Founded 75 years ago, Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) is a science university integrated into Latvia's healthcare system. RSU provides a knowledge base for the health sector, trains healthcare professionals, and fosters competence development. Since 1998, RSU has also housed social sciences, and in 2024, the Latvian Academy of Sport Education was incorporated into RSU.
"Science in Latvia is focused on creating value. RSU’s scientific staff have high scientific and professional qualifications - our researchers are recognized experts in medicine, health, foreign policy, communication, and other fields. Based on this knowledge, we create value for society. For example, we have improved breast cancer diagnostics, helped prevent premature birth risks, contributed to improving maternal and neonatal care, initiated legislative amendments on remote work organization, enhanced workplace safety, and more," says RSU Vice-Rector for Science, Agrita Kiopa.
In 2025, RSU became one of the first 12 scientific institutions to join researchLatvia, a science communication platform developed by the Ministry of Education and Science, thus affirming the university’s significant role in Latvia's scientific development. In the interactive calendar Research Latvia 2025, RSU’s research activities are highlighted in March, emphasizing the contribution of tenured professor Dr. biol. Renāte Ranka to pharmacogenetics research.
RSU – An Excellent University for Doctoral Studies
RSU is currently home to 263 doctoral students, with women making up 71% (188) of the total. "The high proportion of women in doctoral programs indicates strong intellectual capacity and resilience in advancing scientific fields on a global scale," says Gundega Ziemele, Head of the RSU Doctoral Studies Administration.
For example, in 2024, 22 doctoral dissertations were defended, 16 of which were in the field of health sciences. In 2023, 26 dissertations were defended, with 20 in health sciences. Over the past five years (2020–2024), 104 dissertations have been defended, 82 of them in health sciences.
500+ Scientific Publications Annually
RSU researchers produce hundreds of scientific publications each year. The number of publications continues to grow—over the past three years, it has exceeded 500 annually, reaching nearly 600 last year. Four out of five publications fall under the Health and Natural Sciences platform.
Continuing Development
By 2027, RSU aims to generate locally and internationally significant scientific results. This includes attracting and retaining talent by providing necessary support and competence development opportunities, ensuring a high-quality research environment, and integrating digital solutions into science. As part of its continuous development, RSU launched 10 new scientific professor teams in 2024.
RSU's strategic specialization focuses on three scientific fields:
- Medical and Health Sciences
- Natural Sciences
- Social Sciences
Research activities are organized across three Research Platforms.
Health and Natural Sciences Platform
The Health and Natural Sciences Platform is RSU’s primary research field, boasting a 75-year tradition in medical education. It is highly regarded by professionals for its research programs, infrastructure, and opportunities in medicine, public health, and natural sciences. The platform's research areas include:
- Oncology: Research on various malignant tumors, establishment of cancer registries, tumor theranostics, tumor biology, etc.
- Occupational and Environmental Health: Studies on the impact of chemical and biological compounds, indoor air quality, external factors affecting aging and work ability, human biomonitoring, ergonomics, etc.
- Infectious Diseases and Immunology: Research on various viruses, innovative materials for bone regeneration, synthetic tissue substitutes, regeneration-enhancing substances, next-generation nanocomposite materials in dentistry, etc.
Vision: To be the leading research center in the Baltic Sea region, conducting internationally recognized research with societal value, providing essential expertise, and supporting stakeholders at national and international levels.
Mission: To create, accumulate, and share internationally recognized knowledge by providing innovative, inclusive, and sustainable solutions in medicine, health, and natural sciences.
Researchers within the Health and Natural Sciences Platform collaborate with patients to conduct research that addresses patient needs and develops solutions. They enhance knowledge transfer and innovation, establish international networks, support young researchers, share discoveries with society, promote interdisciplinary research, contribute to health policy development, and design diagnostics and treatment methods for widespread diseases in Europe.
RSU research ensures the achievement of healthcare policy goals
The Health and Natural Sciences Platform fosters research excellence, promotes innovation, and integrates scientific achievements into public health. RSU develops new therapeutic approaches, designs innovative diagnostic tools, and strengthens the innovation ecosystem, attracting investments and supporting economic sustainability. By integrating cutting-edge research into the academic curriculum, students have opportunities to engage in high-level scientific work. RSU ensures the involvement of students at all levels in research, thereby developing a highly qualified workforce capable of driving innovation and economic growth.
These scientific activities align with national development policies across various sectors, including NAP 2027, the Public Health Guidelines 2021–2027, the Science, Technology Development, and Innovation Guidelines 2021–2027, the Education Development Guidelines 2021–2027, and the National Industrial Policy Guidelines 2021–2027.
