i-Days hackathon mentors

To organise the first mentoring sessions, please select the two international and two academic (UD) mentors you would like to meet first, based on their bios. Mentors are available later in the day until 17.30 (some of the UD mentors until 19.00) and on Tuesday mornings between 8.00-10.00.

We have listed the teams in the Google Sheets below, please select from the drop-down menu next to the team names and choose 'yes' if you would like to participate in the rapid workshop on 3D technologies. 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1L3fFnIcmH5hDIQBKVabyTOq5z0Q_-jUfSV74BttCt0I/edit?usp=sharing

INTERNATIONAL MENTORS

Ana Maria Alves

Ana Maria Alves is a Healthcare Innovation Project Manager and PhD student in Management, specializing in Strategy and Entrepreneurship. With extensive experience in managing scientific and innovation projects, she has overseen over 100 health-related projects funded by European and private agencies at Instituto de Medicina Molecular. Currently at Instituto Pedro Nunes, she manages innovation projects, leveraging her skills in technology transfer, and strategic project planning. Ana holds a Master’s in Pharmaceutical Design and Development and an executive master in Program and Project Management.

Ariana Cordos

A healthcare specialist with over 10 years of experience. I have cultivated knowledge across multiple parts of the medical spectrum from day-to-day nursing activities to the introduction of ICT systems in hospitals, developing a broad understanding of processes and challenges of modern care delivery.

Ferenc Pongrácz

Dr. Ferenc Pongrácz is the Deputy Managing Director at EIT Health InnoStars. He has extensive international management experience, having held leadership positions such as Managing Director and Business Line Leader at IBM Hungary, and Chief Innovation Officer at Tungsram Group. 
Dr. Pongrácz has also been involved in significant healthcare projects, including the first implementation of IBM’s Watson for Oncology in Central and Eastern Europe. Additionally, he has served as the President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Hungary and is a member of the Innovation Board at the National Research, Development and Innovation Office.

Lajos Kovács

Lajos Kovács is the owner, founder, and principal of Global Impact Health and Development. His expertise includes applying new technologies and AI in healthcare. With a strong background in health systems, Lajos has held leadership roles in both the private sector and public administration. He has extensive experience in consulting for governments and international organizations, focusing on universal health coverage, health governance, digital healthcare technologies, and public health crisis response. Lajos holds a Medical Doctor degree and a Master of Science in Health Services Management from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. He also has a Post-Graduate Diploma in Public Administration and has studied European Affairs and Medical Legal Studies. As a visiting professor, he has delivered training programs at international universities and has published extensively on health policy and global health

Hans Hofstraat

Dr. Hans Hofstraat is a prominent figure in the field of life sciences and healthcare innovation. As of September 1, 2023, he serves as the Director of Business Development Life Sciences at the Utrecht Science Park, where he focuses on strengthening the life sciences ecosystem by connecting and establishing innovative public and private partnerships.
Before this role, Dr. Hofstraat was the Vice President of Philips Research, a position he held since 2007. At Philips, he led efforts in health tech innovation, emphasizing a holistic approach to healthcare and well-being. His career at Philips began in 1998, where he initially led the Polymers and Organic Chemistry department2.
In addition to his current role, Dr. Hofstraat is active as an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at The Institute of Cancer Research in London and serves as an advisor to various initiatives within the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) Health.

Victor Scholten

Victor Scholten is an Associate Professor and the Director of the Delft Centre for Entrepreneurship at Delft University of Technology, where he specializes in technology-based entrepreneurship, business modeling, and strategy.

Luís Silva

Luís Saraiva Silva is the Head of Technology Transfer Office of University of Coimbra since march 2023. He his PhD candidate in Governance, Knowledge & Innovation and also one of the board members of Portuguese Science Interface Platform and one the ambassadors to the European project RM Roadmap. He work in tech transfer since 2019 and is now one of the coordinators at the INOVC+ Project (Network of the Centre Region of Portugal for Innovation & Tech Transfer). 

Marcin Ciszewski

Marcin Ciszewski, pharmacist and researcher by education, now working in the Centre for Innovation and Technology Transfer at the Medical University of Lodz, Poland. He is involved in creation and implementation of numerous EIT Health projects in Education, Business Creation and Innovation pillars, as well as Erasmus+ projects.Marcin is also an active entrepreneur, he uses his experience to coach, train and empower future innovators and entrepreneurs, especially among students participating in various educational programmes. Specialist in fast prototyping and programming.
 

Zsolt Bubori

I have professional experience mentoring and working with startups as an Ecosystem Lead for Hungary within the European Institute of Innovation and Technology Healthcare division. I have decades of business and executive advisory experience within multinational companies such as Microsoft and Accenture and within my own advisory company. I have deep industrial knowledge within healthcare.

Zsuzsanna Gódány

PhDr. Zsuzsanna Gódány, PhD, is an assistant professor at the Faculty of Economics and Informatics at J.Selye University, where she has been supporting students in achieving their academic and professional goals for over a decade. Teaching is her calling, which provides her the opportunity to work closely with young people and contribute to their personal and professional growth. Her expertise and practical experience in the fields of management and economics help her students navigate the challenges of their profession. Throughout her career, she has participated in numerous successful projects, research initiatives, and professional events, enriching her knowledge and experience.

