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The Graduate School of Health Sciences

Upcoming PhD Defences

Cand.mag. Cecilie Karen Ljungmann

Title: "Exploring Sport Participation Among Girls in Low Socioeconomic Status Neighbourhoods and the Role of a Community Sports Programme"

Date and time: 12-03-2026 at 11:00

Venue: Det store auditorium, Herlev Hospital, Borgmester Ib Juuls Vej 1, 2730 Herlev

Committee of Examiners:

Professor Louise Mansfield , College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Brunel University of London

Associate Professor Laila Ottesen, Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, Sport, Individual & Society, University of Copenhagen

Lektor Tina Dalager , Institut for Idræt og Biomekanik, University of Southern Denmark (chair)

Main supervisor:

Assoc. Professor Charlotte Skau Pawlowski, Department of Sports Science and Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark

Cand.manu. Johanne Brinch Filtenborg

Title: "Diagnostic and prognostic value of two quantitative clinical tests in patients with Lumbar Disc Herniation with radiculopathy: A 4-year multicenter prospective cohort study"

Date and time: 13-03-2026 at 14:00

Venue: The Auditorium, Entrance 2, Kolding Hospital, Sygehusvej 24, 6000 Kolding

Committee of Examiners:

PhD, PGCert, MChiro, BSc, Senior Lecturer Alister Du Rose, Clinical Sciences, Health Sciences University

M.Sc. Ph.D., Lektor Carsten Dahl Mørch, Institut for Medicin og Sundhedsteknologi, Det Sundhedsvidenskabelige Fakultet, Aalborg Universitet

MD, PhD, Forskningsleder Ane Simony, Forskningsenhed for Ortopædkirurgi, Institut for Regional Sundhedsforskning, Syddansk Universitet samt Sygehus Lillebælt (chair)

Main supervisor:

Klinisk lektor Søren O'Neill, Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark

http://kalender.sdu.dk

Cand.scient.san. Lene Nygaard

Title: "The FAMKO project - Early intervention to support wellbeing of vulnerable women and their children"

Date and time: 13-03-2026 at 14:00

Venue: Room U301, SUND, SDU, Campusvej 55 5230 Odense

Committee of Examiners:

Professor, RN, RM, PhD Tine Schauer Eri, Research Group Midwifery Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo Metropolitan University

Professor, RM, PhD Hanne Kristine Hegaard, Department of Gynecology, Fertility and Obstetrics, , The Juliane Marie Centre, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen

Professor, MD, PhD Dorte Ejg Jarbøl, Research Unit of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark (chair)

Main supervisor:

Professor Ellen Aagaard Nøhr, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark

http://kalender.sdu.dk

Cand.med. Frederik Novak Stenstad

Title: "Anti-CD20 therapy in multiple sclerosis during the COVID-19 pandemic: extended interval dosing with ocrelizumab and immune responses to SARS‑CoV‑2 mRNA

vaccination"

Date and time: 17-03-2026 at 15:00

Venue: The Auditorium, Bygning D (ground floor), Esbjerg Hospital, Finsensgade 35, 6700 Esbjerg

Committee of Examiners:

Consultant, Ass. Professor Marianne Kragh Thomsen, Department of MicrobiologyMedicin, Aarhus University Hospital (AU)

Consultant, Dr. med., Ass. Prof Robert Hoepner, Neurology, Inselspital, Bern, Schweiz (University of Bern)

Consultant, Ass. Professor, Head of Research Mette Enok Munk Lauridsen, Gastromedicine, Esbjerg University Hospital (SDU) (chair)

Main supervisor:

Assoc. Professor Tobias Sejbæk Mathiesen, Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark

Cand.med. Thomas Delvin

Title: "A Pharmacoepidemiologic Framework for Active Pharmacovigilance in Dermatology: Real-World Data Screening for Aberrant Drug Utilization Patterns and Adverse Drug Reactions"

Date and time: 19-03-2026 at 14:00

Venue: U231, SDU, Campusvej 55, 5230 Odense M

Committee of Examiners:

Associate professor, PhD Rob Heerdink, Clinical Pharmacoepidemiology, Division of Pharmacoepidemiology & Clinical Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences

Associate Professor, MD PhD Kasper Fjellhaugen Hjuler, Afdeling for Hud- og Kønssygdomme, Klinisk Institut Det Sundhedsvidenskabelige Fakultet Aalborg Universitetshospital

