Top Researchers and Elite Collaborations Key to Future Success

"We must take care of future generations, which is why we must place strong emphasis on talent recruitment and support for young researchers. Our goal is to ensure a secure, predictable, and internationally competitive career path for all our researchers," emphasised Balázs Gulyás in his opening remarks at the technical lecture series. At the event, which brought together two world-renowned researchers alongside leading Hungarian experts in the field, the President of HUN-REN framed the organisation's renewal objectives within a global context. He noted that, in accordance with the new HUN-REN Act adopted on 17 December, the research network is introducing a performance-based funding system, which will be accompanied by a significant increase in resources, enabling the establishment of a research career model. Listing the objectives set so far, he stressed that value-driven funding is also crucial to responsible property management and development, as well as salary adjustments. "A career model is important for everyone, whether you are an early-stage researcher or a senior researcher," said Balázs Gulyás, referring to the organisation's plans to implement a career model.

As highlighted by the President of HUN-REN, the Molecular Imaging and Theranostics Workshop provides a unique opportunity for researchers within the network to engage with leading experts, explore the latest research, and build international connections. This internationally significant knowledge exchange could help position HUN-REN as a key player in the global fields of neuroimaging research and personalised medicine.

"Both support from leading international partners and international networking, such as in Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, and, of course, the rest of the world, are crucial to HUN-REN's ambition to emerge as a leading research network. We are open to ideas and support any initiative that serves this goal," emphasised Balázs Gulyás, encouraging participants to utilise their personal networks and share their suggestions.

Two international authorities in neuroimaging and theranostics, Ramasamy Paulmurugan, Research Professor in the Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford University, and Parasuraman Padmanabhan, Deputy Director of the Centre for Neuroimaging Research at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, delivered presentations at the event. Ramasamy Paulmurugan shared his research on the early detection of cancer cells, highlighting the role of specialised microbubbles in detecting and localising tumours, particularly brain tumours. Parasuraman Padmanabhan also presented groundbreaking research methods on the therapeutic applications of curcumin. His findings could lead to advances in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, such as the feared Alzheimer's disease.

Balázs Gulyás has long maintained a professional and friendly relationship with both experts, as evidenced by their joint research outcomes. In his technical presentation, the President of HUN-REN discussed an innovative approach to a critical topic: targeted therapeutic methods for treating traumatic brain injuries using carbon-based nanoclusters. These injuries are becoming increasingly common due to factors such as the rise in road traffic and sports accidents, while saving lives and preserving or restoring patients' mental and physical well-being present significant clinical challenges. Balázs Gulyás emphasised that their research not only seeks diagnostic solutions for the earliest possible diagnosis of such injuries, but also aims to expand therapeutic options and explore preventive approaches.

Among the Hungarian researchers, those from the HUN-REN Research Centre for Natural Sciences presented their past achievements and future plans. Presentations were delivered by Pál Vakli, senior research fellow at the Brain Imaging Centre of HUN-REN RCNS; Brigitta Tóth, leader of the Sound and Speech Perception Research Group at the HUN-REN RCNS Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology; and Dániel Hillier, leader of the Visual Systems Neuroscience Research Group at the same institute.

The workshop also marks a milestone in the internationalisation of HUN-REN, strengthening the network's collaboration with Stanford University, a global leader in radiology and molecular imaging, as well as with Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore, following the Memorandum of Understanding signed between HUN-REN and NTU in October 2024.

At the event, the President of HUN-REN was joined by two distinguished speakers who spoke about the importance of future cooperation and international relations.