Health awards fully funded PhD scholarships to 14 researchers
Twice a year, Health awards fully funded PhD scholarships to talented researchers with promising careers ahead. The second round of this year’s scholarships has been distributed, and 14 researchers will now embark on their PhD studies at Health.
Eight of the new students are affiliated with the Department of Clinical Medicine, three with the Department of Biomedicine, two with the Department of Public Health, and one with the Department of Dentistry and Oral Health.
The new PhD students are:
Sahar Assar, Department of Dentistry and Oral Health
Title: The subgingival biofilm matrix as a new target for periodontal therapy
Supervisor: Professor Sebastian Schlafer
About the project: This project investigates the composition and structure of dental plaque associated with gum disease. The goal is to develop a new method to effectively remove plaque and improve periodontal treatment.
Mette Thrane Øhrstrøm, Department of Clinical Medicine
Title: Semaglutide for kidney and vascular protection in non-diabetic CKD and the interaction with Finerenone (The SENORA-F study)
Supervisor: Clinical Professor Henrik Birn
About the project: The SENORA-F study explores tailored treatment for patients with chronic kidney disease by examining the potential benefits of the drug semaglutide and its interaction with another drug, finerenone.
Heidi Kristine Støve, Department of Clinical Medicine
Title: Immune reconstitution in children after standard-risk treatment of acute myeloid leukemia: A CHIP-AML22 add-on study
Supervisor: Clinical Professor Henrik Hasle
About the project: This project examines how children's immune systems recover after leukemia treatment and assesses the impact of therapy on their infection risk and need for revaccination.
Magnus Andreas Hvistendahl, Department of Clinical Medicine
Title: Fracture-related infections - Evidence-based next level treatments in a novel porcine model
Supervisor: Associate Professor Mats Bue
About the project: Magnus Andreas Hvistendahl is developing a pig-based model to test and improve treatments for severe infections associated with fractures, aiming to provide more effective and targeted treatments for patients.
Facts about Health’s fully funded PhD scholarships:
- Scholarships are awarded twice a year through open calls.
- The exact number of scholarships is determined before each round.
- Selection is based on assessment criteria and expert evaluations by the Scholarship Committee, appointed by the Dean.
- Scholarships cover three years of salary and study expenses.
- The next round of applications will take place at the end of the spring semester.
Elisabeth Krogsgaard Petersen, Department of Clinical Medicine
Title: Assessment of adjuvant carboplatin treatment of advanced ovarian cancer through a translational evaluation of target tissue concentrations and local ischemic and inflammatory responses
Supervisor: Clinical Professor Maiken Stilling
About the project: This project investigates how different chemotherapy methods affect advanced ovarian cancer treatment to identify the most effective and least invasive solutions for patients.
Anne Kirstine Køllner Bjerre, Department of Biomedicine
Title: Exploring autophagy-modulating gene therapy as a novel treatment strategy for age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
Supervisor: Professor Thomas Corydon
About the project: Anne Kirstine Køllner Bjerre explores gene therapy to activate cellular waste management in the eye, aiming to slow or stop vision loss caused by age-related macular degeneration.
Arthur Coelho, Department of Clinical Medicine
Title: Glutamatergic Signaling and lncRNA in Depression and PTSD: Role of psychedelics
Supervisor: Professor Gregers Wegener
About the project: This study investigates whether psilocybin can improve memory and reduce fear responses in PTSD and depression by restoring balance in brain circuits affected by trauma.
Lejla Svraka, Department of Clinical Medicine
Title: Understanding Distinct IL-17A and IL-17F Signaling Networks in Chronic Inflammatory Skin Conditions
Supervisor: Professor Claus Johansen
About the project: Lejla Svraka researches treatments for chronic inflammatory skin diseases like psoriasis by studying how IL-17F differs from IL-17A in affecting skin cells.
Louise Ruby Høj Illum, Department of Public Health
Title: The impact of cardiometabolic risk factors on fecundity and fertility
Supervisor: Professor Cecilia Ramlau-Hansen
About the project: This project examines how cardiovascular and metabolic disorders, such as high blood pressure and insulin resistance, affect fertility to address the global fertility crisis.
Johannes Skræp, Department of Biomedicine
Title: Examining the Role of the Microbiome-Immune Axis in the Development of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Supervisor: Associate Professor Søren Egedal Degn
About the project: Johannes Skræp studies how imbalances in gut bacteria affect the immune system and contribute to lupus. The aim is to understand the disease's causes and discover new treatments.
Student and researcher at the same time
Some of the scholarships have been awarded as part of the so-called 4+4 scheme, where the student begins their PhD studies one year into their master’s program and completes the final portion of their master’s degree during the PhD program.
The recipients of the 4+4 PhD scholarships are:
Pernille Bormlund Thomsen, Department of Clinical Medicine
Title: Sianiutitigut nappaatit - The Role of Genetics and Risk Factors on Diabetes-Related Polyneuropathy defining Differences and Similarities Between Greenlandic Inuit and Danes
Supervisor: Professor Troels Staehelin Jensen
About the project: This study explores how diabetes affects the nervous system in Greenlandic Inuit, aiming to identify genetic and risk factors for better local treatments and global understanding of diabetic neuropathy.
Rasmus Jungersen, Department of Public Health
Title: Can exercise be used as a non-pharmacological analgesic treatment in people with multiple sclerosis?
Supervisor: Associate Professor Lars G. Hvid
About the project: Rasmus Jungersen investigates whether 12 weeks of strength training can reduce pain and improve quality of life for people with multiple sclerosis, offering a safe and effective alternative to medication.
Daniel Frederiksen Nielsen, Department of Clinical Medicine
Title: Early Life Adversity and Maturation of the Nucleus Accumbens During Critical Periods of Neurodevelopment
Supervisor: Associate Professor Rodrigo Grassi-Oliveira
About the project: This project studies how early life stress affects the development of the brain's reward center to understand mechanisms behind emotional challenges later in life.
Maria Hovmann Andresen, Department of Biomedicine
Title: Early Microvascular Flow Disturbances in Alzheimer's Disease
Supervisor: Associate Professor Eugenio Gutiérrez Jiménez
About the project: This research examines how early disturbances in brain blood flow contribute to Alzheimer’s disease, with the goal of developing early diagnostic and treatment methods.