People with type 1 diabetes (T1D) bear the burden of self-managing their glucose levels. Although automated insulin delivery (AID) systems have eased this task, patients still need to count carbohydrates and administer mealtime insulin boluses; this leaves the systems susceptible to human error, which could have serious health consequences. Adjunctive therapies, such as GLP-1 receptor agonists, aim to mitigate these risks by reducing the impact of meals on blood glucose levels. While these drugs are prescribed for type 2 diabetes, their use for T1D is currently being evaluated. Simulators are essential tools for developing AID systems and serve as the foundation for digital twins, enabling the testing and validation of control algorithms without exposing patients to risk. However, no existing T1D simulator accounts for the effects of GLP-1.

The T1SIA project will develop a T1D simulator that incorporates a mathematical model of GLP-1 receptor agonist dynamics. This two-year project will draw on the expertise of the University of Bern and the Polytechnic University of Valencia. The first year, based in Bern, will focus on developing a mathematical model of GLP-1 under the supervision of an AID systems expert and a clinician specializing in adjunctive therapies. During the second year in Valencia, the model will be integrated into a T1D simulator alongside a cohort of virtual patients, supervised by an expert in diabetes technology. T1SIA will facilitate the exploration of how these new therapeutic drugs can contribute to research and product development within the AID systems sector and the pharmaceutical industry.

This project will foster the candidate’s professional development—whether in academia or industry—by enhancing her knowledge of mathematical modeling, human physiology, and identifiability processes, while also equipping her with skills in project management, networking, teaching, supervision, and communication.