Meet the GIFT PhD Scholars: First Cohort (2025–2027)
As part of the Georgian Biostatistics in Implementation Science Fogarty Training Program (GIFT), Ilia State University is proud to introduce the first cohort of doctoral scholars for the academic year 2024–2025. These scholars were competitively selected based on their academic excellence, commitment to public health, and strong potential to contribute to the fields of implementation science and biostatistics in Georgia.
Tamar Mghebrishvili, PhD
PhD Student in Public Health, Ilia State University
Tamari’s doctoral research focuses on improving access to PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) for women at risk of HIV by identifying critical barriers and facilitators to uptake. She brings extensive experience in drug use and addiction research. Her work contributes to advancing equitable HIV prevention strategies among key populations in Georgia.
Publications:
- Mgebrishvili T, Kirtadze I, Mirzazadeh A, Otiashvili D. Cannabis Dependence Among Georgian Small-Scale Cannabis Growers: Results of a Cross-Sectional Online Survey. J Psychoactive Drugs. 2025 Feb 7:1-10. doi: 10.1080/02791072.2025.2463514. Epub ahead of p
- Otiashvili D, Mgebrishvili T, Sherozia M, Alania M, Kirtadze I. Psychoactive substance use among Russian migrants relocated in Georgia following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine: Qualitative study. Drug Alcohol Rev. 2025 Mar;44(3):897-907. doi: 10.1111/dar.14
Mariam Sherozia, PhD
PhD Student in Public Health, Ilia State University
Mariam is conducting a mixed-method implementation study exploring the feasibility and acceptability of HIV self-testing among people who inject drugs (PWID) using HIV Prevention Vending Machines. Her broader research interests include harm reduction, HIV prevention, implementation science, and the design of innovative public health interventions that meet the needs of marginalized populations.
Publications:
Irakli Natsvlishvili, PhD
PhD Student in Public Health, Ilia State University
Irakli’s research focuses on the integration of the ASSIST (Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test) into Georgia’s prenatal healthcare system, aiming to strengthen substance use interventions and HIV prevention during pregnancy. His academic interests span psychoactive substance use, infectious diseases among PWID, and the development of evidence-based interventions for public health and clinical settings.
Publications:
These scholars represent a new generation of implementation scientists and biostatisticians who are contributing to evidence-informed health solutions for Georgia and beyond.