Prof. P. Veltri: Collaboration, cultural exchanges, and shared experiences are fundamental to a successful relationship

Students in the genetic medicine study programme and the rest of the academic community of the Faculty of Medicine at Vilnius University had the great opportunity to attend a lecture on applying different data management techniques to extract information from clinical and biological data.

Pierangelo Veltri, associate professor in bioinformatics and health informatics at University Magna Graecia of Catanzano, Italy, presented the lecture. The professor also visited Vilnius University’s Institute of Biomedical Sciences, the Department of Human and Medical Genetics, and Santaros Clinics.

“First of all I would like to cordially thank Vilnius University for its warm hospitality. This is my first visit to Lithuania. I am really impressed by the structure and achievements of the university and its divisions. I had fruitful discussions with colleagues and students. It was great!” professor said. P. Veltri was in Vilnius within the scope of the Erasmus cooperation agreement between Vilnius University and University Magna Graecia of Catanzano. 

Professor Veltri gave special thanks to Prof. Dr. Algirdas Utkus, the dean of the Faculty of Medicine and the head of the Department of Human and Medical Genetics; Prof. Habil. Dr. Vaidutis Kučinskas, the scientific head of the Human Genome Research Centre and Doc. Dr. Audronė Jakaitienė, the academic head of the Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Centre. A few months earlier P. Veltri met Dr. Jakaitienė in Italy and discussed better possibilities for student and professor exchange between Vilnius University and University Magna Graecia: “I am sure this is crucially important. Collaboration on various projects, cultural exchanges, and sharing experiences are fundamental stepping-stones leading to a successful relationship between our universities.”

“I strongly believe that we are in the era of big data. The use of computer-based solutions for data management in biology and clinical science has contributed to improving the quality of life and to gathering research results in a short time”, stated the guest.

 According to Pierangelo Veltri, participants in life sciences include clinicians, biologists, biomedical engineers, bioinformaticians, many others interested in related topics, and of course patients. Clinical data is stored in various formats and structures. Diagnosis, as well as clinical studies related to both citizens and patients, can be considered a relevant source of information to improve procedures and processes in clinical structures and to design new behaviour for the wellness of citizens. “In order to achieve better progress in this field, we have to start with teaching students and specialists, who are a fundamental part of this process”, the professor said.