2011 Participant Profiles

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Hungarian-American Enterprise Scholarship Fund2011 Award Recipients The Hungarian-American Enterprise Scholarship Fund (HAESF) was founded as a major legacy fellowship program when the Hungarian-American Enterprise Fund, one of the original Enterprise Funds established with U.S. government funding through USAID, completed its active investment phase. HAESF’s objective is to promote free enterprise and development in Hungary and to continue strengthening ties between the United States and Hungary by creating opportunities for accomplished Hungarians and those of great promise to gain professional experience in the United States.

CIEE, Council on International Educational Exchange, is HAESF’s partner in the U.S. responsible for administration, management and providing program support for all HAESF’s programs.

Contact HAESF: CIEE EXCHANGES, INC.Kereskedelmi Képviselete(HAESF Ösztöndíj Alap)Andrássy út 61., I/5.Budapest 1062 HungaryTel: (36-1) 413-0018Fax: (36-1) 413-0019Email: [email protected] www.haesf.org

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Senior Leaders and Scholars Fellowship The Senior Leaders and Scholars Fellowship provides full funding to distinguished mid- and senior-level Hungarian professionals in business, public administration, research and academia to pursue three to twelve month projects in the U.S. that they have arranged independently.

At its core, the program is meant to foster the exchange of ideas, knowledge and expertise between Hungarians and Americans and to stimulate international collaboration and research efforts. By creating a forum for mutual enrichment and experiential exchange, the program allows participants to develop skills and relationships that will benefit them and their home institutions when they resume their roles in Hungary.

Senior Leaders and Scholars Fellowship 2011 Award Recipients

Senior Leaders and Scholars Fellowship | 2012 FallHungarian-American Enterprise Scholarship Fund 3

Viktor Ágoston

Project title: Role of Adenosine Receptors in Protecting the Spinal Cord from Ischemic Injury

Home institution: Semmelweis University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology

Host institution: University of Colorado, Denver

Dr. Ágoston graduated from the Faculty of Medicine of Semmelweis University in 2003 as a medical doctor. After graduation he went on to pursue his Ph.D. degree at the Cell Laboratory of the National Stroke Center. His field of research focused on CNS regeneration after ischemic injuries and observation of implanted stem cells in animal stroke models. His current position at Semmelweis University involves introducing hyperbaric oxygen therapy in Hungary and focuses on the effects of therapeutic hyperbaric oxygen tension in ischemia-reperfusion injury of CNS and heart ischemic insults.

In his research project at the University of Colorado, Dr. Ágoston is focusing on ischemic injuries and their impact on the nervous system. Such injuries may happen during aortic surgery or following spinal cord trauma. Despite advances in surgical techniques there has been little progress made in pharmacologic attenuation of ischemic injury.

Ischemic-preconditioning (IP) is a physiologic protective mechanism that exists in various organs, but has a unique role in organs highly sensitive of ischemia, such as the central nervous system, including the spinal cord. Recently the role of adenosine signaling was demonstrated in myocardial IP, and the pharmacologic activation of this pathway was shown to protect the myocardium from ischemic injury. While in Colorado, Dr. Ágoston and the research group proposed to define the role of adenosine signaling in spinal cord ischemic-preconditioning. Understanding the exact pathway enables them to use specific pharmacologic molecules that would activate spinal cord IP and protect the spinal cord during aortic surgery and following spinal cord trauma.

impact:

József csizmadia

Project title: Development of Ultrafine/Nano Grain-size Aluminum and Nickel Alloys with Enhanced Microstructural Stability

Home institution: College of Dunaújváros, Regional Centre of Excellence on Materials Science and Technology

Host institution: University of Pittsburgh, Swanson School of Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science

The goal of this project is precompetitive research on production technologies of ultrafine grain and/or nano-grain aluminum alloys with new property sets. The project also aims at developing international contacts and at learning up-to-date methodologies.

Techniques for improving the strength of aluminum alloys are well known; they include alloying, cold working and refining. Materials science aspects of these technologies are known in detail. New possibilities are offered by utilizing the extreme refinement of grain-size alloys under strong plastic deformation, and by the combination of these technologies and the utilization of synergies between them. For example, the utilization of precipitation processes in aluminum alloys in frozen (quenched) or rendered ultrafine or nano-grain by strong plastic deformation. It is expected the new sets of properties can be achieved in aluminum alloys used presently by these technologies (higher strength with appreciable plasticity). Such kinds of alloys are eagerly required by the automotive industry and the aerospace industries.

