Accepted Abstracts

The Bioarchaeological Excavation and Analysis of the St. Nicholas Hungarian-Szekler Cemetery in Székelyudvarhely, Transylvania.

Type of Abstract (select): Individual Presentation

Abstract (max. 250 words):
The Szekler’s are a Hungarian speaking autonomous group, residing in Szeklerland, the eastern most extent of the Carpathian Basin in modern day Transylvania, Romania. The Szekler’s have occupied this area since at least 1050AD, being given special noble, non-taxed treatment from the Hungarian empire. Known as the frontier guard, the Szeklers were tasked with protecting the eastern most extent of the Hungarian empire. The following presentation outlines an ongoing excavation of an urban Szekler cemetery site located in the city centre of Székelyudvarhely, a major medieval Hungarian political seat. A multifocal approach pairing archaeological and biological anthropological methodologies seeks to
interpret and understand the Szeklers, who they are and how they lived. The St. Nicholas project is part of a larger collection of bioarchaeological projects in Székelyudvarhely which have been ongoing for over a decade. This project along with the support of the decedent community and other international collaborators has unearthed the remains of a medieval
church (circa 15 th century) and the remains of 61 individuals to date exhibiting a range of burial practices with the presence of unique artefacts. The goal of this project is to form a better understanding of the lived experiences of Szekler people, re-centring this population in Transylvanian archaeology. Giving Szekler archaeology greater academic representation, promoting their historical importance and using these projects as an avenue to train the next generation of archaeological and anthropological researchers.


Brief Professional Bio (max. 100 words):
Carlos Da Silva Carvalho is PhD student at Ohio State University, Columbus, OH. His current research interests focus on Szekler archaeology and the use of activity- based changes to skeletal anatomy in order to investigate specialized activities in the past. He currently directs the site excavations of the St. Nicholas church in Székelyudvarhely, Transylvania.

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From Conflict to Flourishing: How Work–Family Balance, Social Relations and Workplace Conditions Shape Well-Being

Type of Abstract (select): Individual Presentation

Abstract (max. 250 words):
Exploring the factors influencing workplace well-being and the relationships between them can provide significant information for employers to make decisions and measures related to attracting and retaining valuable, talented employees (Venczel et al. 2023). Seligman and Csíkszentmihályi identified five pillars of well-being – Positive emotions, Engagement, Relationships Meaning, Accomplishment (PERMA) (Seligman 2011, 2018, Seligman & Csíkszentmihályi 2014). Workplace well-being is thus a complex concept represented by closely related influencing factors. Our study aims to publish the results of our research aimed at exploring the relationships between the factors influencing workplace well-being. Our questionnaire survey was aimed at medium-sized or large companies operating in Hungary in terms of the number of employees. During the computer statistical data processing, we conducted analyses focusing on work-family conflicts, job and life satisfaction, and the correlations showing the impact of workplace conditions and social relationships. Based on the results of the research, it can be stated that two-way conflicts related to work and family have a clear negative impact on both job and life satisfaction, as well as on the development of positive workplace experiences. The results clearly highlight that reducing conflicts and promoting a supportive workplace environment are key to increasing the overall satisfaction perceived by employees. The analysis confirms that the different dimensions of workplace well-being are closely related to each other and that improving one factor can have a positive impact on other areas as well.


Brief Professional Bio (max. 100 words):
Gábor Juhász is an associate professor at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of Pázmány Péter Catholic University in Budapest, an assistant professor at the Department of Leadership and Organizational Sciences, Faculty of Economics, University of Pécs, and the head of a research center at the University of Pécs. He defended his doctoral dissertation in 2001 based on his research on the human resource management activities of Hungarian enterprises. He received his habilitation in 2008. His main research areas include employee well-being, employee and organizational resilience, the welfare economy, and the social/solidarity economy.

Ákos Jarjabka PhD. (05.27.1972, Szeged, Hungary HUN) is an associate professor at the Faculty of Economics of the University of Pécs (UP FBE) since 2013, he has been the Head of the Institute of Leadership and Organizational Sciences of the UP FBE, since 2022 the leader of the Flow Management Reseach Team. Since 2015 to 2018 he has been the director of the UP 650 Jubilee Project, Since since 2015 to 2023 he has been the Rector's representative of the UP Diaspora Project Network, since 2023 he has been the chief of the Hungarians of the World office. His publications cover general management, national and organizational culture management, human resource management, project management and the Hungarian diaspora. The memberships of Hungarian and international scientific organizations: UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in Hungary Committee as a representative of Hungarian Rectors’ Conference (2018-), EUMMAS Honorary Board member (2020-). Hungarian Academy of Sciences IX. Department of Management Science Committee, member (2021-) and secretary (2021-2023). In 2022, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Republic of Hungary.

Norbert Sipos is an Associate Professor at the Institute of Management and Organization Sciences, Faculty of Business and Economics, University of Pécs. He defended his doctoral dissertation in 2018, entitled “Domestic and International Practices of the Graduate Career Tracking System – A Comparison of the Integration of the Graduate Career Tracking System and Administrative Databases.” He obtained his habilitation in 2025. His main research areas include: Graduate Career Tracking System and administrative database integration; labor market trends; small and medium-sized enterprises; entrepreneurship research; and competitiveness.

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From Budapest to Boston: Hungarian Contributions to Pre-Clinical Medical Education in the United States (1776–2025)

Type of Abstract (select): Individual Presentation

Abstract (max. 250 words):
The 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence provides a fitting moment to reflect on the profound and enduring contributions of Hungarian scholars to American science and higher education. Here, we trace the influence of Hungarian educators, physicians, and scientists on the development of pre-clinical medical education in the United States over the past two and a half centuries. From early transatlantic exchanges in anatomy and physiology to the modern adoption of active learning methods, Hungarian intellectual traditions have played a formative role in shaping pedagogical innovation.
Hungarian-born scientists such as Albert Szent-Györgyi, John von Neumann, George von Békésy, and Michael Polanyi have not only advanced biomedical research but also brought European rigor, mentorship, and integrative reasoning to American universities. Their emphasis on inquiry, experimentation, and humanistic reflection established a foundation for problem-based and flipped classroom learning models that define the pre-clinical medical curricula today.
Through a historical and educational analysis, we demonstrate how Hungarian pedagogical values, rooted in scientific precision, mentorship, and ethical inquiry, continue to inform the principles of student-centered, active learning across U.S. medical schools. By situating these developments within a 250-year narrative, we seek to honor the shared transatlantic legacy that unites Hungarian and American academic traditions in advancing medical education.




Brief Professional Bio (max. 100 words):
Dr. Ghislaine Mayer holds a Doctorate in Microbiology and Immunology from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and serves as an Associate Professor and Course Co-Director for Scientific Principles of Medicine at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso. With specialized expertise in molecular parasitology, Dr. Mayer has conducted extensive research on host–pathogen interactions and the molecular mechanisms underlying infectious diseases. Her work bridges foundational biomedical science with innovative approaches in medical education. As an academic leader, she integrates research-driven insights into curriculum design, emphasizing critical thinking, scientific reasoning, and collaborative inquiry. Dr. Mayer currently teaches and conducts research with medical students at the pre-clerckship phase.

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