“We hosted an extremely successful conference, with interest far surpassing our expectations,” said Dr. Zsanett Renáta Csoma, chief organizer of the 1st International Health Sciences Conference in Szeged and Vice-Dean for General and Scientific Affairs at the Faculty of Health Sciences and Social Studies (ETSZK). “We originally expected around 100 participants and 25 to 30 poster presentations. In the end, 242 participants registered, and 75 posters were submitted for the competition.”
Nearly every session of the conference attracted significant interest. The organizers received extensive feedback praising the congress as unique – particularly for its effort to showcase nearly every area of health sciences, ranging from medicine and physiotherapy to pharmaceutical sciences and even space research.
“The discussions following the presentations were highly engaging, with many questions and comments from the audience,” said Dr. Csoma. She also highlighted the international nature of the conference, with speakers and attendees arriving from six countries: the United Kingdom, Indonesia, Portugal, Serbia, Turkey, and Germany. “Everyone felt personally invested in this conference,” she added.
The scientific forum, held at the Art Hotel in Szeged, was intended to be the start of a new tradition, with the next conference planned for two years from now. Preparations are already underway, and the organizers are actively working on new ideas for the upcoming event.
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| 1st International Health Sciences Conference in Szeged Photo Gallery |
From artificial intelligence to biobanking and translational medicine
The conference featured two plenary sessions and six scientific sessions. The plenary lectures covered a broad spectrum of scientific topics, with particular emphasis on the application of artificial intelligence in both basic research and patient care, biobanking opportunities for human cells and tissues, and the role of translational medicine in enhancing the clinical implementation of research findings.
Dr. Zsanett Renáta Csoma, Vice-Dean and chief organizer of the conference; Dr. Judit Fendler, Chancellor of the University of Szeged; and Prof. Dr. Márta Széll, Vice-Rector for Strategic Affairs at the University of Szeged
Dr. Zsanett Renáta Csoma pointed out that the conference addressed a wide range of topics. Among these were current issues in the food industry, iatrogenic complications in premature infants, and new methods in intrauterine fetal diagnostics. The program also covered recent advances in ophthalmology, the importance of probiotic use, as well as developments in sports sciences and physiotherapy. Additional sessions explored the health status of healthcare professionals working in emergency care, health awareness among children with disabilities, and the therapeutic effects of culture and the arts on mental health.
Poster presentation competition
One of the highlights of the conference was the poster presentation competition, which offered participants the opportunity to present their latest research findings in a visual format. Held on May 30, the second day of the event, the competition featured 75 posters from participants representing six countries. The submissions were organized into sections covering health sciences, pharmaceutical sciences, physiotherapy, sports and nutrition sciences, and medical sciences. The poster sessions fostered professional dialogue, encouraged new scientific collaborations, and gave young researchers and students a platform to showcase their work to the scientific community.
A total of ten awards were presented, notably across the Medical Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Health Sciences sections. In addition to two first prizes, two second prizes, and two third prizes, the jury also awarded four special prizes.
Medical Sciences and Pharmaceutical Sciences Sections:
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1st Prize: Neha Nagbhushan Rao
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2nd Prize: Sára Pető
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3rd Prize: Barbara Ambrus
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Special Prize: Sándor András Szabó
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Special Prize: Elika Valehi
Health Sciences Section:
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1st Prize: Stephania Craig
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2nd Prize: Máté Levente Papp
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3rd Prize: Mohamed Emam
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Special Prize: Boróka Sótonyi
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Special Prize: Kinga Pauwlik
The project titled “Promoting Student Research Activities at the Faculty of Health Sciences and Social Studies of the University of Szeged,” submitted by Dr. habil. Zsanett Renáta Csoma, PhD, Vice-Dean for General and Scientific Affairs, received non-refundable funding in the amount of HUF 2,500,000 under the call for proposals “Participation in and organization of the National Scientific Students’ Associations Conference and its scientific workshops” (application ID: NTPHHTDK-24-0024), announced by the National Cultural Fund of Hungary.
The project runs from September 1, 2024 to August 31, 2025.
The project is supported by the Ministry of Culture and Innovation and the National Talent Program and is implemented with funding from the National Talent Fund.
Departments taking the spotlight on the closing day
On the final day of the forum, May 31, the departments of the SZTE Faculty of Health Sciences and Social Studies delivered presentations, showcasing their ongoing research activities and key findings.
In her closing remarks, Prof. Dr. Edit Tóth-Molnár, Dean of the SZTE Faculty of Health Sciences and Social Studies, expressed her gratitude to her colleagues and the company supporting the organization of the conference for their outstanding efforts. She described the lectures and professional discussions of the preceding two to three days as highly inspiring. While pleased with the successful conclusion of the conference, she admitted to feeling somewhat saddened that the event had come to an end. She expressed her hope that the second conference could be held in Szeged within the next two years.
Prof. Dr. Edit Tóth-Molnár, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences and Social Studies at the University of Szeged
The conference’s closing lecture was delivered by Dr. Gábor Nagy-Grócz, Vice-Dean for Academic Affairs at the SZTE Faculty of Health Sciences and Social Studies. His presentation, held in Hungarian as part of the otherwise English-language program, focused on the health challenges associated with space activities, with particular emphasis on nutrition in space.
Dr. Nagy-Grócz explained that in the early days of spaceflight, astronauts carried rather unappetizing foods packed in aluminum tubes, including beef, liver paste, and applesauce. One of the key challenges, however, is that radiation exposure can compromise the nutritional value of space food, making it essential that food remains stable, safe, and easy to prepare. To supplement these, fresh produce such as fruit is typically taken on board for consumption during the first two to three days of a mission.
The topic of space travel is especially timely in Hungary, as the country’s second astronaut, Tibor Kapu, is scheduled to launch into space for a 14-day mission, following in the footsteps of Hungary’s first astronaut, Bertalan Farkas. In this context, Dr. Nagy-Grócz went on to discuss the effects of space travel on astronauts' muscles, skeletal system, circulatory system, and nervous system, as well as the psychological challenges they face during missions.
Original Hungarian article by Imre Vida-Szűcs
Photos: István Sahin-Tóth
The project (ID: MEC_SZ 148950) was implemented with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Innovation, funded by the National Research, Development, and Innovation Fund under the MEC_24 grant program.
