Prof. Béla MERKELY MD, PhD, MSc, DSc, FESC, FACC
Rector

Born:
28 June 1966, Budapest

Academic degree:

  • 1999 PhD. degree. “Experimental and clinical investigation of the mechanism of ventricular arrhythmias”
  • 2006 Doctorate of Science (DSc) “Pathomechanisms of tachyarrhythmias and new electrophysiological non-pharmacological treatment methods”
  • 2006 Habilitation Semmelweis University (Cardiology)

Current position

  • Chairman – Department of Aviation and Space Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University (since 2022)
  • Rector – Semmelweis University (since 2018)
  • Director and Chair – Semmelweis University Heart and Vascular Center (since 2012)
  • Professor, Subject Manager – Pázmány Péter Catholic University (since 2013)
  • President – Cardiology Council of Professional College (since 2011)
  • Head of the Departmental Group – Department of Cardiology and Vascular Neurology Departmental Group, Semmelweis University (since 2009)
  • Professor of Medicine – Semmelweis University (since 2008)
  • Director and Chair – Semmelweis University Heart Center (since 2007)


Schools

2013-2014 Faculty of Health and Public Administration, Health Service Management Training Center, Semmelweis University – Master of Science in Health Care Management
2006-2009 Health Service Management Training Center, Semmelweis University – Health Care Manager
1984-1991 Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University (SOTE) – Doctor of Medicine (summa cum laude)
1986-1991 Member of the Students’ Scientific Association, then Demonstrator, Department of Pathophysiology
holder of the Scholarship of the Hungarian Republic
1980-1984 Táncsics Mihály Highschool


Postgraduate training

2022 GCP training
2018 GCP training
2017 Licence in transesophageal echocardiography
2017 Licence in transthoracic echocardiography
2017 Specialization exam in sport medicine
2015 Specialization exam in clinical pharmacology
2015 GCP training
2014 MSc Diploma – Manager in Health Economics (Semmelweis University, Health Service Management Training Centre)
2010 GCP training
2009 Manager in Health Economics (Semmelweis University)
2009 Interventional Cardiologist license – expert level
2007 EHRA Cardiac Pacing and ICD Accreditation-Device Therapy
2007 Arrhythmology license – Invasive Electrophysiology
2007 Arrhythmology license – Device therapy (PM, ICD, CRT)
2005 Lipidology exam
1998 Specialization exam in cardiology
1996 Specialization exam in internal medicine
1991 Medical Doctor (summa cum laude), SOTE, Budapest

 

Language skills

English Intermediate level, Type C
German Intermediate level, Type C
German Advanced level, Type A

 

 Grants

2022-2023 Thematic Excellence Programme (TKP2021-NVA-12): Telemetric follow-up and care of patients with pacemaker and ICD implantation
2022-2025 Thematic Excellence Programme (TKP2021-NKTA-46): Healthy nation – Safety and effectiveness in competitive and leisure sports
2021-2022 Thematic Excellence Programme (TKP2021-EGA funding scheme) of the Ministry for Innovation and Technology in Hungary, TKP2021-EGA-23 project (Translational research and innovations for the diagnostics and therapy of ischemic heart disease and its comorbidities) of Semmelweis University
2021-2022 Thematic Excellence Programme (2020-4.1.1.-TKP2020) of the Ministry for Innovation and Technology in Hungary, Bioimaging thematic programme of Semmelweis University (NKFIH-1277-2/2020)
2020-2024 Investigation of the cardiac aspects of athlete performance NKFIH K_20 “OTKA” Research grant call 135076
2021-2022 Thematic Excellence Programme 2021 (2020-4.1.1.-TKP2021); Therapeutic Development
2021-2022 Thematic Program of Excellence 2021 (2020-4.1.1.-TKP2020); BIOImaging Theme
2020-2021 Thematic Excellence Programme 2020 (2020-4.1.1.-TKP2020); Therapeutic Development
2020-2021 Thematic Program of Excellence 2020 (2020-4.1.1.-TKP2020); BIOImaging Theme
2019-2020 Thematic Excellence Programme 2019 (TIP2019); BIOImaging Theme
2019-2020 Program for Institutional Excellence in Higher Education 2019 (FIKP2019); Therapeutic Development
2018-2019 Program for Institutional Excellence in Higher Education 2018 (FIKP2018); Therapeutic Development
2016-2019 National Heart Program – Research and Innovation in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Ischemic Heart Disease and Heart Failure (NVKP_16-1-2016-0017)
2016-2020

