A Student at the University of Szeged

„…The 5 years I spent at the University of Szeged were the happiest years of my life.”

During her secondary school years, Katalin Karikó had the opportunity to participate in the preparatory camps of the then called József Attila University of Szeged in 1972 and 1973 respectively.

During her university studies in Szeged (1973-1978), students of the biology field were taught by acclaimed lecturers with international experience and up-to-date knowledge about foreign professional literature as well as the latest research techniques. In addition to the university lecturers, several courses were held by lead researchers from the Szeged Biological Research Centre. As a unique aspect of the then contemporary biology studies in Szeged, the lecturers aimed to achieve a balance between the dedicated laboratory work and the field observation of the living environment.

It was most exceptional, that Katalin Karikó received the “People’s Republic Study Scholarship” three times during the period of 1975-1978. The award given to students with excellent grades and performance.

“The 5 years I spent at the University of Szeged were the happiest years of my life” – said Karikó in an interview published on 09. April 2020, available on the SZTE News Archive. “I used to live at the Herman Ottó Dormitory in Újszeged, which had an amazing community and social life…” – Faculty nights were hosted on a regular basis, and the JATE Club opened its gates in 1973.

She met her future husband, Béla Francia in 1977.

She began working on her doctoral thesis at the Szeged Biological Research Centre in 1978 as a scholarship holder of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. Katalin Karikó defended her doctoral dissertation at the University of Szeged, receiving her biochemist doctoral degree in 1983

The University of Szeged is proud to have Katalin Karikó as an honoured member of its alma mater community with the award of Doctor Honoris Causa, and now researcher-professor of the University of Szeged.