He is a third-year Ph.D. student at the Centre for Translational Medicine, and his main research area is childhood cancer. His study focuses on the quality of life of children with cancer after recovery and the challenges they face. The research about it will soon be published in a highly respected, international peer-reviewed journal. In February, Dr. Márk Viktor Hernádfői was named the Student of the Month (Year 2-3).
Dr. Márk Viktor Hernádfői started his scientific journey as a student researcher at Semmelweis University, initially at the Department of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research, and later at the Pediatric Center Tűzoltó Street Department. “At the pediatric clinic I had the opportunity to participate in joint research under the supervision of Miklós Garami. My clinical interests have turned increasingly towards pediatrics and pediatric oncology. Dr. Garami suggested the Ph.D. program of the Centre for Translational Medicine, and I was eager to join. In addition to my Ph.D. work, I have been involved in the program as a scientific methodological supervisor since last year, supporting the research of several students in the Pediatrics Group. Scientific work is a passion of mine, and I find this training invaluable.”
Dr. Hernádfői has two major research topics. One is to explore the burden of childhood cancer. In this study, Dr. Hernádfői examined the social and economic challenges faced by adults affected by such diseases in their childhood. “Our research will soon be published in a highly respected, international peer-reviewed journal. We will continue this research and would like to conduct a national survey on how survivors of childhood cancer have been able to reintegrate into society in Hungary. Furthermore, we will utilize EUROSTAT databases, which we accessed with the help of the Academia Europaea. In this database, we analyze micro-data from one of the large-item questionnaires.”
Another major research topic of Dr. Hernádfői is to explore the unique needs of children with childhood cancer and cancer survivors. For example, they might need psychological help, learning support, and many other services. “We have an another ongoing project, which focuses on neuroblastoma, the most common childhood extracranial solid tumor. A new therapeutic drug has recently emerged for the treatment of this disease, and we are now analyzing its usage in Hungary based on registries. The unique support I receive from Bethesda Children's Hospital, where I am a resident, enables me to balance clinical work with research seamlessly. The hospital has supported my Ph.D. training from the very beginning. I also get a lot of help from my supervisor and the experts at CTM, this support is instrumental in the success of my work. I would like to continue my research after my Ph.D. training. It is very important, because as we gain more clinical experience, new clinical questions emerge that are important to be answered.”
(Emese Szabó)