The knowledge gained at the University of Szeged can take students to the forefront of their professions anywhere in the world. Dr. Levente Juhász, a former student of SZTE’s Institute of Geography and Geosciences and now a researcher at the University of Florida, is a compelling example: he has received the prestigious 2026 Young Investigator Award from the ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information (IJGI).
Dr. Levente Juhász is an assistant professor of geospatial analytics at the University of Florida. He recently founded his own research group, the GATOR Lab – Geospatial Analytics, Technology and Open Research – and conducts his geomatics research at the university’s Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center (FLREC). His work is embedded within the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), a major academic unit that connects agriculture with a broad range of applied natural sciences and technologies. His research lies at the cutting edge of geoinformatics, artificial intelligence (GeoAI), and community-based data collection. Among other topics, he explores the geospatial applications of large language models (LLMs) and generative AI, as well as the inner workings of smartphone navigation and mapping systems – areas that have already attracted the attention of technology giants such as Meta.
The
Young Investigator Award recognizes outstanding early-career scientists from around the globe whose work advances innovation and makes a significant impact in the rapidly evolving field of geoinformatics and related disciplines. In this context, Dr. Levente Juhász’s achievement highlights how the internationally competitive knowledge and strong theoretical foundations gained at SZTE can translate into excellence in even the most innovative and fast-changing technological fields. Beyond specialist knowledge, the University of Szeged fosters the flexible problem-solving skills, research-oriented mindset, and strong academic foundation that enable graduates to excel on the global stage.
When asked what kind of mindset and methodological foundations he gained during his university years in Szeged – and how they continue to shape his work today – the researcher pointed to two defining pillars.
“My years in Szeged gave me two foundations that continue to shape the way I work: the systems thinking that defines geography, and a broad methodological grounding in geoinformatics. As a geographer, I learned to see the world not as a collection of isolated phenomena, but as a web of interconnected systems. That perspective carries directly into modern data and computational science: whether working with high-performance computing or artificial intelligence, it is crucial to look beyond individual data points and understand the spatial relationships that connect processes. My training in physical geography also taught me to remain grounded in the realities of the physical world. Today, I may work with abstract algorithms and massive datasets, but geographical relevance and a commitment to real-world problems remain at the heart of my research. The geoinformatics specialization likewise provided me with a broad, cross-cutting perspective – a real advantage in today’s highly specialized scientific landscape. Researchers often work within narrowly defined fields, but the comprehensive training I received at the University of Szeged enables me to recognize broader connections across geoinformatics and bring them together. That strong foundation helps ensure that technological development is never an end in itself, but rather a means of solving real spatial problems,” said Dr. Levente Juhász.
The researcher also reflected on how the knowledge and degree he gained at SZTE helped him compete successfully on the international stage – and ultimately establish and lead his own research laboratory.
“My competitiveness was built on two things: the international recognition of my SZTE degree and, even more importantly, the depth of knowledge behind it. From a practical perspective, it made a real difference that the U.S. university system fully recognized both my degree and the courses I had completed in Hungary. This allowed several of my master’s-level credits to be transferred smoothly into my doctoral program, significantly accelerating my progress. The administrative support built into the SZTE degree also proved valuable. The bilingual degree certificate and detailed English-language diploma supplement spared me costly and time-consuming credential evaluation procedures. Far more important than the documents themselves, however, was the technical and theoretical preparation I brought with me. I never felt that the knowledge I had gained in Szeged was less competitive than the academic foundation acquired anywhere else in the world – quite the opposite. Thanks to the thorough methodological training I received at the University of Szeged, I was not only able to hold my own among researchers from around the globe, but also to define independent, innovative research directions. That confidence and strong professional foundation have been essential in bringing me to where I am today: leading my own research laboratory, the GATOR Lab, and integrating the latest technologies – including generative artificial intelligence – into the field of geoinformatics,” explained the SZTE alumnus.
Finally, Dr. Juhász shared his advice for current students in Szeged who may be considering an international research career of their own.
“I never really thought in terms of building an ‘international career’ – I simply followed the science. My most important advice to students is to find the field that genuinely sparks their curiosity, one they are both able and eager to explore in depth. Curiosity is the foundation of a research career: do not be afraid to ask difficult questions, and make sure you have the inner drive to keep searching for answers. Above all, I believe scientific integrity matters most. For a scientist, it is ultimately the most rewarding path; where that path happens to lead geographically is secondary. Of course, the right opportunities also have to come together, and I am grateful to have had the chance to conduct research in Italy, Austria, and the United States. But a career in science should be shaped first and foremost by the desire to discover – and by the ability to make the most of the opportunities that arise,” concluded the geographer.
Building on the foundations laid at the University of Szeged, Dr. Levente Juhász is now helping shape the future of artificial intelligence applications in mapping, geoinformatics, and urban planning – an achievement that is a source of pride for both SZTE and the wider Hungarian scientific community. We warmly congratulate him on this prestigious recognition and wish Dr. Juhász and the GATOR Lab team continued success in advancing the next generation of geospatial innovation.
Original Hungarian article by Ferenc Lévai
Photos: Dr. Levente Juhász
