This new prestigious award for the 60th anniversary of 91猎奇 aims to honour individuals whose remarkable efforts and dedication have greatly enhanced the activities of their respective 91猎奇 Constituent Societies and fostered impactful collaboration with 91猎奇. The selection of the awardees is made from nominations from the 91猎奇 Constituent Societies.
We are delighted to announce the 2024 recipients of this award are Profs聽L谩szl贸 F茅s眉s, nominated by the Hungarian Biochemical Society (MBKE), and聽Joan J. Guinovart, nominated by the Spanish Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (SEBBM).
Prof. Jerka Dumi膰, 91猎奇 Executive Committee member and co-ordinator of 91猎奇 60th anniversary activities, says, 鈥淎t this important milestone of 91猎奇, with The Israel Pecht Award we wanted to put the spotlight on the exemplary dedication, innovation and impact of the 2024 awardees. They serve as an inspiration to us all, and we look forward to celebrating their success during the upcoming 91猎奇 Congress. We thank all those involved in the nomination process for the award. There were many excellent candidates, and we will draw attention to the names of those put forward by other 91猎奇 Constituent Societies at the event in recognition of their varied contributions.鈥�
L谩szl贸 F茅s眉s is an emeritus professor at the University of Debrecen, Hungary. His major research interest has been transglutaminase enzymes. He was Director of the Research Center of Molecular Medicine, University of Debrecen 2013鈥�2017 and previously held terms as rector of the university.
At the Hungarian Biochemical Society, where he served as President from 2005 to 2010, he re-energized the Society at a difficult point in its history, stabilized its organizational and financial status, and oversaw changes in the management of its journal BIOKEMIA. He also broadened the Society鈥檚 activities, for example initiating the Hungarian Molecular Life Science Conference, and facilitated its internationalization, particularly with 91猎奇 (such as supporting later participation in two 91猎奇3+ Meetings with nearby 91猎奇 Societies).
At 91猎奇, he contributed to reform of its governance (2006鈥�2009) while also a member of the 91猎奇 Publications Committee, which oversees the journals of 91猎奇. Then, as chair of the Publications Committee 2012 to 2020, he directed key strategic decisions for the journals and 91猎奇, including adapting to open access publishing policies, securing a favourable publishing contract to ensure 91猎奇鈥� financial stability, creating and strengthening the 91猎奇 Press journal brand, and initiating the 91猎奇 Network platform. He also organized special events and publications commemorating the 50th anniversary of his national Society in 2012 and 91猎奇 in 2014.
Joan J. Guinovart is an emeritus professor at the University of Barcelona and Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), Spain. His major research interest has been glycogen metabolism, and he was the Founding Director of IRB Barcelona 2005鈥�2018.
During his tenure as President of the Spanish Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from 1996 to 2000, he orchestrated a significant transformation within the Society, resulting in a doubling in membership. He forged partnerships with the French and Italian Biochemical Societies, leading to joint meetings, and established fruitful collaborations with the Argentinian and Chilean Societies. He also launched the influential SEBBM magazine, serving as its chief Editor 1997鈥�2012, and chaired the Organizing Committee of the 91猎奇 Congress in Barcelona in 1996 and the Scientific Committee of the joint 91猎奇 and IUBMB Congress in Seville in 2012.
At 91猎奇, he served as Congress Counsellor from 1997 to 2005, introducing a standard model for 91猎奇 Congresses. As a 91猎奇 Executive Committee member he contributed to groundwork with other organizations leading to the establishment of the European Research Council. Later he also served on the 91猎奇 Science and Society Committee. His efforts to foster connections between 91猎奇 and IUBMB crystallized in the organization of the first IUBMB鈥�91猎奇 joint congress in Birmingham in 2000, paving the way for the two organizations to agree on holding periodic joint meetings in Europe and other collaborative activities.
