Download GEORGIAN NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION, Project

Success stories and lessons learnt from participation of
Georgia in international programs
Ia Pantsulaia,
Associate Professor
Immunology department, Tbilisi State Medical University
September, 2015
Tbilisi, Georgia
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Investigation the immunological dysfunction in successful ageing
and in the development complex diseases (diabetes, osteoarthritis,
cancer etc).
Identification biomarkers involved in the progress of complex
diseases and improve their therapeutic potential.
Estimation genetic and environmental determinants of immunological
responses.
Detection of the immunomodulatory activity of biologically active
substances and Investigation
their effects on various immune
responses (stimulatory or inhibitory).
Osteoimmunology - The connections between bone and cartilage
remodeling process and immune system.
Research projects from 2008
2013-2016
Healthy ageing research center (FP7)
My sub-project title: Endothelial cells senescence associated secretory
(SASP) phenotype in various senescence models
The aim of Healthy Ageing Research Centre (HARC) is to develop a top-level,
distinguished medical research centre in the field of ageing-associated
diseases, as well as to increase participation in international research and
develop innovation in the area of age-related diseases.
HARC brings together a group of 21 internationally recognized researchers
at the Medical University of Lodz (most of them heading the University
departments). The consortium consists more than 30 key researchers, with
their research groups.
HARC is based on research teams from the Medical University of Lodz
(MUL), which itself has benefited from the act of integration.
2015-2017
The role of immune parameters and circulating tumor cells in the
development of colorectal cancer and metastases. Science and Technology
Center of Ukraine. Georgian National Science Foundation. Principal
Investigator
2015-2018
Biomarkers and efficiency of treatment of locally advanced gastric cancer by
resection and HIPEC procedure. Georgian National Science Foundation. Chief
researcher
2014-2016
The impact of radiofrequency thermal ablation (RFA) on adaptive immune
responses in patients with liver cancer. Georgian National Science
Foundation. Researcher
2010-2013
Possible Interaction of Endogenous Sodium Pump Inhibitors and Genetic
Factors in the Development of Salt-sensitive Hypertension. Swiss national
science foundation – SCOPES. Project Manager
2011-2013
Development of a novel bacterial preparation for immunotherapy of cancer.
Science and Technology Center of Ukraine. Team Leader
2009-2010
The protective role of edible plant-derived extracts on age-related immune
dysfunction. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CENTER IN UKRAINE; GEORGIAN
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION, Project manager and Experimental
Investigator
2008-2009
The role of phenotypic and functional changes of regulatory T cells and
cytokines in healthy aging. GEORGIAN NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION,
Principal Investigator
2008-2009
Cytokines and Regulatory T-cells in Pathogenesis of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus,
Georgian National science Foundation. GEORGIAN NATIONAL SCIENCE
FOUNDATION, Chief Researcher
2008-2009
Investigation the possible effect and mechanism of the action of
anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive mixture of
Citrus Peel Extract on the immune-mediated liver injury. GEORGIAN
RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION, U.S. CIVILIAN RESEARCH
& DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION, Principal Investigator
The US host: David Hafler, Professor, Director of Molecular
Immunology Laboratory, Dept. of Neurology, Harvard Medical School
Boston, USA
How write a successful project proposal
Writing a research proposal is both science and art;
A good research proposal is based on scientific
facts and on the art of clear communication.
Common advices before you begin assembling your application:
 Read the eligibility criteria carefully;
 don’t waste time preparing applications to programs for which
you will not be considered.
 Read all of the FAQs and training options;
 Follow all of the links on the Web site. Those links were included
because someone in the training program office thought they had
information that would be useful to you.
 Visit the training programs page for more resources. You will find
an “Eligibility Wizard”, information on the different programs and
links to videos on applying successfully to the programs.
 Discuss procedures clearly and completely with considerable
amount of details
Global
Problem
Impact
Research
challenges
Your
solution
Research topic/Title
Consortium Building/International
Collaborations
Goal setting:
S Specific
M Measurable
A Attainable
R Realistic
T Time-bound
Objectives
 The objective of the proposed study should be stated very clearly,
specific, achievable and measurable;
 Too many objectives to be avoided; If there is more than one objective
the objectives can be presented in the appropriate order of importance
Background/literature review
 This section reflects extensive review of literature done by the
investigator
 Just quoting the literature verbatim will not serve the purpose
 It is important to make it coherent, relevant and easily readable
knowledge
 It helps the investigator to gain good knowledge in that field of
inquiry
 It also helps the investigator to have insight on different
methodologies that could be applied
Reject
 No goal or objective statement at the start of the proposal.
 Too technical and condensed will make it hard to read and
understand.
 Too short will not give the reviewer the needed information
to understand the proposal.
 Too long will make the reviewer skip to the background and
makes the reviewer search for what is important.
 Do not expand background to unnecessary information that
does not support the hypothesis.
 Background should not exceed one third to one half of
proposal.
 No preliminary data generally negatively impacts the
proposal in two ways.
 No indication that the proposal will feasible.
 No indication the applicant can do the proposed work.
Study design
 The study design should be clearly stated
 The study design to be used should be appropriate for
achieving the objective of the study
Study population / Sample specifications
 It is important to describe which would be
the study population
 How study subjects would be selected, randomization
process and other details should be given
 Determination of sample size is a bargain between
precision and the price (Resources & expenses involved)
Description of process
 Proposal should include the details of all process
to be adopted in the study
 A brief description of how the data will be processed
and use of statistical package if any should be given
 The proposal should include the sequence of tasks to
be performed, the anticipated length of time
required for its completion and the personnel
required
Project Team/Personnel
 Proposal should include who are the primary
investigators
and
coinvestigators,
their
qualifications, research experience etc
 The proposal may also include the Major roles to
be taken up by different investigators
Budget
The budget translates project activities into
monetary terms
It is a statement of how much money will be
required to accomplish the various tasks
Major items
Salary for staff
Travel
Purchase of equipment
Printing/Xeroxing
Consultancy charges
Institutional overheads
Who are evaluators?
Scientist
in appropriate
field, Specific knowledge
Generalist/businessman
Some technical knowledge
General Thoughts
Reviewers will not be experts in your field
of research. Make the proposal accessible
to them.
Get your proposal read by a colleague or
someone in your area of research. They
might find problems that reviewers will
find.
Thank you very much for your
attention and
good luck for your proposals!