Personal Information
Name: Donát Szalai
Job Title: MD/PhD Student
E-mail: szalai.donat@stud.semmelweis.hu
Birth Date: 2003.09.27.
Education
2025-present MD-PhD Student
Semmelweis University, Theoretical and Translational Medicine Division, Cellular and Molecular Biophysics Program
Supervisor: Dr. Kristóf Molnár (molnar.kristof1@semmelweis.hu)
2022-present Pharmacy Student (Dr. Pharm)
Semmelweis University, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Thesis: Investigation of pH-dependent Swelling of Submicron Hydrogel Fibrous Membranes
2018-2022 Hight School Student
János Karácsony Catholic High School
Description: Graduated with excellent grades. My interests included mathematics, chemistry, and physics.
Languages
- Hungarian (native)
- English (B2 general, enriched with professional material)
- Latin (B1 general)
Special Courses and Skills
- European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL)
- Category B driving license
Research Activities
2024-present Student Researcher (TDK)
Laboratory of Nanochemistry, Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
Description: Conducting research on implants, fiber formation technologies, and the swelling kinetics of PASPDAB-based membranes
Supervisor: Dr. Kristóf Molnár (molnar.kristof1@semmelweis.hu)
2023-2024 Student Researcher (TDK)
Translational Behavioural Neuroscience Research Group, HUN-REN Institute of Experimental Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
Description: Focused on the neural mechanisms that mediate the long-term behavioral effects of early-life social stress
Supervisor: Dr. Éva Mikics (mikicseva@gmail.com)
2023 Student Researcher (TDK)
Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
Description: Learned HPLC techniques for reverse-phase chiral separations
Supervisor: Dr. Gergő Tóth (gergo.toth85@gmail.com)
Educational activities
2025-present Teaching Assistant
Faculty of Pharmacy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
Description: Teaching practical classes in Colloid Science for second-year pharmacy students
Competitions
2nd Place – Pharmaceutical Technology Academic Competition
Semmelweis University, 2025
3rd Place – Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Analysis Academic Competition
Semmelweis University, 2025
3rd Place – Physiology Academic Competition
Semmelweis University, 2024
3rd Place – Organic Chemistry Academic Competition
Semmelweis University, 2024
2nd Place – Quantitative Analytical Chemistry Academic Competition
Eötvös Loránd University, 2024
1st Place – Medical Biophysics Academic Competition
Semmelweis University, 2023
Conference Presentations
Oral Presentations:
- Donát Szalai: Szubmikron-hidrogél szálas szövetek pH-függő duzzadásának vizsgálata; Semmelweis University Students’ Scientific Conference, Biophysics section; 12-14th February 2025; Budapest, Hungary (XXX place; Presentation in Hungarian)
- Donát Szalai: Szubmikron-hidrogél szálas szövetek pH-függő duzzadásának vizsgálata; InterUni Conference; 25th November 2025; Budapest, Hungary (Presentation in Hungarian)
- K. Molnar, D. Szalai, A. Jedlovszky-Hajdu: Synthesis and properties of hydrogel fibers; Chemistry Physics and Biology of Colloids and Interfaces (CPBCI); 15-19th June 2025; Eger, Hungary
- Donat Szalai, Angela Jedlovszky-Hajdu, Kristof Molnar: Synthesis and properties of hydrogel fibers; 8th European Symposium on Electrohydrodynamic Atomization and Electrospinning (ESEE); 28-30th April 2025; Nicosia, Cyprus
- Donát Szalai: Nanohidrogél szálas szövetek pH-függő duzzadásának vizsgálata; György Romhányi Conference, Biophysics and Biochemistry Section; 21-23rd March 2025; Pécs, Hungary (1st place; Presentation in Hungarian)
- Donát Szalai: Nanohidrogél szálas szövetek pH-függő duzzadásának vizsgálata; Semmelweis University Students’ Scientific Conference, Biophysics section; 6-8th February 2025; Budapest, Hungary (2nd place; Presentation in Hungarian)
Poster Presentations:
- Donat Szalai: Investigation of pH-dependent swelling of submicron-hydrogel fibrous membranes; Semmelweis Symposium; 17-19th November 2025; Budapest, Hungary
- Donat Szalai, Kristof Molnar: Investigation of pH-dependent swelling of nanohydrogel fibrous membranes; 30th Congress of the Hungarian Biophysical Society (MBFT),
Joint Life Sciences Conference of MBFT-MÉT-MMVBT-MABIT; 2-5th September 2025; Szeged, Hungary - D. Szalai, K. Molnar: Investigation of pH-dependent swelling of nanohydrogel fibrous membranes; Chemistry Physics and Biology of Colloids and Interfaces; 15-19th June 2025; Eger, Hungary
- Donát Szalai: Nanohidrogél szálas szövetek pH-függő duzzadásának vizsgálata;
29th Korányi Frigyes Scientific Forum; 27-28th March 2025; Budapest, Hungary (Special prize; Presentation in Hungarian)
Publications
Thesis
- Donát Szalai (2025) Investigation of pH-dependent Swelling of Submicron Hydrogel Fibrous Membranes. Rector’s Essay Contest (2nd Award), Semmelweis University
Conference Announcement
- Szalai D. (2025) Investigation of pH-dependent swelling of nanohydrogel fibrous membranes. Joint Life Sciences Conference (MÉT-MBFT-MMVBT-MABIT), Szeged, 2025 Abstract Booklet, p. 217, ISBN 978-963-688-0682
Memberships
2023-present Kerpel-Fronius Talent Support Programme
2023-present List of Excellent Students of the Semmelweis University
2022-present Hungarian Pharmaceutical Students’ Association
2022-present Korányi Frigyes College for Advanced Studies
2022-2023 VeBio Talent Association
Awards
2025, Pannonia Scholarship Program (Research-Oriented Student Mobility)
2024, National Higher Education Scholarship
2022, Prima Primissima Diploma of Gyula
2022, János Karácsonyi Award for Excellence