Four Distinguished Researchers to Join HUN-REN Research Sites Under the Research Grant Hungary Programme

The Research Grant Hungary programme, launched by the National Research, Development and Innovation Office on 23 May 2024, offers priority support for up to five years to exceptional researchers. It targets those at the most dynamic stage of their careers who are at the forefront of international science, either residing abroad or willing to relocate. Grant recipients will play a pivotal role in positioning Hungary as a hub of research, development, and innovation in the region by leading groundbreaking projects in their respective fields.

The programme also seeks to integrate world-class researchers into Hungary’s innovation ecosystem, focusing on the priority areas outlined in the Neumann János Programme. Through this initiative, four distinguished researchers have been awarded nearly HUF 1 billion in funding over five years.

Three of the projects (Sierd Cloetingh, Christer Halldin, and Richard Pestell) will be hosted by the HUN-REN Office for Supported Research Groups, while András Nagy’s project will be based at the HUN-REN Research Centre for Natural Sciences.

Sierd Cloetingh will collaborate with the HUN-REN Institute of Geophysics and Space Science, Eötvös Loránd University, and the University of Sopron. His research will address Earth system dynamics, geothermal energy, geological hazards, and climate, aligning with the green transition and circular economy pillars. By advancing geothermal energy research, he aims to deepen understanding of Hungary's critical energy resources and foster the development of sustainable technologies for their utilization.

Prof. Cloetingh, a Distinguished Professor at Utrecht University, is a former President of Academia Europaea and COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology), and Vice-President of the European Research Council. An honorary member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and strategic advisor to HUN-REN’s Institute for Geophysics and Space Research, he has long supported Hungarian geophysical and space science. As a Principal Investigator, he will enhance Hungarian geophysical research, bolster international collaborations, and help establish the institute as a regional center.

Christer Halldin will collaborate with Semmelweis University to advance diagnostic and therapeutic imaging for neuroinflammatory diseases under the Healthy Life pillar. Dr. Halldin, Head of the PET (Positron Emission Tomography) Centre at the Karolinska Institutet, is an international authority in PET radioligand development and its application in translational imaging. His work spans from preclinical studies to clinical applications and the development of biomarkers that hold potential for commercialization.

Dr. Halldin has a long history of collaboration with Hungarian researchers, yielding impactful results. Notable achievements include partnerships with Richter Gedeon Zrt., leading to innovations such as the re-indication of vinpocetine (CAVINTON) and the development of VRAYLAR (cariprazine). His contributions also facilitated advancements in Mediso’s molecular imaging technologies.

András Nagy will establish his research group in partnership with the HUN-REN Research Centre for Natural Sciences and Semmelweis University. His revolutionary approach involves transforming patient-derived cancer cells into therapeutic allies. By fusing tumor cells with custom-engineered stem cells, his team aims to develop hybrid cells that are both safe and highly immunogenic, leveraging the body’s immune system to combat cancer. This innovative approach could redefine cancer therapy, offering more effective and durable treatments.

Dr. Nagy, who founded his laboratory in Canada at the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, has made groundbreaking contributions to stem cell biology. He was the first to create induced pluripotent (iPS) cell lines without genetic modification, earning international recognition, including a place on Scientific American’s TOP 10 Honor Roll.

Richard Pestell will collaborate with the National Institute of Oncology and the University of Debrecen to research and develop cancer therapies under the Healthy Life pillar. Dr. Pestell is an accomplished cancer researcher and entrepreneur, having founded six biotech companies and held leadership roles at premier US cancer centers, including Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center.

Dr. Pestell’s research has led to numerous patents and innovative therapies, including FDA-approved treatments for cancer. He has identified critical genetic targets, such as cyclins and CCR5, and his work has significantly influenced breast cancer clinical trials and drug development.