The Institute of Microbiology and Virology studies chronic diseases, particularly autoimmune disorders, enhances the understanding of viral infections, and thus makes a significant contribution to public health and social well-being. Research on non-communicable diseases promotes social equality by developing prevention and control strategies.
The Institute of Occupational Safety and Environmental Health contributes to social protection and labor market policy (Guidelines 2021–2027), public health (Guidelines 2021–2027), and plays a key role in data-driven policy planning.
The Institute of Public Health provides scientific expertise in the fields of public health and healthcare. It contributes to identifying public health and healthcare priorities and shaping national policy. The institute has established an evidence base on health determinants, the best solutions for disease prevention and health promotion, as well as improving the quality and efficiency of the healthcare system.
The Institute of Oncology and Molecular Genetics conducts research in oncology, personalized medicine, and rare diseases, investigating the genetic causes of diseases, particularly rare diseases, and exploring the use of biomarkers for diagnostics and disease progression prognosis.
The Medical Education Technology Center, the largest simulation center in the Baltics and the only one of its kind in Latvia, promotes technological advancements in medical education and research. It provides skills training and simulation programs across various healthcare fields, supporting the modernization of medical education and enhancing international competitiveness.
The RSU Innovation Center strengthens Latvia’s innovation ecosystem through strategic partnerships. A key milestone was the signing of a cooperation memorandum with the Children’s Clinical University Hospital, where RSU plans to establish a Healthcare Development Center. A significant achievement is the licensing of the Latvian Clinical Personality Test, developed by RSU, which helps psychologists prepare more accurate psychological assessments, reinforcing Latvia’s research excellence in psychology and human resource development.
RSU was the first university in Latvia to employ data curators, implement a research information system, develop a digitalization strategy, and establish guidelines for artificial intelligence usage.
RSU has actively influenced research programs, leading to the creation of the first state-funded research programs by the Ministry of Health and long-term innovation programs in biomedicine and sports. Legislative changes have facilitated research commercialization, improving RSU’s opportunities for contract research.
Social Sciences Platform
The Social Sciences Platform brings together internationally recognized researchers from various fields, including political science, economics, international relations, communication, social anthropology, sociology, psychology, law, and health management. Research focuses on social, political, and economic challenges in Latvia, Europe, and beyond, with an emphasis on security issues.
The RSU Social Sciences Research Center is dedicated to the development of interdisciplinary social science research and the refinement of theoretical approaches in three key areas: health, environment, and regional and international security issues. The center provides high-quality qualitative and quantitative data to policymakers, businesses, and other data users. It is committed to research excellence, interdisciplinary collaboration, and partnerships with academic institutions, the public sector, and NGOs.
RSU Latvian Academy of Sport Education Research Platform
The Latvian Academy of Sport Education Research Platform specializes in multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research in sports science, sports education, health promotion, and sports management. Research in this platform contributes to the development of sports and sports education policies and deepens the understanding of sports science, athlete performance, and public health. Research areas include:
- Children and youth sports
- Mass sports and elite sports
- Injury prevention and rehabilitation in sports
- Physical activity for people with disabilities
- Sports psychology and management
RSU research strategy is focused on excellence and creating value for society
As a science university, RSU follows these research principles:
- Relevance: Address real-world problems in clinical settings and contribute to healthcare policy for the common good. RSU responds to questions about diseases, safety, and public health. The RSU research strategy integrates the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
- Resilience: Strengthen research security and resilience against geopolitical and technological challenges. RSU continues to develop a well-equipped and adaptable research environment.
- Excellence: Publications in high-impact journals, collaboration, diversification of external funding, international expert evaluations, and an increasing number of defended doctoral dissertations. To achieve this, RSU opens research and doctoral positions, hires researchers, invests in new research directions, attracts international consultants for doctoral studies, and provides training on publishing, securing funding, and impact assessment.
- Impact: Research excellence translates into better health outcomes, influence on healthcare policy, clinical applications, environmental sustainability, and economic benefits.
- Investment in personnel and infrastructure: RSU supports professional growth and recognizes achievements. Outstanding research is based on excellent equipment, and with funding from RSU and the EU, a modern Pharmaceutical Studies and Research Center has been established, meeting pharmaceutical industry standards and advancing pharmaceutical research.
- Ethics: All RSU research activities adhere to the highest ethical standards. RSU ensures research accuracy and integrity in accordance with the European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity and the RSU Code of Ethics.
