Ceremonial Senate Meeting to Confer Honorary Doctorates on the Occasion of March 15 (National Holiday)

Marianna Kocsis, full professor in the Department of Agrobiology at the Institute of Biology.

She was born in Zalaegerszeg in 1972. She earned a degree in biology with a major in secondary school teaching from Janus Pannonius University, as well as a degree in German language and literature with a major in secondary school teaching in 1997. As a student at the PTE Doctoral School of Biology, she defended his PhD dissertation in 2001. She obtained his habilitation at PTE in 2014. She is currently an associate professor in the Department of Agrobiology at the Institute of Biology, Faculty of Science, PTE. Previous positions and affiliations: PTE Institute of Biology, Department of Plant Biology and Botany (Assistant Professor, OTKA postdoctoral fellow), FVM Pécs Research Institute of Viticulture and Oenology (Research Assistant), University of Gothenburg, Department of Plant Taxonomy (postdoctoral fellow). Principal investigator, subprogram leader, and participant in numerous successful OTKA, NKFP, and other research grants. Engages in significant teaching activities in Hungarian and English. Course coordinator for numerous subjects, including the BSc program in Viticulture and Enology. Participant in Erasmus, EFOP, and other educational development projects. Core member and secretary of the PTE Doctoral School of Biology and Sports Biology. Supervisor of PhD students (1 student at 100% and 1 student at 50%). Supervisor of theses, dissertations, and projects for the TDK and OTDK competitions. She has received very positive student feedback on her teaching. Organizer and presenter of continuing education and public outreach lectures. Current research areas: quality parameters of domestic varietal and mixed flower honeys (pollen analysis, antioxidant capacity, macro- and microelement content, bioactivity, antibacterial activity), as well as the impact of external factors (harvest year, geographical origin) on these properties of honey. Based on data recorded in the MTMT, she has published a total of 110 scientific papers, with 538 independent citations and 651 total citations. She is also the author of 5 popular science books.

Tamás Atlasz, full professor in the Department of Sports Biology and Kinesiology at the Institute of Sports Science and Physical Education

He was born in Budapest in 1977. He earned his teaching credentials in biology for secondary schools and in chemistry for elementary schools from Janus Pannonius University in 2003. Since 2009, he has worked as a teaching assistant, assistant professor, and currently as an associate professor at the Institute of Sports Science and Physical Education, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs (PTE TTK). He has been the deputy head of the Institute since 2021 and become its acting head in 2024. Since 2022, he has served as the dean’s official representative responsible for implementing the Faculty of Science’s priority sectoral goals. He defended his PhD dissertation in 2009 as a student at the University of Pécs, Doctoral School of Biology. He obtained his habilitation at the University of Pécs in 2016. He has served as supervisor or participant on numerous successful OTKA, EFOP, GINOP, and other research grants. Current research areas: Investigation of retinal degeneration in animal models, retinal defense mechanisms, investigation of the cornea in rodents, and the effects of physical activity on the human body. He is actively involved in teaching and curriculum development in both Hungarian and English. He is responsible for numerous courses. PhD students who have completed their degrees under his supervision: 1 student (100%) and 2 students (50%). He currently supervises 10 PhD students. In 2017, he received a Master Teacher Gold Medal from the National Students' Scientific Association for his work as a supervisor of TDK and OTDK students. To date, his students have won a total of 20 awards, including 11 national awards and 6 first-place finishes at the national level. Supervisor of bachelor’s and master’s theses. He has received very positive student feedback on his teaching. He is the recipient of several professional awards and scholarships. He is an invited speaker and organizer of conferences. He is actively involved in grant applications, as well as in academic, talent development, and university community activities. According to data recorded in the MTMT, he has published a total of 270 scientific papers, including 68 journal articles, with 780 independent citations and a total of 1,551 citations.

Zoltán Szabolcs Csabai, full professor in the Department of Hydrobiology at the Institute of Biology

He was born in Nyíregyháza in 1975. In 1998, he earned a degree in Biology (ecology) from Kossuth Lajos University. As a student at the Doctoral School of Environmental Sciences at the University of Debrecen, he defended his PhD dissertation in 2003 as part of the Aquatic Ecology program. He obtained his habilitation at the University of Pécs in 2010. He is currently an associate professor and head of the Department of Hydrobiology at the Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, and a part-time senior research fellow in the Aquatic Invertebrates and Community Ecology Research Group at the HUN-REN Balaton Limnological Research Institute. Previous employers and positions: University of Debrecen, Department of Soil Science and Microbiology (departmental staff member), Masaryk University (part-time specialist), Department of General and Applied Ecology, Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs (teaching assistant, assistant professor). Supervisor and participant in numerous successful OTKA, KEHOP/GINOP, and other research grants. Recipient of professional awards, including the University of Pécs 2023 József Hámori Publication Award, as well as scholarships. Participant in mobility programs. Speaker and organizer of professional conferences and workshops. Engages in significant teaching activities in both Hungarian and English. Course coordinator for numerous courses. Accreditor and program coordinator for the Master’s program in Hydrobiology from 2012 to 2023. Full member and thesis supervisor of the Doctoral Program in Biology and Sports Biology at the University of Pécs. Thesis consultant for bachelor’s theses, master’s theses, PhD dissertations (4.5 students have earned their degrees), as well as award-winning TDK and OTDK research projects. He has received positive student feedback on his teaching. According to data recorded in the MTMT, he has published a total of 216 scientific publications, including 146 journal articles, which have received 1,808 independent citations and 2,783 citations in total.

