Research interests
The main focus of my group has been to study the structure, function, pharmacology and drug discovery of G protein-coupled receptors in the fields of metabolism and neuroscience.

The has led to development of discovery of novel pharmacological tool compounds which have been used to study mechanism of G protein-coupled receptor function.

A special focus has been on orphan G protein-coupled receptors which has led to identification of novel (endogenous) ligands for the GPR139, GPRC6A and GPR20 receptors. Moreover, we have used these ligands and genetically modified mice to uncover physiological functions of the receptors.

Since 2022 I have been Vice-dean for Research where my focus has shifted towards creating the best possible conditions for the researchers at our faculty to perform world-class research.

Academic degrees
2002: D.Sc. (dr. pharm.) Danish University of Pharmaceutical Sciences.
1996: Ph.D. Molecular Pharmacology, Royal Danish School of Pharmacy, Copenhagen.
1993: M.Sc. Pharmacy, Royal Danish School of Pharmacy, Copenhagen.

Employments
2002-present: Vice-dean for Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen.
2002-present: Professor of Molecular Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen.
2000-2001: Research Associate Professor, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Danish University of Pharmaceutical Sciences.
1997-1999: Research Assistant Professor, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Royal Danish School of Pharmacy.
1993-1996: PhD student, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Royal Danish School of Pharmacy.

Awards & honors
2015: Elected member of the Danish Academy of Natural Sciences.
2012: Elite Researcher Prize, Ministry of Science (1.2 million DKK).
2011: Elected member of the Danish Society for Theoretical and Applied Therapy.
2007: Alfred Benzon Senior Researcher Stipend.
2006: The Lundbeck Foundation Prize for Young Investigators (250,000 DKK) .
2006: The Torkil Holm Foundation Research Prize (100,000 DKK) .
2006: Elected member of the Royal Danish Academy of Sciences and Letters.
2002: The Benzon Foundation 50^th Anniversary Honorary Prize (100,000 DKK) .
1997: The Danish Academy of Natural Sciences PhD award.
1994: H.C. Ørsted Medal, Royal Danish School of Pharmacy.
1992: Fulbright Fellowship

Selected scientific and academic activities
2020-2022: Head of the Graduate School in Health and Medical Sciences.
2016-present: Member of the board of the Alfred Benzon Foundation.
2017-2020: Vice President and Chair of the Class of Natural Sciences at the the Royal Danish Academy of Sciences and Letters.
2016-2020: Member of the presidium of the the Royal Danish Academy of Sciences and Letters.
2013-2019: Head of the graduate program in pharmaceutical sciences, Drug Research Academy.
2012-2020: Member of the board of the Niels Bohr Foundation.
2008-2020: Member of the board of the journal Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology.
2015-2019: Head of Section for Experimental Pharmacology.
2013-2017: Management committee member and work group co-chair of the European Research Network COST Action CM1207 "GLISTEN: GPCR-Ligand Interactions, Structures, and Transmembrane Signalling".
2013-2015: Member of the executive committee of the Faculty Research Committee.
2007-2011: Member of the European Research Council (ERC) Expert Panels for Starting Grants (StG) - chairman for 2011 call.
2007-2010: Member of the Board, University of Copenhagen Alumni.
2004-2010: Member of the Danish Medical Research Council.
2004-2010: Board member of the WorldPharma2010/IUPHAR congress.
2000-present: Member of evaluation committees of 3 professorships, 2 assistant professorships and 30 PhD defenses (chairman of 19).
1993-present: Invited speaker at >60 international scientific meetings and seminars.

None.