Experience gained during this project would significantly improve Dr. Csizmadia’s knowledge in the field of nanotechnology and severe plastic deformation of aluminum alloys. Broadening personal contacts would enhance the integration of his Hungarian institution into the leading branch of science, and for him it would provide opportunities to obtain further research projects of a larger magnitude, which would provide possibilities for higher intensity scientific research work in his academic and industrial career.

impact:



attila gÁspÁr

Project title: Developing and Application of a Miniaturized Surface Plasmon Resonance Sensor for Chromatographic and Electrophoretic Separation on Chip

Home institution: University of Debrecen, Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry

Host institution: California State University, Department of Chemistry

The main goal of the project and microfluidics is that through micro- and nanofabrication it will be possible to prepare integrated laboratories of a size equivalent to a computer chip. In the group of Professor F. A. Gomez at the California State University, Los Angeles, Dr. Gáspár as a Senior Fellow of HAESF developed a miniaturized surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor for electrophoretic separations on poly-dimethyl-siloxane (PDMS) microfluidic chips. He also studied the adsorption (either reversible or irreversible) interactions between the PDMS and any type of components in real-time and label-free way. Using SPR for study of adsorption of small molecules, pharmaceuticals, detergents and proteins on PDMS, some new experimental observations and explanations were given.

The developed miniaturized electro-separation system coupled with SPR is planned to be further studied and applied in the laboratories of the U.S. host and the Hungarian Fellow. The expertise and knowledge on microfluidics obtained by Dr. Gáspár in the United States is essential to induce further developments in the Hungarian laboratory of the Fellow, and presumably an even more intensive scientific cooperation between the two research groups after the Fellowship.

impact:

illés farkas

Project title: Control of the Cell Cycle During the Unicellular- Multicellular (Metazoan) Transition

Home institution: Hungarian Academy of Sciences and Eötvös Loránd University of Sciences, Statistical and Biological Physics Research Group

Host institution: University of California, San Francisco, Center for Systems and Synthetic Biology

Dr. Farkas hopes to further his research into the way cells and other organisms function. According to current knowledge, unicellular organisms have evolved into multicellular ones at least 10 times. In each of these cases signaling within and between cells has played a crucial role in coordinating the increasing number of cells within the multicellular organism. Learning about the ways in which cells can control their own behaviors and coordinate their behaviors with those of others will very likely lead to basic biological discoveries. These biological discoveries may be helpful when trying to engineer not just single cells, but groups of cells to perform specific functions. The hosts of the project, Prof. Wendell Lim and Prof. Chao Tang, are heading the Center for Systems and Synthetic Biology at the University of California, San Francisco. Over the past decade the hosts have made key contributions (both experimental and theoretical) to the quantitative analysis of molecular biological regulation; Dr. Farkas’ contribution to the project is theoretical and computational.

Dr. Farkas hopes participate as a senior scientist in top research projects in the field of molecular biological regulation and provide younger colleagues with several possible roadmaps for a successful career.

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tamÁs insperger

Project title: Mechanical Models for Human Balancing including Reflex Delay

Home institution: Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Department of Applied Mechanics

Host institution: Joint Science Departments of the Claremont Colleges, W. M. Keck Science Center

The objective of Dr. Insperger’s project is to elaborate and analyze mechanical models for human balancing tasks based on the Newtonian mechanics with special attention to the reflex delay of the neural system. Different mechanical models with different control concepts are to be investigated including state-feedback, intermittent and predictive controllers. The results are to be compared to experimental data. The main goal of the project is to understand and explore the mechanism of the human balancing process in the presence of reflex delay, which is an important issue to dynamical diseases like balancing problems of the elderly or Parkinson’s disease.

The research work started at the Claremont Colleges will be continued in Hungary in other national and international biomechanical research projects. Possible impacts can be expected in understanding the mechanism of the human neural system for simple balancing tasks that can contribute to more complex models describing dynamical diseases.

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andrÁs mahler

Project title: The Understanding of Loess Behavior

Home institution: Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Department of Geotechnics

Host institution: University of Hawaii at Manoa, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

The main goal of the research activity at UH Manoa was to understand better the mechanical behavior of loess. This rather unique soil type has different properties (e.g. macroporous structure, cemented bonds, extreme sensitivity to water) which make its behavior so unique. Loess samples were collected in Hungary and shipped to the host University to perform “stress path controlled triaxial tests”. This type of tests enables subjecting the soil specimen to nearly every possible stress state and measuring its related deformations. A set of tests was performed by Dr. Mahler using different stress paths (i.e. different loading and unloading procedures) and the soil deformations were monitored and stress-strain relationships were recorded.