Associate Professor, DMV PhD Kim Oren Gradel, Forskningsenhed for Klinisk Epidemiologi, KIinisk Institut, OUH (chair)

Main supervisor:

Professor Jesper Hallas, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark

http://kalender.sdu.dk

M.Sc. Andrietta Sofie Grentzmann

Title: "The Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Kinase/Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Axis in Cardiovascular Diseases: from Cellular Mechanisms to Therapeutic Implications"

Date and time: 20-03-2026 at 13:15

Venue: U301, SDU, Campusvej 55, 5230 Odense M

Committee of Examiners:

Prof., Ph.D. Maria Johansson, Department of Physiology, University of Gothenburg, Sweden

Assoc. Prof., Ph.D. Joanna Kalucka, Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University

Assoc. Prof., Ph.D. Åsa Fex Svenningsen, Department of Neurobiology, University of Southern Denmark (chair)

Main supervisor:

Professor Daniel Ketelhuth, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark

http://kalender.sdu.dk

Cand.med. Egle Kavaliunaite

Title: "Targeting Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms: Therapeutic Insights from Animal Studies"

Date and time: 20-03-2026 at 12:00

Venue: Room U240, SUND, SDU, Campusvej 55, 5230 Odense

Committee of Examiners:

Prof. Anne Lejay, Department of Vascular Surgery and Kidney Transplantation, Strasbourg, France, the Hospital University Center in Strasbourg

Dr. Med. Chalotte Winther Nicolajsen, Vascular Surgery, Viborg Regionshospital

Prof. Muscha Steckelings, Institut for Molekylær Medicin, SDU (chair)

Main supervisor:

Assoc. Professor Jane Stubbe, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark

 

Cand.scient. Emil Birch Christensen

Title: "Off-the-shelf allogeneic CAR NK cells for the treatment of haematological malignancies"

Date and time: 20-03-2026 at 12:30

Venue: DIAS Auditorie (V24-501a-0), SDU, Campusvej 55, 5230 Odense M

Committee of Examiners:

Senior researcher Arnika Kathleen Wagner, Department of Medicine, Huddinge, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden

Professor, dr.med. Per thor Straten, Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark

Professor, dr.med.,ph.d. Henrik Jørn Ditzel, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark (chair)

Main supervisor:

Professor Torben Barington, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark

Cand.scient.san.publ. Sofie Smedegaard Skov

Title: "Demensomsorgens dilemmaer – et etnografisk studie af etiske dilemmaer, omsorgsfulde løgne og litteraturens potentiale i en hverdag med demens"

Date and time: 20-03-2026 at 12:00

Venue: Room 'Luftskibet', The National Institute of Public Health, SDU, Studiestræde 6, 1455 Copenhagen

Committee of Examiners:

Assoc. Prof., PhD Nina Jøranson, Institute for Nursing, VID Specialized Universit

Prof., PhD Mette Terp Høybye, Institut for Klinisk Medicin - Interacting Minds Centre (IMC, Aarhus Universitet)

Prof. PhD Birgitte Nørgaard, Institut for Sundhedstjenesteforskning, Syddansk Universitet (chair)

Main supervisor:

Senior Researcher Sigurd Mørk Rønbøl Lauridsen, National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark

http://kalender.sdu.dk

Cand.scient. Laura Helene Keiding Gregersen

Title: "Dietary factors in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) - a PhD study within clinical nutrition"

Date and time: 23-03-2026 at 14:00

Venue: Room 61.01 Udsigten på SDU Kolding, Universistetsparken 1, 6000 Kolding

Committee of Examiners:

Professor Lotte Lauritzen, Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, Copenhagen University

Professor Christine Henriksen, Clinical Nutrition, University of Oslo

Ph.d., cand.med, klinisk lektor  Martin Wirenfeldt Nielsen, Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark (chair)

Main supervisor:

Professor Vibeke Andersen, Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark

Cand.scient. Marie Lykke Bach

Title: "Contribution of plasmin to lectin-pathway amplification of complement activity in kidney injury in a DOCA-salt murine model"

Date and time: 23-03-2026 at 14:00

Venue: Auditorium U301, SUND, SDU, Campusvej 55, 5230 Odense

Committee of Examiners:

Professor, MD, PhD Sophie de Seigneux, Médecin cheffe de Service de Néphrologie et Hypertension, Hôpitaux Universitaires Genève

Professor, MD, PhD Niels Henrik Buus, Nyresygdomme, AUH, Aarhus University

Associate Professor, MD, PhD Karoline Schousboe, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark (chair)

