Dr. Pászthy is an internationally renowned child and adolescent psychiatrist whose work has shaped clinical practice, medical education, and mental-health advocacy for more than two decades. She is known for her deep commitment to the mental well-being of children, adolescents, and their families, and for her unique ability to integrate scientific rigor with compassionate, relational care. As a supervisor, she shows strong dedication to her students and unwavering commitment to their progress. Bea Pászthy was honored with the Excellent Supervisor Award by the Centre for Translational Medicine.
Dr. Bea Pászthy is a child and adolescent psychiatrist, pediatrician, psychotherapist, clinical pharmacologist, eating disorder specialist, trainer and supervisor family psychotherapist. She is an Associate Professor at Pediatric Center, Semmelweis University. Her clinical focus centers on the bio-psycho-social model of care and on psychosomatic disorders in childhood and adolescence. She was the founder of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department at the Pediatric Center, Semmelweis University in 2004, and she continues to serve as its distinguished leader in education and research. The launch and organization of the graduate, resident, and specialist training in the field of child psychiatry is also her achievement.
She is engaged in medical university education and is a popular lecturer at medical faculties across Europe. In addition to her teaching work, she developed the therapeutic protocol for eating disorders in children and adolescents and established the first medical care unit in Hungary for childhood eating disorders at Semmelweis University. Dr. Pászthy served as Chair of the Hungarian College of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry for nearly two decades, during which time 16 national clinical guidelines in child psychiatry were developed under her leadership that continue to shape child psychiatric practice in Hungary. She also served as the professional lead of the EFOP – Human Resources Development Operational Program – national infrastructure development project in child and adolescent psychiatry, contributing significantly to the modernization of child and adolescent mental health services in Hungary. Although her involvement is not directly related to autism, she has been supporting, promoting, and working closely with autism-related developments in healthcare for many years.
Dr. Pászthy joined the CTM training program as a supervisor this academic year. She has two Ph.D. students and is assisting a third with her academic work as an expert. “Joining this program has been a joy,” she notes. “The CTM’s student-centered, results-driven structure is genuinely impressive. The regular meetings, the transparent and easy-to-follow methodology, and the close collaboration with statisticians and methodology experts create an educational environment where young researchers can feel guided, supported, and inspired.”
Her two Ph.D. students within the CTM program are conducting research on neurodevelopmental disorders. Dr. Zsófia Beáta Wiegand, a graduate from the University of Pécs and soon-to-be pediatric specialist, investigates the effect of prenatal exposure to anti-inflammatory drugs as a potential risk factor for neurodevelopmental disorders. Her meta-analysis aims to contribute to safer, evidence-based medication practices during pregnancy. The results of this meta-analysis could help provide safe and effective medication for pregnant women. Dr. Anamaria Marchis, who recently graduated from the Vasile Goldiș Western University of Arad, studies the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder among infants with perinatal brain injury. Her findings may lead to improved early diagnosis and more effective clinical pathways for children affected by neurodevelopmental conditions. In addition to these two doctoral students, Dr. Pászthy also contributes her expertise to the research of Dr. Motahareh Pourshahroudi, a graduate of Birmingham City University, whose Ph.D. work explores the effects of maternal lifestyle factors on offspring neurodevelopment.
Dr. Pászthy finds the field of neurodevelopmental disorders – including autism – both scientifically compelling and socially urgent. She emphasizes that the rising prevalence of these conditions reflects multiple converging factors: broader diagnostic criteria, improved awareness, and genuine increases associated with gene-environment interactions. Among these environmental contributors, research increasingly examines prenatal medication exposure, maternal lifestyle, parental age, persistent low-grade inflammation and perinatal brain injury. What gives Dr. Pászthy the greatest satisfaction as a supervisor, however, is witnessing the collaborative spirit that naturally emerges among her students, Anamaria and Zsófia. “Teamwork and positive human relationships are not merely helpful – they are catalysts of creativity,” she explains. “When young researchers feel safe, supported, and intellectually respected, creative ideas begin to unfold. My hope is that the statisticians and methodological experts who work with us also feel just as welcomed and valued within our group.”
(Emese Szabó)