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KCL Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge @kcltype1diabetes.bsky.social · 2d

✨ Welcome Ryea Arora, our newest Research Technician! ✨
MSc Pharmacology (with Professional Placement) from King’s College London. Loves reading, baking, travelling, and was a barista during uni! ☕📚✈️🍰

#KCLT1DiabetesGrandChallenge #NewTeamMember #WomenInSTEM #ResearchTechnician #WelcomeToTheTeam

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KCL Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge @kcltype1diabetes.bsky.social · 9d

100km. Two amazing cyclists, @tzuwenhong.bsky.social & @rksullivan.bsky.social, recently crushed it! 🚴‍♀️ Memories made, fluids consumed, and huge thanks to Shanta for cheering them on – your support made all the difference! 🌟

#WomenInSTEM #CyclingAdventures #TeamPride #KCLT1Diabetes

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KCL Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge @kcltype1diabetes.bsky.social · 16d

@tzuwenhong.bsky.social

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KCL Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge @kcltype1diabetes.bsky.social · 16d

Tzuwen, our research fellow, presented on how islets are made to our PPI Steering Group and at @type1diabetesuk.bsky.social. Her creative, engaging talk showcased our team’s work, making complex science accessible and fun, and highlighting our research to patients and the wider diabetes community!

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KCL Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge @kcltype1diabetes.bsky.social · 23d

@aileenking.bsky.social @lydiagatward.bsky.social @rksullivan.bsky.social @tzuwenhong.bsky.social @adyayay.bsky.social

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KCL Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge @kcltype1diabetes.bsky.social · 23d

We were delighted to host our second in-person PPI meeting today! 🎉 A fantastic opportunity for the research team to connect with our PPI group, hear their perspectives, share updates, and engage in open discussions that highlight the importance of collaboration in shaping meaningful research.

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KCL Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge @kcltype1diabetes.bsky.social · Sep 11

@kingscollegelondon.bsky.social

KCL Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge @kcltype1diabetes.bsky.social · Sep 11

🔦 Researcher Spotlight 🔦

Peter Jones has dedicated 30+ years at to diabetes research & teaching, serving as Head of Physiology (2016–23). Outside work he’s a walker, gardener, craft beer brewer, proud Granddad - and an occasional cornsnake breeder.

#ResearcherSpotlight #DiabetesResearch

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KCL Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge @kcltype1diabetes.bsky.social · Sep 4

🔬 Research Spotlight
Our research team is co-culturing beta cells (green) with supporter MSCs (red). Beta cells migrate into islet-like structures, while MSCs may leave behind scaffolds for survival.

🚀 Stay tuned for more updates - we’re just getting started!
#kclt1diabetes #islettransplantation

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KCL Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge @kcltype1diabetes.bsky.social · Aug 28

@aileenking.bsky.social gave a tandem talk with Patrick McDonald at the DDEA Summer School (25–28 Aug), while Jana won a poster prize!

They enjoyed the sessions, early swims, great food & networking with fellow PhD researchers in diabetes & endocrinology.

#Diabetes #Endocrinology #Research

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KCL Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge @kcltype1diabetes.bsky.social · Aug 14

🌟 Research Spotlight 🌟
Meet @aileenking.bsky.social – Head of Pharmacology & Therapeutics at KCL & global leader in islet transplantation. Inspiring teacher, pioneering diabetes researcher, and all-round force of nature. Also skis, runs & kitesurfs!

#T1D #STEM #KCLResearch

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KCL Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge @kcltype1diabetes.bsky.social · Aug 7

Great meeting with our PPI Lead, Sarah, who shared valuable feedback on PPI’s role in our research and ways to boost engagement.
Her leadership and passion are vital in connecting our team with the wider PPI group.

We finished with a lovely team lunch - always nice to connect beyond work!
#PPI

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KCL Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge @kcltype1diabetes.bsky.social · Jul 31

Great to see our project co-lead, @aileenking.bsky.social sharing her insights and research at the Havering Patient Group meeting last week.

She spoke about the team’s current work and the importance of involving patients in shaping research.

