Katalin Karikó established the JATE Award at the University of Szeged

Katalin Karikó established the JATE Award at the University of Szeged with a donation of USD 500,000 – the Nobel laureate biochemist announced on her latest visit to her alma mater on April 16, 2024.

Professor Karikó explained that although it was never the possibility of receiving awards and prizes that motivated her, she understood that awards play an important role in drawing attention to the significance of research.

At the celebratory meeting held on Tuesday at the SZTE József Attila Education and Information Center (TIK), Katalin Karikó announced that she decided to donate the money she received with the Nobel Prize, USD 500,000, to the University of Szeged, and she has already transferred the amount.

As the professor later explained, this amount will support the most talented researchers and students and will be used to fund the JATE Award.

The name of the newly established award refers to József Attila University (HUN: József Attila Tudományegyetem), the former name of the University of Szeged, used back when Professor Katalin studied here. The award will be given annually and will include a cash prize of USD 10,000. Katalin Karikó promised to come to SZTE to present the JATE Award, as long as possible.

After the celebratory meeting, Professor Karikó opened the new permanent exhibition – located on the ground floor of TIK – dedicated to her life and career. She donated one of the authentic replicas of her Nobel Prize medal to the University of Szeged and placed it into a glass display box at the exhibition.

The permanent Karikó exhibition can be visited free of charge during the opening hours of the SZTE József Attila Education and Information Center (TIK).

Photos: Szilvia Molnar / Szegedify