European Epilepsy Service Award 2022

Born in the Republic of Moldova, the well-known scientist and Academician of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova, Stanislav GROPPA, has an impressive career. Currently, he leads the Neurology Department at State University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Nicolae Testemitanu” and is the vice-rector of Research activity at the same institution. In addition he is the President of the Moldavian Society of Neurology and the President of Moldavian chapter of International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE). 

Professor GROPPA, started his professional and academic career by studying medicine at Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy (SUMP). During his studies he developed a particular interest in neurology. Therefore, he continued his education with a residency in neurology and a PhD program at Moscow Medical University. He was trained as a neurologist and clinical neuroscientist in a series of fellowships and traineeship, including one at Bethel Epilepsy Center. 

In 1995, at the age of 29 years old, he became a Doctor of Medical Sciences and  vice rector of Nicolae Testemitanu SUMP. At the age of 35 he finished his postdoctoral and became a  habilitated doctor in medical sciences. 4 years later he was already conferred the title of university professor. In 2012 Mr Groppa, became an associate member of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova (ASM). And Since 2014, he has served as the vice president of ASM. 

Mr Groppa’s main expertise is Clinical neuroscience. He conducts teaching and research regarding the function of the brain - from a molecular level to the effect on society. Throughout his career he has committed towards organizing and promoting educational programs and improving the health system in Moldova. His scientific work has contributed to a better understanding, and therefore a better organization and implementation of the health services in epilepsy, stroke, Alzheimer diseases and other brain pathologies. His main interests in neuroscience research are: drug resistant epilepsy, drug development for refractory epilepsy, cognitive neuroscience and neuroepidemiology. He is the author and co-author of more than 180 peer-reviewed publications, books and book chapters. 

During his career he has been actively involved in educating and training young neurology specialists. He has a distinctive number of PhD and postdoc students who under his supervision conducted and defended their thesis, out of whom, 5 students were awarded with habilitation in doctoral sciences. As a Vice-Rector for Research activity he is the founder of the National Health Institute In Medicine and Research of Nicolae Testemitanu SUMP. He is an advocate for implementing research based medical education at Nicolae Testemitanu SUM. 

Professor Groppa has dedicated an impressive part of his career towards raising general awareness and understanding of epilepsy; and supporting national health authorities in identifying epilepsy needs and advancing epilepsy education, training, treatment, research, and prevention. Professor Stanislav Groppa has been actively involved with various international epilepsy organizations in planning and developing various research projects and public health initiatives as well as organizing epilepsy education and training for neurology specialists. 

Mr. Groppa elaborated and put into plan a successful program in organizing the epilepsy service in Moldova, which corresponds with the strategies of the global campaign against epilepsy strategies -  "Out of the shadows". A significant achievement of Professor Groppa is the foundation of the National Center of Epilepsy with the aim of improving treatment, management and prevention of epilepsy in Moldova. As a result, the epilepsy service has been transferred from the psychiatric care to the neurology care. And therefore, the department of Neurology of the SUMP became the clinical and research basis for epilepsy. Furthermore, new training programs in epilepsy for neurology doctors were introduced. As well as, new laboratories of EEG video-monitoring presurgical monitoring and total evaluation of epilepsy patients were established. 

In 1994, under professor Groppa’s guidance, Moldavian League Against Epilepsy was created. The success of  Mr. Groppa’s effort is reflected by the fact that in 1996 the Moldavian League became a member of the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE). 

Professor Groppa is an involved member in various international epilepsy societies, including the Central and Eastern European epilepsy alliances. 

Mr Groppa is the founder and organizer of the 9 National Conferences in Epilepsy with International Participation. Additionally, professor Groppa planned and arranged 5 international conferences in epilepsy for Central and Eastern European countries, which became an emblematic feature of the regional epilepsy event calendar. 

Professor’s Stanislav Groppa ability to foresee greatness beyond the horizons has won him the recognition of being a leader in novel approaches in epilepsy treatment and research.