Hungarian prodigy achieves unprecedented success in space surgery

During the last six months, Dóra Babócs, a surgical resident at the University of Szeged, has contributed to 17 scientific papers. She presented at a US space research conference. She was asked to co-author a chapter on space surgery in a textbook. The 27-year-old prodigy from Szeged University will continue her career in Houston from August.

Talented on Earth, talented in space

Dóra Babócs, a surgical resident at the University of Szeged, is only 27 years old, but she has already conquered the Earth and outer space. Babócs has contributed to 17 scientific papers in the last six months, and has presented at a US space research conference.

The university interviewed Babócs about her achievements so far and her aspirations.

“In New Orleans, at the world’s largest space medicine conference, I presented one of our space surgery research projects. It is very difficult to get an abstract accepted for this conference because of the high oversubscription and the high professional standards, so it was a great honour to have our work recognised,” she said.

“I have been among the finalists in several international, American space medicine and space surgery awards this year, so I will be even more excited to see the announcement of the results next year,” she added.

She will present reasearch papers at the International Astronautical Congress

In October 2023, she will present 5 more space research papers at the 74th International Astronautical Congress (IAC) organised by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF).

This is not the first time that she has talked about this research. She also presented another important part of their work at the Semmelweis International Vascular Symposium in Budapest. She discussed the vascular surgical aspects of long-duration space travel, and the potential solutions offered by endovascular and robotic-assisted surgery on board the spacecraft. “I was very excited to be able to present our space-related research at a ‘ground-based’ surgical conference this time,” said Dóra.

She’s moving to the US

“I’m moving to America in August,” Dóra Babócs shared the latest news. She recently received an invitation from the University of Texas, Health Science Center Hospital to pursue her surgical career there. Her decision was influenced by the fact that the institution has several research projects with NASA.

“My mentors and co-authors have played a key role in my success. I could not have achieved all this without their guidance. I am very grateful to them and the inspiring environment that surrounds me,” she said.

Featured image: Illustration (Pixabay)