The sun was shining in Nyborg at the annual DCAcademy Summer Meeting, where 150 enthusiastic cardiovascular researchers participated.

“I was thrilled to see so many researchers – we have almost doubled the attendance since 2021”, says Christian Aalkjær, Executive Managing Director, DCAcademy.

More than 40 talks altogether gave significant inspiration on cardiovascular science and treatment innovations. The DCAcademy summer meeting included both plenary sessions and parallel sessions dividing the meeting into a basic part and a clinical part. Thus, providing more time for also young researchers to present their research.

I presented my research for the first time

“I was really pleased to be given the opportunity to present my research for the very first time. I received good feedback which made me reflect upon additional perspectives,” Selma Hasific, PhD student, University of Southern Denmark.

The scientific presentations ranged from topics on animal models to implants, cardiac proteomics, treatment of cardiac arrest and much more.

Keynote speakers, Professor Brant Isakson, Professor Christian Torp-Pedersen and Professor Thomas Lüscher delivered excellent presentations. Brant Isakson and Christian Torp-Pedersen discussed the future of scientific publishing and concluded that a cover letter and abstract with a clear message is the first prerequisite for making an impression on the editors of a journal. Professor Thomas Lüscher rounded off the meeting with an inspirational talk on the trends and future of cardiovascular medicine.

Ideas arise through conversation

Networking and career speed dating was also part of the meeting. Young researchers had the possibility to meet professors and ask about their career paths.

“The summer meeting provided a very open environment which allowed me to meet people whom I only knew through their research publications,” says Lauge Vammen, PhD student, Aarhus University.

“Many ideas arise through conversation and opens for the opportunity to start new collaborations,” continues Lauge Vammen.

Awards were given to dedicated cardiovascular researchers

Highlights of this year’s summer meeting was the DCAcademy Lifetime Achievement Award which was given to Prof. Gorm Boje Jensen for his lifelong dedication to cardiovascular research and his work on the Copenhagen City Heart Study.

Young talents were also celebrated. A 10,000 DKK travel grant for best oral presentation was given to Selma Hasific and Lasse Bach Steffensen from University of Southern Denmark. A 5,000 DKK travel grant for best poster presentation was given to Sofie Troest from University of Copenhagen and Mohab Abdallah from Aarhus University.

“Congratulations to our award recipients and a huge thanks to all participating cardiovascular researchers. It was fantastic to see everyone being enthusiastic about the research presentations which were all of very high quality,” says Christian Aalkjær, Executive Managing Director, DCAcademy.

Next year’s summer meeting will be 15^th – 17^th of June 2023 in Nyborg.