Research Prize to Bjørn Olav Åsvold

Photo: SSSD

On World Diabetes Day, 14 November 2025, Professor Bjørn Olav Åsvold received the Diabetes Association’s Research Award for his outstanding contributions to diabetes research in Norway and internationally (read the full article in Norwegian on Diabetes.no).

Åsvold has played a pivotal role in diabetes research for decades, particularly through the HUNT Study, one of the world’s largest population-based health surveys, which has been running since 1984. His work has provided unique insights into how type 2 diabetes and obesity trends since the 1980s are shaped by both genetic and environmental factors. He has also investigated gestational diabetes, LADA, the predictive value of FINDRISC in Norway, and autoimmune conditions linked to type 1 diabetes.

In an interview with Diabetes.no, Åsvold commented on the award:

“I am truly honoured to receive this prize. There are many excellent diabetes researchers in Norway, so this feels like a great privilege. I greatly appreciate that our work on diabetes in the HUNT Study is recognised in this way.”

Former Centre leader, Professor Kåre I. Birkeland, also shared his congratulations in the same article:

“It is a great pleasure to congratulate Bjørn Olav Åsvold on receiving the Diabetes Association’s Research Award 2025! He is a truly deserving recipient. As one of the leading diabetes epidemiologists in Norway and internationally, he has played a key role in diabetes research within the HUNT Study. His work has combined diabetes research and genetics, contributing to the identification of numerous diabetes-related genes and leading the Scandinavian Study of Gestational Diabetes (SSSD) for many years. It is especially gratifying to see how he has built a strong research group in Trondheim.”

Oslo Diabetes Research Centre warmly congratulates Professor Bjørn Olav Åsvold on this well-deserved recognition.