Cardiometabolic Networking Summit 2026
Graduate School of Health and Medical Sciences at University of Copenhagen
Seats for this course are reserved for PhD students at the Graduate School of Health and Medical Sciences at UCPH.
Anyone can apply for the course, but if you are not a PhD student at the Graduate School, you will be placed on the waiting list until enrollment deadline. After the enrolment deadline, available seats will be allocated to the waiting list.
The course is free of charge for PhD students at Danish universities (except Copenhagen Business School), and for PhD students at NorDoc member faculties. All other participants must pay the course fee.
Learning objectives
A student who has met the objectives of the course will be able to:
1. Discuss and explain current research on how cardiometabolic diseases develop, including the role of genetics, fetal programming, hormones, and atherosclerosis.
2. Understand and evaluate new research methods in cardiometabolic research, including stem cells, cellular models, and drug metabolism studies.
3. Present research clearly to other scientists, participate in scientific debates, and critically discuss controversies in the field (such as metabolically healthy obesity and fish oil benefits).
4. Work with researchers from different backgrounds to identify research priorities and understand how policy decisions affect cardiometabolic health, especially women's health.
5. Build a professional network in the cardiometabolic research community through collaborative work and peer discussions.
Content
This PhD course covers key topics in cardiometabolic research through lectures, workshops, and group activities. Students actively participate throughout the course by presenting their research, discussing scientific topics in groups, and working together on real-world problems.
Three international keynote speakers will give talks on new developments in the field. After each keynote, students work in groups to discuss questions and ideas. Leading Danish researchers in cardiology, diabetes, genetics, and pharmacology will give lectures and lead discussions.
The course starts with an masterclass on Wednesday for students to give an extra training in sex hormones, genetics, and research methods.
Throughout the course, you will learn about different research methods used in cardiometabolic research, from basic lab techniques to clinical trials and population studies.
The course includes eight main topics: (1) Fetal programming of cardiometabolic disease, (2) Genetics of cardiometabolic disease, (3) Early CVD prevention in obesity, (4) Sex hormones and cardiometabolic disease, (5) Atherosclerosis across the lifespan, (6) Stem cells and cellular models, (7) Cardiometabolic facts or myths, and (8) Preventive medicine.
Student activities include:
• Group discussions after each major lecture to talk about what the research means for the field
• Opportunities for students to give 6-minute presentations about their own research
• Two poster sessions where students present and discuss their work
• Working through patient cases to apply what you learn
• A workshop on women's health where students work together to suggest research priorities and how funding should be used
• Interactive debates on controversial topics with audience voting and discussion
• Networking activities to meet other researchers and build collaborations
• Group exercises looking at recent studies and discussing their impact
Participants
The course is designed for PhD students and postdocs working in the cardiovascular and metabolic research fields.
Relevance to graduate programmes
The course is relevant to PhD students from the following graduate programmes at the Graduate School of Health and Medical Sciences, UCPH:
Cardiovascular Research
Basic Metabolic Research
Cellular and Genetic Medicine
Language
English
Form
Lectures, group work, discussions, poster presentations
Course director
Thomas Jespersen, professor, University of Copenhagen, thojes@sund.ku.dk
Teachers
Ewout Hoorn, Professor, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam
Grant Montgomery, Professor, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland
Gunnar Gislason, Professor, Danish Heart Foundation
Henning Bundgaard , Professor, The Capital Region's Unit of Inherited Cardiac Diseases, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen
Jacob Fog Bentzon, Professor, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University
Jens Meldgaard Bruun, Clinical Professor, Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus
Julia Krause, Senior Research Scientist, Novo Nordisk A/S
Lasse Gliemann, Associate Professor, Department of Nutrition, Exersice and Sports, University of Copenhagen
Line Hjort, Postdoc, Center for Basic Metabolic Research, University of Copenhagen
Martin Bødtker Mortensen, Associate Professor, Department of Cardiology, Aarhus University Hospital
Mette Nyegaard, Professor, Genomic Medicine Group, Aalborg University
Per Glud Ovesen, Professor, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University
Sigrid Bjerge Gribsholt, Clinical Researcher, Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus
Torben Hansen, Professor, Center for Basic Metabolic Research, University of Copenhagen
Tore B. Stage, Professor, Clinical Pharmocology, Pharmacy and Environmental Medicine, University of Southern Denmark
Dates
18 - 21 March 2026
Course location
Comwell Kellers Park, h.O. Wildenskovsvej 28, 7080 Børkop
Expected frequency
Yearly (March)
Seats to PhD students from other Danish universities will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and according to the applicable rules.
Applications from other participants will be considered after the last day of enrolment.
Note: All applicants are asked to submit invoice details in case of no-show, late cancellation or obligation to pay the course fee (typically non-PhD students). If you are a PhD student, your participation in the course must be in agreement with your principal supervisor.