31st EASD Scientists Training Course 2025
Investigating diabetes: from islet studies to patient care
EASD will hold its 31st Scientists Training Course in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain from 10 -14 November 2025, with the objective of promoting new talents in the field of diabetes research and fostering diabetes research in centres throughout the world.
The course is supported by Lilly Diabetes.
Content/Programme
The course programme, organized by Joan Marc Servitja, PhD and Rosa Gasa, PhD, offers a comprehensive overview of current research in diabetes, integrating daily lectures with hands-on training in both basic and clinical science.
Laboratory sessions will focus on key experimental techniques in islet biology, including mouse pancreatic islet isolation, islet cell culture, single-cell dissociation, generation of size-controlled pseudo-islets, insulin secretion assays, immunofluorescence, and morphometric data analysis.
Participants will also engage in practical sessions held in an exercise physiology lab, where human phenotyping and fitness assessments will be conducted.
A dedicated half-day practical session will introduce participants to cardiovascular risk and diabetes. Complementary lectures will address the latest therapeutic approaches, including novel pharmacological treatments for diabetes and obesity, lifestyle intervention strategies, beta cell replacement therapies and the discovery of biomarkers for disease progression and comorbidities.
Throughout the course, participants will present and discuss their own research projects with faculty and peers, fostering interdisciplinary exchange and personalized mentorship.
Criteria and eligibility for acceptance to the course
Applicants must be EASD members and hold a medical degree or PhD, or be in the process of obtaining a PhD, with no more than 10 years of professional experience following the completion of their degree. Selected participants are required to attend the event in person, be present for all sessions, and possess fluency in English.
Cost of the course
Successful applicants will be required to pay a registration fee of €300, as well as their travel costs. The cost of hotel accommodation and meals will be covered by EASD for the duration of the course.
The application must include the following:
- A curriculum vitae, current professional address (with telephone and email address) and full details of education and academic and/or clinical career to date. There should be a complete list of publications and mention of any meetings or workshops attended.
- A one-page letter of support from the Head of the applicant’s current Department or the PhD or postdoc supervisor. Aside from attesting to the qualities of the candidate, this letter should clearly state how the department proposes to provide the necessary facilities and support to allow the candidate to continue in diabetes research.
- A one-page description of the applicant’s current research interests, including a brief explanation of how this course specifically will help in reaching their immediate research goals, in addition to their future career in diabetes research.
- Proof of EASD membership number.
How to apply
The application deadline has passed.
For any queries, please contact: amina.anttila@easd.org