Main supervisor:

Professor Boye L. Jensen, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark

http://kalender.sdu.dk

Cand.med. Rafl Adnan

Title: "The Effects of e-Based Physical Exercise in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis and the Role of Comorbidity"

Date and time: 23-03-2026 at 14:00

Venue: Auditorium Psykiatrihospitalet Slagelse, Fælledvej 6, 4200 Slagelse

Meeting URL: https://syddanskuni.zoom.us/j/68963220982

Committee of Examiners:

Professor  Andrew J. Solomon, Department of Neurological SciencesGenetics, The Larner College of Medicine at The University of Vermont

Professor Flemming Winther Bach, Department of Neurology and Neurophysiology, Aalborg University Hospital & Faculty of Health Sciences

Associate Professor  Åsa Fex Svenningsen,  Neurobiology Research Unit, University of Southern Denmark (chair)

Main supervisor:

Professor Nasrin Asgari, Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark

Cand.med. Lasse Møllegaard Obel

Title: "Novel epidemiological and genetic insight in ascending thoracic aortic disease"

Date and time: 25-03-2026 at 14:00

Venue: Emil Aarestrup auditorium, Odense University Hospital, Klinikbygningen, Sdr. Boulevard 29, 5000 Odense C

Committee of Examiners:

Professor, MD, PhD, FEBVS Kevin Mani, Department of Surgery / Department of Surgical Sciences; Vascular Surgery, Uppsala University Hospital / Uppsala University

Professor, MD, PhD Timothy Andrew Resch, Department of Vascular Surgery/ Department of Clinical Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet / University of Copenhagen

Professor, MD, PhD, DMSci Lars Lund, Department of Urology / Department of Clinical Research , Odense University Hospital / The University of Southern Denmark (chair)

Main supervisor:

Professor Jes Sanddal Lindholt, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark

Cand.oecon. Maja Kjær Rasmussen

Title: "Cost-effectiveness of a Hospital at home intervention for pandemic response, with focus on estimation of productivity costs"

Date and time: 27-03-2026 at 10:00

Venue: Auditorium O-100 , SDU, Campusvej 55, 5230 Odense M

Zoom link: https://syddanskuni.zoom.us/j/62869691141?pwd=pvb2lYkTw0Mb1xKFn3Twi12Oc0LQhc.1

Committee of Examiners:

Dr. PhD GCPP(Economics) MPH BPharm Senior Research Fellow Centaine Snoswell, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences (HMBS), The University of Queensland

Associate Professor Flemming Witt Udsen, Dansk Center for Sundhedstjenesteforskning, Aalborg Universitet

Associate Professor Troels Kristensen, DaCHE - Dansk Center for Sundhedsøkonomi, Syddansk Universitet (chair)

Main supervisor:

Professor Kristian Kidholm, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark

http://kalender.sdu.dk

M.Sc. Lukas Jürgensen

Title: "Speech intelligibility declines at moderate to high sound levels: Detection and prevention of rollover in listeners with impaired hearing"

Date and time: 27-03-2026 at 14:00

Venue: U260, SDU, Campusvej 55, 5230 Odense M

Zoom link: Zoom Link for Online Defence

Committee of Examiners:

Prof. Dr. Brian C. J. Moore, Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge

Prof. Dr. Dr. Ulrich Hoppe, Department of Audiology, ENT clinic, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg

Assoc. prof. Dr.  Oliver Niebuhr, Department of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, SDU, Sønderborg (chair)

Main supervisor:

Professor, PhD Tobias Neher, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark

 

Cand.manu. Klaus Knarberg Doktor

Title: "Upright versus recumbent MRI of the lumbar spine: Systematic review of the literature, reproducibility, and frequencies of differences"

Date and time
: 27-03-2026 at 12:00

Venue: Room ”Sky”, 14. etage (elevator kode: 24 33 98), Campus kollegiet, Campusvej 1, 5230 Odense M. Reception kl. 14.00 på 14. etage, Campuskollegiet (elevator kode:24 33 98)

Committee of Examiners:

Klinisk lektor, ph.d. Bjarke Brandt Hansen, Parker Instituttet, Frederiksberg Hospital / KU

Adjunct Professor, PhD Juhani Määttä, Health Science and Technology Research Unit, Oulu University Hospital & Oulu University

Lektor Sophie Lykkegaard Ravn, Institut for Psykologi, SDU (chair)

