Introduction to InnoThyroGen at BIOSTAT2025
From 11–14 June 2025, the baroque city of Varaždin hosted the 27th International Scientific Symposium on Biometrics (BIOSTAT2025), one of the leading regional events dedicated to biostatistics, mathematical modelling, and the life sciences. The symposium gathered researchers, clinicians, and data scientists to discuss how advanced statistical methods are shaping biomedical research.
As part of this year’s programme, Dr. Nikolina Pleić (University of Split School of Medicine) represented the InnoThyroGen project, presenting new findings from her Mendelian randomization research on vitamin D and thyroid function.
About the Event: InnoThyroGen at BIOSTAT2025
BIOSTAT2025 was organised by the Croatian Biometric Society, which celebrated its 35th anniversary and became the official Croatian Region of the International Biometric Society (IBS). The symposium featured invited lectures, scientific sessions, and the long-established 25th School of Biometrics, offering participants a comprehensive programme of statistical and biomedical education.
Held in the culturally rich and academically active city of Varaždin, the event created an inspiring setting for collaboration and knowledge exchange among researchers from across Europe.
Scientific Contribution: InnoThyroGen at BIOSTAT2025 Through Nikolina Pleić’s Presentation
During the symposium, Dr. Pleić presented the study “Vitamin D and thyroid function: a Mendelian randomization study.”
The research investigated the potential causal role of serum vitamin D in thyroid function and autoimmunity using genetic epidemiology methods.
Her results highlighted several important findings:
- a consistent inverse association between genetically predicted vitamin D levels and the risk of elevated TSH
- a reduced likelihood of autoimmune hypothyroidism among individuals with higher genetically predicted vitamin D
- stronger evidence for vitamin D’s regulatory role in thyroid health
These findings demonstrate how Mendelian randomization can shed light on complex endocrine mechanisms and help inform future clinical research.
Usage & Results: Impact of InnoThyroGen at BIOSTAT2025
By presenting her work at BIOSTAT2025, Dr. Pleić enhanced the visibility of InnoThyroGen within the international research community. In addition, her participation resulted in several meaningful outcomes that strengthen the project’s scientific reach.
Firstly, she established new research contacts, particularly with colleagues from the University of Padova. This led to the initiation of future collaboration plans involving Interreg project applications, with a special focus on cooperation with Prof. Dario Gregori, a respected expert in medical statistics and public health.
Secondly, through national academic outreach, Dr. Pleić received an invitation to deliver a guest lecture at the University of Osijek (School of Applied Mathematics and Informatics), fostering further interdisciplinary dialogue between biomedicine, statistics, and data science.
Overall, these activities reinforce the project’s mission and contribute to the long-term impact of InnoThyroGen at BIOSTAT2025.
Conclusion
Participation in BIOSTAT2025 highlighted how statistical innovation and genetic epidemiology contribute to a deeper understanding of thyroid disorders. By combining strong scientific results with new partnerships and academic engagement, InnoThyroGen at BIOSTAT2025 serves as a valuable example of how research dissemination supports progress in personalised medicine.
Stay Tuned
Stay tuned for more updates as the InnoThyroGen project continues to advance personalised medicine for thyroid diseases. Follow us on LinkedIn, X (Twitter), Facebook and Instagram for the latest news, event highlights, and research activities across Europe.
