Celebrating Excellence – National Awards on 15 March

The Széchenyi Prize, one of Hungary's highest distinctions for scientific achievement, was awarded this year to three members of the HUN-REN research community:

• Péter Gáspár, Head of the Systems and Control Lab at the HUN-REN Institute for Computer Science and Control and Full Member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, was recognised for his outstanding contributions to model-based and data-driven control theory — including integrated and coordinated vehicle control — and for his distinguished record in teaching.
• Csaba Pál, Head of the Lendület Laboratory of Microbial Experimental Evolution research group at the HUN-REN Biological Research Centre in Szeged and Corresponding Member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, received the award for his internationally acclaimed research across antibiotic resistance, genome engineering, evolutionary theory and systems biology, and for his commitment to mentoring early-career researchers.
• Gergely Attila Zaránd, Member of the HUN-REN Governing Board, Full Member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, and Vice-Rector for Scientific Affairs at Budapest University of Technology and Economics, was honoured for establishing theoretical solid-state physics as a leading field in Hungary, for his internationally recognised contributions to quantum physics, and for his substantial role in scientific leadership.

Four HUN-REN researchers were awarded the Officer's Cross of the Hungarian Order of Merit:

• Gábor Michalkó, Scientific Adviser at the Geographical Institute, HUN-REN Research Centre for Astronomy and Earth Sciences, and Doctor of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, for his pioneering research and teaching in tourism studies and for the central role he played in providing the scientific underpinning of the Veszprém–Balaton 2023 European Capital of Culture programme.
• Tibor László Páli, Scientific Adviser and Research Group Leader at the Institute of Biophysics, HUN-REN Biological Research Centre in Szeged, and Doctor of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, for his exceptional scientific achievements, his leadership and mentorship, his work in science communication, and his dedication to preserving csángó Hungarian folk music traditions.
• Tibor Tóth, Professor Emeritus at the Institute for Soil Sciences, HUN-REN Centre for Agricultural Research, and Doctor of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, for his distinguished contributions to soil science — particularly in the study of saline soils —, for raising the profile of the discipline both nationally and internationally, and for his longstanding commitment to teaching.
• Edina Zsupán, Head of the Fragmenta et Codices Research Group (HUN-REN–NSZL), Doctor of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, and Research Scholar at the National Széchényi Library, for her scholarly contributions to the research of the Corvinas.

The Knight's Cross of the Hungarian Order of Merit was awarded to:

• István Szászi, Member of the HUN-REN Governing Board, Head of the Bosch Group in Hungary and the Adriatic region, Full Member of the Hungarian Academy of Engineering, and Industrial Professor at Budapest University of Technology and Economics, for his contributions to the Hungarian automotive industry, his efforts to strengthen university–industry collaboration, and his support for research and development.
• Sándor Zoletnik, Head of the Fusion Plasma Physics Department at the Institute for Atomic Energy Research, HUN-REN Centre for Energy Research, for four decades of internationally distinguished research, his leading role in the development of major fusion facilities and European programmes, his service on Euratom advisory bodies, and his contributions to science communication and talent development.

We warmly congratulate all those honoured and wish them every success in their future work!