The University of Georgia

Lika Leshkasheli
Assistant Professor
Doctor
Department of Natural Sciences
School of Science and Technology

Education

Tbilisi State University - Exact and Natural Sciences - Bachelor - 2002-02-09 - 2006-02-07

Tbilisi State University - Exact and Natural Sciences - Master - 2007-06-18 - 2009-02-04

Tbilisi state University - Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences - Doctor - 2011-10-10 - 2022-07-27

Publications

Susceptibility of extended-spectrum- βlactamase-producing Escherichia coli to commercially available and laboratory- isolated bacteriophages - 2011

bacterial infections Bacteriophages against multidrug resistant - 2016

Genomic characterization of three novel Basilisk-like phages infecting Bacillus anthracis - 2018

Efficacy of Newly Isolated and Highly Potent Bacteriophages in a Mouse Model of XDRAB Bacteremia - 2019

Eradication of a multi-drug resistant, carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae isolatefollowing oral and intra-rectal therapy with a custom-made, lytic bacteriophage preparation - 2020

Significance of lysogeny for the metabolism of Desulfovibrio spp. strains isolated from aquatic environments of Georgia. - 2021

Phage Therapy Experience at the Eliava Phage Therapy Center: Three Cases of Bacterial Persistence - 2021

Combination of pre-adapted bacteriophage therapy and antibiotics for treatment of fracture-related infection due to pandrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae - 2022

Study of the Prevalence of E. Coli in Poultry and Selection of Specific Bacteriophages - 2024

Klebsiella pneumoniae Phage M198 and Its Therapeutic Potential - 2025

PHENOTYPIC CHARACTERIZATION OF FIVE PHAGES ACTIVE AGAINST ANTIBIOTIC-RESISTANT KLEBSIELLA PNEUMONIAE - 2025

An Alternative Approach Against Resistent Infections: Long-Term Bacteriophage Therapy in Cystic Fibrosis - 2026

Conferences

100th Centennial Celebration of Bacteriophage Research - 24-04-2017

100th Centennial Celebration of Bacteriophage Research - 26-06-2017

EMBO Conference on the Viruses of Microbes - 09-07-2018

Viruses of Microbes 2022 - 18-07-2022

Viruses of Mivrobes 2023 - 03-07-2023

VOM 2024 - 15-07-2024

VOM2026 - 06-07-2026

Scientific Projects

- 2010-2012

- 2013-2015

- 2014-2015

- 2018-2020

- 2019-2020

- 2022-2023

Courses

MD231240E-Basic Microbiology and Bacteriology ( 2022/2023; 2023/2024; 2025/2026; )

NRSI2140E-Microbiology ( 2021/2022; 2022/2023; 2023/2024; 2024/2025; 2025/2026; 2026/2027; )

Schedule

Microbiology-NRSI2140E

Lika Leshkasheli - was awarded a Doctorate (Ph.D.) in Microbiology by Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University. Since 2007, she has been employed at the G. Eliava Institute of Bacteriophages, Microbiology, and Virology, within the Laboratory of Molecular Biology. In 2023, she was appointed to the position of Senior Researcher in the same laboratory. Dr. Leshkasheli has been actively involved in both national and international research projects funded through competitive grants. She is the author of 26 conference abstracts and 10 peer-reviewed scientific publications. She has received formal training in biosafety and holds certification to work in a Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) laboratory. Her international research collaborations have included academic and scientific engagements at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (USA), the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (Greece), and the University of Hohenheim (Germany). In 2017, as part of a university-level course on Microbial Biotechnology, she conducted laboratory-based teaching sessions. From 2018 to 2024, she served as a trainer in the Summer School organized by the Eliava Institute. Dr. Leshkasheli is actively engaged in mentoring and supporting students across various academic levels, particularly in the development of practical laboratory skills. Since 2022, she has held the position of Assistant Professor at the University of Georgia, where she delivers practical classes and seminars in Microbiology.