Malte Palm Suppli, MD, PhD candidate has just completed his PhD Scholarship on ‘The Impact of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease on Hepatic Glucagon Sensitivity and Amino Acid Turnover’ at Center for Clinical Metabolic Research, Gentofte Hospital with a grant from Danish Diabetes Academy (DDA) (now known as Danish Diabetes and Endocrine Academy).

We have asked Malte Palm Suppli to reflect on his time as a DDA-funded researcher.

What are the most important findings of your research project?

We have found glucagon resistance in individuals with obesity and that similar signs of glucagon resistance can be induced in lean individuals with a short-term hypercaloric diet intervention. We also found that these changes were reversible after a recovery period.

How is your research project relevant to the public?

The purpose of my research projects has been to explore the basal physiology of glucagon. Many new obesity medications are glucagon receptor agonists and therefore it is highly relevant to increase our knowledge on glucagon physiology.

What was a highlight in your time as a DDA-funded researcher?

The opportunity to present my research at international conferences has been among the highlights.

Which challenges have you encountered on your way?

One of the main challenges was to conduct a clinical research project during the COVID-19 pandemic, but luckily, we managed to get it done.

What has your DDA grant meant for your research, education, and network?

The DDA grant has meant a great deal for the feasibility of my research and the DDA-funded courses have been among the best during my PhD.

If you could go back in time and give yourself one piece of advice before starting your research project, what would it be?

There are many small tips and tricks I have learned underway, but it is hard to name one specific piece of advice.

What is next for you?

Paternity leave and submitting my thesis.

Malte Palm Suppli’s closest collaborators have been Professor Jens Juul Holst, Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Clinical Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen and Associate Professor Nicolai Jacob Wewer Albrechtsen, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital, University of Copenhagen. Malte Palm Suppli received additional funding from A.P. Møller Fonden til Lægevidenskabens Fremme.

We wish Malte Palm Suppli all the best in his future career.