The test results are the first steps on the way to develop a more realistic material model for FE element analyses to describe the behavior of loess. Expanding academic knowledge of loess at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics could greatly impact engineering and construction projects in the geographical areas of Hungary prone to loess soil.

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gÁbor JÁnos takÁcs

Project title: Re-Charging the Environment – Renewable Energy Support Schemes in the U.S.: Costs, Tools and Effects

Home institution: Ministry of Environment and Water, Development Directorate, Green Investment Scheme Coordination Office

Host institution: M. J. Beck Consulting, LLC

Dr. Takács’ focus lies in a comparative analysis of European Union and United States environmental policies and regulations. The European Union very often compares itself to the U.S. In order to create a market in Europe that is sufficiently big enough for competition for the benefit of consumer and development, lots of boundaries and obstacles must be overcome. The energy sector in European countries is traditionally protected and closed markets. Regulations evolved parallel and resulted in very different market circumstances and regulatory environments for renewables. The U.S. approach is significantly different, and in order to expand his expertise, Dr. Takács felt that it was crucial to assess these approaches in the United States and how these could be implemented or even adopted in the European, and more specifically, the Hungarian policy setting. The result is that the agenda and objective setting range of policy instruments that can be used is very incomplete, and the positive economic, environmental and social effects of renewables are not utilized.

The experience gained in the U.S. significantly contributes to the quality of the activities of Dr. Takács on the Hungarian renewable energy regulation to transform its “follower” approach into a long-term planning approach that searches for opportunities to be utilized. As a practicing consultant and academician, Dr. Takács will use his American experience to stimulate the Hungarian renewable industry to apply the competition approach possibly resulting in innovative bottom-up solutions, and he will also help companies and projects to be more competitive. Dr. Takács will also be able to communicate the problems and possible legislative solutions for the decision makers that are understandable in their own context.

impact:

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Executive Education Program The Executive Education Program provides fully-funded fellowships to distinguished mid- and senior-level Hungarian professionals for participation in short-term executive education programs offered through the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.

The program enables participants to obtain theoretical know-how from world-class faculty and to interact with accomplished peer professionals from the U.S. and around the world, thus. enhancing their professional skills, knowledge, and networks to their own benefit and to the benefit of their employers in Hungary.

Executive Education Program2011 Award Recipients

Executive Education Program | 2012 FallHungarian-American Enterprise Scholarship Fund 8

györgyi nyikos

course: Infrastructure in a Market Economy: Public - Private Partnerships in a Changing World

Home institution: National University of Public Service and Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Infrastructure in a Market Economy program helps senior decision-makers address critical questions about public-private partnerships in infrastructure. The program brings together senior-level officials from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to examine lessons learned and best practices from public-private infrastructure development projects around the world. The program addresses such questions as: Why have some types of partnerships succeeded where others have failed? What partnership models are best suited to what political and economic circumstances? How can governments develop and implement reforms to make them politically and economically sustainable over time? What are the opportunities and limitations involved in using private capital markets to finance infrastructure? When is regulation of tariffs necessary, and when can governments achieve effective outcomes using market forces? If governments regulate, what mix of contractual and discretionary regulatory mechanisms should be used?

The reason why Dr. Nyikos felt it was appropriate for her to attend such a course was that she wanted to get more knowledge about institutional choices that promote good public financial management, sustainable infrastructure projects, how to review, strengthen or reform the way public finances are planned and managed using this knowledge to bridge the gap between theories and practice and utilize the know-how in her daily work both in a policy-making as well as academic setting.

impact:

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Professional Internship Program The Professional Internship Program grants fully funded six to twelve month internships at prominent American companies and organizations to current post-secondary students and recent graduates from Hungary. Positions are custom-sourced based on the specific skills and interests of the selected participants in fields ranging from business, economics and finance, to public administration, arts and culture, and the sciences.

The goal of the program is to provide promising future leaders of Hungarian society with a meaningful international training experience that furthers their professional acumen, advances their cross-cultural understanding, and positions them to excel when they return to Hungary to attend graduate school or to begin their careers

Professional Internship Program 2011 Award Recipients

Professional Internship Program | 2012 FallHungarian-American Enterprise Scholarship Fund 10

beatrix bukus

internsHiP Focus: Social Research on Migration and Asylum

Home institution: University of Pannonia

Host institution: Georgetown University, Institute for the Study of International Migration

As a visiting scholar, Beatrix contributed to many types of academic events, including conferences, graduate seminars, and book presentations organized by her host institution. Her contribution stems from her unique combination of practical experience, theoretical knowledge of migration issues and social integration of migrants in both Turkey and Germany, as well as Hungary. Furthermore, Beatrix had the chance to get involved with a stimulating academic environment, which will have a tremendous impact on the quality of her own research project on the educational integration of asylum-seeker and refugee students in Central Europe. While on the program, she also gained insight into the basic know-how of the policy-oriented but academically rigorous social research in the field of migration and asylum.

