Personal profile

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Dean at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, UCPH.

Leads the academic development at the faculty and is responsible for the faculty's organization, finances, strategy, personnel management, research practice, external collaborations, data management, etc.

Professor at UCPH, and Honorary Professor at Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Australia.

Leads the research group Act4Life. Member of the boards for the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Center for Sundt Liv og Trivsel, and Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen.

Prorector for education at UCPH and Deputy for Rector 2018-22.

Member of the Management Committee of the European University Alliance 4EU+ 2021-22, the Copenhagen Business Council 2018-20, and the high-level Scientific Panel for Health, DG Research and Innovation, European Commission, 2014-20.

Head of Department of Biomedical Sciences, UCPH, 2015-18.

UCPH Head of Studies for the Biomedical Engineering programme 2007-15, member of the Study Board for Public Health Sciences 2002-07, and Course Manager of ‘Human Biology and Diseases’ 2002-15.

Have directed several research projects involving physical activity/inactivity interventions, co-author of 100+ peer-reviewed articles and book chapters on physical activity, obesity, and metabolism.

Supervised and assessed 200+ Bachelor, Master, and PhD students.

Primary fields of research

Main research area is health-enhancing physical activity. The vision is to prevent inactivity-related diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The mission is based on thorough pathophysiological and interdisciplinary research to develop valid and robust strategies promoting health-enhancing physical activity in different domains of everyday life. Have (co-)directed a number of major research projects involving physical activity/inactivity interventions, including ‘Bed rest’, ‘Training per se’, FINE, ‘Governing Obesity’, GO-ACTIWE, ‘Copenhagen Women Study – menopause’ and FitMum.

Possible conflicts of interest

  • Member of the Board at Norwegian University of Science and Technology - NTNU
  • Deputy Chairman in the Board for Center for Childhood Health
  • Member of the Institute Council for Statens Serum Institut (SSI)

CV

Present positions:

2022-:      Dean, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, UCPH
2016-:Professor in Health-Enhancing Physical Activity, UCPH

Previous positions:

2018-22Prorector for education, University of Copenhagen (UCPH)
2016-18:   Head of Department of Biomedical Sciences, UCPH
2015-16:Acting Head of Department of Biomedical Sciences, UCPH
2013-16:Professor MSO in Physical Activity and Obesity, UCPH
2007-13:Associate Professor, Department of Biomedical Sciences, UCPH
2002:Resident, Department of Endocrinology, Herlev Hospital, 6 months
2001-06:Associate Professor, Department of Medical Physiology, UCPH
2000:Postdoc Fellow, Department of Medical Physiology, UCPH
2000:Resident, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Herlev Hospital, 9 months
1997-99:Postdoc Fellow, Department of Medical Physiology, UCPH
1992-97PhD student, Department of Medical Physiology, UCPH

Education:

2003:      Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc), UCPH
2002:Medical B-authorization, National Board of Health, Denmark
1997:Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), UCPH
1992:Master of Science in Medicine (MD), UCPH

External positions

Honorary Professor, Deakin University

26 Jul 202326 Jul 2026

Honorary Professor, Deakin University

28 Oct 201828 Oct 2021

Keywords

  • Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
  • Physical Activity
  • Adipose tissue
  • Energy balance
  • Prevention
  • Metabolic health
  • Obesity
  • Diabetes
  • Cardiovascular Diseases

Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years

Recent external collaboration on country/territory level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots or