•  
  •  
 

Document Type

Editorial

Abstract

The FIU 2025 Diabetes Awareness Day brought together students, researchers, clinicians, and community partners for a dynamic celebration of scientific inquiry, interdisciplinary collaboration, and shared commitment to reducing the burden of diabetes. This supplement presents the 28 research abstracts showcased during the event—an impressive reflection of the emerging scholarship at Florida International University and the collective drive to advance diabetes prevention, management, and population health.

The event opened with student exhibits, setting the tone for a day grounded in innovation and curiosity. These exhibits highlighted the diverse ways in which future researchers and health professionals are addressing metabolic diseases—from novel dietary and behavioral interventions to community-engaged approaches and technology-enabled solutions. Their contributions underscore the growing role of student-led research in shaping the next frontier of diabetes science.

In his welcome remarks, Dr. Andrés Gil emphasized the university’s expanding research infrastructure and its commitment to supporting work at the intersection of biomedical discovery, public health, and translational science. His message resonated throughout the event: that diabetes is not only a biological condition, but a societal challenge requiring evidence-based, cross-sector solutions.

This idea was further developed in the keynote lecture delivered by Dr. Elisabetta Patorno, whose presentation on real-world evidence for decision-making in cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic treatment offered a compelling look at how large-scale data can inform clinical practice and policy. Her insights highlighted the essential role of pharmacoepidemiology and real-world data in understanding treatment effectiveness, improving care pathways, and tailoring interventions for populations at highest risk.

The panel discussion—“Beyond the Scale: How GLP-1s and Whole-Person Strategies Transform Obesity Treatment and Diabetes Prevention”—brought together an interdisciplinary group of experts including Dr. Amalia Landa-Galindez, Dr. Cristina Palacios, and Dr. Pia Henfridsson, moderated by Dr. Noël C. Barengo. Their dialogue illuminated the rapidly evolving landscape of obesity and diabetes care, particularly the integration of GLP-1 receptor agonists with lifestyle modification, nutrition, behavioral health, and equity-focused approaches. The conversation highlighted a crucial theme reflected across many of the abstracts in this supplement: that effective diabetes prevention must embrace a whole-person, culturally informed perspective.

At the heart of the event were the student poster presentations, moderated by Dr. Anuradha Godavarty. The abstracts published here represent a rich spectrum of methodological approaches and thematic areas, including health disparities, dietary patterns, physical activity, metabolic risk factors, digital health, health education, and clinical outcomes research. Together, these works demonstrate the strength of FIU’s research training environment and the motivation of its students to confront one of the world’s most pressing public health challenges.

This supplement not only documents the scientific contributions presented at the FIU 2025 Diabetes Awareness Day but also celebrates the collaborative spirit that defines our academic community. As we look toward the future, the insights generated at this event—and captured within these pages—will continue to inspire innovation, partnership, and progress in the fight against diabetes.

Download

Share

COinS