Dr. Mittova Valentina | Virology | Women Researcher Award

Professor, University Geomedi, Georgia

Dr. Valentina Mittova is a distinguished professor at Geomedi University in Tbilisi, Georgia, with a robust academic career spanning over 25 years. Specializing in biochemical and molecular biology research, her expertise lies in plant stress physiology, particularly the mechanisms underlying salt tolerance in plants. Dr. Mittova holds a Ph.D. from Ben-Gurion University in Israel, where she was awarded “Summa Cum Laude.” She has conducted cutting-edge research at renowned institutions like Oxford University, Rothamsted Research, and Ben-Gurion University. Her work has had a significant impact on plant stress biology, contributing to several publications and international conference presentations. Dr. Mittova is also highly experienced in teaching, having mentored students and researchers for over two decades. Her multifaceted career includes supervisory roles in research projects, training programs, and extensive involvement in scientific publishing.

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Education

Dr. Valentina Mittova completed her Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in 2003 from Ben-Gurion University, Israel, where she researched the oxidative stress response of cultivated tomatoes and their wild, salt-tolerant relatives. Her work on salt-induced oxidative stress was recognized with the highest honor, “Summa Cum Laude.” She also holds a Master’s degree in Biology (1996) and a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry (1996) from Voronezh State University, Russia, where she graduated with excellent grades. Throughout her academic journey, Dr. Mittova has gained expertise in biochemistry and molecular biology, particularly in plant stress responses. Her education has provided a solid foundation for her extensive research career, with a focus on improving the understanding of biochemical pathways in response to environmental stressors, such as salinity. Her academic excellence and rigorous training in top-tier research institutes have established her as a leader in the field of plant biochemistry.

Experience 

Dr. Valentina Mittova has a wealth of teaching and research experience. Since 2022, she has been a professor at Geomedi University in Tbilisi, Georgia, where she leads the Research Institute for Experimental and Clinical Medicine. Her previous role as an associate professor at Voronezh State Medical University, Russia, spanned from 2004 to 2022, where she taught and conducted research in the Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics Department. In addition, she worked as a postdoctoral researcher at Oxford University and a researcher at IACR Rothamsted Research, contributing to biochemical and molecular biology projects. Dr. Mittova’s expertise spans plant stress physiology, biochemical mechanisms, and molecular biology, particularly in understanding oxidative stress and salt tolerance in plants. Her academic positions have allowed her to mentor students, contribute to scientific research, and foster international collaborations. She is also an accomplished grant writer and project manager, with extensive experience in scientific publishing.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Valentina Mittova has received numerous prestigious awards and honors for her scientific achievements. Notably, she supervised the “UMNIK” grant (2020–2022) funded by the Russian Foundation for Assistance to Small Innovative Enterprises in Science and Technology. She was awarded the Short-term EMBO fellowship (2002-2003), and the Jacob Blaustein Graduate Program for Desert Research (1998–2003). Additionally, Dr. Mittova has been honored with multiple fellowships from the DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst) for her scientific achievements in 1998 and 1999. Her early career was supported by several grants, including the Soros student-scholar grant, which recognized her academic potential in 1996. She has also received funding from the State Committee for Higher Educational Institutions and the Russian Fund of Basic Research. These accolades reflect her contributions to plant biochemistry and molecular biology, showcasing her leadership in advancing research on plant stress mechanisms.

Research Focus

Dr. Valentina Mittova’s research focuses on understanding the biochemical and molecular mechanisms underlying plant stress responses, particularly salt tolerance. Her Ph.D. work at Ben-Gurion University explored the oxidative stress responses in cultivated tomatoes and their wild, salt-tolerant relative Lycopersicon pennellii, focusing on the enhancement of antioxidant enzyme activities. She has extensively studied plant organelles, including mitochondria, peroxisomes, and chloroplasts, and their role in mitigating oxidative stress under salinity. Dr. Mittova’s research has implications for improving crop resilience, particularly in regions affected by high salinity. Her work contributes to the broader field of plant physiology, biochemistry, and stress biology. She has been involved in several international collaborations, publishing findings in high-impact journals. Additionally, Dr. Mittova applies her expertise to clinical and experimental medicine at Geomedi University, bridging plant research with biomedical applications. Her ultimate goal is to contribute to sustainable agricultural practices by understanding plant stress tolerance mechanisms.

Editorial Board Membership

Dr. Valentina Mittova serves as an Associate Editor for Molecular Diagnostics and Therapeutics (Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences), demonstrating her commitment to advancing research in molecular biology and diagnostics. She has also served as a guest editor for the same journal, contributing to the academic rigor and development of scientific discourse. Dr. Mittova’s editorial expertise extends to her role as a reviewer for several prestigious journals, including Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology, and Molecules. Her contributions to these journals focus on plant biochemistry, molecular biology, and oxidative stress. She has participated in reviewing research papers on diverse topics, ranging from plant stress tolerance mechanisms to nanomaterials synthesis. Dr. Mittova’s editorial board involvement showcases her leadership and active engagement in the scientific community. By collaborating with other researchers and sharing her expertise, she helps ensure the dissemination of high-quality, impactful research in her fields of specialization.

Publication Top Notes

1. “Response of the cultivated tomato and its wild salt‐tolerant relative Lycopersicon pennellii to salt‐dependent oxidative stress: The root antioxidative system” 🌱🧬
2. “Salinity up‐regulates the antioxidative system in root mitochondria and peroxisomes of the wild salt‐tolerant tomato species Lycopersicon pennellii” 🌾⚡
3. “Up‐regulation of the leaf mitochondrial and peroxisomal antioxidative systems in response to salt‐induced oxidative stress in the wild salt‐tolerant tomato species Lycopersicon pennellii” 🌿💪
4. “Control of ascorbate synthesis by respiration and its implications for stress responses” 🍅🧪
5. “Salt stress induces up‐regulation of an efficient chloroplast antioxidant system in the salt‐tolerant wild tomato species Lycopersicon pennellii but not in the cultivated species” 🌞🍃
6. “Activities of SOD and the ascorbate‐glutathione cycle enzymes in subcellular compartments in leaves and roots of the cultivated tomato and its wild salt‐tolerant relative” 🌿🔬
7. “Coordinate induction of glutathione biosynthesis and glutathione‐metabolizing enzymes is correlated with salt tolerance in tomato” 🧬🌱
8. “Response of the cultivated tomato and its wild salt-tolerant relative Lycopersicon pennellii to salt-dependent oxidative stress: increased activities of antioxidant enzymes in roots” 🌾🧪
9. “The response of carbohydrate metabolism in potato tubers to low temperature” 🥔❄️
10. “Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species signaling and communication in plants” 🌱💥