“Based on the knowledge I gather on asylum, migration and the relationship between globalization and education, I hope to have an impact on the content aspects of the teacher training curricula. I also hope to use the findings of my own research to improve the educational integration of asylum-seeker and refugee students into local public schools.”

impact:

attila dobos

internsHiP Focus: Medical Research in Physiology

Home institution: University of Szeged, Faculty of Medicine

Host institution: Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center

Attila is a senior student at the University of Szeged. Prior to his program in the U.S., he was a student researcher for three years at the Department of Physiology focusing on the extracellular activity recording in cortical areas of primates which may participate in object recognition, and he also spent a great amount of time tutoring, conducting seminars and practice classes in his department. His interest in medicine is multi-fold. He is interested in the effect of modern (Western) nutrition and diet on human health, such as the connection between high glycemic index foods and diabetes, obesity, atherosclerosis, coronary artery diseases; autoimmune diseases and diet; the role of vitamins. He is also interested in modern medicine from the viewpoint of human evolution—changes and effects of environment and diet on the human body, and integrating results of modern science (quantum physics, genetics, medicine, evolutionary biology) regarding human health and health-care. On the conclusion of his internship in the U.S., Attila will graduate from the University of Szeged and apply to a relevant Ph.D. program to become a professional medical researcher. In his free time Attila enjoys dealing with human relationships, philosophical questions, and likes dancing and doing sports.

“My strong relation to Physiology and the positive experiences I had already made a strong impact on my choice of later specialization as a medical doctor. After obtaining my diploma, I am about to choose Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine. The close connection of this branch to my favorite subject is displayed by one of my professor’s statements that, ‘Anesthesiology is not else but applied Physiology’. This sentence just captured me so much and made me think that my choice was going to be right… I feel that this is the profession for me because it is aligned with my personality and my major interest.”

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györgyi fonyódi

internsHiP Focus: Fashion Design Management

Home institution: MOME | Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design

Host institution: Ann Taylor, New York

Györgyi is a graduate of MOME | Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design in Design Management and Fashion Design. Györgyi pursued studies at the London College of Fashion in Women’s Wear and Arts Management at a bachelor level at the International Business School. She also has already established her own brand consisting of three parts: ARTE by Giorgia Fonyodi, interpreting textile art in a modern art approach, GIORGIA FONYODI, which is haute couture representing a line of formal wear and ADELUX, a ready to wear line for mass production and street wear. Györgyi widened her horizon at Ann Taylor and learned the nuts and bolts of the fashion design process in an everyday business setting. She learned about innovative design and organized and conscious fashion structures.

“I want fashion as a branch industry in the economy to play a decisive role in Budapest, similarly to other European fashion cities so that it can worthily rank among these cities and that Budapest would be named as the small Paris of Hungary again.”

impact:

Ágnes horVÁth

internsHiP Focus: Market Research

Home institution: Corvinus University

Host institution: PepsiCo Beverages Americas

Thanks to her scholarship and her knowledge from university, Ágnes was able to do more and learn more than any regular intern within her host company. Ágnes was on rotation between the various departments of PepsiCo every three months. She led individual projects, was responsible for game changing insights, and she worked together with the senior management on a day to day basis. While on the program, Ágnes also learned to use cutting edge techniques of market research, improved her negotiating skills and most importantly developed thinking out of the box.

“Marketing is very close to psychology, we must focus on people and their needs behind the numbers!”

impact:

zsolt horVÁth

internsHiP Focus: Civil Engineering

Home institution: Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Mott MacDonald Hungary

Host institution: Hatch Mott MacDonald

Zsolt’s host organization, Hatch Mott MacDonald (HMM) is a multidisciplinary engineering consultancy delivering world class solutions in North America. HMM is the lead joint venture partner for the design of the 70-mile Los Angeles to Palmdale section of the California High-Speed Rail Project, the first dedicated high-speed rail infrastructure in the United States. As a project team member, Zsolt has been involved in the preliminary design of six tunnels with a total length of 22 miles in soft ground and hard rock. Due to the seismically active nature of the region, particular design challenges included tunneling through potentially active fault zones.

