Susanne Prokop and the Academic Youth Prize

Susanne's day probably does not consist of mere 24 hours, as it has already been a very busy one. Let's see: 

Already as a high school student, thanks to what she considers her fantastic teachers, who made her love mathematics, physics and chemistry, she participated in international physics competitions in nearby Croatia and far away China, won a silver medal at the International Conference of Young Scientists in Indonesia, and when she became a student researcher at Semmelweis University, she became a highly motivating person as her subject leader. She also convinced her that the application of mathematics and physics is now essential in medical research, and because Susanne had the free time and energy, she also obtained a degree in quantitative modelling at Pázmány Péter Catholic University, in addition to medical school. Among the first prizes he received for his student research during his university years, he was awarded first place at the National Scientific Student Conference, which also won him the best lecturer award. Just 10 years ago, in 2015, he was one of the winners of the Kuffler Research Fellowship, and his audience was amazed by his presentation of his achievements in fine English and elegant style.

While still an undergraduate, she was awarded an international prize from a US university to spend three months at Vanderbilt University's Institute of Biology, and the following year she was invited by another institute at the university as an expert in an experimental technique. 

She graduated summa cum laude from Semmelweis University, of course, and then, to the great good fortune of our institute, she joined István Katona's Molecular Neurobiology research group. And with István, everyone can consider themselves lucky in the sense that there are always exciting questions, unusual tasks to be solved, and work is always available in abundance for everyone.

Having done her fair share of everything, putting her creativity and problem-solving skills to good use, Susanne was awarded the Junior Prima Prize 2023 for her achievements. She obtained her PhD degree and now the Academy's Youth Prize, which she won for her thesis on the development of a high-resolution microscopy method for visualising target proteins of psychiatric drugs.

But what is "luck"? A clear and simple definition of luck is "when something unexpected and favourable happens to us without us having done anything worthwhile".  Even if you are Michael Phelphs, the miracle swimmer, it is not luck that you win Olympic events, because your exceptional talents have only given you the opportunity to achieve what until then seemed incredible success. But we can also take the example of the unprecedented Mozart, who, however gifted a little child he was, was not given breakfast until he had done his homework, not for his age but for his talent. Because even the most gifted need helpers. Excellent coaches, or a father who is an excellent musician and music teacher for his age. Teachers, mentors. And somehow, those who are willing and eager to work hard and learn will find them. We can and have reason to pity The poet of the Hortobágy (Ady), but it is not a good example, nor an excuse.

Susanne and all like her, who use their talents well, are in turn a good example for everyone, for all young people. But tell us what she thinks of the prize!

- An award is an important feedback not only for the researcher, but also for her family members and friends who do not work in this field, but who support us in our daily work. Perhaps they appreciate the awards even more than our experimental results. 

I was also particularly pleased to receive this award because it is important feedback for the students in our working group.  I have had the opportunity to work with several impressively active and bright students over the past period, who, through my recognition, gain a little insight into the many ways in which research excellence can be rewarded.  I am sure that many of them will be able to experience this personally. And I must mention that it was a fantastic feeling to receive the award in one of the Academy's beautiful conference rooms! 

However, for me, the main motivation for everyday research is never to win prizes, but to understand long-understood relationships, to find solutions to technical problems or to see something completely new, even for the first time in the world. 

In a few days, Susanne, her husband and their two young children will be travelling to the US to conduct research at Indiana University, supported by a HFSP (Human Frontier Science Program) postdoctoral fellowship. This fellowship specifically encourages high-risk projects, encourages early-career scientists to expand their research knowledge by moving into new research areas, working in a new country and boldly challenging existing paradigms.

We wish Susanne the best of luck in all this!

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About the Prize

The Academic Youth Prize is open to researchers under the age of thirty-five who hold a scientific qualification (PhD degree), are members of the public body of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, and are employed by research centres, research institutes, universities or other institutions engaged in scientific research in Hungary, or are research fellows. In the case of researchers with minor children, the application age is increased by two years per child.

The award is open to individual achievements of scientific merit justifying recognition. Entries will be ranked by the scientific panels of the relevant scientific departments. On the basis of their opinion, the Presidential Committee for the Evaluation of Sciences will formulate its proposal for the award, and the President of the Academy will decide on the winners.