As 2026 kicks off, the Endocrine Society honors its Laureate Award winners and discusses recent advancements in thyroid care and research resources.
As we transition from 2025 to 2026, what better way to welcome the new year than through a detailed tribute to the newly appointed Endocrine Society Laureate Award winners? In the feature “Meet the 2026 Laureates,” we present a distinguished group of endocrinology leaders from around the globe. Neal Learner engaged these awardees in a conversation about their journeys and the influence the Endocrine Society has had on their professional lives.
Dr. Patricia Lee Brubaker, the recipient of the 2026 Outstanding Mentor Award, shared crucial advice for early-career endocrinologists. She emphasized the importance of trusting trainees, noting that “they will keep the lab going while you are gaining all the other skills you need to be successful (i.e., grant writing, teaching).” Furthermore, she highlighted the significance of giving trainees opportunities to present their work at conferences like the Endocrine Society Annual Meeting. Such experiences are vital in building confidence and establishing professional networks necessary for their future careers. Participating in ENDO is valuable advice regardless of where one is in their professional journey!
February also marks Thyroid Awareness Month, and to acknowledge this, Kelly Horvath has examined recent research in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. In her piece titled “Minimizing Risk, Maximizing Choice: New Directions in Thyroid Care,” she reviews studies that enhance our understanding of thyroid treatment options. The research addresses various approaches, including the implications of radioiodine therapy for Graves’ disease concerning cancer risks, alongside the potential of pharmacologic treatments for benign thyroid nodules. Horvath also discusses percutaneous laser ablation as a minimally invasive option for thyroid nodules.
In context, Dr. Giovanni Gambelunghe from the Endocrine Unit at Clinica Liotti in Perugia, Italy, discussed the safety and effectiveness of laser ablation. He confirmed that his study found it to be effective in the short-term and noted long-term benefits as well. Highlighting patient feedback, he remarked that many patients expressed a willingness to undergo the procedure again, providing strong evidence that this technique is genuinely minimally invasive. He believes clinicians can adopt this method confidently into their therapeutic practices.
In other developments, the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases has launched an innovative research portal aimed at benefiting endocrine scientists worldwide. Senior Editor Derek Bagley interviewed Dr. Robert Margolis, an emeritus Endocrine Society member and seasoned researcher, about how this new platform will facilitate connections among researchers from various backgrounds. This initiative, referred to as dkNET, promises enhanced access to crucial information, helping researchers and clinicians alike.
Margolis expressed his hope that this resource would invigorate the scientific community, providing real and relevant content to aid in their research efforts. “dkNET provides a single-entry point to a wealth of information, data, services, and community knowledge, fostering deeper connectivity among colleagues and those with shared interests in their work,” he stated.
As we start this new year, I encourage readers to share any story ideas relevant to the Endocrine Society. Your insights might lead to unexpected and valuable content that could interest your peers! You are always welcome to reach out at mnewman@endocrine.org.
Wishing everyone a prosperous New Year!
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