On Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at a ceremonial meeting of the Scientific Board of Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, an honorary doctorate was awarded to Prof. Lawrence R. Falvello, PhD. from the University of Zaragoza in Spain on the occasion of his long-standing cooperation with UPJŠ in Košice and his 70th birthday. UPJŠ in Košice awards the honorary title of doctor honoris causa (Dr. h. c.) to personalities who, through their life’s work, have made a significant contribution to the dissemination of the ideas of humanism, democracy, and understanding between nations in the fields of education, science, art, or politics. Based on a proposal by the Scientific Board of the Faculty of Science of UPJŠ in Košice, the Scientific Board of UPJŠ in Košice decided to award, pursuant to Article 5 of the Statutes of Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, the honorary title of doctor honoris causa to Prof. Lawrence Rocco Falvello in the field of chemistry. At a ceremonial public meeting of the Scientific Board of UPJŠ, Rector Prof. MUDr. Daniel Pella, PhD. presented Professor Falvell with a diploma of honorary scientific degree Dr. h. c. in the presence of prominent academic representatives of UPJŠ, Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica, the University of Prešov in Prešov, and the Slovak Academy of Science. Members of the International Board of UPJŠ in Košice also accepted the invitation to the ceremonial gathering: Prof. PhDr. Ján Čermák, CSc. (Charles University in Prague), Prof. Dr. Maria Jose Coperias Aguilar (University of Valencia in Spain), Prof. Mark Wiliam Meisel, PhD. (University of Florida in the USA), Prof. JUDr. Ing. Michal Radvan, Ph.D. (Masaryk University in Brno).
Prof. Lawrence Rocco Falvello, PhD. is a world-renowned expert in the field of coordination chemistry, X-ray and neutron crystallography. He graduated summa cum laude with a degree in chemistry from Duke University in the USA in 1976. He received his PhD in 1979 from the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom. He completed two postdoctoral fellowships, one at the University of Cambridge and the other at Texas A&M University, where he subsequently continued as a researcher from 1982 to 1991. From 1991 to 2024, he worked at the University of Zaragoza in Spain as a professor of chemistry, and since 2024 he has been a professor emeritus. In 2006, the University of Zaragoza began collaborating with our university, specifically with the research group of Prof. RNDr. Juraj Černák, DrSc. (Institute of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Science, UPJŠ in Košice), which has led to 26 joint peer-reviewed publications and the successful supervision of two doctoral theses under a double doctorate agreement (co-tutelle) between the two universities. “Professor Falvello has been working closely with Professor Černák and his team for many years. This collaboration is an example of a true international partnership – fruitful, long-term, and mutually enriching. Together, they educate young scientists, develop joint projects, and build bridges between our institutions. Professor Falvello is not only a great scientist, but also a mentor and guide whose generosity, wisdom, and encouragement have shaped the careers of many young researchers. Even after becoming professor emeritus, he continues to share his knowledge, his time, and his enthusiasm for discovery,” said UPJŠ Rector Prof. MUDr. Daniel Pella, PhD. in his speech before the graduation ceremony.
The Faculty of Science at UPJŠ in Košice awarded Prof. Falvello a bronze medal (2013) and a gold medal (2018) for his significant contribution to the development of doctoral studies at the faculty and scientific cooperation. “Professor Falvello has become an integral part of our academic life. Several of our students, doctoral students, and colleagues have worked in his laboratory in Zaragoza, where he has devoted his time, guidance, and support to them. He has created an environment in which our students learn to think critically, work precisely, and communicate internationally. Thanks to him, the name of our faculty has become known to the scientific community in Spain, the USA, Great Britain, France, Italy, and other countries,” said Doc. RNDr. Roman Soták, PhD., Dean of the Faculty of Science at UPJŠ. He praised the benefits of mutual cooperation. In the spring of 2009, the University of Zaragoza welcomed its first Erasmus student from Košice, followed by other students under Erasmus and other programs. Most of those who came from Košice carried out research projects in Professor Falvello’s group. “All the students who came to my group from Košice were excellent, and I found that they were prepared to work at a high level. A significant number of students from Zaragoza completed stays at UPJŠ in Košice under the Erasmus program. Košice was such a successful destination that we had to increase our quota of students who could choose to study at UPJŠ. Meanwhile, our joint research with Professor Černák and his colleagues exceeded all expectations. I was very fortunate to be able to work with him. UPJŠ continues to send outstanding students to Zaragoza. I hope that our success so far will serve as an example for our young colleagues in their career growth,” said Prof. Lawrence R. Falvello, describing his experiences.
After the official part of the UPJŠ Scientific Council meeting, the program continued in the Grand Hall of the UPJŠ Rector’s Office, where a commemorative plaque was unveiled honoring all recipients of the honorary title of doctor honoris causa awarded at UPJŠ, including Prof. Falvello.
On behalf of the entire academic community of UPJŠ, we wholeheartedly congratulate Professor Falvello.
