# Toomas Asser > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Toomas_Asser > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Toomas_Asser.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toomas_Asser > Source revision: 1153759231 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|Estonian neurologist}} {{Infobox person | name = Toomas Asser | post-nominals = | image = Inauguration speech of Rector Toomas Asser.jpg | imagesize = | caption = | birth_date = {{Birth date|1954|07|14}} | birth_place = | death_date = | death_place = | othername = | occupation = | yearsactive = }} '''Toomas Asser''' (born 14 July 1954 in [Jõhvi](/source/J%C3%B5hvi)) is an Estonian [medical scientist](/source/Medicine). He has been a [member of the Estonian Academy of Sciences](/source/Estonian_Academy_of_Sciences) since 2011 and the [Rector of the University of Tartu](/source/List_of_rectors_of_the_University_of_Tartu) since 1 August 2018. His research focuses on clinical and molecular-biological aspects of [brain tumor](/source/brain_tumor)s, pituitary surgery, surgical treatment of [intracranial aneurysm](/source/intracranial_aneurysm)s, functional surgery ([deep brain stimulation](/source/deep_brain_stimulation) for Parkinson's disease) and [spinal cord injuries](/source/Spinal_cord_injury). == Education and career == Asser graduated from [Nõo Secondary School](/source/%3Aet%3AN%C3%B5o_Keskkool) (1973) and the [Faculty of Medicine of Tartu State University](/source/%3Aet%3ATartu_%C3%9Clikooli_arstiteaduskond) in 1979. In 1987, Asser defended his PhD in Medicine at Moscow N. Burdenko Institute of Neurosurgery with his candidate’s dissertation on cerebral blood flow regulation issues and stereotactic operations using the original thermocautery. Between 1988−1989, Asser trained at the Institute of Brain Diseases of Tohoku University in Japan. Between 1979 and 1989, he was the Assistant at the Neurology Clinic of [Tartu State University](/source/%3Aet%3ATartu_%C3%9Clikooli_arstiteaduskond) and the Associate Professor of Neurology between 1989 and 1985. Since 1995, Asser has been Professor of Neurosurgery of the University of Tartu. From 1996 to 2018, Asser was the Head of Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery of [Tartu University Hospital](/source/%3Aet%3ATartu_%C3%9Clikooli_Kliinikum) and from 2000 to 2009 also the Dean of University of Tartu Faculty of Medicine. On 26 April 2018, Toomas Asser was elected the [https://ut.ee/en/content/rector-university-tartu-toomas-asser Rector] of the [University of Tartu](/source/University_of_Tartu) at extraordinary elections. In 2011, he was elected as a member of the [Estonian Academy of Sciences](/source/Estonian_Academy_of_Sciences) in medical science. He belongs to the academy’s Division of Biology, Geology and Chemistry and has been the head of this division since 2014. He belongs to the standing committee on medical science and health strategy of the Estonian Academy of Sciences. He is also [https://www.the-guild.eu/about/governance/ Vice-Chair] of [https://www.the-guild.eu/ The Guild] (The Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities) and [https://ut.ee/en/node/142220 President] of [https://www.ern.ee/en Universities Estonia]. == Recognition == * 1997 Tohoku University Medal * 2009 Medal of the University of Tartu Faculty of Medicine * 2009 Badge of honour of the Estonian Medical Association *  2011 Special recognition diploma of the World Cultural Council * 2013 [Order of the Estonian Red Cross, 1st class](/source/Order_of_the_Estonian_Red_Cross) * 2014 [https://ut.ee/en/content/grand-medal University of Tartu Grand Medal] * 2019 Latvian [Cross of Recognition](/source/Cross_of_Recognition),  3rd class (Commander) == External links == {{Commons category}} * [https://www.etis.ee/CV/Toomas_Asser/eng?lang=ENG Toomas Asser in the Estonian Research Information System] * [https://www.akadeemia.ee/en/member/asser/ Toomas Asser on the home page of the Estonian Academy of Sciences] * [https://ut.ee/en/node/124791 Video and photos: Rector of the University of Tartu Toomas Asser took oath of office] on 28 August 2018 * [https://www.coimbra-group.eu/native-language-higher-education-and-science-is-a-treasure/ „Native language higher education and science are a treasure“], on 20 December 2019 * [https://ut.ee/en/content/university-tartu-senates-address-people-ukraine?fbclid=IwAR383jwIsyuQLKVRN6U9B1ApaWt0UmPvxmabTZZfNDIZaI7AZku9JxxweA4 The University of Tartu Senate’s address to the people of Ukraine] On 7 March 2022. {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Asser, Toomas}} Category:1954 births Category:Estonian neurologists Category:Living people Category:University of Tartu alumni Category:Rectors of the University of Tartu Category:Academic staff of the University of Tartu Category:People from Jõhvi --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Toomas Asser](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toomas_Asser) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toomas_Asser?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.