We are thrilled to announce that the call for nominations for the 2025 Danish Diabetes and Endocrine Academy (DDEA) Awards is now open. To celebrate, we are sharing reflections from the 2024 DDEA Award winners, starting with 2024 DDEA Early-Career Researcher Award winner, Associate Professor Jordi Merino.

Photo from left to right: 2024 DDEA Award winners Nicklas Rasmussen, Jordi Merino and Adam Hulman

What has it meant to win the DDEA Early-Career Research Award?

To receive the 2024 DDEA Early-Career Research Award has been a highlight of my career.

Early-career scientists navigate a complex landscape, from defining their research focus to securing funding in a highly competitive environment.

In an environment with very many talented researchers, gaining visibility and recognition can be challenging.

The DDEA Award serves as a valuable endorsement, and it has provided new opportunities.

Photo from left to right: DDEA Managing Director, Tore Christiansen, and 2024 DDEA Early-Career Award Winner Jordi Merino

After receiving the award, I have been invited to present at international conferences, such as the Spanish Diabetes Society meeting in Granada, Spain, and the Precision Medicine Forum in Stockholm, Sweden. I have also participated in strategic boards and committees at various levels such as the NIDDKs Heterogeneity of Diabetes Working Group of Council where I co-chair the lifestyle group or the DDEA’s Board Committee on Strategic Partnerships.

Why Participate in the Award Nominations?

I encourage all my colleagues to participate in the DDEA Awards by nominating deserving early-career researchers.

Being nominated by peers or mentors is a significant vote of confidence, especially in a field where setbacks are common.

🔗 Learn more & submit your award nominations

What Sets the DDEA Awards Apart?

DDEA is instrumental in fostering and advancing research in diabetes, metabolism, and classical endocrinology. By providing education, networking opportunities, and grants to early-career researchers, the DDEA has created a remarkable platform for scientific growth. This makes the DDEA Early-Career Researcher Award particularly prestigious, as it signifies recognition from a leading organisation in the field committed to nurturing the next generation of leaders in the field.

Learn more about Jordi Merino’s research in his 2024 DDEA Early-Career Research Award winner portrait: DDEA Award Recipient Jordi Merino Wants to Leave a Lasting Impact with His Genetics Research

Photo: 2024 DDEA Early-Career Award Winner Jordi Merino in fireside chat

Here at the DDEA, we want to continue to support and celebrate the emerging talent in our community.

Learn more about how to nominate for the 2025 DDEA Awards and submit your nominations 🚀

About the DDEA Awards

Each year at the DDEA Annual Day, we award prizes to recognise excellence, innovation, passion, and commitment in Danish diabetes, metabolism, and classical endocrinology research.

Therefore, the DDEA calls for nominations for:

• The Early-Career Researcher Awards are presented to one early-career researcher within diabetes and one early-career researcher within classical endocrinology.
• The DDEA Research Education and Networking Award is presented to a national or international researcher (at any point of her/his career) who has contributed to improvements of the DDEA and/or the Danish Diabetes Academy (DDA) activities within education, talent development, networking and/or collaboration.