This September, DDEA invites postdocs to Bornholm, Denmark for our annual Postdoc Summit.
Join us to strengthen the endocrinology research community through scientific and professional development at the postdoc level.
By gathering both Danish and international postdocs for an immersive week-long event, we will provide you with opportunities to gain a broader scientific perspective on diabetes, metabolism and classical endocrinology research by bridging fundamental discoveries with clinical science and public health. In addition, we will offer workshops and reflect on the challenges faced by early-career researchers.
During the five-day Postdoc Summit you will attend scientific lectures by Danish and international experts, present and get feedback on your own research, be inspired to broaden your career horizon, learn new skills, and be challenged to examine the role of scientists in the world.
Mark your calendars if you want to expand your professional network, engage in and give your perspective on highly topical themes within diabetes and classical endocrinology research, and have fun with new and old peers in a relaxed, informal and beautiful environment.
During the five-day summit, we aim to give you a broad scientific perspective as well as the opportunity to expand your professional network. Therefore, each day will have one themed scientific session, followed by other activities such as poster sessions, workshops, networking activities, and group work on a timely challenge. Please see below for an overview of the programme.
As we believe that interactivity improves learning outcomes, we expect you to be actively involved in the group work and discussions with other participants and speakers throughout the event. We kindly ask you to bring your own laptop so that you can look up materials, contribute actively to group discussions and prepare group presentations.
The following topics will be covered during the Postdoc Summit:
The Story of GLP-1
GLP-1-based treatments are the biggest story in science right now. In recent years, Ozempic has made waves in the global media. This breakthrough is not only transforming the lives of patients with metabolic disease but is also affecting entire economies. The groundbreaking work which led to these treatments originated here in Denmark, and in this session you will hear from one of the scientist who made these discoveries and carried them into a world-changing reality.
Endocrinology: Important in the Gland Scheme of Things
While insulin and the pancreas have traditionally been the main focus in diabetes research, other endocrine organs crucial to metabolism and health are often overlooked. This session will explore these sometimes forgotten organs, discussing their roles in regulating human health and potential as therapeutic targets. Specifically, you will hear about the brain’s influence on energy and glucose management, the latest in male contraception research, and how adipose tissue might be harnessed to combat metabolic disease.
Considerations in Diabetes Research and Treatment
Diabetes and its complications have a dramatic impact not only on individuals and their families, but also on a societal and global scale. There are a broad range of considerations that should be assessed when studying diabetes and its effects: What are the next generation of technologies providing novel routes to monitor and manage diabetes? With speakers from diverse fields like clinical diabetes, engineering and basic research, this session promises a holistic view of current practices and future improvements in diabetes treatment.
Senescence and Premature Ageing
Age comes to us all, but never entirely equally. As we are living longer as a society it is vital that we understand what this looks like on a cellular level. Of particular interest is senescence, an irreversible cell cycle arrest which progresses with age. In this session, you will learn about how different organs in our body change with age and what we can do to ensure that they grow old with grace.
Workshops
In addition to the scientific sessions described above, you will be able to choose and participate in one of three hands-on, active workshops led by experts:
Workshop I: Opening the black box of machine learning in clinical predictions, a primer:
Ready to dip your toes into machine learning waters for diabetes and endocrine research?
In this no-code workshop you will get dumped in the shallow end of the machine learning pool. We’ll explore the difference of association and prediction in clinical studies. The workshop is hosted by Benjamin Lebiecka-Johansen, a data science researcher and machine learning enthusiast from Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus (DK).
Workshop II: Engaging with journal editors – cover letters and beyond
In this workshop you will delve into how to best communicate with editors, draft compelling cover letters and abstracts, and navigate the editorial process from start to finish. The workshop is hosted by Isabella Samuelson, Scientific Manager at Novo Nordisk Foundation (DK), and former Senior Editor at Springer Nature Group (UK)
Workshop III: Storytelling for Scientists:
In this speaker skills training workshop, you will learn to communicate complex concepts clearly, by removing jargon, learning techniques for counteracting miscommunication and gaining confidence in delivering engaging presentations for general and scientific audiences. This workshop is hosted by Adam Montandon, a renowned Public Speaking Coach in Denmark, whose network encompasses CEO’s, start-up entrepreneurs, researchers and international professionals.
DDEA Postdoc Challenge 2024
Throughout the DDEA Postdoc Summit you will work on a special assignment, known as the DDEA Postdoc Challenge. This year we ask our participants to reflect on a question:
“Are academic researchers part of the real world?”
