Mátyás Hencz graduated as a geographer from the Faculty of Science at Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE). Even as a student, he focused on physical geography, particularly volcanology. He completed his PhD at the ELTE Doctoral School of Earth Sciences, earning his degree in 2022. In his doctoral research, he studied explosive volcanic formations in the Bükkalja region using field-based (stratigraphic), geophysical, and geochemical methods. He also worked with geographic information systems (GIS).

Since 2022, he has been a research fellow at the HUN-REN Research Institute of Earth Phsysics and Space Science, within the MTA-FI FluidsByDepth Momentum Research Group. His current research involves the volcanic centers of the Bakony–Balaton Uplands and the movement of mantle-derived fluids related to regional volcanism. Since 2024, he has also served as the institute's data steward, responsible for managing, assessing, and preserving the institute’s data assets.

At HUN-REN EPSS, this role is especially important, as the institute collects large volumes of live data with high-frequency sampling—sometimes minute-by-minute or even more frequently—on phenomena such as seismic activity, geomagnetism, and solar activity. Creating an inventory of these data streams forms the foundation for all further data stewardship activities.

“As a data steward, the biggest challenge for me is understanding and interpreting the data of research projects outside my own field. At the same time, I find it exciting to gain a comprehensive view of the work, people, and projects at HUN-REN FI.”