Main supervisor:

Professor Tue Secher Jensen, Department of Sports Science and Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark

http://kalender.sdu.dk

Cand.psych. Esben Kjems Jensen

Title: "Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety and depression: Effect and prediction in routine care"

Date and time: 27-03-2026 at 13:00

Venue: Dialogen (M-0.60), SDU, Campusvej 55, 5230 Odense M

Committee of Examiners:

Professor, PhD Heather Hadjistavropoulos, Department of Psychology, University of Regina

Professor, PhD Lisbeth Frostholm, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University

Associate Professor, PhD Stine Bjerrum Møller, Department for Psychology, University of Southern Denmark (chair)

Main supervisor:

Professor Mia Beck Lichtenstein, Department of Psychology, University of Southern Denmark

Cand.med. Thomas Leth Fink

Title: "Patient-centered use of stereotactic body radiation therapy for lung cancer"

Date and time: 27-03-2026 at 14:00

Venue: "Onkologisk Konferencelokale 1", Building E210, Lille Grundet Hulvej 11, Vejle Hospital, 7100 Vejle

Committee of Examiners:

Professor, PhD Marianne Aznar, Division of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, UK

Clinical professor, consultant, PhD Jesper Grau Eriksen, Department of Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital

Clinical associate professor, consultant, PhD Rikke Hedegaard Dahlrot, Department of Oncology, Odense University Hospital (chair)

Main supervisor:

Professor, Dr. Med., PhD Torben Frøstrup Hansen, Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark

 

Masters of Psychology Sonja Ziegler

Title: "DAN-PACT: Development, implementation, and early insights from a Danish parent-mediated autism intervention trial"

Date and time: 08-04-2026 at 10:00

Venue: U27, SDU, Campusvej 55, 5230 Odense M

Committee of Examiners:

Prof.  Sven Bölte, Woman's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet

Prof.  Svein Eikeseth, Department of Behavioural Science,  Oslo Metropolitan University

Prof.  Anette Søgaard Nielsen , Institut for Regional Sundhedsforskning, SDU (chair)

Main supervisor:

Professor Niels Bilenberg, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark

Cand.scient. Vicki Rytoft Lillegaard Kristensen

Title: "Population Heterogeneity in the Medieval Town of Viborg, Denmark"

Date and time: 09-04-2026 at 14:00

Venue: Auditorium U301, SUND, SDU, Campusvej 55, 5230 Odense

Committee of Examiners:

Professor  Torbjörn Ahlström, Department of Archaeology and Ancient History, Lunds Universitet

Phd, Senior Researcher  Marie Louise Schjellerup Jørkov, Globe, Copenhagen University

Assoc. Professor, PhD Birgitte Schmidt Astrup, Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Southern Denmark (chair)

Main supervisor:

Professor Jesper Lier Boldsen, Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Southern Denmark

 

Cand.med. Birgitte Møller Luef

Title: "From Pregnancy to Adolescence: Longitudinal Insights into Maternal Metabolism, Lifestyle Intervention in Pregnancy, and Offspring Health."

Date and time: 10-04-2026 at 14:30

Venue: Auditorium U300, SUND, SDU, Campusvej 55, 5230 Odense

Committee of Examiners:

Associate Professor, M.D, PhD Emilia Huvinen, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Helsinki, Finland

 Professor, PhD Berit Heitmann, Research Unit for Diet and Health at The Parker Institute, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

Associate Professor, M.D, PhD Sanne Rasmussen, The Research Unit for General Practice, University of Southern Denmark (chair)

Main supervisor:

Professor Christina Anne Vinter, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark

http://kalender.sdu.dk

Cand.cur. Jannie Christina Frølund

Title: "Listen and Learn: Exploring the role of patient-centred podcasts in healthcare participation, shared decision-making and communication"

Date and time: 16-04-2026 at 14:00

Venue: Auditoriet i Bygning S1, Sygehus Lillebælt, Beriderbakken 4, 7100 Vejle

Committee of Examiners:

Associate professor Vivi Lycke Christensen, Centre for Health and Technology, University of South-Eastern Norway

Associate professor Gritt Overbeck, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen

Professor Jette Primdahl, Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark (chair)

Main supervisor:

Psykolog Ingeborg Farver-Vestergaard, Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark

 

M.Sc. Anusofia Schlawe

Title: ""We build the frame, and the athlete paints the picture": The Ecology of Thriving In High-Performance Sport"

