Two students from Riga Technical University (RTU), Klara Kuzņecova and Ņikita Iznovs, have developed an innovative, practical, and scalable technological solution for the early diagnosis of heart failure. Their work was part of a scientific competition jointly organised by Vita-Salute San Raffaele University (UniSR) in Italy and RTU, aimed at fostering innovations and technologies in healthcare. As authors of the best scientific project, the students will receive a €10,000 prize provided by UniSR.
The winning team consisted of two RTU students - Klara Kuzņecova, a student of the professional bachelor’s program Smart Electric Power Systems, and Ņikita Iznovs, who studies in the professional bachelor’s program Medical Engineering and Physics.
In total, four interdisciplinary teams participated in the competition, presenting advanced technological solutions that included the integration of artificial intelligence in the healthcare sector.
The award is part of a broader international academic experience. Together with 10 other RTU and 10 UniSR students from various academic backgrounds, the winners will participate in the joint summer school "Nonlinear Life. Edition 8", dedicated to emerging healthcare technologies. The in-person session will be held in early September at UniSR in Milan.
Additionally, both students will have the opportunity to undertake a 6–12 month internship at UniSR, supported by an Erasmus+ scholarship. During their studies, they will also receive support from expert mentors and gain access to a professional healthcare network, which will contribute to the further development of their innovative solution.
UniSR and RTU have been closely collaborating since 2023, when a memorandum of understanding was signed. The scientific competition is one of the initiatives aimed at strengthening cooperation, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration, and increasing institutional impact. The goal is to position RTU and UniSR as leaders in innovation in healthcare, enhancing their reputations and fostering new partnerships in academia and industry.
In July 2024, a training program took place at UniSR, where RTU faculty and students from fields such as medical engineering, physics, and information technology explored the integrated UniSR campus, including the facilities of San Raffaele Hospital and cutting-edge research laboratories. The program offered hands-on insight into UniSR’s expertise in healthcare technology, translational research, and innovation-driven education.
Founded in 1996, UniSR is the largest university in Italy offering studies in medicine and surgery. Ranked among the top 500 universities globally in the prestigious QS World University Rankings, UniSR is recognised for its outstanding research performance and comprehensive academic offerings in the faculties of Medicine, Philosophy, and Psychology. The university serves over 7,000 students, offering 23 undergraduate and graduate programs, 35 residency programs, and 3 doctoral programs. UniSR is part of the San Donato hospital group, Italy’s leading private healthcare provider, offering a unique environment where education, research, and clinical practice are deeply integrated.
