742-0). International fellowships at Stanford, UCL/Chalfont, Thomas Jefferson University, and Istanbul University. Member of IBE and ILAE.
Melania Chargazia, MA
Researcher, Clinical Psychologist
Medical Schoolmelaniachargazia@gau.edu.ge
Invited Lecturer in Clinical Psychology, Georgian American University (GAU); Clinical Psychologist and Psychotherapist, Mental Hub Clinic, Tbilisi. Specialises in CBT, ...
Invited Lecturer in Clinical Psychology, Georgian American University (GAU); Clinical Psychologist and Psychotherapist, Mental Hub Clinic, Tbilisi. Specialises in CBT, adult and adolescent mental health, and PUI assessment and intervention. Co-author, ICBA-2025 abstract (JBA, Vol. 13, S1:152-153, 2025). Co-researcher, NSF Grant FR-25-463 (2026). Active clinical practice with PUI patients. Participant in a 28-country cross-cultural validation study (European Journal of Psychological Assessment, doi: 10.1027/1015-5759/a000388).
Ketevan Silagadze, MD
Researcher, Child and Adult Psychiatrist
Medical Schoolketevansilagadze@gau.edu.ge
Invited Lecturer in Psychiatry, Georgian American University (GAU); Doctorate student, TSMU; Psychiatrist, Mental Hub Clinic, Tbilisi. Specialist in adult and child/ado...
Invited Lecturer in Psychiatry, Georgian American University (GAU); Doctorate student, TSMU; Psychiatrist, Mental Hub Clinic, Tbilisi. Specialist in adult and child/adolescent psychiatry with focus on PUI comorbidities. Co-researcher, NSF Grant FR-25-463 (2026). Active clinical practice with PUI patients. Participant in the COMET-G multinational study (134 researchers, 40 countries; European Neuropsychopharmacology, CNS Spectrums). Council of Europe Pompidou Group local expert (2022-2023).
Ana Dekanosidze, PhD
Researcher, Public Health Specialist and Epidemiologist
Medical Schoolanadekanosidze@gau.edu.ge
Invited Lecturer at Georgian American University (GAU), Assistant Professor at Caucasus University; Chief Specialist, Noncommunicable Diseases Dept., NCDC Georgia. Spec...
Invited Lecturer at Georgian American University (GAU), Assistant Professor at Caucasus University; Chief Specialist, Noncommunicable Diseases Dept., NCDC Georgia. Specialist in public health epidemiology and community-based intervention methodology. Co-author, ICBA-2025 abstract (JBA, Vol. 13, S1:152-153, 2025). Co-researcher, NSF Grant FR-25-463 (2026). Extensive international publication record in collaboration with Emory University, George Washington University, and CDC Foundation (BMJ Open, BMJ Global Health, PLoS ONE, European Journal of Public Health).
