Tamar Baisonashvili, Chief Specialist at the State Laboratory of Agriculture, Awarded Grant by the Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation of Georgia
Tamar Baisonashvili, Chief Specialist of the Animal Disease Diagnostics Department at the State Laboratory of Agriculture, has been awarded full funding through the 2024 Doctoral Educational Program Grant Competition organized by the Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation of Georgia.
Her doctoral research project focuses on studying the genetic diversity of the Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) in both domestic and wild canines in Georgia.
The research will be actively carried out at the State Laboratory of Agriculture, specifically within its molecular biology and genetics laboratories.
Canine Distemper Virus, a member of the Morbillivirus genus, is recognized as one of the most contagious viruses, with morbidity and mortality rates ranging between 90–95%.
As part of the research, the doctoral candidate will examine the prevalence and transmission routes of CDV in domestic and wild canines. Furthermore, the project aims to identify the strains of CDV circulating in Georgia, enabling epidemiologists to select vaccines that are genetically compatible with local strains, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of vaccination programs.
It is noteworthy that the State Laboratory of Agriculture actively supports the professional growth and development of its specialists. Staff members are encouraged to participate in a wide range of theoretical, practical, and scientific activities. The laboratory's research methods are accredited and aligned with international standards.
