Research profile

Ulrik Schiøler Kesmodel is a clinical professor in obstetrics and gynaecology. He holds a PhD-degree and has numerous scientific publications in both national and international journals, a long list of talks and numerous positions of trust.

Research-wise he has been a full-time assistant and associate professor in epidemiology at the Department of Public Health, Aarhus University from 2001-2003 and again 2004-2005 before returning to clinical work, providing a robust methodological background.

Much of his research is centered around evidence based prevention. He has mainly worked with lifestyle factors, i.e. alcohol, tobacco and caffeine intake around the time of conception and during pregnancy. He has performed both methodological, descriptive and aetiological studies on short- and long-term outcomes in women undergoing fertility treatment and pregnant women and their children. The studies have provided insights into and guided official recommendations used in national guidelines and everyday clinical work.

With his background in epidemiology Ulrik has contributed to studies within all sub-specialties in obstetrics and gynaecology, including reproduction and fertility, urogynaecology, endometriosis, onco-gynaecology, fetal medicine, and general obstetrics.  

Ulrik has been the chairman of the Danish Epidemiological Society for 6 years, chairman of the Nordic scientific committee in obstetrics and gynaecology for 5 years, and scientific secretary in the Danish Society of obstetrics and Gynaecology. He is a member of several steering committees on national clinical databased and has participated in the extensive work with national guidelines within the DSOG and the Danish Fertility Society. He founded the college of professors in obstetrics and gynaecology in Denmark and took the initiative to a Danish national Consortium for national clinical studies in obstetrics and gynaecology (DO-iT).

PhD Supervision

2004-08  Psychologist (cand.psych.) Tina R. Kilburn (PhD-student, SVF, Aarhus University). Project: Alcohol use during pregnancy: Information processing and reaction time in 5-year-old children. (Main supervisor and project supervisor). PhD-defence 1/2 2008.

2004-08  Psychologist (cand.psych.) Mette Underbjerg (PhD-student, SVF, Aarhus University). Project: Alcohol use during pregnancy: Attention problems among the offspring at age 5. (Project supervisor). PhD-defence 26/3 2008.

2006-09  MD (cand.med.) Katja Dahl (PhD-student, SVF, Aarhus University). Project: The importance of information practice when implementing informed choice in relation to early prenatal diagnosis. (Main supervisor and project supervisor). PhD-defence 30/10 2009.

2006-11  Psychologist (cand.psych.) Hanne-Lise F. Eriksen (PhD-student, SVF, Aarhus University). Project: Alcohol intake and cigarette smoking in pregnancy: neuropsychological outcomes at the age of five - with particular reference to IQ. (Supervisor). PhD-defence 16/3 2011.

2008-13  Psychologist (cand.psych.) Åshild Skogerbø (PhD-student, SVF, University of Copenhagen). Project: Prenatal alcohol exposure and neuro-psychological functioning in 5-year-old children with special focus on behaviour. (Supervisor). PhD-defence 14/6 2013.

2010-13  MD (cand.med.) Rikke Guldberg Sørensen (PhD-student, SVF, University of Southern Denmark). Project: Operation for urinary incontinense and urogenital prolapse in women in Denmark – Clinical epidemiological studies with focus on sickness leave, use of medication and quality of life. (Supervisor). PhD-defence 22/12 2013.

2010-14  MD (cand.med.) Anette Tarp Hansen (PhD-student, SVF, Aarhus University). Project: Risk factors for thrombosis during and after fertility treatment (Supervisor). PhD-defence 5/9 2014.

2011-14  MD (cand.med.) Bjørn Bay (PhD-student, SVF, Aarhus University). Project: Assisted reproduction and child neurodevelopment (Main supervisor). PhD-defence 23/5 2014.

2012-16  MD (cand.med.) Margrethe Foss Hansen (PhD-student, SVF, University of Southern Denmark). Project: Regional variation in treatment quality – surgical treatment of urinary incontinence among women (Supervisor). PhD-defence 9/12 2016.

2013-16  MD (cand.med.) Laura Ozer Kettner (PhD-student, Health, Aarhus University). Project: In vitro fertilization in relation to stillbirth, preterm delivery and early childhood morbidity by number of embryos transferred (Supervisor). PhD-defence 18/11 2016.

2013-19  MD (cand.med.) Mads Riiskjær Pedersen (PhD-student, Health, Aarhus University). Project: Early and late complications after surgical treatment for colo-rectal endometriosis. (Supervisor). PhD-defence 30/8 2019.

2014-17  MD Anne Gisselmann Egekvist (PhD-student, Health, Aarhus University). Project: Conservative treatment of rectosigmoid endometriosismonitored by transvaginal ultrasound. (Supervisor). PhD-defence 9/6 2017.

2014-18  Cand.scient.san Line Riis Jølving (PhD-student, SVF, University of Southern Denmark). Project: Morbidity in children born to women with chronic disease. (Supervisor). PhD-defence 2/2 2018.

2015-20  Psychologist (cand.psych.) Karina Ejgaard Hansen (PhD-student, Social Sciences. (psychology), Aarhus University). Project: Rehabilitation of women with endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain. (Supervisor). PhD-defence 20/10 2020.

