IRS Central and West Zealand Hospital
New clinical assistant professor to strengthen the bridge between research and practice
Medical doctor and researcher Chris Halling Dreyer has just been appointed as the first clinical assistant professor at the Department of Regional Health Research (IRS). With over ten years of experience in orthopaedic research in both Denmark and Hong Kong, he aims to strengthen the research environment close to clinical practice and help develop new treatment options – for the benefit of patients.
Dr Chris Halling Dreyer has been conducting research in orthopaedics for more than a decade, both in Denmark and Hong Kong. His work has mainly focused on basic research in stem cells and how these can be translated into practical treatments in clinical settings.
In recent years, his research has been based at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Central and West Zealand Hospital, Centre for Orthopaedic Research and Innovation (CORI), where he has now been appointed Head of Research. In this role, he is responsible for strengthening the research environment and ensuring clinical optimisation and implementation.
– By appointing Chris Halling Dreyer as our first clinical assistant professor, we are taking a concrete step towards bridging the gap between research and clinical practice. The position is a new and unique opportunity to support career development for doctors in specialist training after completing their PhD but before qualifying as medical specialists, says Jakob Grauslund, head of department at Department of Regional Health Research (IRS), and adds:
– Chris brings a rare combination of strong academic credentials, solid clinical experience, and proven leadership skills, making him particularly well-suited to translate ambitious research into tangible clinical value – to the benefit of both patients and the development of future clinical research environments.
Current research areas include:
Use of stem cells in orthopaedic treatments, initially focusing on knee osteoarthritis. This area explores the potential of regenerative therapies to delay or even eliminate the need for joint replacement surgery – with major implications for both patient outcomes and healthcare economics.
Development and evaluation of innovative surgical techniques, including external fixation for treating unstable ankle fractures. A proof-of-concept study has already been established, and a new PhD project is underway, with Dreyer as principal supervisor, that may change future treatment protocols.
Implementation of robot-assisted surgery in orthopaedics, focusing on learning curves, patient safety, and clinical integration to ensure the sustainable and effective use of new technologies in operating theatres.
Optimising wound care and infection prevention in orthopaedics, particularly in treating infected joints and open fractures. The aim is to reduce the need for surgical interventions through improved antibiotic prophylaxis and early intervention.
Validation and prioritisation of pelvic and hip fractures, both through a register-based analysis (as co-supervisor on a PhD project) and by optimising treatment pathways for patients with hip fractures.
Chris Halling Dreyer’s research strategy focuses on further developing existing procedures to make them systematic, validated, and approved for testing in larger clinical trials. The overall aim is to contribute to effective treatment options that improve patients' quality of life while reducing the need for invasive surgery.
Alongside his research, Chris Halling Dreyer is also actively engaged in leadership development, educating and supervising junior doctors and researchers in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. He has initiated and developed a research handbook offering a catalogue of potential projects designed to inspire early-career doctors as they embark on their research – and possibly PhD – journey.
He is also responsible for coordinating multicentre studies across different hospital sites and leading the department’s quality and development projects.
A strong research environment built on broad collaboration
Chris Halling Dreyer works closely with Professor Ming Ding and Professor Martin Lindberg-Larsen, who is also a consultant and Head of Research at the University of Southern Denmark. Both act as academic sparring partners and mentors.
He is also a member of the Danish Orthopaedic Academy, a national network of senior orthopaedic researchers working to strengthen research in the field through national collaboration, joint funding applications, and multicentre studies.
As part of his network activities, he is involved in planning the Fragility Fracture Network’s third congress, which will take place in Slagelse in 2026. The congress brings together professionals from both primary and secondary healthcare sectors. This interdisciplinary collaboration supports the ambition of promoting clinical projects that improve treatment options for shared patient groups.
Research that benefits patients
– In my new leadership role and affiliation with IRS, I hope to foster interdisciplinary collaboration with primary care and other research environments to ensure holistic treatment pathways for patients with complex orthopaedic conditions, says Chris Halling Dreyer.
This interdisciplinary approach includes patients with multiple conditions, mental health challenges, and the growing elderly population. Addressing these challenges requires cross-sectoral competencies and stronger national collaboration.
Chris Halling Dreyer also hopes to implement promising laboratory and innovative treatments in clinical settings – potentially as part of a future doctoral dissertation.
CORI, which includes both the trauma and hand section in Slagelse and the arthroplasty, sports, and foot sections in Næstved, has already received strong support from staff across professions and career levels. The unit aims to support everything from developing research skills in junior doctors to participating in large international studies and initiating both single- and multicentre trials. Anyone interested in collaborating to benefit patients is always welcome to get in touch.
– I greatly appreciate IRS’s support for my research vision and look forward to a strong and productive collaboration with the department and other partners in the future, says Chris Halling Dreyer.
Meet the researcher
Chris Halling Dreyer took up his position as clinical assistant professor and Head of Research at the Department of Regional Health Research and Central and West Zealand Hospital on 1 February 2026.