What’s the point of an academic? Why should the government fund a scientist over employing a nurse? Whilst many researchers believe their work is vital to the world, does the public share that view?
This year we challenge you to consider what place academic researchers have in the world. We want to know if it is time to re-think how academics are best placed to positively impact wider society. And, we want to provide new solutions as to how we should continue to drive innovation and bring progress to the world.
Consider these points:
These are the questions you, as a participant, will solve as you work together in small groups throughout the week. After the Postdoc Summit, your solutions can be presented to the world. Together, we want the voices of postdocs to be heard and make their mark on how academics could best serve the world now and into the future.
If you have been confirmed a seat at the Postdoc Summit (informed by email in late June), you will receive an in-depth description of each challenge topic before signing up for one of the topics.
Sunday 22 September
Keynote I: The Postdoc Summit 2024 Opening Town Hall
Monday 23 September
Session I: The Story of GLP-1
Challenge I: Postdoc Summit Challenge 2024
Poster session I: Poster pitches & presentation
Tuesday 24 September
Session II: Endocrinology: Important in the Gland Scheme of Things
Workshops: Three concurrent workshops
Challenge II: Postdoc Summit Challenge 2024
Poster session II: Poster pitches & presentations
Wednesday 25 September
Session III: Considerations in Diabetes Research and Treatment
Challenge III: Postdoc Summit Challenge 2024
Excursion on Bornholm
Thursday 26 September
Session IV: Senescence and Premature Ageing
Challenge IV: Postdoc Summit Challenge 2024 Finale
Keynote II: Closing keynote talk
Friday 27 September
Farewell & departure
Confirmed Speakers & workshop leaders:
Organisers:
The Postdoc Summit is organised by the Danish Diabetes and Endocrine Academy in collaboration with the Postdoc Summit Organising Committee consisting of:
For more information regarding the scientific content of the Postdoc Summit, please contact the chairs of the organising committee:
The Postdoc Summit is open for postdoctoral researchers and clinicians on the postdoctoral level, working in or outside of Denmark, in any field of diabetes, metabolism, and all classical endocrinology fields. We welcome postdocs from basic, translational and clinical research, including interdisciplinary research in fields related to diabetes and endocrinology. Advanced PhD students in their final year are welcome to apply, but seats are prioritised for postdocs.
Participants are selected based on abstract submission, not a first-come, first-served basis. Therefore, you are welcome to apply right up to the deadline.
After the registration deadline, all applicants will be informed whether or not they have been allocated a seat at the Summit. Notification will be by email from DDEA no later than 30 June 2024.
Please note that you are not guaranteed a seat at the Postdoc Summit if you do not meet the target group requirements. Priority is given to participants employed at Danish research and health institutions or life science industry, but seats are reserved for participants employed at research and health institutions or life science industry abroad. We value a diverse participant group, and therefore encourage all who are interested to apply regardless of their country of employment.
If the event is overbooked, DDEA reserves its right to select participants based on the defined requirements.
Accommodation and meals
DDEA provides and covers the costs of accommodation and meals for all selected participants at the Green Solution House, Bornholm, from 22-27 September 2024.
Transportation
When you register, you can sign up for joint transportation by bus and ferry from Copenhagen to Rønne on 22 September and the return from Rønne to Copenhagen on 27 September. This bus and ferry transportation is covered by DDEA.
All other travel costs and costs for overnight accommodation before or after 22-27 September are at the participants’ own expense.
Certification
A course certificate will be sent to all participants upon request at the end of the course.
No-show fee
It is free of charge to participate in the course however DDEA will charge a no-show fee of 2000 DKK if you do not show up and have not unregistered from the course by 8 September.
Please note that we expect all participants to have approval from their supervisors for the week-long course, with full presence and participation, prior to completing the registration form.
Deadline for submission of abstracts: : 23 June 2024, 23:59
Abstract guidelines:
Be sure your abstract contains the following information and adheres to the following formatting guidelines before submission:
You may download the template here
The abstract should be max 1500 characters incl. spaces and written in Arial 10.
The body of the abstract contains the following content: background and aim, rationale, methods, results (if obtained to-date), conclusion (and perspectives)
(Text in Arial 10)
No images, figures, charts or tables should be included in the abstract.
Please proofread carefully before submission and submit a Word file and please name the file that you submit with your name.
Format of poster
Size of poster: A0 or A1 – width max. 1 m/height max. 1.25 m in portrait format to fit the poster boards.
EAN: 5798 0022 30642
Reference: 1025 0006
CVR: 29 19 09 09