“My internship has provided me with valuable practical experience in seismic design which I hope to utilize in the future development of Hungary’s infrastructure with special respect to tunneling projects.”

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eszter erika kozma

internsHiP Focus: Molecular Pharmacology

Home institution: University of Szeged, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Host institution: National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, Molecular Recognition Section

Eszter conducts research on the structure and pharmacology of purine receptors (adenosine and P2Y receptors) as part of the Molecular Recognition Section at the NIDDK, National Institutes of Health under the supervision of Dr. Kenneth Jacobson. Eszter is studying the chemical and biological aspects of both ligands (small molecules and dendrimers) which are potential therapeutic targets, and their protein targets (receptors). Her main project is the introduction of the first high affinity fluorescent antagonist ligand that is selective for A3 adenosine receptor, an important new target for anti-inflammatory drugs. She got the chance to be the first author of a paper about the results in Biochemical Pharmacology. Eszter also synthesizes and biologically evaluates fluorescent ligands on other purine receptors (such as adenosine A2A or P2Y6 receptors) with flow cytometry, fluorescence polarization and other fluorescent methods in order to be able to switch to fluorescent techniques from hazardous and expensive radioactive ligands in biological assays. The NIH provided her the opportunity to attend lectures held by world-renowned researchers, language and scientific classes and workshops. Eszter was also given the chance to present her scientific results in oral and poster presentations in meetings, research festivals and conferences.

“Before I came to the United States I focused on synthetic organic chemistry only, but this internship broadened the field of my scientific interest. I started to be more interested in biological chemistry, especially in fluorescent methods. Upon my return to Hungary I will pursue Ph.D. studies in the same field, and the HAESF experience will make it a lot easier to start my studies. The research field of fluorescence is in its infancy; it has been in use only since the 1970s and became especially popular in the last decade. Using these techniques in ligand binding assays is quite rare, especially in Hungary, therefore I hope I can make a good use of the knowledge I acquired as I return home.”

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sÁndor kassai

internsHiP Focus: Bioengineering – Biofuels

Home institution: University of Debrecen, Department of Biology

Host institution: Colorado State University, Department of Bioengineering

Sándor joined a research team at the Department of Bioengineering. The main purpose of the research is to improve the production and efficiency of the different biofuels. Sandor’s main field of study is biofuels from algae, conducting research on media in which the algae are grown. Sándor and his team greatly benefited from his previous laboratory experience and knowledge; thus he greatly contributed to the research project.

“Despite Hungary is far from the large scale production of algae biofuels, there are some laboratories where similar experiments are being conducted. As far as I know MOL Hungarian Oil Company also conducts similar experiments, and I really hope that I can join this huge company and help it to gain more success in this field.”

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líVia zsuzsanna katona

internsHiP Focus: Application of Transcranial Doppler in Stroke Prevention and Cardiovascular Procedures

Home institution: University Debrecen Health and Science Center

Host institution: Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center

Lívia spent 12 months in the Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center, Texas Medical Center, in Houston. She familiarized herself with the application of transcranial doppler in stroke prevention and treatment. She was also involved in research projects focusing on intraoperative transcranial doppler during cardiovascular procedures. Additionally she became acquainted with modern cardiovascular surgical techniques, such as transfemoral aortic valve replacement, left ventricular assist device placement and endovascular aortic aneurysm repair. During her internship, Lívia also gained extensive experience in how to write research based articles for publication professionally.

“With my applied skills in cerebrovascular ultrasound I would like to contribute to the work of the Stroke Center in Debrecen.”

impact:

zsófia marton

internsHiP Focus: Sustainable Architecture

Home institution: Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Department of Architecture

Host institution: Architecture for Humanity

Working for an international non-profit architecture firm Zsófia gained a better understanding of this special—mission and enthusiasm driven—work environment. Having the opportunity to assist in several projects and to work with various people throughout the year, Zsófia feels lucky to have broadened her skills in different segments of the profession. As part of the Open Architecture Challenge team, her work concentrated on the development of an international architectural competition that calls designers to re-envision abandoned military sites for civic use, promoting social, economic and environmental good. Part of her time went into her research work exploring the potential in using rammed earth for affordable and social housing projects in Hungary. Throughout her internship she worked with knowledgeable people every day, and participated in workshops and conferences that broadened her perspective about the possibilities in design serving the community. Zsófia also learned a lot about the importance of collaboration and of sharing ideas. It was inspiring and empowering to spend a year at Architecture for Humanity, meeting incredible change makers and learning about plenty of wonderful projects and initiatives that—though underrepresented—are happening all around the world.

