Zsolt Datki: My hobby is realistic romanticism
During their working hours they teach university students, seek out remedies for incurable diseases, think up innovative inventions or explore the secrets of the universe. What do they change into after taking off the white coat at the end of their shift? How do the professors and researchers of the University of Szeged spend their free time? In our “Scientific hobbies” section we have asked Zsolt Datki, a neurobiologist at the Psychiatric Clinic of the Medical Faculty of the University of Szeged.
“How long have you been pursuing your hobby?”
“I’ve been drawn to the adventurous, romantic and yet dog-eat-dog world of the Wild West ever since I can remember. From the age of two my father took me to the cinema to see old, classic western films. Back then there was no window to the world in Transylvania other than the one movie on the screen every month. By now, the dream has become reality: I am a member of the Shooting Club in Tótkomlós, and my fellows and I revive the Wild West atmosphere at a festival every year.”
“Why do you like it, what kind of reward does it add to your life?”
“In my opinion – perhaps due to my székely (eastern Transylvanian ethnic Hungarian people) origins – it is battle and fighting, that embodies honour. Of course, I mean it in a good sense: I appreciate fellow humans and I never run away from challenges. To me, the history, symbols and mystic of the Wild West expresses exactly this.”
“What is your most memorable experience related to your hobby?”
“It was an indelible moment when my dad announced that my favourite western actor had not died in reality, and that the movie is just a game. It has remained a game for a lifetime.”
“What is your research area?”
“My research area is exploring, understanding and modelling the biochemical background of Alzheimer's disease. Every day I am surrounded by colleagues, cells, microscopes, the hustle and bustle of the lab, sometimes contemplation. All in all, I would call it a kind of romantic realism. At present, I am measuring gastrointestinal motility in neuropsychiatric disorders, with particular interest in anxiety symptoms. We look for causal relationships and/or parallels between mental illnesses and the electrical activity of the digestive system. We are convinced that somatic abnormalities can affect the emotional and mental mood of individuals, and the measurement of these parameters can become of diagnostic significance.”
“Is there a relationship between your work and your hobby?”
“There is no direct relationship between them, but it is better this way, as they are two separate worlds and I can wander between them to my liking. Unlike research, my hobby is realistic romanticism.”
Text: Anna Bobkó
Photo: Anna Bobkó
SZTE Experience
Ahmad Adha - Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
I am Ahmad Adha from Indonesia and currently a 3rd year student in Theoretical Linguistics PhD program. I chose the University of Szeged (SZTE) as my study destination because it is located in the center of the town and it is also the highest ranked university in Hungary. The university staff and the professors were very accommodating and understanding when I decided to change the program that suits my research topic. I am so glad that I can be a part of my current department, and of course SZTE, since it is also the Center of Pragmatic Research which aims to promote advanced linguistic pragmatic research with international collaborations. After graduating, I wish to continue to work in my academic field as a professor and a researcher. My advice for prospective SZTE students is to choose a university with a good academic reputation that fits their passion.
Ferdous Rahman – Faculty of Law and Political Sciences
My name is Ferdous Rahman and I am from Bangladesh. I am pursuing doctoral studies at the Department of Private International Law at the Faculty of Law and Political Science under the Stipendium Hungaricum Programme. Currently I am in the first year of my four-year PhD programme. I came to know about SZTE while exploring for the Stipendium Hungaricum programme. Among the other available options, this was my first choice. Apart from its excellent ranking, I got my supervisor with similar research interest. The increasing number of international students gave me a comfort of having a cosmopolitan environment. After starting my studies here in September 2019, I am convinced that I could not expect more. For prospective students, I would advise that SZTE can be their next home as I got mine. Everyone here including the professors, the administrators, and the students are very friendly and helpful. They make studies a joyous journey instead of pile of classes and books. After my graduation, I will return to my home country. The knowledge and the experience that I have been receiving here will be a great resource for my academic career. I intend to continue my research further and expect to contribute to policy formulation at national and international level."
