SzSA YearBook 2018/19

SZENT-GYÖRGYI STUDENTS
RÉKA TÓTH
Szeged Scientists Academy, 5 th year
University of Szeged,
Faculty of Medicine, 5 th year
YEAR OF BIRTH:
1995
FORMER
SZENT-GYÖRGYI
PUPIL:
yes
SZENT-GYÖRGYI
MENTOR:
Eszter Farkas
JUNIOR MENTOR:
Ákos Menyhárt
SPECIALIZATION:
neurology
SECONDARY
SCHOOL:
SZTE Ságvári Endre
Secondary School, Szeged
NAME OF TEACHER:
István Csigér
LANGUAGES:
English/advanced
French/intermediate
IMPORTANCE, AIMS AND POSSIBLE OUTCOME OF RESEARCH
Stroke is the third most common cause of death in Hungary and Europe coming only
after heart disease and cancer. Recurrent spreading depolarizations (SDs) spontaneously
occur in the cerebral cortex after experimental induction of focal ischemia. SDs generate
consistently and repeatedly in the injured human brain for at least over a week after
the initial trauma, and contribute to lesion progression by worsening the perfusion of
penumbra tissue. The central goal of our research is to understand the mechanisms that
mediate the SD-coupled cerebral blood flow response and SD related neurodegeneration.
Ultimately, we aim to identify targets to counteract the evolution of injurious spreading
depolarizations and limit the progression of secondary injury. Our methodological
approach includes classic electrophysiology, the use of ion selective microelectrodes,
cerebral blood flow monitoring, and novel, experimental, optical neuroimaging.
AMBITIONS AND CAREER GOALS
I would like to use the experience and knowledge that I acquire during my work, regardless
of whether I will be working in fundamental research or clinical research, After finishing
the university I would also like to start working on my PhD degree.
HONORS AND PRIZES
• 2019 – University of Szeged József Sófi Scholarship, Main Award,
• 2018 – University of Szeged József Sófi Scholarship, Special Award of Advisory Board.
• 2018 – SZTE TALENT Bronze level Scholarship, SZTE Talent Point, List of Excellence –
Cathegory of BA-BSc-MSc- Undivided training
• 2017 és 2018 – Student researcher Scholarship of the New National Excellence
Program.
• 2017- Ifj. Dr. Obál Ferenc Memorial Prize – as the absolute I. award of Regional
Scientific Students’ Associations Conference, 2017
PUBLICATIONS
Menyhárt, Á., Zölei-Szénási, D., Puskás, T., Makra, P., M.Tóth, O., Szepes, B.É., Tóth, R.,
Ivánkovits-Kiss, O., Obrenovitch, T.P., Bari, F., Farkas, E. (2017) Spreading depolarization
remarkably exacerbates ischemia-induced tissue acidosis in the young and aged rat brain.
Sci Rep. 7(1), 1154.
Menyhárt, Á., Farkas, A.E., Varga, D.P., Frank, R., Tóth, R., Bálint, A.R., Makra, P., Dreier, J.P., Bari,
F., Krizbai, I.A., Farkas, E.1* (2018) Large-conductance Ca2 + -activated potassium channels
are potently involved in the inverse neurovascular response to spreading depolarization.
Neurobiology of Diasease 119 41-52.
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