“Being dedicated to socially and environmentally responsible architecture, I see a great potential in the inventive revival of the traditional way of house-raising using modern natural building technologies like rammed earth. I strive to find the architectural means to strategically revitalize the countryside, build back its resiliency, recreate the stability of communities and improve welfare and self-esteem of ordinary people guiding them towards social and economic security.”

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patrik miskó

internsHiP Focus: Online Business Development


Host institution: Elegran Real Estate

Patrik chose to intern at Elegran, a boutique real estate brokerage in Manhattan, because they allowed him to improve his leadership, organizational and management skills. As a project manager of the online marketing department at Elegran, Patrik specialized in managing web development projects, including data management, brand development, and social media strategy and outreach.

“I wish to implement the U.S.’s entrepreneurial out-of-the-box thinking to Hungarian businesses, and use my passion for technology to adapt the latest tech and marketing developments for mainstream use in Hungary.”

impact:

erika anett muha

internsHiP Focus: Foreign Trade Development


Host institution: Maine International Trade Center

Erika completed her bachelor program at the Budapest Business School in Economics and earned her master’s degree in International Relations at Corvinus University. She also spent a semester at John Moores University in Liverpool on an Erasmus Scholarship. While in the U.S. she gained experience interning at the Maine International Trade Center. Trade centers boost the local economy and encourage people to conquer the international market. Erika has learned tips and tricks for local companies about international business life, so companies are able to be successful at an international level as well.

Among her professional goals she lists becoming an active member of the global community promoting Hungary’s further development, building on the practical experience she gained in the U.S. in international trade or business in order to be one of the supporters of Hungary’s development. Erika’s further future intent is to pursue her studies at a doctoral level.

impact:

orsolya roza

internsHiP Focus: Obesity Research

Home institution: University of Szeged, Department of Pharmacology

Host institution: Section on Growth and Obesity, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health

Orsolya is a Ph.D. student at the University of Szeged in the Department of Pharmacology. Her research interest is in obesity research and weight loss herbal products, including but not limited to Hoodia Gordonii. She is committed to obesity research and she believes the best place to further study this major health concern in the United States. In addition to a very specific research topic, Orsolya is also interested in honing her research skills and learn new methodologies in a completely different research environment than her very own in Szeged. Orsolya was a member of the research group aiming to elucidate the genetic underpinnings of the metabolic and behavioral endophenotypes that contribute to the development of obesity in childhood. Orsolya believes that advancing the understanding of childhood obesity is crucial in prevention and/or in treatment development, in addition to child health always having an utmost importance.

Orsolya is going to continue her Ph.D. studies at the University of Szeged on her return from the United States. She believes her experience will provide her a chance to help, not only herself and her research group, but those Hungarians as well who are concerned with obesity.

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kitti szoboszlai

internsHiP Focus: Organization Development


Host institution: NTL Institute for Applied Behavioral Science

As an International Organization Development Intern at NTL Institute of Applied Behavioral Science, Kitti has supported the delivery of customized solution programs. Her main responsibility was to manage U.S. domestic and international--private, not-for-profit and government—projects where she had the possibility to cooperate with NTL members and clients. The aim of the projects Kitti worked on was to foster learning in the practice of personal and professional development, group development, group dynamics, organization change, community development, and social change.

“I have seen plenty of great examples of how to help people to work effectively and live together in peace when they feel that they are the best person as they can be. I would like to deliver such amazing projects for Hungarians to teach them how to accept and appreciate diversity in the workplace, in the community and perhaps in society.”

impact:

gergely Varga

internsHiP Focus: International Security Studies

Home institution: Corvinus University, National University of Public Service

Host institution: Johns Hopkins University, School of Advanced International Studies, Center of Transatlantic Relations

Gergely is pursuing his Ph.D. in International Security Studies while also working as a research assistant at what was formerly called Zrínyi Miklós National Defense University, now National University of Public Service. His research focus is U.S. foreign and security policy as well as NATO strategic issues. Gergely also often gives lectures as part of the bachelor’s and master’s programs offered by NUPS.