Tímea Varga

Timea is a dynamic business consultant specializing in strategy and sustainability areas, bringing over three years of expertise in innovation management, startup incubation, and project optimization. With a passion for coaching, educational advancement, and the arts, she thrives at the intersection of creativity and impactful business solutions.

MENTORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF DEBRECEN

Melinda Paholcsek

Senior researcher at the University of Debrecen Complex Systems and Microbiome Innovations Centre. Nearly 15 years of experience in developing diagnostic methods for severe infectious diseases. Her work includes validation of home-brew methods and in vitro diagnostic (IVD) tests, and implementation of further nucleic acid-based (NAT) diagnostic techniques. Recently, her research has focused on microbial biomarker analysis, and real-time disease monitoring.

Main areas: (microbial) biomarker-based diagnostics
 

Ákos Kiss

I'm Ákos Kiss, a staff member of the Innovation Ecosystem Centre at the University of Debrecen. 
In the last decade I have been the organizer, speaker or mentor at several startup competitions. I have gained experience in supporting early-stage startups. 

Nóra Kovács

Senior program manager at the University of Debrecen Innovation Ecosystem Center. Economist, trainer, and mentor. With over 10 years of experience in soft skill development, she is passionate about the development of the future generation. Her primary responsibility is to design and deliver training programs, such as courses and workshops focused on developing entrepreneurial skills. She is dedicated to fostering an entrepreneurial mindset among students and enhancing their innovation skills.

Main areas: Exploring and defining problems, teamwork, communication, pitch ideas

Balázs Darnai

I am an assistant lecturer at the Institute of Management and Organisational Sciences at the Faculty of Economics, University of Debrecen. My research area is a model-based analysis of the organizational characteristics of start-ups from an organizational life-cycle perspective. My main areas of interest are quality- and process management, the EFQM model, and sustainability, especially SDGs. I also work as a project manager and trainer. As a trainer, I aim to foster a strategy-oriented, structured vision and pass on the right values and sustainable thinking to trainees and students.

Zoltán Gabnai

Zoltán Gabnai, assistant professor, University of Debrecen, Faculty of Economics and Business, Department of Business Economics. Interests & expertise: Sustainability issues and challenges, enterprise innovation, business models, innovation ecosystem building, education and research, company management.

Main areas: Problem definition; Competitor analysis, comp advantage; Value proposition; Sustainability

Péter Sipos

Péter Sipos, professor, University of Debrecen, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences and Environmental Management, Institute of Nutrition – expert in food processing and analytics, plant based food development

Main areas: validation of the idea, value proposition, introducing the market entry process,  Intrudicung the product development process

Eszter Tóth

Mentor at the Innovation Ecosystem Centre of the University of Debrecen and lecturer of the Faculty of Economics and Business; I am involved in workshops focusing on supporting students with enterpreneurial mindset in the field of Project management and coordination, to define the problems and demands of the market and help them setting up a BMC.

Main areas: Project management, Problem Statement Canvas, Business Model Canvas topics

Masuk Abdullah

Department engineer (lecturer and graduate researcher) at the University of Debrecen Faculty of Engineering, Department of Vehicles Engineering. Dedicated engineer and academic with 2 years of experience, Masuk Abdullah brings specialized expertise in mechatronics and aviation systems to his role at the faculty. He has spearheaded innovative research projects that enhance industry-academia integration, boosting student engagement and academic excellence. Recognized with prestigious awards such as the stUDinnovate innovation fellowship and the Gold award for research excellence, he also committed to sustainable engineering initiatives as an Erasmus+ youth worker. His dedication to fostering global cooperation and technical advancement makes him a valuable mentor and leader in the field of innovation management.

Main areas: mechatronics, aviation technology, strategic project leadership, educational innovation, sustainability
 

IP MENTORING

Aletta Ivándel

As a Technology Manager at the University of Debrecen, Technology Transfer Office, I help to bring innovative research from the lab to the market. My role involves guiding patent processes, licensing, and industry partnerships. With a background in biology and nutritional sciences, and experience in both science and technology, I am passionate about fostering collaboration, promoting sustainable innovation, and driving forward technologies that can make a positive impact in the world. 

Main areas: Intellectual Property (IP) Guidance, Market Strategy and Market Assessment, Industry Collaboration, Innovation and Sustainability, Project Development.

Veronika Bak

As a Technology Manager at the University of Debrecen Technology Transfer Office, I focus on identifying and advancing innovative technologies developed within the university to drive their commercialization. I manage intellectual property, facilitate research collaborations, and foster partnerships between academia and industry. With a background in chemical engineering, I bring a strong understanding of technology development and commercialization processes to my role. By working closely with researchers and startups, I help ensure that groundbreaking innovations reach the market, contributing to a vibrant ecosystem that bridges academic research with practical applications. 

Main areas: Intellectual Property Management, Research Collaboration, Market Analysis and Trends, Project Development, Innovation and Sustainability.

Attila Pap

I obtained a degree in molecular biology, then gained experience in academic and industrial research and development. As a technology manager at the University of Debrecen Technology Transfer Office I help to bring innovative research from the lab to the market, facilitating academic and industrial collaborations, promoting sustainable innovation and driving forward technologies. 

Main areas: Intellectual Property (IP) guidance, innovation and research, market strategy and market assessment, academic and industrial collaborations, idea and project development, pitch