Five noted Hungarian researchers received the Charles Simonyi Research Scholarship Award at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences in Budapest. The annual award was first established in 2000 by Dr. Charles Simonyi, with additional funds provided in 2006 and renewed twice subsequently – with the cooperation of the Hungarian American Coalition – to serve the goal of encouraging outstanding scientific research by Hungarians.
The awards in the amount of 3,000,000 HUF each were received by the following researchers:
Dr. Éva Rajnavölgyi, a biologist and head researcher at the Institute of Immunology of the University of Debrecen. Her contribution was to open up new approaches of research in the function of dendrite cells within the regulatory scheme of the immune system. With her colleagues Dr. Rajnavölgyi founded the Clinical Center for Cell Therapy, which created opportunities to incorporate state-of-the-art stem cell therapies into national clinical practices in Hungary. Besides her internationally recognized research work, Dr. Rajnavölgyi is also involved in training new researchers.
For more information on the proposed research, follow this link, available only in Hungarian:
Dr. Imre Romics, physician, professor and Director of Urology Clinic at the Semmelweis University. He is the author of 17 books and 67 textbook chapters. His research focuses on onco-urology, the diagnosis, medication and surgical treatment of tumourous diseases of the urogenital system. His work centers in the early detection of tumors, a tireless advocate to improve life quality and expectancy through early prostate screening. Dr. Romics created in the Clinic he heads a Museum of Urology dedicated to the medical history of urology.
For more information on the proposed research, follow this link, available only in Hungarian:
Romicsi.pdf
Dr. János Levendovszky, information scientist trained at Hungarian Academy of Sciences, he is Professor at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics. His innovative fields of research include such areas as adaptive algorithms in neural networks, communication networks, statistical decision theory, and analysis of algebraic codes theory. Was lead researcher in numerous international research projects and author of numerous scientific publications and contributions to conferences and scientific memoranda, both in English and Hungarian.
For more information on the proposed research, follow this link, available only in Hungarian:
Levendovszky.pdf
Dr. György Könczei, sociologist, who was trained at the Sociology Department of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and is Director of the Occupational Rehabilitation Research Group at the Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE). He carried out significant work in the area of disability, recognizing that the key for inclusion in society for the disabled is the ability to work, to be engaged independently and productively. Dr. Könczei contributed greatly not only to the formulation of programs and regulatory framework that aid people with disabilities, but also promoted awareness in the professional and political communities as well in the broader spectrum of Hungarian public opinion the desirability of incorporating into society people with disabilities and individuals who may have issues of equal access and opportunity.
For more information on the proposed research, follow this link, available only in Hungarian:
Konczei.pdf
Dr. Zoltán Kövecses, linguist, trained at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, he is professor at the School of English and American Studies of the Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE). He is one the leading figures in the area of cognitive linguistic research. His investigations are oriented to examine the conceptual nature of metaphors, that suggest that our conceptual frameworks are figurative constructions. Dr. Kövecses is the author of numerous books and textbooks that are used by universities in Asia, Europe and the American continent. He is the author of an internationally well received book: American English. An Introduction. Dr. Kövecses is also a noted lexicographer and compiler of several English-Hungarian dictionaries.
For more information on the proposed research, follow this link, available only in Hungarian:
Kovecses.pdf
The seven-member Charles Simonyi Research Scholarship Committee operating in the framework of the Magyary Zoltán Higher Educational Public Foundation made the granting of the research scholarships. The 2008 awards were presented by József Pálinkás, President of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Dr. Lajos Keszthelyi, President of the Charles Simonyi Research Scholarship Committee, and Károly Manherz, State Secretary for Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Hungary.
The presentation ceremony was opened by Prof. Pléh Csaba, Deputy Secretary-General of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Chairman of the Board of the Magyary Zoltán Higher Educational Public Foundation. After the laudations of the awardees all five held short presentations describing their research.
The distinguished researchers were congratulated on behalf of the Hungarian American Coalition by Zsolt Szekeres, member of the Board of Directors.