Zanda Pučuka

Zanda Pučuka is a Lecturer in the Department of Paediatrics at Riga Stradins University and concurrently a Ph.D. student in the same department. Her research focuses on pediatric infectious diseases, particularly SARS-CoV-2 and its long-term impacts, antibiotic stewardship, and clinical outcomes in immunocompromised children. She collaborates actively with EU-wide initiatives like the PERFORM consortium and leads projects funded by the Latvian Council of Science.

Key projects include the 'Impact of COVID-19 on healthcare systems' (2020-2021) and contributions to observational studies on pediatric emergency care. Her work addresses UN SDG 3.2 (Clinical Medicine) through studies on sepsis management, long-COVID symptomology, and antibiotic prescription practices.

Her research output includes peer-reviewed articles on procalcitonin use in febrile children, validation of bacterial infection prediction models, and qualitative analyses of family health impacts post-COVID-19. Media engagements include public health reports on pediatric post-viral care in Latvia.