Motahareh Amjadi, who had been conducting her PhD research at our institute as a Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship recipient and a student at Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE) Doctoral School of Biology, Department of Genetics has submitted her doctoral thesis titled “Genetic investigation of ancient and recent human populations in the Iranian Plateau”. On June 18, 2026, she successfully defended her dissertation before a committee appointed by the university, receiving the highest distinction of summa cum laude.

Conducted between 2019 and 2026 under the supervision of Dr. Anna Szécsényi-Nagy (director of the Institute of Archaeogenomics, ELTE RCH) and Dr. Balázs Egyed (associate professor at the Department of Genetics, ELTE Faculty of Science), Motahareh's research offers a comprehensive look at the genetic history of the Iranian region. By analyzing ancient DNA from archaeological samples—dating from 4700 BCE to 1300 CE—alongside modern mitochondrial DNA from 19 different Iranian groups, this research project uncovered a compelling narrative: despite the many cultural and political shifts that occurred over millennia, there has been a remarkable degree of genetic continuity across the Iranian Plateau.

On behalf of the entire team at our institute, we would like to extend our warmest congratulations to Motahareh!