Gergely applied for the scholarship as its benefits are multi-fold, for his personal career as well as his home institutions. As he pursues professional experience and research opportunities available in the U.S., he will not only advance further in his dissertation research, but also gain invaluable professional research skills and connect to the most important stakeholders of his field. This will ultimately benefit his home institutions, enabling future co-operation within the strategic alliances.

impact:

mÁté Vincze

internsHiP Focus: International Management


Host institution: Hungarian Human Rights Foundation

Máté believes that working at HHRF offered a great, challenging experience. He was considered a fully responsible colleague which made the internship experience more than a usual internship program for young professionals. The work at HHRF is comprehensive: it involves lobbying in Washington, DC, for the benefit of the Hungarian minorities in the Carpathian Basin, managing one of the many great, innovative projects HHRF is participating in, handling international, cross-cultural communication and issues that are coming up in any of the widespread activities of the 36-year-old organization. Máté already had extensive experience as EU project manager while a student. He was involved in social projects for the benefit of minorities, taking a role in Hungary’s successful EU Presidency and having some experience with e-communication and non-profit PR. At HHRF he was able to whole-heartedly contribute to the great projects of this wonderful organization and thus really make a difference.

“When I use the word ‘home’ I mean a Hungary that is a strong ally and member of the EU, NATO and a part of the so-called Western World. By having been able to widen and also deepen my knowledge of international relations, I am positive that I will be more successful in my call for helping my own country to strengthen its ties to the West by any small or greater project the future holds for Hungary.”

impact:

16

HMAA | Hungarian Medical Association of America As part of the Professional Internship Program, HAESF provides financial grants to support sixth year medical students on HMAA’s three month medical exchange program. The exchange provides broader medical knowledge to young Hungarian physicians who are entering the Hungarian health care system.

Organized by HMAA and supported by HAESF, participants complete elective medical rotations at the State University of New York, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Buffalo, or at the State University of New York, Upstate Medical University at Syracuse.

HMAA | Hungarian Medical Association of America 2011 Award Recipients

HMAA | Hungarian Medical Association of America | 2012 FallHungarian-American Enterprise Scholarship Fund 17

bíborka barkóczi

internsHiP Focus: Clinical Practice in Child Neurology, Cardiology, and Postoperative Care

Home institution: Semmelweis University, Faculty of Medicine

Host institution: SUNY Buffalo

Participating in the internship program allowed Bíborka to take part in a unique three-month internship program (organized by HMAA) for senior year medical students. She has chosen three different rotations, at two different Buffalo hospitals: child neurology, cardiology, and postoperative care. She did exactly what the other final year medical students do there, which is very different from what Hungarian students do in Hungary. This was a great challenge for Bíborka at first but she was very happy to realize that she was in fact up to the task just as American medical students are. Bíborka had the chance to work with outstanding doctors and PAs as mentors, and she learned a lot from the patients as well. These three months in Buffalo were an invaluable insight to the U.S. healthcare system. Furthermore Bíborka learned a great deal about the American mindset. As an added bonus, Bíborka also forged new connections and friendships. As she put it in her own words, “Even though I arrived with already high expectations, this program still gave me much more experience and knowledge than I could ever have dreamt it would.”

“It is no doubt that the program was of great help for my professional career, and in the future my patients here can benefit from my experience in the U.S. Also, I hope that I can share my thoughts on how the Hungarian healthcare system, my own hospital in particular, could be improved with some best practices form the U.S. All the knowledge—practical skills, human skills, communication, organization skills—already have proven to be very useful for my current work as a young doctor, I use them every day. It gave me so much, it changed me deep inside, the way I think, and my attitude in general as well. I strongly believe that these skills, this way of thinking is needed in Hungary too.”

impact:

norbert kacsala

internsHiP Focus: Clinical Practice in Oncology, Child Neurology and Endocrinology

Home institution: University of Debrecen


Norbert spent three months in Buffalo, NY. He was able to spend a month at the famous Roswell Park Cancer Institute, the place where chemotherapy was essentially invented and applied for the first time in the history of medicine. Roswell Park is one of the most important research centers for oncology worldwide. Norbert also spent a month on the child neurology rotation at Children’s Hospital Buffalo and another month on the endocrinology rotation at Kaleida Hospital, both of which were incredibly useful and interesting. Norbert gained a lot during this program, both from a professional and personal point of view, and can only recommend trying to run for it to everyone who wants to think outside the box and gain experience in their field of study or research.

