Valeria Groma

Valeria Groma is an Associate Professor at Riga Stradins University's Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Anatomy and Anthropology, Department of Morphology. She also serves as the Head of the Interdepartmental Electron Microscopy Laboratory, demonstrating her leadership in advanced microscopic techniques and pathological analysis.

Dr. Groma earned her Doctor's diploma from Riga Medical Institute's Faculty of Medicine (1975-1981), followed by a Candidate of Medical Sciences diploma (1987-1992), Dr.med. from the Latvian Academy of Medicine (1992-1998), and ultimately a Dr. habil. med. from Riga Stradins University (1998-present). Her academic journey reflects a deep commitment to medical sciences and pathology.

Her primary research interests encompass cell biology, histology, and electron microscopy with specific focus on cytoskeleton organization and its changes in disease states, ultrastructural characteristics of apoptosis, and the study of neurotrophins and their receptors in non-neural tissues. She has made significant contributions to understanding salivary gland pathology, oral mucosa morphology, hepatic stellate cells in liver diseases, and the role of viral infections in various pathological conditions. Her work bridges basic morphological research with clinical applications, particularly in cardiac valve pathology, autoimmune disorders, and biomaterials.

Dr. Groma's recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on the intersection of virology and pathology, particularly examining how herpesviruses (HHV-6, HHV-7) and parvovirus B19 contribute to various pathological conditions including encephalopathy, autoimmune thyroid diseases, and cardiac valve disorders. Her research employs sophisticated techniques including electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and molecular analysis to uncover the underlying mechanisms of disease.

• Zelta ābele award (2012) for her monograph ŠŪNA: uzbūve, funkcijas, molekulārie pamati (Cell: structure, functions, molecular foundations)
• RSU Administration award (2010) for contribution to Scientists Night event
• Academic award Best Academic Unit 2010 (2010)
• Scientific laboratory 2016 award (2016)

Dr. Groma has supervised numerous PhD candidates including A. Kazanceva (Ivanova) on salivary gland tumors, S. Skuja on CNS changes in toxic exposures, and has served as scientific consultant or co-supervisor for several other researchers. Her research has been supported by multiple grants from the Latvian Academy of Sciences, including projects on growth factors in salivary gland dysfunction, neurotrophins in non-neuronal tissues, viral infections in autoimmune disorders, and cardiac valve pathology associated with viral infections.

As head of the Interdepartmental Electron Microscopy Laboratory, Dr. Groma oversees advanced microscopic analysis that supports research across multiple disciplines. She has organized and chaired several international microscopy conferences including Diagnostic Electron Microscopy Basic Research & Oncology - Ultrapath XVI in Regensburg, Germany (2012), and the MC 2011 Microscopy Conference in Kiel, Germany.