Veriko Mirtskhulava, MD

With over 15 years of devoted experience in research and capacity building, my expertise resides in operational and translational research concerning infectious diseases and epidemiology. Throughout my career, I have maintained a steadfast focus on tuberculosis (TB) and its co-morbidities, such as HIV, viral hepatitis, and diabetes, as well as the study of especially dangerous pathogens. My journey has encompassed diverse research initiatives, ranging from prevalence studies to cohort studies and clinical trials.

My substantial teaching background underscores my dedication to advancing knowledge and bolstering research capacity. I have delivered formal master's and PhD-level courses in Epidemiology and research methods at three Georgian universities. Additionally, I have served as a thesis advisor for two master's and one PhD student, equipping them with vital skills for impactful research. My commitment extends further to facilitating short training courses and providing on-the-job mentoring in operational and translational research, data analysis, evidence generation, and practical application. These efforts have spanned Eastern Europe, Central and Southeast Asia, and Africa.

My collaborations have yielded significant contributions to the field. I have been instrumental in supporting Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Malawi in protocol development, overseeing research execution, and analyzing data for National Tuberculosis Drug Resistance surveys. Through my partnership with KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation, USAID TB Control Program, and Project Hope, I facilitated practical operational research courses for Tajikistan's National Tuberculosis Program staff. A notable accomplishment was the applied operational research course I conducted for Tajikistan's national and regional National Tuberculosis Program staff. This course contributed to investigating risk factors for unfavorable treatment outcomes among rifampicin-resistant (RR)/MDR-TB patients, resulting in a publication: