Zoltan Kender

Zoltan Kender, MD, PhD is a senior physician, specialist in endocrinology and diabetology, and certified diabetologist of the German Diabetes Association (DDG). He serves at the Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology, Metabolic Diseases and Clinical Chemistry at Heidelberg University Hospital, where he also leads the Research Center for Diabetes and Metabolism.

He completed his medical degree and PhD at Semmelweis University, Budapest, and received his habilitation in internal medicine, endocrinology and diabetology at Heidelberg University in 2024. His academic and teaching roles include coordinating interdisciplinary educational programmes and serving as a lecturer at the Medical Faculty Heidelberg.

Dr. Kender’s research focuses on the development and progression of diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy (DSPN), with particular emphasis on early sensory dysfunction, precision diagnostics, and metabolic risk profiling. He combines quantitative sensory testing (QST), magnetic resonance neurography (MRN), and biomarker analysis to characterise distinct sensory phenotypes and preclinical neuropathy stages. He has led several translational and clinical studies, with the aim to improve early detection and targeted prevention strategies in patients with diabetes and metabolic dysfunction. His goal is to advance personalised approaches in the management of diabetic neuropathy through multimodal diagnostics and integration of emerging biomarkers.

Dr. Kender is an active member of NEUROdiab (Diabetic Neuropathy Study Group) and currently serves on the NEUROdiab Youth Committee, promoting international collaboration and supporting early-career researchers in the field of diabetic neuropathy.