In this episode, Dr Teresa Mezza, recipient of the 2025 EASD Minkowski Prize, takes listeners inside her pioneering research on the early mechanisms of type 2 diabetes. As both a clinician and researcher at the Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli in Rome, Dr Mezza studies patients before and after partial pancreatectomy, offering a unique perspective on beta cell adaptation, function, and decline. Her work is revealing early biomarkers that could identify individuals at risk of diabetes - even before hyperglycaemia develops - paving the way for earlier intervention and prevention. Dr Mezza also discusses the importance of translational research, the challenges facing young scientists, and her belief that perseverance and curiosity are the driving forces of meaningful discovery. Join us for this inspiring conversation about science, mentorship, and the future of diabetes research.