Research profile

Research areas of interest

Using clinical trials and epidemiological methods I have focused my research in comorbidities to rheumatic diseases such as inflammatory arthritis, vasculitis and systemic lupus erythematosus.

I hold a PhD in clinical research, awarded in 2017. Alongside my role as a consultant rheumatologist, I have contributed extensively to original, peer-reviewed scientific research at an international level, focusing on comorbidities and safety outcomes in patients with inflammatory arthritis, vasculitis and connective tissue disease. Using clinical trials and health registers my work investigates the efficacy and side effects of medical treatments, as well as comorbidities associated with inflammatory rheumatic diseases.

I have served as the primary investigator and sponsor for several randomized clinical trials. Furthermore i have utilized the Danish health register database for research purposes. Within my research group, we employ advanced statistical methodologies, including survival analysis (e.g., pseudo-observation methods, cause-specific Cox modeling), time series analysis (e.g., interrupted time series analysis), and sophisticated confounder control techniques (e.g., inverse probability of treatment weighting, propensity score matching, and G-methods).

Since 2018, I have supervised PhD students working on randomized clinical trials, prospective cohort studies, and epidemiological research, particularly focusing on comorbidities in rheumatic diseases. I currently oversee PhD projects investigating cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, and cancer prognosis in patients with vasculitis and rheumatoid arthritis.

One of our key ambitions is to advance the development of personalized medicine for patients with rheumatic diseases, tailoring treatments to improve outcomes and quality of life

Teaching profile

I have extensive experience teaching medical students and doctors at Aalborg University. My undergraduate teaching experience includes 8 years as a Clinical Associate Professor, where I have lectured and facilitated PBL sessions for medical students. I have also contributed to student assessments and examinations. Additionally, I have supervised several research year students, resulting in multiple publications in international, peer-reviewed journals.  I have completed four theoretical courses in education, focusing on problem-based learning (PBL), examination, supervision, and clinical teaching.

At the postgraduate level, I have 10 years of experience as a consultant responsible for specialist training, including teaching and lecturing in vasculitis as part of specialized rheumatology courses (specialespecifikke kurser i vaskulitis).

I am also experienced in academic evaluation. I have participated in PhD assessment processes, including serving as both an external examiner and chair of PhD dissertation evaluation committees. My teaching portfolio includes over 1,000 hours of lecturing and formal teaching activities since 2011.

My teaching philosophy centers on fostering student motivation, independent learning, and critical thinking. I encourage the integration of digital tools and evidence-based, computer-assisted learning methods to prepare students for the evolving demands of modern healthcare practice.

PhD Supervision

Main/co-supervisor for 4 completed PhD projects, 4 current projects and 2 initiating in fall 2025. Since 2017 been supervisor for >25 medical students master thesis.

Completed PhD projects

• Main supervisor for Jonathan Vela, MD, Department of Rheumatology, Aalborg University Hospital. Project: Pain in Psoriatic Arthritis and Hand Osteoarthritis
• Main supervisor for Line Uhrenholt, MD, Department of Rheumatology, Aalborg University Hospital. Project: Biological treatment, tapering study in patients with inflammatory arthritis
• PhD co-supervisor for Bolette Gylden Soussi, MD, Department of Rheumatology, Aalborg University Hospital. Project: “Incidence of rheumatoid arthritis in Denmark – the influence of diet and exercise”.
• PhD co-supervisor for Louis Nygaard Pedersen, MD, Department of Nephrology, Aalborg University Hospital. Project: “Cardiovascular risk in patients with ANCA-Associated vasculitis”.

Current PhD projects

• PhD main supervisor for Mads E R Sørensen, Cand.Scient.med, Department of Rheumatology, Aalborg University Hospital. Project: “Giant cell arteritis and Diabetes Mellitus.” Enrolled September 2023.
• PhD co-supervisor Karen Buch Lauridsen, MD, Department of Immunology, Aalborg University Hospital. Project: “Characterization of immunogenicity of tumor necrosis factor inhibitors in arthritis patients with poorer treatment response due to gender, obesity and smoking status”
• PhD co-supervisor for Kirsten Duch, Cand. Scient, Department of Rheumatology, Aalborg University Hospital. Project: “Using big data technologies to identify patients with high risk of serious infections following glucocorticoid treatment in inflammatory rheumatic disease”
• PhD co-supervisor for Bergur Magnussen, MD, Department of Rheumatology, Aalborg University Hospital. Project: “Investigating cancer-related outcomes and the safety of immune check point inhibitors in Danish patients with rheumatoid arthritis”.