Dr. Mangesh Nakade

“Every opportunity to learn, travel, and connect with people from different cultures has added a new chapter to my journey. My university years in Hungary gave me not only academic knowledge, but also the confidence and skills to build a truly international career.”

My journey from veterinary education in India to doctoral research in Hungary, a career in the European pharmaceutical and clinical research industry, and entrepreneurship has been guided by curiosity, perseverance, and a belief that learning has no geographical boundaries.

I began my academic journey at Nagpur Veterinary College, Maharashtra Animal and Fishery Sciences University (MAFSU), Nagpur, India, where I completed my veterinary degree in 2007. With a growing interest in biomedical sciences and drug research, I continued at the same institution and earned my Master’s degree in Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology in 2009.

After completing my postgraduate studies, I began my academic career as a faculty member at the College of Veterinary and Animal Science (CVAS), Bikaner, Rajasthan, where I worked for approximately two years. This experience strengthened my passion for teaching, scientific research, and international academic collaboration.

My desire to explore different scientific traditions and cultures later took me to China, where I gained exposure to Chinese herbal medicine while also learning the Chinese language and experiencing the local culture. I was also fortunate to participate in fully funded international training and certificate programmes through PTC+ in the Netherlands and MASHAV in Israel. In addition, I had the opportunity to work with the School of Animal Science in Baramati, India, in collaboration with VHL University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands.

Between 2012 and 2015, I had the privilege of serving as the Founder President of the International Veterinary Students’ Association (IVSA) India. This leadership role allowed me to contribute to connecting the Indian veterinary community with a global network of veterinary students and professionals. It was an important experience that strengthened my leadership, networking, organizational, and cross-cultural communication skills.

Throughout my academic and early professional journey, I was fortunate to receive approximately 20 international scholarships, fellowships, and awards. These opportunities enabled me to participate in academic, scientific, professional, and training programmes in different countries. Each international experience broadened my perspective and reinforced my belief in the power of education, mobility, and global knowledge exchange.

A defining chapter of my life began in 2015, when I joined the Doctoral School of Animal Science at Szent István University (SZIE), Hungary, now the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE), with a fully funded doctoral scholarship.

Moving to Hungary was not simply an academic decision; it became a transformative experience in both my personal and professional life.

As an international student, I found a welcoming and supportive university environment that helped me settle into a new country and become part of a diverse academic community. The university offered a family-like atmosphere where students from different countries could learn from one another, exchange ideas, and build lasting friendships.

Activities such as Global Village, international food competitions, educational fairs, conferences, and cultural programmes made university life especially memorable. They provided opportunities to celebrate cultural diversity and develop a deeper understanding of people from different backgrounds.

During my doctoral studies, I participated in numerous international conferences and summer schools and travelled to several countries for scientific and academic events. These experiences expanded my scientific knowledge, strengthened my international professional network, and helped me become more confident in communicating and collaborating across cultures.

One of the most valuable outcomes of my time at SZIE was the development of skills that extended far beyond academic knowledge. I strengthened my communication, teamwork, adaptability, problem-solving, leadership, and intercultural collaboration skills. These competencies later became essential as I moved from academia into multinational and multicultural professional environments.

After completing my PhD, I continued my academic journey with postdoctoral research, which I completed in 2018.

In 2019, I transitioned into the pharmaceutical and clinical research industry, joining TCS Hungary as a Drug Safety Physician. This opportunity allowed me to work alongside talented professionals in a multicultural environment and develop valuable expertise in pharmacovigilance and global drug safety.

In 2021, my journey took me to Germany, where I continued my career with PRA Health Sciences, which was subsequently acquired by ICON. Over the following years, I further developed my expertise in clinical research, pharmacovigilance, and drug development. Today, I work as a Pharmacovigilance Lead, contributing to the safety aspects of new drug development and human clinical trials, from early-phase clinical development through Phase III.

At the same time, my veterinary roots and passion for animal health inspired me to take another important step: entrepreneurship.

I founded TierWohl Pet Nutrition in Germany and subsequently developed Dogmama by TierWohl Pet Nutrition in India. Through this venture, we focus on developing and manufacturing dog chews, treats, and pet nutrition products for Indian and international markets. For me, entrepreneurship brings together many elements of my journey—veterinary science, research, international experience, leadership, and a lifelong commitment to animal health and well-being.

Looking back, my journey has taken me from India to China, the Netherlands, Israel, Hungary, Germany, and beyond. Every country, institution, mentor, colleague, and friendship has contributed something meaningful to my development.

However, my years at Szent István University hold a particularly special place in my journey. The university gave me much more than a doctoral degree. It provided an international environment where I could grow academically, professionally, and personally. The knowledge, friendships, cultural experiences, confidence, and soft skills I developed during those years helped create the foundation for the international career I have today.

As an alumnus, I am keen to remain actively connected with the MATE alumni community. I would be delighted to share my international academic, pharmaceutical, leadership, and entrepreneurial experience with current students and fellow alumni. I strongly believe that alumni can play an important role in mentoring young professionals, sharing international opportunities, strengthening professional networks, and building meaningful bridges between universities, industries, and countries.

If there is one message I would like to share with current students, it is this: remain curious, be open to different cultures, and never hesitate to explore opportunities beyond your comfort zone. The knowledge you gain at university is important, but the people you meet, the experiences you embrace, and the skills you develop along the way can shape your future in ways you may never have imagined.

For me, success has never been a single destination. It is a continuous journey of learning, embracing challenges, connecting with people, and using our knowledge and experience to create a positive impact.

My journey began with a passion for veterinary science, but education and international opportunities gave it a global direction. Today, as I continue my work in drug safety, clinical research, and entrepreneurship, I carry with me the experiences and values gained throughout this journey—including the unforgettable chapter of my life at Szent István University in Hungary.