“Having witnessed the peculiarity of the American healthcare system, I hope to implement in my future practice of medicine a lot of things (in terms of clinical practice and patient-doctor communication) that I found impressive over there.”

impact:

HMAA | Hungarian Medical Association of America 2011 Award Recipients

HMAA | Hungarian Medical Association of America | 2012 FallHungarian-American Enterprise Scholarship Fund 18

tünde keresztessy

internsHiP Focus: Clinical Practice in Child Neurology, Emergency Care and Oncology

Home institution: University of Debrecen


Tünde is a senior medical student at the University of Debrecen, and she spent three months in Buffalo, NY, where she was on rotation in child neurology, emergency care and oncology. She sees her future medical career in dermatology in her home town of Nyíregyháza. She has been interested in dermatology ever since she began university. As she feels that dermatology is one of the most experimental professions within medicine. In addition to pursuing her studies, she took part in a two-year comparative research of skin diseases in the last century and present.

Tünde took part in the program as she felt that a clinical practice experience gained at SUNY Buffalo would help her to perform at a higher level of standard in her studies and in her future career. She also wanted to improve her English language skills, in addition to strengthen her medical skills in a highly professional and cutting-edge environment. She also established new professional connections and forged friendships.

impact:

péter donÁt sarlós

internsHiP Focus: Clinical Practice in Surgical Oncology, Internal Medicine and Neurology

Home institution: University of Pécs


Péter is a senior medical student at the University of Pécs and he spent three months in Buffalo, NY, where his rotations were in surgical oncology, internal medicine and neurology. Péter’s interest lies in pediatric urology and pediatric surgery in the future. While surgical treatments in urology in Hungary are still open or laparoscopic operations, in the U.S. these surgeries are already done with minimally invasive methods using robotic surgery. Péter is interested in pediatric surgery because he believes that surgeons operating on children have a serious responsibility, as how they treat their patients will affect their lives throughout their lifetime.

“Péter is gaining experience in innovative surgical methods that will enable him to become a highly professional medical doctor in pediatrics. As he mentioned, doctors at his home university approach their patients with a holistic approach. A unique combination of his U.S. and home country experience will make Péter an outstanding pediatrician.”

impact:

19

Graduate Scholarship Program The HAESF Graduate Scholarship Program, endowed by U.S. Treasury funds, provides financial grants to the most accomplished recent Hungarian graduates to pursue terminal designation degrees that lead to professional occupations, or for professional, post-graduate, non-degree, certificate-granting programs at accredited American universities and colleges or certificate-granting institutions.

The goal of the program is to provide promising future leaders of Hungarian society an opportunity to receive an international education that leads to a professional occupation, thereby enhancing their contribution to their home country and its development upon their return.

Graduate Scholarship Program 2011 Award Recipients

Graduate Scholarship Program | 2012 FallHungarian-American Enterprise Scholarship Fund 20

istVÁn maklÁri

Program: MBA

academic institution: The Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania

The MBA program of the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania is among the best graduate business schools in the U.S. and the world. Students gain knowledge to take action within a rigorous, collaborative, invigorating environment. They learn new ways to think about pressing business challenges in a rapidly changing world, and then resolve them—now and into the future. All participants stay at the forefront of business knowledge and practice with Wharton’s unprecedented commitment to alumni for a life-long “knowledge partnership.”

“I hope to utilize the knowledge I gained in the U.S. in the field of telecommunications and transportation consulting with companies in these industries on how to improve their competitiveness and create an environment for innovations.”

impact:

sÁndor szilVÁsi

Program: Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering

academic institution: Vanderbilt University

Sándor graduated from the Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BUTE) in Electrical Engineering with a special focus on embedded information systems and digital signal processing in 2008. He got accepted into the Ph.D. program of the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department at Vanderbilt University the same year.

His research is focusing on FPGA-based wireless sensor networks and software defined radios, combining his prior coursework in embedded system design, digital communications and signal processing.

Upon completing his program, while continuing his research, he plans to enter academia and teach at BUTE.

péter tÁtrai

Program: MBA

academic institution: The Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania

Péter graduated from Corvinus University with a master’s degree in Finance, and earned his CFA Charter degree in 2010. Ever since earning his master’s degree, Péter has moved up in the ranks of a financial career, starting out as an analyst at the Citigroup and becoming Head of Treasury and Investor Relations at RFV Plc. (now called E-Star Alternative Plc.). The company is an alternative energy company specializing in the implementation of self-financed, technology-independent and supplier-independent complex energy efficiency-improvement projects, based on the optimal combination of fossil and renewable energy sources.

Péter eventually wants to establish his own corporate finance consulting firm focusing on small and medium-size enterprises. Péter also wishes to return to Corvinus University to improve the standard of financial education and to promote transparency and business ethics via his company.

impact:

Sandor’s U.S. academic experience will provide a model for furthering university and industrial partnerships in product research and development in this vital field.

impact:

Documents

2011 Participant Profiles