Irma Kirtadze

Dr. Irma Kirtadze, MD, PhD, is an psychiatrist serving as an Associate Professor of Addiction Studies at Ilia State University and Senior Researcher for psychoactive substance use disorder at the Addiction Research Centre Alternative Georgia. With over 20 years of experience, she has made significant contributions to clinical, epidemiological, and behavioural research on substance use disorders. Dr. Kirtadze has been involved in numerous health programs focusing on HIV/AIDS, HCV, and other blood-borne infections prevention among vulnerable populations. She has authored over 30 peer-reviewed papers and received prestigious awards, including the WPA Young Psychiatrists Award and the NIDA Distinguished International Scientist Collaboration Award. Dr. Kirtadze's extensive expertise spans research design, program evaluation, grant writing, and international cooperation projects, making her a valuable asset in advancing public health initiatives.

Dr. Kirtadze's research endeavours have been multifaceted, ranging from experimental studies of contingency management to the development of interventions for non-injecting psychoactive substance use. She has led several university- and NIH-funded grants, demonstrating her proficiency in both quantitative and qualitative research methods. Her expertise extends to health program planning, implementation, and evaluation, with a particular focus on key affected populations such as people who inject drugs, men having sex with men, sex workers, and transgender individuals.

Beyond her academic achievements, Dr. Kirtadze has played a pivotal role in capacity building and training in research methods in addiction and public health. She has contributed to the establishment of innovative academic programs, including the MA program in Addiction Studies at Ilia State University, aimed at promoting evidence-based approaches in the field. Dr. Kirtadze's collaborative efforts have spanned across international borders, engaging in partnerships with leading research institutions such as Johns Hopkins University, University of Pennsylvania, and Research Triangle Institute.

In addition to her research pursuits, Dr. Kirtadze has been actively involved in the development of national guidelines and protocols in harm reduction, addiction rehabilitation, dual diagnosis management, and substance use during pregnancy. Her commitment to advancing public health extends to the implementation of evidence-based interventions, including psychoactive substance use screening and brief intervention models (SBIRT, ASSIST) in primary healthcare settings.

Dr. Kirtadze is currently serving as a Principal Investigator alongside Drs. Altice and Esserman on the Fogarty International-funded project "Georgian Implementation Science Fogarty Training (GIFT) Program" led by Yale University in collaboration with Ilia State University. The program's primary objectives include the initial training of four ISU faculty members in implementation science and biostatistics, as well as the training of six PhD candidates to become the next generation of researchers and implementers equipped with the necessary skills to address the HIV prevention and treatment cascade of care. Additionally, the program offers multiple short-term training opportunities for real-world implementers and early-stage biostatisticians to gain practical experience in implementation science and related biostatistics, with a particular focus on HIV prevention and vulnerable populations.