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On 10 November 2025, participants had the chance to meet Katalin Karikó at the event hosted by the Embassy of Hungary in Berlin. Die Junge Akademie was represented by board member Hani Harb, immunologist and assistant professor at the Technische Universität Dresden. On behalf of the Hungarian Young Academy, Kata Horváti, head of the MTA–HUN-REN TTK Momentum Peptide-Based Vaccines Research Group was invited to take part in the panel discussion. The event was moderated by Victoria Azarov, a medical student at Semmelweis University, Budapest and creator of the STEMtalk podcast series.

Before the main programme, a delegation from the University of Szeged presented the exhibition “Forever Forward – Katalin Karikó,” showcasing the most important moments and awards in the Nobel Prize-winning researcher’s career.

The afternoon began with a welcome speech by Dr. Péter Györkös, Hungary’s ambassador, followed by Katalin Karikó’s talk titled “The Karikó Method,” in which she shared the story of her life, talking also about the difficulties she experienced. She conveyed powerful messages about the courage, resilience and flexibility researchers need and – quoting János Selye – also about stress and how to manage it.

The presentation was followed by a panel discussion on research career paths, mobility, publication strategies, challenges faced by young researchers, and scientific perseverance.

The audience asked brave questions driven by curiosity, which Professor Karikó answered with her usual sophisticated sense of humor and intelligence, and the discussion continued at a reception. The atmosphere was inspiring and powerful, full of good science and cheerfulness. Our special thanks go to Judit Kindert, Science and Technology Attaché, for organising the event.