Kati Lengyel's award
The Association of Women in Science (NaTE), which won the first Nature Innovating Science Award established by Nature and the Estee Lauder Company in 2018, began in 2008 with just 10 female researchers, with the goal of supporting women and girls in pursuing careers in science and technology. In 2013, the first Women in Science Excellence Award, established to recognize female researchers working in the fields of engineering, physics, astronomy, and space research, was presented; in recent years, the award has also been given to support research activities. This latter award was won by Katalin Lengyel, a research assistant in Balázs Hangya’s group.
On the afternoon of May 11, those arriving by subway from rain-soaked Szigony Street stepped out into the sunlit downtown and walked toward the MTA building—with or without flowers, chocolate, and gifts—or without them—but in a particularly cheerful and festive mood compared to Monday, toward the MTA building to celebrate together with Kati Lengyel, who was receiving the NaTE Excellence Award there.
As with a thousand other things, people have many different thoughts and opinions about awards, but they all agree that an honor can only be received by someone who is either nominated or applies for it themselves. And to ensure that no one misses out on their honor if they receive the award based on a nomination, the Women in Science Association took care of that well in advance. The nominator must inform the nominee that they may be contacted and must provide contact information where they can be reliably reached.
Receiving an award is no an everyday occurrence, even for celebrities; what’s more, our Kati is receiving an award specifically established for female researchers who have achieved outstanding results in the technical sciences, and it might seem logical that those supporting their research would work alongside them. So what could it be that led choose Kati from among the nominees?
The answer is simple. For those who know Kati, the award’s rationale doesn’t reveal much that’s new; for those who don’t, the video about her makes it easy to see that she was rightfully honored—but neither addresses what matters the most. Because what exactly was the basis for Kati’s award? Her exceptional professional expertise in the fields of histology and electron microscopy? The fact that she taught and supported TDK and PhD students with unwavering enthusiasm and endless patience, and assisted both novice and already highly successful researchers in their work? Was it that she was able to listen to everyone with such devotion—sometimes simply by the way she listened to someone—and that wherever she appeared or worked, that place somehow became more welcoming, friendlier, more orderly, and cleaner? Taken individually, none of these things is earth-shattering; there are things we might even expect—especially from others and directed at us—but taken together, they are truly exceptional, something that cannot go unnoticed.
The certificate, the crystal plaque, the video made about it, and the citation for the award read aloud at the ceremony are the parts of the honor that we can boast about and, of course, rejoice in. What cannot be broken or lost, however—and is known only to those who know Kati well, and who do not envy her—is the journey that led to this award, a journey that is more important than these “tangible” things. It is not Kati’s journey, but that of those who made it possible for her to receive this award.
First, we must mention the founders of the award, who also ensured that some of the “glory and recognition” would go to those without whose work and support these great achievements would have come about much more painfully and slowly. Then—in Kati’s case—there is Luca Wittner, who hasn’t worked with Kati in a group for nearly 20 years, and hasn’t even been a KOKI staff member for over a decade, yet upon hearing about the award, Kati immediately comes to her mind. As for Balázs Hangya, there’s no need to persuade him; he’s already writing that undoubtedly very well-crafted recommendation. It’s not hard to write good and truthful things about someone we admire and love. And what a great rule it is that the nominee must be informed, because this way they won’t just be anxious about the result, but during that time they can also reflect on the fact that they are loved and valued here. And they wouldn’t forget that even if they weren’t the chosen winner.
The notification, the emails sent individually to everyone because “the matter isn’t public yet,” the preparations for filming the short film, the video itself, the awards ceremony, the applause, the prize, the bouquet of flowers, and the colleagues who were clearly celebrating with her—all of this is an integral, irreplaceable part of the award, and it’s no wonder at all that Kati felt like a real star.
And if you don't believe that's really how it was, just take a look at the pictures!