Date and time: 17-04-2026 at 12:00

Venue: The Lab for Play and Innovation, SDU, Campusvej 55, 5230 Odense M

Committee of Examiners:

Associate Professor Svenja Wachsmuth, Institute of Sports Science, Thübingen University

Associate Professor  Niels Rossing, Institut for Medicin og Sundhedsteknologi, Ålborg Universitet

Professor Thomas Skovgaard, Institut for Idræt og Biomekanik, SDU (chair)

Main supervisor:

Professor Kristoffer Henriksen, Department of Sports Science and Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark

Cand.cur. Eithne Anette Margaret Hayes Bauer

Title: "Telemedicine in palliative care – Model of care based on stakeholders’ perspectives and core competencies of palliative care"

Date and time: 17-04-2026 at 14:00

Venue: Auditoriet, Lærings og forskningshuset, Sygehus Sønderjylland, Kresten Phillipsensvej 15, 6200 Aabenraa

Link to online participation on Webex Webinar: https://rsyd.webex.com/rsyd/j.php?MTID=me9339798cc0515788ad4b928820df929

Committee of Examiners:

Professor, PhD Simen A Steindal, Faculty of Health, Institute of Nursing/VID Specialized University

Associate professor, PhD Helle Spindler, School of Business and Social Sciences, Institute of psychology/Aarhus University

Senior Researcher, PhD Vibeke Graven, The Danish Knowledge Centre for Rehabilitation and Palliation, REHPA, Department of Clinical Research/SDU (chair)

Main supervisor:

Professor Karin Dieperink, Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark

http://kalender.sdu.dk

Cand.med. Kristian Als Nielsen

Title: "Open versus Robotic-Assisted Ventral Hernia Repair: Clinical and Economic Perspectives"

Date and time: 21-04-2026 at 14:00

Venue: The Auditorium, Lærings- og forskningshuset, Hospital Sønderjylland, Kresten Philipsens Vej 15F, 6200 Aabenraa

Committee of Examiners:

Adjunct Professor Jaana Vironen, Abdominal Center, Helsinki University Hospital

Associate professor Nadia Henriksen, Digestive Disease Center, Bispebjerg Hospital

Professor Torben Knudsen, IRS, Esbjerg og Grindsted Hospital, SDU (chair)

Main supervisor:

Professor Michael Festersen Nielsen, Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark

Cand.scient. Line Dragsbæk

Title: "Associations between combinations of MRI findings in the Lumbar Spine and Low Back Pain "

Date and time: 24-04-2026 at 13:00

Venue: DIAS auditorium, SDU, Campusvej 55, 5230 Odense M

Committee of Examiners:

Associate Professor, PhD Nils Vetti, Department of Radiology, Department of Clinical Medicine, Universitety of Bergen

Professor  Michael Skovdal Rathleff, Institut for Medicin og Sundhedsteknologi, Aalborg Universitet

Klinisk lektor Tine Nymark, Forskningsenhed for Ortopædkirurgi, Klinisk Institut, Syddansk Universitet (chair)

Main supervisor:

Professor Tue Secher Jensen, Department of Sports Science and Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark

M.Sc. Matthew Thomas Keys

Title: "Determinants of exceptional health and survival: an epidemiological inquiry"

Date and time: 30-04-2026 at 13:00

Venue: Room U150, SDU, Campusvej 55, 5230 Odense

Committee of Examiners:

Associate Professor Sara Hägg , Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institute

Professor Laust Hvas Mortensen, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen

Professor Dorte Glintborg, Odense University Hospital, University of Southern Denmark (chair)

Main supervisor:

Professor Kaare Christensen, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark

Cand.med. Julie Hempel Larsen

Title: "The effect of empagliflozin on left ventricular morphology and physical capacity"

Date and time: 01-05-2026 at 14:00

Venue: Room: Emil Aastrup (Klinikbygningen at OUH), Kløvervænget 17, 5000 Odense C

Committee of Examiners:

Ass Prof, MD PhD MSc Associate Prof, MD, PhD, DmSc Frederik H. Verbrugge, Cardiology , University Hospital Brussels

MD, PhD Henrik Vase, Cardiology, Aarhus University Hospital

Ass Professor MD, PhD Michael Stenger, Thoracic surgery, Odense University Hospital (chair)

Main supervisor:

Professor Jacob Eifer Møller, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark

http://kalender.sdu.dk


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Last Updated 25.02.2026