Christine Stabell Benn appointed Knight of the Order of the Dannebrog

Christine Stabell Benn, professor of global health at the Department of Clinical Research and Chair at the Danish Institute for Advanced Study (DIAS), has been appointed Knight of the Order of the Dannebrog.

Ole Skøtt, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, submitted the nomination and explains why:
– Professor Christine Stabell Benn was appointed in 2013. She has conducted internationally acclaimed research in the field of non-specific effects of vaccines and has been a key figure in her role as Chair at the Danish Institute for Advanced Study (DIAS).

Christine Stabell Benn has published more than 330 scientific articles. Her research has helped demonstrate that vaccines and vitamins affect the immune system in a far more general way than previously assumed – both types of interventions have what are now referred to as “non-specific effects”.

Furthermore, Christine Stabell Benn is internationally recognised for her research and, in 2023, was awarded the George MacDonald Medal in London. This joint award is presented by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene in recognition of her outstanding research, which has led to significant improvements in health in tropical regions.

– It is a privilege to work with two such fascinating topics as vaccines and vitamins – both of which have remarkable effects on the body and are known to almost everyone around the world. It is a research field characterised by strong opinions, but over time our group has fortunately succeeded in influencing major decisions on how best to use both – for the benefit of global public health. And on top of that, in an exciting and fruitful international collaboration. To be recognised for this is, of course, a great honour.

Congratulations to Christine Stabell Benn