LECOM Professor in the Vanguard of Innovative Research and Prolific Scholarly Texts

So says the passage on the homepage of an intriguing web link (www.neo-lab.org) to an innovative research laboratory located in Erie and directed by one of the preeminent scholars and researchers at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM).

Bertalan Dudas, MD., PhD, Professor of Anatomy at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Erie is consistently breaking new ground in research of the human brain. During the last decade, Dr. Dudas has had multiple high-value scholarly books published; these are in addition to his plethora of articles and chapters published in noteworthy medical journals concerning his cutting-edge findings.

The books and articles came about as a product of his extensive research and exploration at the Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Organization (NEO), a research center of which Dr. Dudas is the Founder and Director. NEO is an innovative research hub initiated by Dr. Dudas and located in Erie that focuses upon studies of the hormone producing systems of the human brain. Projects undertaken at NEO include understanding the way in which stress impacts upon sexual regulation and growth, and studies focusing upon furthering the understanding of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Noted peer-reviewed journals, including Neurobiology of Aging and Neurobiology of Disease, published Dudas’ articles based upon his comprehensive studies dealing with several neuroprotective compounds that appear to protect against lesions of Alzheimer’s Disease. Numerous other research papers based upon results at NEO have been published in top neuroendocrine journals. These projects include the exploration of the morphology and connections of the luteinizing hormone - releasing hormone (LHRH) - producing nerve cells that represent a fascinating neurotransmitter system comprised of merely several hundred cells in the human brain, yet controlling the release of all of the major sexual hormones that influence comprehensive emotional and conscious life.

Dr. Dudas’ scholarly books, include: Human Hypothalamus: Anatomy, Functions and Disorders; Central Catecholaminergic System; The Central Regulation of Growth: Morphological and Functional Considerations; Atlas of the Human Hypothalamus: Anatomy, Blood Supply, Myelo-, and Cytoarchitecture; Human Histology: A Text for Physicians and Scientists.

Dr. Dudas’ book entitled, Human Histology: A Text and Atlas for Physicians and Scientists has been ranked among “The 13 Best New Histology Books to Read In 2023” on BookAuthority.

As featured on CNN, Forbes, and Inc., BookAuthority is the leading site for obtaining book recommendations. The prolific researcher also has two volumes of non-scientific work published highlighting poems and paintings.

Dr. Dudas received his M.D. degree at Albert Szent-Gyorgyi Medical University, Szeged in 1993, and he obtained his Ph.D. in Neuroscience at the University of Szeged, Hungary in 2007, with a summa cum laude designation. His dissertation was entitled: Significance of Neurotransmitter Inputs of the Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Neuronal System in the Human. He has worked with LECOM since 2003 and currently, he is the Assistant Dean of Research and Scholarship at LECOM and its Institutional Director of Research.

As revealed by his noted publications, Dr. Dudas’ many explorations include examining the hypothalamic regulation of stress and stress-driven suppression of human reproduction. His further examinations have been focused upon revealing the morphology of accepted communication between associated brain elements with the resulting data crucial to furthering the understanding of the regulatory processes of stress in human beings.

Dr. Dudas defended his habilitation degree (Bertalan Dudas MD. PhD. Habil.) this year at the University of Szeged to receive the highest combined teaching/scholarship degree that European universities can grant.

Dr. Dudas has always been noticeably enthusiastic about his work and about the possibility that his investigations can have far-reaching positive effects upon public health. LECOM is extremely supportive of all of his work at NEO and the College is constantly seeking to advance scholarly investigation into innovative areas of research.

The Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine takes great pride in recognizing Dr. Bertalan Dudas and in celebrating his noteworthy efforts in a field that will change and deepen the understanding of the human brain.

There are moments in one’s life that one remembers, and for many of those who have heard the calling, research in osteopathic medicine has led to more than simply treating disease; for probative discovery represents a significant step on the path to achieving better health for all.

The Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) is pleased to have established a new Summer Research Internship Program.

Summer research interns and faculty mentors during an orientation on May 18, 2023.

The primary objectives of the impactful Program are to provide osteopathic scholars with opportunities for hands-on experience as evaluators and producers of foundational, translational, and clinical research; and to promote the research and scholarship conducted by students and faculty.

For the 2023 summer session, 18 incoming second-year doctor of osteopathic medicine students have been selected to participate in the Program. These scholars completed an orientation program on May 18, 2023, during which time, the interns were familiarized with various research concepts and available projects as presented by prospective faculty mentors. Students also discussed their own research ideas with participating faculty members.

Each student works under the auspices of attentive faculty supervision to undertake a dedicated research project during the summer months; and that scholar continues to work for an additional period as needed.

The Program facilitates student research findings that lead to oral/poster presentations as well as to publications.

The Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine is proud to support these valuable efforts in research, efforts that will change and deepen understanding in important areas of medicine.