Meet the GIFT PhD Scholars: Second Cohort (2025–2028)
As part of the Georgian Biostatistics in Implementation Science Fogarty Training Program (GIFT), Ilia State University is proud to introduce the current cohort of doctoral scholars. These PhD candidates were competitively selected based on their academic achievements, dedication to research excellence, and strong potential to advance the fields of implementation science, biostatistics, and public health in Georgia. Through their doctoral work, they are contributing innovative research that addresses pressing health challenges while strengthening local scientific capacity and evidence-informed practice.
Anzor Chavchavadze
Anzor’s work focuses on implementation science, with a particular interest in strengthening health systems through better use of data. His research centers on developing and applying monitoring and feedback tools in PrEP delivery programs in Georgia to improve evidence-based decision-making. He brings experience from both academic and government settings, including work within the Ministry of Health on large-scale national programs, contributing to more effective and responsive health system interventions in Georgia.
Keti Meskhi
PhD Student in Public Health, Ilia State University
Keti’s doctoral research focuses on the implementation of tuberculosis systematic screening and preventive treatment among household contacts and people living with HIV in Georgia. Her work centers on improving early detection and prevention strategies in high-risk populations. She is dedicated to strengthening infectious disease prevention through the lens of implementation science.
Levan Salamadze, PhD
PhD Student in Public Health, Ilia State University
Levan’s doctoral research focuses on scaling up opioid agonist treatment (OAT) for HIV prevention within the probation system in Georgia, using the EPIS framework and NIATx strategies. With over twelve years of experience in public health, he specializes in drug addiction, with extensive involvement in monitoring, analysis, and reporting of the national drug situation, as well as in the development of drug policy documents, including strategies and action plans. He has also been actively involved in the provision of HIV prevention services for people who inject drugs (PWID) for several years.