Szabolcs Czigány, full professor in the Department of Physical and Environmental Geography at the Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences

He was born in Pécs in 1972. He earned a teaching degree in Geography and Biology from Janus Pannonius University in 1996. Since then, he has worked as a teaching assistant, assistant professor, and currently as an associate professor and head of the Department of Physical and Environmental Geography at the Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs. He earned his PhD in 2004 and completed his habilitation in Earth Sciences in 2011. He is actively involved in teaching and curriculum development in both Hungarian and English. His primary areas of teaching and research include soil science, hydrology, and hydrological modeling. He is responsible for numerous courses and serves as the program director for the Z-program. He has served as the supervisor or co-supervisor for five PhD students who have successfully defended their dissertations, and is currently the supervisor for three PhD students. He supervises bachelor’s theses and master’s theses. He has received very positive student feedback on his teaching. He is the recipient of several professional awards and scholarships. He is an invited speaker and organizer of conferences. He is actively involved in grant applications, as well as scientific and university public life. According to data recorded in the MTMT, he has published a total of 186 scientific papers, with 489 independent citations and 629 total citations. He has published a total of 203 papers.

András Trócsányi, full professor in the Department of Human Geography and Urban Studies at the Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences

He was born in Debrecen in 1969. He earned a degree in English and Geography as a secondary school teacher and a diploma in tourism management from Janus Pannonius University in 1994. Since then, he has worked at the Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences at the Faculty of Sciences (TTK) of the University of Pécs (PTE) in various positions, including as a PhD fellow, teaching assistant, assistant professor, and currently as an associate professor. From 2011 to 2022, he served as Vice Dean of the Faculty of Sciences, and has been Dean of the Faculty since 2022. He earned his PhD in Earth Sciences in 1999 and completed his habilitation in 2008. His research areas include cultural geography, population and settlement geography, and formal urbanization. He is actively involved in teaching and curriculum development in both Hungarian and English. He is responsible for numerous courses and serves as the head of the BSc Geography and the MSc Geography majors. He supervises bachelor's theses and master’s theses. He has served as the primary or co-supervisor for 12 PhD students who successfully defended their dissertations, and he is currently the supervisor for 5 PhD students. Supervisor of 14 OTDK competition entries, 11 of which received national awards. From 2001 to 2013, he served as the Hungarian coordinator and coach for the National Geographic Geography World Championship; since 2006, he has been the Hungarian coordinator and coach for the International Geography Union Geography Olympiad. He has received very positive feedback from students regarding his teaching. He has served as the supervisor, lead researcher, or participant in numerous successful OTKA, NKFI, EFOP, TÁMOP, and other research grants. He is the recipient of several professional awards and scholarships. He is a speaker and organizer of conferences. He is a visiting lecturer at universities abroad. He is actively involved in a wide range of scientific and academic public life, as well as professional talent development activities. According to data recorded in the MTMT, the total number of his scientific publications is 183, including 50 journal articles, 55 book chapters, and 12 books as an author or editor. The number of independent citations for these is 753, and the total number of citations is 810. The total number of his publications is 208.

Márk Váczi, full professor in the Department of Sports Biology and Kinesiology at the Institute of Sports Science and Physical Education (STI)

He earned a degree in Physical Education for secondary school teaching from Janus Pannonius University in 1996. In 2000, he earned an MSc in Sports Science from the University of Memphis (USA), and in 2010, an MSc in Athletics Coaching from Semmelweis University. He was a multiple national champion in track and field. He defended his PhD dissertation in 2010 as a student at the Doctoral School of Sports Science within the Faculty of Physical Education and Sports Science at Semmelweis University. He received his habilitation at the University of Pécs in 2016. From 2004 to 2010, he worked at the Institute of Health Promotion and Sports Science, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Eötvös Loránd University. Since 2010, he has been a faculty member at the Institute of Sports Science and Physical Education, Faculty of Education and Psychology, and currently holds the position of associate professor. Head of the STI from 2020 to 2023. He is actively involved in teaching and curriculum development in both Hungarian and English. He is responsible for numerous courses. Head of the BSc Physical Training major. Engages in a wide range of coaching and strength and conditioning activities across various sports (track and field, fencing, swimming). Supervisor of theses and dissertations. The number of students he has supervised who have earned a PhD is 1.5. He currently supervises 3 ongoing PhD theses and co-supervises 8 ongoing PhD theses. In 2021, he received a Master Teacher Gold Medal from the National Students' Scientific Association (OTDK) for his work as a supervisor of students who successfully competed in the OTDK. The students he has supervised or co-supervised have won a total of 22 awards at the TDK and OTDK to date, 15 of which are national awards. He has received very positive student feedback on his teaching. He is the recipient of several professional awards and scholarships. He is a speaker and organizer of conferences. He is actively involved in grant applications, talent development, and university community life. According to data recorded in the MTMT, he has published a total of 137 scientific papers, including 45 journal articles, with 515 independent citations and a total of 578 citations.