Department of Regional Health Research
Internationalisation in focus and a new PhD prize at this spring’s department forum
The theme of this spring’s department forum was internationalisation and included a talk by Mirco Reimer-Elster. In addition, for the first time, we named the IRS PhD Student of the Year, an honour that went to Alexandru Diaconu.
Jakob Grauslund welcomed everyone to the spring IRS department forum with a brief update on developments at the department since the last forum. And quite a lot has happened: we have welcomed nine new professors, and a new research strategy has been developed, adopted and implemented.
The theme of the day was internationalisation, and the programme was designed to highlight both opportunities and challenges. We heard from our own researchers as well as representatives from various support functions at SDU.
Mirco Reimer-Elster, US and Germany analyst, radio host, columnist and historian, provided insights into Trump’s America in his talk — America’s Divided States. What is really going on — also from a broader perspective?
Talks and speakers:
- Jakob Grauslund, Head of Department: Welcome
- Malene Korsholm, Head of Secretariat: Updates from IRS
- Laura Andreoli, Associate Professor, IRS Danish Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases: Moving research – moving boundaries
- Cathrine Nguyen and Christian Hvid, SDU International Staff Office: How can we help with your next international recruitment?
- Karen Schreiber, Associate Professor at IRS Danish Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases: Hosting an Educational Visit
- Mirco Reimer-Elster, US and Germany analyst: America’s Divided States
- Janni Lee B. Bang Brodersen, SDU Safe: Data protection and information security at SDU as of 2026
- Torben Thygesen and Anette Schrøder, SUND SDU: Dentists and dental hygienists at SDU: New programmes, new research collaborations
- Didde Riisager Hansen, Research Adviser, SUND Research Support: Funding support packages: What’s in it for me?
Alexandru Diaconu is PhD Student of the Year
At the previous department forum, senior researchers were recognised; this time, it was the PhD students’ turn.
The PhD Student of the Year award was presented for the first time to recognise a student who has distinguished themselves through high research quality, strong academic commitment and a positive impact on the research environment or society.
Candidates were nominated by their supervisors. Thirteen candidates were nominated, after which five selected candidates were presented at the department forum. Following a very close vote among the audience, Alexandru Diaconu from Esbjerg and Grindsted Hospital was named PhD Student of the Year.
He was presented by his principal supervisor, Michael Holte, who describes Alexandru as an exceptionally talented PhD student with an outstanding scientific approach, contributing to the department with both humour and a high level of academic rigour.
As is tradition, we rounded off the department forum with a shared meal and networking.
Årets ph.d.-studerende 2026 - Nominerede og indstillede
Nominees for PhD Student of the Year 2026:
- Alexandru Diaconu, Esbjerg and Grindsted Hospital
- Sofie Krogh Wolsing, Lillebaelt Hospital
- Tobias Midtvedt Windedal, Esbjerg and Grindsted Hospital
- Astrid Jensen Damgaard, Danish Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases
- Josefine Magdalene Jensen, Lillebaelt Hospital
In addition, the following were nominated:
- Bettina Mølri Knudsen, Lillebaelt Hospital
- Caroline Matilde Elnegaard, Esbjerg and Grindsted Hospital
- Casper Jensen, Zealand University Hospital
- Elise Jonasson Nielsen, Esbjerg and Grindsted Hospital
- Lone Gamrath, Esbjerg and Grindsted Hospital
- Martin Locht Pedersen, Lillebaelt Hospital
- Mohammad Ahmad Issa, Zealand University Hospital
- Simone Ejstrup Enemark, Esbjerg and Grindsted Hospital
- Sven Hoedt Karstensen, Hospital Sønderjylland