Gyula Csikai, an atomic physicist who died in the 91st year of his life, is a full member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (MTA), a former rector of the University of Debrecen, and professor emeritus, the Hungarian Academy of Sciences informed MTI.
An internationally renowned researcher into the scientific and practical application of nuclear methods died on Monday.
Gyula Csikai was born on October 31, 1930 in Tiszaladány. He graduated as a teacher of mathematics and physics at the Lajos Kossuth University (today: University of Debrecen) in 1953. He then started working at the Nuclear Research Institute of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (Atomki). In 1956 he became a research fellow at the institute, in 1961 a head of the department, and from 1964 he became the deputy scientific director of the institute for three years.
In 1957 he defended his doctoral dissertation in physical sciences, and in 1966 his academic doctoral dissertation. In 1967 he was admitted to the Department of Experimental Physics of the Faculty of Science of KLTE as a university professor and head of the department. In 1968 he became deputy dean, and in 1972 he became dean there. He became Deputy Rector in 1978 and then Rector of the University from 1981-1986. He headed the department until 1995.
Gyula Csikai was elected a correspondent of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences in 1973, and then in 1985 a full member. He was a member of the Radiation Protection, Environmental Physics and Reactor Physics Committee. From 1970 to 1980, he was a member of the Scientific Qualification Committee.
He also became a member of the Nuclear Physics Committee of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and the Debrecen Regional Committee, the latter being the vice-chairman in 1990-1992. From 1990 to 1993 he was vice-president of the Department of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, and then, after classifying the two disciplines as separate classes, until 1999 he was vice-president of the Department of Physical Sciences. The atomic physicist was also admitted to the European Academy in London in 1991.
In addition to his academic positions, from 1976 to 1980 he was the general secretary of the Eötvös Loránd Physical Society, then until 1986 he was its president. In 1987, he was elected honorary president of the company. In 1987, he was briefly Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Culture. He ran in the 2002 parliamentary elections as a candidate for the Centrum Party. In 2000 he was awarded the title of Professor Emeritus.
From 1976, he also worked as a permanent expert for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in a number of foreign locations.
The name of Gyula Csikai is associated with the demonstration of the existence of neutrinos by nebula images based on the law of momentum retention. His results have been recognized with a number of honors, including the State Prize, the Academic Prize and the Eötvös Medal, according to a publication of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences.
MTI
