Young researchers at UD meet world-renowned oncologist 14. May. 2025

ERN EURACAN (European Reference Network on rare Adult Solid Cancers) connects patients with rare adult cancers with medical centers across the European Union and is committed to educating and training the next generation of rare cancer specialists. It was in the framework of the organization's professorship program that world-famous oncology researcher Rene Bernards visited Budapest to give a lecture at the National Institute of Oncology.

The young researchers, who are awardees of Gróf Tisza István Debreceni Egyetemért Alapítvány (GTIDEA) [Count István Tisza Foundation for the University of Debrecen]  Excellence Ph.D. Scholarship, had the opportunity to meet the professor in person, learn about his latest scientific achievements, and share his experiences of a research career resulting in an exceptional research, innovation and publication record. The GTIDEA Excellence Ph.D. Scholars and the two visiting professors were also able to gain insight into the activities of the Molecular Immunology and Toxicology Department, the Molecular Genetics Department, the Experimental Pharmacology Department and the CyberKnife Unit, guided by Professor Péter Nagy.

Péter Nagy, Scientific Director of the National Institute of Oncology and President of the Scientific and Social Advisory Board, which assists the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of GTIDEA, told hirek.unideb.hu that the University of Debrecen's top scholars could benefit a lot from the meeting, as they could talk to a world-class researcher and learn about the latest trends and technological developments in oncology.

“We were happy to welcome one of the most eminent researchers from one of the world's leading centers for Comprehensive Oncology, from the Netherlands Institute of Oncology, who is also a member of the American Academy of Sciences. There are several drugs on the market related to his name, and he gave a presentation on his scientific career to date. In addition to Rene Bernards, the distinguished guests from the University of Debrecen were able to visit the laboratories of the National Institute of Oncology in the company of Professor Péter Tompa, former Director of the Flanders Institute of Biotechnology, with whom they also had a personal conversation. This was a very useful opportunity for them to get first-hand career advice and inspiration for their scholarly-scientific careers from renowned and internationally recognized professors. Besides, they could also hear about the research activities of the institute, which practically provided them with a comprehensive overview of the world of oncology,” said Péter Nagy.

There were as many as five doctoral students from the University of Debrecen participating in the program. One of them, research physician Patrik Kovács, said it was really impressive to see the collaboration between the various laboratories and clinics and to hear the motivating and inspiring lecture by the Dutch professor.

“Work in this institute is exemplary, as its laboratories are highly coordinated, closely connected to the clinic and continuously support the activities of the clinicians. We could find out about new instruments that we had never seen before. Professor Bernards has an extraordinary problem-solving mindset, and I was captivated by his research approach, which is maximally forward-looking and suggests that you should not nip unusual ideas in the bud, but rather develop them further,” said the student.


During the course of the visit, the “academic excellencies” toured the institute's laboratories and, at the Radiotherapy Center of the National Institute of Oncology, Levente Zsolt Jánváry, head of the CyberKnife department, presented the state-of-the-art CyberKnife device of the institute to them while the students could ask questions about special radiotherapy techniques and the applications of Cyberknife.

Press Center - BZ