Experimental and clinical investigation of short- and long-term cardiovascular effects of professional sport (NKTH OTKA K 120277)

2014-2017 Budapest-CRT Upgrade Principial Investigator initiated trial (unrestricted grant of Boston Scientific; 1.060.000 Euro)
2013-2017 EU FP 7 Grant: „Diagnostic Imaging Strategies for Patients with Stable Chest Pain and Intermediate Risk of Coronary Artery Disease: Comparative Effectiveness Research of Existing Technologies” (DISCHARGE, FP7-Health-2012.2.4-2, project no: 603226)
2013-2017 EU FP 7 Grant: „Comparative Effectiveness Research to Access the Use of Primary ProphylacTic Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators in Europe” (EU-CERT-ICD, project no: 602299)
2012-2016 Remodelling and reverse remodelling in heart failure – experimental models and human studies (project director)
2008-2010 Bridge of Semmelweis – scientific tender supported by the European Union (“Project of TÁMOP”), project director
2007-2011 Clinical and experimental study on heart failure associated with arrhythmias
2007 Studying the pathomechanism of heart failure; new prospects for an optimal resynchronisation therapy
2006-2008 Analysis of the pathomechanisms in heart failure; pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment facilities
2001-2005 Clinical and experimental investigations on the prevention options and mechanisms of malignant ventricular arrhythmias, study director
2001-2004 The role of endothelin-1 in the pathogenesis of malignant ventricular arrhythmias. Clinical and experimental investigations, study director
2000-2002 Examining the role of endothelin in different pathophysiological conditions
2000-2001 In vivo studies on the influencing factors in the development of clinical and experimental tachyarrhythmias, study director
1997-1999 Examination of the pathomechanism of malignant ventricular arrhythmias, study director
1997-1999 Experimental electrophysiological analysis of major ventricular arrhythmias, study director
1994-1996 Electrophysiological examination of major ventricular arrhythmias, study director


