The BSG Travelling Fellowship for AASLD and a visit to the MASLD Research centre in San Diego offered the opportunity for trainees with a strong interest in Hepatology to attend AASLD in San Diego in November 2024 to see the latest research and clinical updates in Hepatology.

Congratulations to Dr Amy Johnson on being awarded last year's fellowship and we are delighted to share her report on the experience.

'I am incredibly grateful to the Liver Section for awarding me this travelling fellowship. My time in San Diego was immensely beneficial for my career development, offering both educational and networking opportunities that I will build upon for years to come.

During my first two weeks, I had the privilege of being hosted by the UCSD NAFLD Translational Research Unit under the guidance of Professor Loomba. I was warmly welcomed by his research group and introduced to the impressive facilities, including state-of-the-art laboratories and a dedicated MRI suite. I attended a variety of multidisciplinary meetings, such as transplant assessment meetings, mortality reviews, radiology sessions, and pathology discussions. The clinical rounds were equally compelling, featuring fascinating and complex cases. I was particularly impressed by the fact that patients had real-time access to their own medical records. From my observations, this access appeared to encourage greater patient involvement in their care and decision-making.

I also attended the monthly "Work in Progress" meeting, where researchers shared updates on their projects. Much of the discussion centred around the new definition of MetALD. Highlights included a project exploring biomarkers such as Phosphatidylethanol (PeTH) for categorising levels of alcohol use and an innovative discussion on using synthetic data and AI in MASLD research. One researcher’s explanation of creating synthetic placebo groups from population datasets was particularly insightful, offering exciting potential applications for MASLD studies. Furthermore, I had the privilege of attending the inaugural MetALD Conference organised by Professor Loomba. This event brought together leading experts in the MASLD research community to discuss emerging debates and advancements in the field.

The AASLD conference was another invaluable experience, providing updates in hepatology and transplantation, "Meet the Expert" sessions, and the Liver Fellow Network meeting. This group is similar to the BSG Trainee Committee and it was an excellent opportunity to propose a potential collaboration between the two groups. I am now working to arrange a meeting to explore this idea further. The conference also allowed me to connect with hepatologists from around the globe, particularly from the UK, Australia, and the United States. These connections have already proven invaluable in fostering future collaborations and expanding my professional network.

Beyond the professional benefits, the trip provided a chance to explore San Diego’s stunning beaches, vibrant marinas, warm weather, and incredible tacos. These personal experiences added a memorable dimension to what was already an outstanding professional opportunity.

I would like to sincerely thank the Liver Section for selecting me for this fellowship. This experience has allowed me to expand my knowledge, gain new research ideas, and form invaluable connections. I am deeply appreciative of this opportunity and look forward to applying what I have learned to benefit both my current work and the broader hepatology community.'