While in Milan, the KCL Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge team reconnected with old friends in the diabetes research sphere and made new connections. This sense of community fosters a culture of collaboration and friendship which is conducive to producing the best research outcomes.

The KCL Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge team concluded the summer at the Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD)! One of the team’s abstracts was awarded the Best Early Career Researcher Abstract prize. Stay tuned for more updates on our upcoming publications!

Last week, our Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge researchers had a blast at the King’s Diabetes Research Group Summer Away Day! ☀️🏸 This was a wonderful opportunity for the team to unwind and relax after a busy summer of research. 🌻✨

🔬 Researcher Spotlight of the Week: Meet Ryea Arora! Ryea graduated from King’s with a First class MSci in Pharmacology. Ryea works both in vitro and in vivo to help improve the function and survival of stem cell-derived islets. Outside of the lab, you can find Ryea travelling, reading or baking!

🔬 Researcher Spotlight of the Week: Meet Dr. Zekun Lyu! Zekun completed his PhD at King’s last July. He uses bioinformatics tools to unravel the transcriptional networks within mouse, human and stem cell-derived islets. Outside the lab, Zekun is a keen cook and a big fan of esports and gaming.

Tzuwen from our team was recently hosted by The Sugar Science to talk about her recent paper describing how secretions from supportive cells help improve beta cell function and survival. 🔬🧫 Watch the full talk here (youtu.be/sQbBI2c3GkU?...) and read the paper here (www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/15...)!

Beneficial Effects of Mesenchymal Stromal Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles on Beta-Cell Survival

YouTube video by The Sugar Science

youtu.be

Our technical team won a Freezer Challenge Prize! The Freezer Challenge awards points efficient and sustainable use of cold storage. This year, we improved inventory systems and reduced the number of cold storage units in the department, saving energy and more efficiently using existing storage.

🔬 Researcher Spotlight of the Week: Meet William Blackstone Whines! William’s research investigates how survival of lab-grown islets can be improved, especially looking at their function in vivo. When not in the lab William enjoys being outdoors, whether this be skiing or just going for a walk.

🔬Meet Sarah Gatward! ✨ Sarah, our PPI lead and co-applicant, is a Diabetes UK medallist who has lived with type 1 diabetes since March 1972, offering insight from lived experience. Outside research, Sarah is the Finance Director at Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, and enjoys yoga and theatre performances.

Many congratulations to Adya, who received the award for ‘Outstanding Technical Services Support for Research’, and to Aileen who won the ‘Outstanding Educator Award’ at the King’s Faculty Awards this week. Shanta, Lydia, Will, and Sula were also nominated for awards. 🎉🎉

Aileen from our team was delighted to attend the Type 1 Tipping Point event in Westminster last week. Hosted by Josh Newbury MP and Diabetes UK, the event reinforced that investment in UK diabetes research is essential to improve outcomes for people living with type 1 diabetes.

Last week, Aileen, Lydia, and Tzuwen attended the Islet Study Group 2026 conference in Barcelona! Lydia and Tzuwen presented posters describing their research on improving islet function and after a long day of engaging scientific talks the team enjoyed some delicious food and a trip to the beach!

🔬 Research Spotlight of the Month: Meet Adya Lonsane! Adya joined King’s as an undergraduate, studying Pharmacology. She now works on transplanting lab grown islets into mice to their function. Outside the lab, Adya enjoys travelling, crocheting, baking, and playing badminton!

Last month, our Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge Team enjoyed a well-deserved sunny Away Day! ☀️👒 They set off on a 15km walk along the Thames Path from Battersea Power Station to Kew, giving them the chance to slow down, bask in the sunshine, and spend time together outside the lab. 🌳✨

Last week, our team took part in an insightful personality workshop led by Angelina Bennet, exploring different personality types, communication styles, and ways to collaborate more effectively. A huge thank you to Angelina for an engaging and thought-provoking session!

