Mária Deli

Mária Deli serves as Research Professor and leader of the Biological Barrier Research Group at the Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Centre (BRC), Hungarian Academy of Sciences in Szeged, Hungary. She concurrently holds the title of Honorary Professor at the University of Szeged since 2016, reflecting her dual institutional impact in Hungarian academia.

Her academic foundation includes a summa cum laude medical degree from Szent-Györgyi Albert Medical School (Szeged, 1988), PhD (1996) in blood-brain barrier research, Dr. habil. degree from University of Szeged (2011), and DSc from Hungarian Academy of Sciences (2013). International experience encompasses 3.5 years of postdoctoral research at Nagasaki University, Japan (1997-2001) and a fellowship at Institut Pasteur de Lille (1993-1994).

Dr. Deli's pioneering work centers on biological barrier pathophysiology with emphasis on drug delivery mechanisms, nanoparticle-based therapeutics, and microfluidic brain models. Her research integrates cell biology, neurochemistry, and biomaterials science to develop barrier restoration strategies for neurological disorders. Current projects utilize organ-on-chip technology to model Parkinson's disease and test targeted nanoparticle therapies through international collaborations.

Her scientific recognition includes:

• Corresponding membership in Hungarian Academy of Sciences (2022)
• Keszthelyi and Straub plaquettes for scientific achievement (2022, 2014)
• Four mentoring awards from University of Szeged for PhD/graduate supervision (2019, 2013, 2012, 2010)
• János Bolyai Research Fellowship (2001-2004)
• International fellowships including JSPS postdoctoral award (1998-2000)

As group leader since 2001, she directs multidisciplinary teams in barrier biology research with sustained funding for nanoparticle delivery systems and patented triple co-culture BBB models. Her mentorship philosophy, evidenced by repeated university awards, emphasizes translational neuroscience training.

The Biological Barrier Research Group operates advanced laboratories for microfluidic device development and brain organoid integration, positioning her team at the forefront of neuropharmacological innovation for central nervous system disorders.