Professor Tamás F. Freund stands as a preeminent leader in modern neuroscience, currently serving as President of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and Director of the Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hungarian Academy of Sciences. He earned his biology diploma from Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest in 1983 before pursuing advanced neuroscience research at Oxford University's Department of Pharmacology. His distinguished career trajectory began with student research at Semmelweis University Medical School, followed by formative research fellowships in Oxford spanning four years across multiple departments. By 1990, he established himself as Head of the Department of Functional Neuroanatomy at the Institute of Experimental Medicine, progressing to Deputy Director in 1993 and ultimately becoming Director in 2002, while simultaneously leading the Department of Neurosciences at Pázmány Péter Catholic University since 2000.
Professor Freund's groundbreaking research has fundamentally advanced our understanding of the functional architecture and physiology of neuronal circuits within the cerebral cortex, establishing him as a global authority on cortical microcircuit organization. His pioneering investigations into the network basis of behavior-dependent activity patterns in the hippocampus have provided crucial insights into how neural circuits encode spatial information and memory formation. His work on changes in neuronal connectivity underlying addiction, epileptic conditions, and ischemic brain damage has opened new therapeutic pathways for neurological disorders, while his research on endocannabinoid signaling mechanisms has significantly enhanced our comprehension of anxiety regulation at the neural circuit level. These contributions collectively represent a paradigm shift in how neuroscientists approach the relationship between specific neuronal populations and complex brain functions.
Beyond his direct research contributions, Professor Freund has shaped the international neuroscience landscape through his leadership as President of the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies from 2004 to 2006 and his current role directing Hungary's National Brain Research Program. His exceptional scientific achievements have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards including the 2011 Brain Prize, the KRIEG Cortical Discoverer Award, the Cajal Medal, and the Széchenyi Prize, cementing his status among the world's leading neuroscientists. As an EMBO Member since 2014 and a member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences since 1998, he continues to mentor the next generation of researchers while advancing our understanding of the brain's intricate circuitry. His ongoing work promises to further elucidate the neural mechanisms underlying complex cognitive functions and neurological disorders, maintaining his position at the forefront of contemporary neuroscience research.
