December 2025 in Science at MED MUNI
We bring you a selection of the most interesting achievements and events at our faculty in the field of science and research in December 2025.
European Academy of Neurology Honours Ivan Rektor for Lifetime Contributions
Leading Czech neurologist and neuroscientist Professor Ivan Rektor, known for his pioneering work in epilepsy, deep brain stimulation, and research on music- and trauma-related effects on the brain, was awarded Honorary Membership of the European Academy of Neurology at the EAN congress in Helsinki in June 2025 for his lifetime contributions to the field. The award recognises his long-term efforts to introduce advanced treatment methods in the Czech Republic, to develop research programs, and to educate a new generation of neurologists.
At the 11th Congress of the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) in Helsinki, Prof. MUDr. Ivan Rektor, CSc., FANA, FCMA, FEAN was ceremonially presented with a distinguished honour — Honorary Membership of the EAN. This award, so far, has no other recipient from Central and Eastern Europe.
“The EAN Council is pleased to award you Honorary Membership of the European Academy of Neurology for your lifelong services to neurology. This award recognises your exceptional contribution to the neurological community as a researcher, teacher and clinician, particularly in the areas of movement disorders and epilepsy, and for your long-standing support of the EAN,” stated EAN President Professor Elena Moro.
During his long and productive career, Professor Rektor led the 1st Department of Neurology at the St. Anne´s University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, served as Vice-Rector of Masaryk University, and co-founded key research programs in Brno. He introduced advanced clinical procedures in the Czech Republic — notably epilepsy surgery and deep brain stimulation. His research focuses on epilepsy, intracerebral recordings, movement disorders, and the effects of music and trauma on the brain. He is also internationally recognised for his research on the neurological consequences in Holocaust survivors — a line of inquiry inspired by his family history (his parents were partisans, and part of his family perished in a concentration camp), which has shown persistent physical and psychological effects across generations.
His international influence is evident in his extensive collaboration and participation in professional training abroad, with notable work or lecturing experiences in countries such as France, Japan, Nicaragua, and Mongolia. Five of his former students have become professors, including the current Rector of Masaryk University, Martin Bareš. Two of them lead neurological departments in university hospitals. Prof. Rektor has organised numerous European and international congresses and courses in Brno, such as the regular ILAE School on Pre-Surgical Evaluation for Epilepsy and Epilepsy Surgery (EPODES), the 15th European Congress on Clinical Neurophysiology (ECCN), and the Epilepsy, Brain and Mind congresses.
With more than 480 scientific publications and over 6,400 citations, Professor Rektor is one of the leading figures in European neurology. His work has had a significant impact on patient care and on the training of new generations of neurologists.
He was awarded the title Ambassador for Epilepsy (the highest distinction of the International League Against Epilepsy) and is the first Czech scientist elected as a corresponding member of the American Neurological Association.
The EAN award underscores the international significance of Professor Rector and strengthens the prestige of Brno's neuroscience community and Czech neurology.
