Rector of the University of Tartu Toomas Asser

Date and place of birth
14 July 1954, Jõhvi

Education
1987   Candidate of sciences (PhD) in medicine, Moscow N. Burdenko Institute of Neurosurgery
1979   University of Tartu, Faculty of Medicine
1973   Nõo Secondary School

Academic degree
1987   Candidate of sciences (PhD) in medicine

Professional career
2018 – …   University of Tartu, Rector
2018–2023   Tartu University Hospital, consultant neurosurgeon 
2016–2018   University of Tartu, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Head of Department
2012–2018   University of Tartu, member of the Council
2000–2009   University of Tartu, Faculty of Medicine, Dean
1996–2016   University of Tartu, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Head of Department
1995– ...   University of Tartu, Professor of Neurosurgery
1988–1989   Tohoku University, Institute of Brain Diseases (Japan), Research Fellow
1989–1995   University of Tartu, Neurology Clinic, Associate Professor
1979–1989   University of Tartu, Neurology Clinic, Assistant
1979–2018   Tartu University Hospital (previously Tartu Maarjamõisa Hospital), neurosurgeon

Main fields of research
Cerebrovascular diseases, surgical treatment of cerebral artery aneurysms. Functional surgery, deep brain stimulation. Pathomorphology and epidemiology of brain tumours, development of a new approach for the treatment of malignant gliomas. Functional magnetic resonance imaging. He has authored more than 200 research publications. To promote academic research in the field, he has participated in the editorial boards of the journals Eesti Arst, Acta –Neurochirurgica, The European Journal of Neurosurgery and Acta Neurologica Scandinavia.

Supervised dissertations
11 doctoral theses, one master’s thesis

Research-administrative and other duties
2022–2024   President of the Universities Estonia
2021–2023   Member of the Rectors' Advisory Group of Coimbra Group of Universities
2020– …   Board of Directors of the Guild of European Research Universities
2018– …   Member of the Board of the Universities Estonia
2018–...   Member of the Board of the CELSA University Alliance, 2022–2023 President of CELSA
2018–...   Member of the Research and Development Council advising the Government of the Republic of Estonia
2018–...   Member of the Council of the Estonian Employers' Confederation
2014–…   Member of the Board of the Estonian Academy of Sciences and Head of the Division of Biology, Geology and Chemistry
2011−...   Member of the Estonian Academy of Sciences 
1990–...   Member of the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies (EANS); since 2000, member of EANS Training Committee, 2011–2015 Vice President
1990–...   Member of the board of the Baltic Neurosurgical Association (BNA); 2006–2009 and 2014–2018 President of BNA
1989–...   Member of the Estonian Medical Association
1989–...   Member of the Estonian Society of Neurologists and Neurosurgeons, 1996–2021 Vice President 
European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS), member of the executive body of theSection of Neurosurgery
Member of the Estonian Movement Disorders Society
Member of the Neurology Commission of the Estonian Ministry of Social Affairs
Member of the steering committee of the European Brain Council

Honours and awards
2024    Finland Order of the White Rose
2023    Swedish Royal Order of the Polar Star Commander First Class
2019     Latvian Cross of Recognition, 3rd class
2014     University of Tartu Grand Medal
2013     Order of the Estonian Red Cross, 1st class
2011     Special recognition diploma of the World Cultural Council
2009    Badge of Honour of the Estonian Medical Association
2009    Medal of the University of Tartu Faculty of Medicine
1997    Tohoku University Medal