Endocrine Abstracts

As a key contributor to endocrine education at the University of Birmingham, Dr Foster leads the Cell Communications: Endocrinology and Pharmacology module for MBChB students (350/year) and oversees endocrine teaching for 1st-year dental students (85/year). Additionally, he provides significant teaching to 3rd-year BMedSci and Pharmacy students, including supervision of endocrine-focused final-year research projects. This Teaching Excellence Award highlights this work and the creation of the MSS Summer School. Established in 2016, the Department of Metabolism and Systems Science (MSS) Summer School offers an innovative 8–10 week program that immerses undergraduate students in endocrine-focused research. Participants undertake bespoke projects under the guidance of leading academics, gaining hands-on experience with techniques such as LCMS/MS metabolomics, confocal microscopy, and tissue analysis. Alongside technical skills, the program develops critical thinking and professional growth through journal clubs, seminars, and grant application training. The Summer School has expanded from six students to receiving over 70 applications annually, with cohorts averaging 15–20 participants. Projects encompass basic, translational, clinical, and bioinformatics sciences, providing a multidisciplinary research experience. Students actively contribute to group lab meetings and often publish their findings, significantly enhancing their endocrine academic and professional trajectories. This initiative demonstrates the transformative impact of immersive research experiences in inspiring students to pursue careers in endocrinology and related fields. Alumni have achieved notable milestones, including endocrine-based PhD placements and publications, underscoring the program’s success. The MSS Summer School serves as a scalable model for integrating teaching excellence with research innovation. By embedding students in a dynamic research culture, the program equips them with essential skills and fosters future leaders in endocrine science. It highlights the value of research-intensive teaching as a cornerstone for advancing education and the field of endocrinology.