Biomedical research at TSMU is organized based on traditional hierarchical structure that has been inherited by Ukrainian institutions of higher education from the Soviet Union. This system is being slowly changed to closer align with European and North American research standards, but this is a complex and slow process. Currently, the researchers work towards their degrees while being enrolled in the following programs within the University: Masters’ Program, Clinical Residency Program, Graduate Science Program, and Doctoral Science program. Upon completing these programs, the graduates are awarded with the degrees equivalent to M.S., M.D., Ph.D., and D.Sc..
TSMU constantly increases the number of people graduating from the science programs. In 2015, for instance, 46 people have received their Candidate of Science Degrees (equivalent of Ph.D.), and 6 have received the Doctor of Science degree. 131 and 27 people are currently enrolled in these respective programs.
The administration actively encourages students and lecturers to participate in research projects. They are given monetary awards, and offered free publication in the professional journals published by the in-house publishing company, assistance from the library staff, paid time off to write their dissertation and free stay at the country retreat center Chervona Kalyna.
The graduate school offers the following bio-medical research areas:
Obstetrics and Gynecology, Internal Diseases, Surgery, Oncology, Pediatrics, Rheumatic Diseases, Infectious diseases, Neurological Disorders, Otolaryngology, Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases, Pathological Anatomy, Medical hygiene, Medical Microbiology, Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, Human Pathology, Pharmacology, Histology, Cytology, and Embryology, Medical Biochemistry, Dentistry, Public Health
In addition to conventional graduate research, the students have an option to enroll into the distance graduate research program. In 2015, of 63 total graduate students, more than 150 were distance students.
Masters’ Program offers the following areas of bio-medical study and research:
Obstetrics and Gynecology, Therapy, Surgery, Anesthesiology, Emergency Medicine, General Practice and Family Medicine, Urology, Psychiatry, Pediatrics, Otolaryngology, Dermatology and STIs, Ophthalmology, Physiology, Infectious diseases, Neurological Disorders, Orthopedics and Traumatology, Pharmacy,
Clinical Pharmacology, Dentistry
In 2015, 45 resident clinicians from the Departments of General Medicine, Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology were enrolled in the Masters’ Program.
To ensure excellence of the graduate examinations and defense, the University has two Specialized Academic Boards (certified by the Ministry of Health of Ukraine). The specialized Science Board D 58.601.01carries out thesis defenses in the following areas:
· Surgery
· Human anatomy (medical and biological sciences)
· Pathology
The specialized Academic Board D 58.601.02 caries out thesis defenses in these areas
· Obstetrics and Gynecology
· Pediatrics
· Internal Diseases
· Infectious Diseases
A newly created Academic Board K 58.601.04 will hold thesis defenses in the areas of Biochemistry (biological and medical sciences)
Research in TSMU
In 2015 our research groups carried out biomedical studies at TSMU, four of them received state funding.Some of the ongoing and recently completed research projects are described below.
Epidemiological aspects of acute respiratory diseases were investigated by academician M. Andreichyn and his team. The goal of this research was to develop effective methods of ARD detection and treatment, and evaluate promising new medical treatment, Nuclex. Additionally, this research addressed the role of anti-oxidants in treatment of acute respiratory distress-syndrome. This multi-year study has so far resulted in publication of a book, 26 papers, 42 abstracts, 2 patents as well as in the defense of 5 PhD dissertations.
Ongoing projects include the studies of oncological questions, the use of cell therapy to correct pathology states, and the improvements in laparoscopic and endoscopic surgery techniques.
Another epidemiological investigation focuses on characterization, distribution, and treatment of Hepatitis B and C.
A large area of investigation is the diseases of internal organs, in particular, co-morbid and ply-morbid pathologies. Researchers study detection and treatment options for the disorders of female reproductive system, metabolic disorders in children, central and peripheral nervous systems, and of the thyroid.
Neurological studies focus on the adaptations to stress and cognitive deficits in psychiatric disorders.
Experimental medicine studies are aimed at the finding of new treatment options for diabetes; prevention and correction of adverse effects of stress; and determining the biochemical mechanisms of nanoparticle toxicity.
A particular attention is given to finding the innovative ways to improve the public health system in Ukraine, and to the use of information technologies in medical research and education.
Technical innovations
TSMU has been at the forefront of developing applied medical innovations, procedure improvements and guidelines for implementation in public health, surgery, and pharmacology. This work has been acknowledged with a number of patents, publications, awards, and prizes.