Several HUN-REN Researchers Receive the Széchenyi Prize

Tamás Sulyok, President of Hungary, presented the awards on the occasion of the 15 March national holiday to researchers who have made outstanding contributions to science. Several HUN-REN researchers received this prestigious state honour, with the awards presented in Parliament on 14 March.

Recipients of the Széchenyi Prize:

• Péter Domokos, physicist, research professor at the HUN-REN Wigner Research Centre for Physics, and full member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, was honoured for his scientific career of exceptional value to Hungary. His pioneering research in quantum optics and his achievements in various fields of quantum technology have gained considerable international recognition. He was also acknowledged for his active contributions to both international and domestic scientific life.
  

  

• Dr György Ernő Duda, virologist, researcher at the University of Szeged and the HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Szeged, immunologist, Doctor of Biological Sciences, and Professor Emeritus, was recognised for his scientific career of exceptional value to Hungary. His internationally significant research in basic medical sciences and his exemplary work as a teacher and mentor to outstanding researchers, including Nobel Prize winners, earned him this prestigious award.
  

  

• Dr István Stumpf, constitutional lawyer, political scientist, former constitutional judge and Minister of the Chancellery, and retired Senior Research Fellow of the HUN-REN Centre for Social Sciences, was awarded the prize for his outstanding research in political science, particularly in the analysis of constitutional law and governance. His significant academic publications and his dedicated contributions to teaching and public engagement were also acknowledged.
  
  
• Dr András Varró, medical biologist, researcher at the University of Szeged and the HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Doctor of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, and Professor Emeritus, was recognised for his exceptionally valuable scientific career in Hungary. As an internationally renowned researcher in theoretical cardiology, his achievements in scientific education and his role in founding the National Academy of Science and Education were also celebrated. His contributions to educational development and talent nurturing were highlighted.

The former and current Presidents of the Hungarian Research Network were also honoured. More details about their recognition can be found here.

Additional Awards Presented on the Occasion of the National Holiday

The Ministry of Culture and Innovation also presented awards in recognition of individuals who have contributed to promoting the interests of the country and enriching universal human values.

Recipient of the Officer’s Cross of the Order of Merit of Hungary:

• Dr Tibor Neumann, historian, Doctor of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, and scientific advisor at the Medieval Department of the Institute of History at the HUN-REN Research Centre for the Humanities, was honoured for his outstanding and impactful research on late medieval Hungarian political and social history.

Recipients of the Order of Merit of Hungary (civilian category):

• Dr Balázs Lengyel, economist, Head of the Research Group on Agglomeration and Social Networks at the Institute of Economics, HUN-REN Centre for Economic and Regional Sciences, and Senior Research Fellow.
• Dr Klára Pusztainé Fischl, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Archaeology, HUN-REN Research Centre for the Humanities, and Associate Professor at the Institute of History, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Miskolc.

Congratulations to all the award recipients!