EASD Robert Turner Course 2025 Report

7 - 11 April 2025 at Kebble College in Oxford, UK

Day 1 - Welcome Day

After weeks of careful preparation, we were greeted in Oxford on Monday, 7 April 2025, by Mary and Amina - and by exeptionally beautiful weather. Our first evening was dedicated to getting to know each other and exploring the historic colleges of Oxford. Arriving from 13 different countries, we were united in our excitement for what the week would bring. The walking tour was led by our wonderful guide, Christine Kelly, who shared a treasure trove of fascinating facts and stories. With her insights, we gained a glimpse into the impressive world of the University of the University of Oxford. The evening ended with our first dinner together, where we had the opportunity to connect and form long-lasting bonds.

Day 2

We started the first day with breakfast in a Hogwarts-like hall at Kebble College (so impressive!), setting the tone for the days ahead. Afterwards, we were taken by bus to the Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism (OCDEM), where we were warmly welcomed by Prof. Ray, Prof. Clark, Prof. Tsapas and Dr. Smith. Our first day focused on research skills, from formulating a clear research question using the PICO format to navigating the basics of statistics for clinical research. Next, we delved into an advanced introduction to "R" (following the introductory "R" session before the start of the RTC 2025) and took part in practical R exercises in groups. These sessions enabled us to engage more deepy with the material and get to know each other better. The academic day concluded with an interesting lecture on MASLD, followed by a typical British dinner at a pub, where we tested our general knowledge in a pub quiz featuring questions about our own countries.

Day 3

Our second day started with valuable workshops on the critical analysis of academic papers. Afterwards, we returned to working in “R” to familiarise ourselves further with the available dataset and plan our data analysis project. After lunch, we attended a lecture: “From enteroendocrine cell signalling to weight loss drugs - Incretins and beyond” by Prof. Gribble.

It was an insightful dive into innovative research. To round up the day, we were introduced to the Clinical Research Unit (CRU), where we were thrown into a pressure-cooker scenario. In very little time, we had to design and plan a mini CRU project from scratch. It was an intense but rewarding experience.

Day 4

The following day, we carried out our CRU experiment, performing all steps of the study, including blood draws, laboratory work, centrifugation, data analysis, and presentation of the results. This hands-on challenge was instrumental in helping us appreciate the complexities of clinical research. In the afternoon, Vivienne Parry gave an entertaining workshop on the importance of communicating science in a clear and engaging way.

In the evening, we had the privilege of attending a formal dinner at St. Giles House. This beautiful location was the perfect place to receive our certificates of participation in this prestigious Robert Turner Course and be welcomed into the esteemed ranks of RTC alumni.

It was an insightful dive into innovative research. To round up the day, we were introduced to the Clinical Research Unit (CRU), where we were thrown into a pressure-cooker scenario. In very little time, we had to design and plan a mini CRU project from scratch. It was an intense but rewarding experience.

Day 5

Friday was dedicated to writing an abstract and finalising the group project. Additionally, Prof. Ray shared many useful tips on applying for fellowships, offering valuable advice for our future careers. Throughout the week, we had worked in groups on conducting a statistical analysis in “R” on a provided dataset. Each team came up with a unique analysis of the same data, it was inspiring to see what we could achieve in so few days! After our final presentations, it was time to say our goodbyes. 

This intense course has strengthened our passion for diabetes research and fostered meaningful connections both personally and professionally. With nourished hearts and minds, everyone set off on their journeys home.

Final Day Summary

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the OCDEM team for their outstanding guidance throughout this unforgettable week. Special thanks to Mary Hata and Ami Anttila (affectionately known as ‘Mami’) for their constant support and warm presence. We are also grateful to Prof. Ray for sharing his contagious scientific enthusiasm and to Dr. Poolman for expertly guiding us through the complexities of R coding. 

Finally, we sincerely thank Lilly Diabetes and the EASD, sponsors of this course, for their generous support in making this experience possible.