Awards

2023 Gold medal of the Cardiology Society of Serbia for humanitarian aid in the treatment of cardiac patients, excellence in practical and scientific achievements, the introduction of new technologies in the diagnostics and treatment of cardiovascular diseases, and organisational improvement of cardiology
2023 Imre Zárday Memorial Medal
2022 Honorary Doctor of the Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Iasi
Honorary Citizen of the municipality of Iasi
2022 Honorary Doctor of University of Trnava
2021 Dr. István Orbán Memorial Medal of the National Association of Hungarian Pharmaceutical Manufacturers for his work supporting the recognition, maintenance and strengthening of the Hungarian pharmaceutical industry on the domestic and international scene
2021 Honorary Doctor of the University of Veterinary Medicine
2021 Lions Fair Play Award, for his decade-long participation in goodwill services
2021 Széchenyi Prize, recognizing the outstanding contribution to the academic life in
Hungary
2021 Man of the Year (Observer) – for his outstanding professional work in 2020 and for his activities protecting the Hungarian population
2019 Honorary Doctor of “Vasil Goldis” Western University of Arad
2019 Honorary Member of the Serbian Society of Cardiology
2019 Certificate of Recognition for the Heart Transplantation Working Group of the Heart and Vascular Clinic of Semmelweis University in recognition of outstanding professional activity
2018 ESC Silver Medal
2018 Honorary Member of the Romanian Society of Cardiology
2018 Honorary Member of the Croatian Society of Cardiology
2018 Award in recognition of decades of pioneering work in basic research and clinical landmark studies (1st Department of Cardiology and Angiology, University Heart Center Freiburg)
2018 Honorary Professor of the Republic of Kazahstan
2017 Kossuth Zsuzsanna Award
2017 Honorary President of the Hungarian Society of Cardiology
2017 Honorary President and Honorary Professor of Northern Jiangsu People’s Hospital
2017 Honorary Professor of the Peking Union Medical College Hospital
2017 Doctor Honoris Causa of the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia
2016 Honorary Professor Voronezh N. N. Burdenko State Medical University
2016 Order of Merit of the Hungarian Republic, Commander Cross
2015 Dénes Gábor Award
2014 Városmajor Heart and Vascular Center – belonging to Semmelweis University and led by Béla Merkely – receives the “Cardiology Centre of Excellence” Prize (Medicina Top200)
2014 Astellas Certificate of Merit for the outstanding professional knowledge and magnificient human attitude (Astellas Award was running in the frame of the Physician of the Year Competition)
2014 Gold Medal of Hungarian Society of Cardiology
2014 Ministerial Certificate of Merit for the Cardiology Technicians of Városmajor Heart and Vascular Center’s Intensive Care Unit – belonging to Semmelweis University and led by Béla Merkely – as a care unit of high priority
2013 Career Achievement Award (Jagellonian University Krakow)
2013 Medal of Honour for the scientific activities, the support and promotion of scientific work (Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia, Moscow)
2013 Honorary Citizen of Budapest
2013 Pro Societate Award of the Hungarian Society of Cardiology for the outstanding work executed as Executive Board Member and Advisory Board Member from 2010 to 2013
2012 Elite Reviewer in Europace
2011 Medallion of the 30th Anniversary National Scientific Student’s Conference
2011 Semmelweis University Heart Center – “FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence”
2011 Markusovszky Award, Orvosi Hetilap
2011 Order of Merit of the Hungarian Republic, Officer’s Cross
2009 Hungarian Academy of Sciences Award for Excellence
2008 Jendrassik Ernő Award
2007 Master Tutor Gold Medal – Award of the National Scientific Student’s Organization
2007 Semmelweis University Tutor Award of the Scientific Student’s Organization
2006 Founder of the Heart Center in Győr, Award
2006 Pro Civitate Sana Award
2004 Bolyai Award of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (MTA)
2004 Rudolf-Thauer-Posterpreis 3rd prize: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Kardiologie
2004 Pro Societate Award of the Hungarian Society of Cardiology
2003 Cardiovascularis Centrum Award
2002 Semmelweis University, Tutor Award of the Scientific Student’s Organization
2000 Gábor György Award
2000 – 2003 Bolyai Research Scholarship of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences
1999 10th World Congress of Electrophysiology, International Virchow Award 1st prize
1997 International Union of Angiology European Chapter´s Congress – Physiology Prize
1996 Adorján Ferenc Award
1995 3rd Alpe-Adria Cardiology Meeting – 2nd prize
1998 Táncsics Mihály Award, Gold level

 

Publications, presentations

5 edited books, 2 specialized books, 48 book chapters (6 in English, 36 in Hungarian), 6 university coursebook chapters, contribution to 22 university coursebook chapters, 2 university textbooks

• 915 international and 312 Hungarian articles
Cumulative impact factor: 6690,318
• Independent citations: 79.913
• Hirsch index: 74
• g-index: 177
• MTMT ID: 10002691

List of Dr. Béla Merkely’s publications in the Hungarian Database of Scientific Works

Membership, elected functions

Hungarian Society of Cardiology (MKT); Hungarian Society of Cardiac Surgery, Hungarian Atherosclerosis Society, European Society of Cardiology (ESC), International Society for Heart Research;

2022 – Honorary member of the Kazakh Society of Arrhythmologists
2022 – Member of Academia Europaea
2022 – Member of the editorial board of the Cardiovascular Medicine magazine
2020 – 2024 Vice President of the Hungarian University-College Association
2020 – Head of the Clinical Epidemiological Analysis Working Group of the Four Medical University
2020 – Head of the Semmelweis University Epidemiological Committee
2019 – President of the Semmelweis University Sports Medicine Professional Committee
2018 – 2023 Member of the Board of the Swimming Sports Association, Győr
2017 Member of the FINA Sports Medicine Committee
2017 Honorary President of the Hungarian Society of Cardiology
2016 –

Member of the Editorial Board for the journal “Journal of Cardiovascular Emergencies”

2016 –

Deputy Editor for the journal “Heart Beat Journal”

2016 – 2018 Vice President for National Cardiac Societies of the European Society of Cardiology
2016 –