#T1Dgrandchallenge #PatientVoices #ResearchMatters

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KCL Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge @kcltype1diabetes.bsky.social · Jul 24

Meet Prof. Shanta Persaud – PI on the T1D project + expert in beta cell biology at King’s! She’s a passionate educator, runner, boxer, skier, music lover (Beyoncé recently), Tate Modern member + quiz night fan. A true research powerhouse.

#T1D #STEM #KCL #BetaCells #WomenInSTEM

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KCL Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge @kcltype1diabetes.bsky.social · Jul 17

Proud of our KCL T1 Grand Challenge team! 🎉
@aileenking.bsky.social is Runner-Up at KCL SHINE Awards, the Type 1 Diabetes team nominated for Team of the Year, & Shanta, @lydiagatward.bsky.social, and Sulakshitaa shortlisted for FoLSM Staff Awards! 👏

Inspiring work all around!
#teamSMF #KCL

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KCL Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge @kcltype1diabetes.bsky.social · Jul 10

Throwback to our first in-person Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) meeting last November! This brilliant group brings lived experience and key insights that shape our research.

We’re grateful for their contributions and look forward to continuing this journey. #PPI #kclt1grandchallenge

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KCL Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge @kcltype1diabetes.bsky.social · Jul 3

📢 We’re hiring a Research Technician at King’s College London, Guy's Campus!

Join our diabetes research team working on stem cell-derived beta cells. Apply by 22 July 2025.

🔗 www.kcl.ac.uk/jobs/118425-...

#stemcells #diabetes #KCL

Research Technician

www.kcl.ac.uk

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KCL Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge @kcltype1diabetes.bsky.social · Jun 28

Who says lab life can't come with a side of fun?

Throwing it back to an unforgettable evening at the EISG conference dinner in Sweden (June 11–13)! Great chats, great company, and even better vibes. Here’s to science and smiles!
@eisg2025.bsky.social

#EISG2025 #KCLT1GrandChallenge

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KCL Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge @kcltype1diabetes.bsky.social · Jun 19

Big shoutout to @williambw.bsky.social who completed his half marathon on June 8th in 1:47! He and his mates raised over £4,000 for Diabetes UK in memory of their friend Bernard.

Running for a cause and making a real difference!

@diabetesuk.bsky.social

#kclt1grandchallenge#diabetesuk

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KCL Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge @kcltype1diabetes.bsky.social · Jun 13

Our star @lydiagatward.bsky.social rocked a science chat with primary schoolers (Years 1–6) at London Academy!

From lab coats to fun experiments—and questions like “Do you make potions?”—inspiring future scientists one curious mind at a time!

#STEMOutreach #FutureScientists #kclt1grandchallenge

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Reposted by KCL Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge

Aileen King @aileenking.bsky.social · Jun 12

Beautiful evening in Skåne. @kcltype1diabetes.bsky.social @eisg2025.bsky.social

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KCL Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge @kcltype1diabetes.bsky.social · Jun 12

At @eisg2025.bsky.social in Sweden — loving the science, the chats, and the new ideas! @williambw.bsky.social showcasing some of our team’s ongoing research.
If you’re here too, come say hi! Excited to learn, share, and connect with brilliant minds in islet biology!

#eisg2025 #kclt1grandchallenge

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KCL Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge @kcltype1diabetes.bsky.social · Jun 8

Shanta, Professor of Diabetes & Endocrinology at KCL and Principal Investigator of our project, took science to Westminster! She spoke at the Diabetes APPG in Portcullis House with Chair Tom Gordon MP, sharing exciting updates from our T1D Grand Challenge research.
#kclt1grandchallenge #research

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Reposted by KCL Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge

Aileen King @aileenking.bsky.social · Jun 5

I had a lovely evening celebrating my inaugural lecture with friends, family and colleagues. I am so privileged to be surrounded by brilliant colleagues.

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KCL Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge @kcltype1diabetes.bsky.social · Jun 5

What a fantastic lecture that was—well done and congratulations, Aileen! 🎉👏