Early Career Network Activities at #ECO2026

Early Career Network Activities at #ECO2026

The EASO Early Career Network (ECN) convenes annually at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO). This year, at the 33rd European Congress on Obesity in Istanbul, Türkiye, the EASO ECN Board hosted networking activities, award sessions, and specialist discussions in the ECN Lounge for early career professionals and students from across Europe and beyond.

The EASO ECN Board was pleased to work closely with the Turkish Association for the Study of Obesity (TASO) ECN Board, as the local early-career hosts of ECO2026. This collaboration was central to the ECN programme, with TASO ECN shaping congress activities and hosting an informal city walk through Istanbul for early career delegates.

Recognising Early-Career Contributions to Obesity Science

Several award sessions were held across the scientific programme, focusing on early-career research.

EASO – Novo Nordisk Foundation New Investigator Awards

The ECN celebrated the 2026 EASO – Novo Nordisk Foundation New Investigator Award recipients across Basic Science, Clinical Research, Childhood Obesity, and Public Health. Each Award is accompanied by a 300,000 DKK research grant, supporting early career researchers to advance their proposed work in the field of obesity.

Five people stand in front of a sign for the 33rd European Congress on Obesity (ECO 2026) with blue carpeting and conference badges visible.

Dr Edi Putra, UK (Public Health), Dr Nele Steenackers, Belgium (Clinical Research), Dr Jens Lund, Denmark (Basic Science), and Dr Sara Stinson, Norway (Childhood Obesity).

Recipients of the 2025 EASO-Novo Nordisk Foundation New Investigator Awards also returned to ECO for an interview-style update session, during which each winner reflected on their award-funded project since ECO2025.

Dr Maria Kafyra, Greece (Public Health), Dr Rima Chakaroun, Germany/Sweden (Clinical Research), Dr Roksana Pirzgalska, Portugal (Basic Science), and Dr Veera Houttu, Finland (Childhood Obesity).

EASO ECN Best Thesis Award

The EASO ECN Best Thesis Award 2026 recognised doctoral research by early career researchers in obesity. Three finalists were invited to ECO to present their doctoral research in a dedicated session:

Dr Elena Tsompanaki, UK – The Impact of Weight Loss Programmes on Disordered Eating

Dr Beatriz Cicuéndez, Spain – Coordinating Metabolic Balance Across Liver and Brown Adipose Tissue in Obesity: Exploring the Roles of p38δ and MCJ

Dr Leona Ryan, Ireland – Developing the Evidence-Base for a Digital Intervention to Address Weight Stigma in General Practice: A Patient and Practitioner-Informed Approach to Obesity Education and Training

Dr Borja Martinez Tellez joined the session to reflect on his career path, from completing his PhD to establishing an independent research group. Borja shared practical advice for early career researchers, including the importance of enjoying the process of “doing good science”.

Congratulations to Dr Beatriz Cicuéndez, who was awarded the EASO ECN Best Thesis Award 2026, selected by the ECN Board for her clear and engaging presentation of complex basic science research.

A group of people stand on stage holding certificates at the 33rd European Congress on Obesity, with event banners and a screen in the background.

Communicating Obesity Science

The ECN congress programme closed with an expert panel discussion, “In Conversation: Navigating the Do’s and Don’ts of Communicating Obesity Science”. ECN Board Members interviewed Professor Giles Yeo, and patient advocates representing the European Coalition for People living with Obesity (ECPO), Dr Şeniz Ünal and Ms Mari-Mette Graf. The discussion explored the importance of communicating obesity science clearly, accurately, and respectfully.

Thirteen people stand in a row indoors, posing and smiling for a group photo in front of a presentation screen about communicating obesity science.

The EASO ECN Board thanks all speakers, award recipients, session chairs, participants, and the TASO ECN Board for making ECO2026 a memorable experience for early career professionals and students. The Board hopes delegates left Istanbul with renewed energy, fresh perspectives, and valuable new connections.

“The teamwork, enthusiasm and support throughout the week made the experience extra special.”
Dr Laura Kudlek, ECN Board member, Germany

A group of eight people sit around a restaurant table, smiling at the camera with finished and half-eaten dishes in front of them. A group of people pose for a photo at night in front of the illuminated Galata Tower, surrounded by city buildings. A large group of people pose together outdoors in an urban square with buildings, flags, and a mosque visible in the background under a partly cloudy sky.