President of the China-CEEC Hospital Cooperation Alliance (CC-HC)

2016 –

President of the Scientific Board of the Hungarian Society of Cardiology

2016

Member of the Editorial Board for the journal “Journal of Hungarian Interdisciplinary Medicine”

2016 – President of the Cardiology Section of Professional College
2015 – 2018 Vice-rector for Clinical Affairs, Semmelweis University
2015 – 2017 Co-Chair of EuROTA Club
2015 – 2017 Chair of the National Cardiac Societies Committee of the European Heart Rhythm Association
2015 Member of European Academy of Sciences and Arts
2015- Member of the Editorial Board for the journal “Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine”
2015- Member of the Editorial Board for the journal “Advances in Interventional Cardiology”
2014-2016 Councillor and member of the Board of the European Society of Cardiology
2014- Member of the Editorial Board for the journal “World Journal of Cardiology”
2013 – 2016 President of Workgroup of Interventional Cardiology, Hungarian Society of Cardiology
2013 – 2015 Executive Board Member, Treasurer of the European Heart Rhythm Association
2013 – Non-academician General Assembly Member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences
2013 – Gremium President of the professional training “Medical rehabilitation in cardiology” of Semmelweis University
2012 – Member of the Editorial Board for the journal “Clinical Research in Cardiology”, the official scientific journal of the German Society for Cardiology – Heart and Circulation Research)
2011 – 2016 Member of the EuroPCR Relations Committee, EAPCI
2011 – Member of the Editorial Board for the journal ‘Cor et Vasa’ (Journal of the Czech Society of Cardiology and Czech Society for Cardiovascular Surgery)
2011 – Fellow of the American College of Cardiology (FACC)
2011 – 2013 EHRA National Societies – Eastern Initiative Coordinator: ICD for Life
2010 – 2014 Member of the Credential Committee, European Society of Cardiology
2010 – 2013 President of the Hungarian Society of Cardiology
2011 – 2016

Member of the Cardiology Section of Professional College President of the Cardiology Section of Professional College

2010 – Deputy Chief in Editor of the journal: “Interventional Medicine and Applied Science”
2009 – President of Students’ Scientific Association of Semmelweis University
2009 – 2011 Co-chairman of the National Society Committee of the European Heart Rhythm Association
2008 – Gremium President of the professional training “Cardiology” of Semmelweis University
2008 – Editor-in-Chief of the national medical Journal “Medical Education” (founded in 1911)
2007 – 2010 President of the Working Group of Interventional Cardiology, Hungarian Society of Cardiology
2007 – 2009 Secretary of Students’ Scientific Association of Semmelweis University
2006 – 2009 National Delegate of the Hungarian Medical Council
2006 – 2011 Member of the Scientific and Research Ethical Board of the Health Scientific Committee
2006 – 2014 Member of the editorial board of Lege Artis Medicinae (LAM)
2006 – Member of the editorial board of the Hungarian issue of JACC
2005 – Member of Hungarian Society of Atherosclerosis
2004 – Member of the Scientific Board of the Hungarian Society of Cardiology
2004 – Member of Committee of the Working Group of Interventional Cardiology, Hungarian Society of Cardiology
2004 – 2017 Member of the Advisory Board, later member of the National Societies Board, European Heart Rhythm Association
2004 – 2007 President of the Working Group on Arrhythmia and Pacemaker, Hungarian Society of Cardiology
2001 – Fellow of the European Society of Cardiology (FESC)
2001 – 2004 Vice-President of the Working Group on Arrhythmia and Pacemaker, Hungarian Society of Cardiology
2000- Reviewer in the journal “Cardiovascular Research” and “Heart Rhythm”
1999 – 2006 Member of the editorial board of Progress Biomedical Research
1998 – Member of the North-American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology (NASPE, Heart Rhythm)
1996 – 2004 National Delegate of the Working Group on Cardiac Pacing, European Society of Cardiology
1995 – 2001 Secretary of the Working Group on Arrhythmia and Pacemaker, Hungarian Society of Cardiology
1990-1996 Chairman of the Society of German and Hungarian Students and Scientists of Heidelberg, Germany
1991- Member of the European Society of Cardiology, and of the Hungarian Society of Cardiology