🔬 Research Spotlight of the Month: Meet Rosie Sullivan! Rosie works on improving the function and survival of lab-grown islets. When Rosie isn’t in the lab she loves getting outside exploring the UK hiking, cycling, horse riding, running and swimming!

🔬 Research Spotlight of the Month: Meet Neve Oliver-Hannis! Neve is a Research Assistant and compares the function and characteristics of stem cell-derived islets with human beta cells. Outside the lab, Neve enjoys travelling, running and skiing, especially trying to get a new top speed!

What is Type 1 Diabetes and why is Diabetes research important? Here, Adya from our team explains how Type 1 Diabetes works 🔬 Stay tuned to learn more about our research using stem cells in Type 1 Diabetes! #type1diabetes #diabetesresearch

Our T1DGC-funded early career researchers did us proud at the Diabetes UK Professional Conference 2026 in Liverpool, with excellent presentations from Lydia (received the Early Career Investigator Award), Tzu-Wen (was named Runner Up for the Basic Science Poster Award), Jess, Rosie, and Will!! 🧑‍🔬🎉

Spending time with our PPI group and hearing their experiences of living with diabetes was incredibly valuable. We learned more about the constant balancing act people with Type 1 diabetes face every day. Thank you to everyone who trusted us with their experiences. ✨

🔬 Research Spotlight of the Month: Meet Dr. Jess Starikova! Jess’ research focuses on validating the function and survival of stem cell-derived islets. Outside the lab, she enjoys travelling (especially to Venice 😉), watching live theatre, and catching up with friends over coffee!

Earlier this month, Jess from our team was invited by the Bromley Girl Guides to be interviewed about what it’s like to have a career in science! The girls had a brilliant time and asked lots of questions about the lab and her lanyard of science-themed pins! #womenandgirlsinscience #girlsinstem

Here’s Aileen giving our lovely Operations Officer, Sula, blessings at her traditional Bangle Ceremony for her baby-on-the-way! ✨ Family and friends blessed her by applying sandalwood to her face and adorning her with colourful bangles, wishing her a safe pregnancy and healthy arrival of the baby.

This International Women’s Day, the KCL Diabetes team celebrates the inspiring female mentors and role models that have shaped their journey in research! 👩‍🔬 #internationalwomensday #womeninSTEM #womeninscience

Research Spotlight: Dr @lydiagatward.bsky.social 🌟 Lydia is boosting the survival of stem cell-derived islets and testing them in vivo to advance diabetes therapies. Funded by the Steve Morgan Foundation, she’s a lab whiz, teacher, marathon runner, hiker & live music fan!

Staying active on and off the clock! The KCL Diabetes Team keeps moving with our weekly Thursday evening run club - and here’s a snap of some of our team members from a recent run! We sometimes follow it up with a monthly quiz night too - keeping both body and mind active💡 #KCLDiabetes

Celebrating @aileenking.bsky.social birthday in style 🥳The team came together for an in-house hot pot filled with laughter, great food, and even better company. Wishing her a very happy birthday with lots of joy, exciting scientific discoveries, and many more wonderful memories like these 💫🎂

A great team-building day in the park last year 🌳 Stepping outside the labs to enjoy nature, brave the weather, and spend quality time together - with a surprise visit from a special furry friend who clearly wanted to join the team! #KCLT1DiabetesGrandChallenge #teambuilding

We have successfully reached the end of our first batch of ARMI cells! 🧬 Looking back at these pictures makes us so proud of how far we’ve come. Now, we eagerly await our second batch of cells and the exciting research ahead. #KCLT1Diabetes #ARMIcells #cellculture #research

🔬 Researcher Spotlight: @tzuwenhong.bsky.social Postdoc funded by the Steve Morgan Foundation & KHP DEO, studying how support cells help beta cells survive for diabetes therapies. Marathon runner, triathlete & our go-to lab photographer 📸🏃‍♀️ #KCLT1DiabetesGrandChallenge #WomenInScience #STEM