2015-21  MD Julie Lyngsø (PhD-student, Health, Aarhus University). Project: The impact of lifestyle factors on the success of assisted reproduction. (Supervisor). PhD-defence 20/1 2021.

2015-21  Cand,scient.san Mette Wulf Christensen (PhD-student, Health, Aarhus University). Project: Mechanisms behind ovarian aging: Is premature ovarian aging an expression of generally accellerated aging processes? (Supervisor). PhD-defence 23/4 2021.

2015-18 Lise Haaber Thomsen (PhD-student, Health, Aarhus University). Project: The role of mid-luteal progesterone and Preimplantation Factor (PIF) for successful implantation and on-going pregnancy in assisted reproductive technology (ART). (Supervisor). PhD-defence 14/8 2018.

2015-20  Anne Raabjerg Kruse. (PhD-student, Health, Aarhus University). Project: Fast-track discharge following elective cesarean section. (Supervisor). PhD-defence 31/8 2020.                                  

2016-18  Cæcilie Krogsgaard Tolstrup. (PhD-student, Health, University of Copenhagen). Project: Manchester procedure versus vaginal hysterectomy in the treatment of uterus prolapse. (Supervisor). PhD-defence 3/12 2018.

2017-20  Midwife, cand.scient.san Louise K Kjær Weile (PhD-student, SVF, University of Southern Denmark). Project: Use of drugs before and during pregnancy - advise, tracking and intervention from a midwife perspective. (Supervisor). PhD-defence 5/3 2020.

2017-20  Kamilla Kannegaard Karlsen (PhD-student, SVF, University of Southern Denmark). The impact of fibroids on fertility. (Supervisor). PhD-defence 31/1 2020.

2018-      Marcella Ditte Broccia (PhD-student, Health, University of Copenhagen 2018-19; Aalborg University 2019-). Project: Obstetric outcomes among pregnant women with an alcohol-related diagnosis and morbidity among their children. (Main supervisor)

2018-      Birgit Alsbjerg (ph.d.-studerende, Health, Aarhus Universitet). Project: Do luteal phase steroid levels affect the reproductive outcomes of frozen thawed embryos. (Supervisor)

2018-21  Aivara Urbute (PhD-student, Health, University of Copenhagen). Project: The role of BMI in cervical human papillomavirus infection and cancer. (Supervisor). PhD-defence 6/10 2023.

2018-21  Maria Buhl Borgstrøm (PhD-student, Health, University of Copenhagen 2018-19; Aalborg University 2019-21). Project: The competent blastocyst – assoctiation to the parents’ age and the child at birth. (Main supervisor). PhD-defence 16/12 2021.

2018-24  Charlotte Brix Andersson (PhD-student, SVF, Aalborg University). Projekt: Measurement of umbilical cord pH in Denmark: Clinical use and implementation of national standards. (Supervisor). PhD-defence 23/8 2024.

2019-21  Christian Liebst Frisk Toft (PhD-student, SVF, Aalborg University). Project: Implementation and evaluation of preimplantation genetic diagnosis based on next generation sequencing. (Supervisor). PhD-defence 3/9 2021.

2020-25      Psychologist (cand.psych.) Henrik Damgaard Marschall (PhD-student, Social Sciences. (psychology), Aarhus University). Project: Testing contributions of psychosocial non-specific factors to surgical pain relief. (Supervisor). PhD-defence 11/4 2025.

2020-23  Kristina Rantzau Saxov (PhD-student, SVF, Aalborg University). Project: The effects of alcohol consumption on female lifetime fertility and risk of alcohol-induced chromosomal aberrations among the offspring in two Danish populations. (Main supervisor). PhD-defence 15/12 2023.

2020-      Lana Rashid Flachs Madsen (PhD-student, Health, University of Copenhagen). Projekt: Register based long-term follow-up of morbidity and mortality among women with previous GDM compared with women with no previous pregnancies complicated by GDM in Denmark (Supervisor)

2020-      Maja Raos (PhD-student, Health, Aarhus University). Project: Comparing impact of operation and fertility treatment on fertility for women with deep infiltrating endometriosis: a multicenter randomized controlled trial. (Supervisor)

2021-23  Caroline Nørgaard-Pedersen (PhD-student, SVF, Aalborg University). Projekt: Intravenousimmunoglobulin and prednisolone treatment of women with recurrent pregnancy loss after assisted reproductive technology treatment: a placebo-controlled trial with evaluation of the prognostic value of selected immune biomarkers. (Supervisor). PhD-defence 23/11 2023.

2021-      Julie Marie Winckler (PhD-student, Health, University of Copenhagen). Project: A childhood with alcohol damage. (Primary co-supervisor)

2021-      Anna Melgaard (PhD-student, Health, Aarhus University). Project: Endometriosis: Consequences of delayed diagnosis. (Supervisor)

2022-      Louise Kofod (PhD-student, SVF, Aalborg University). Project: Immunological biomarkers of importance for recurrent pregnancy loss and late fetal death and a review of the effect of intravenous immunoglobulin in recurrent pregnancy loss. (Supervisor)

2022-      Ane-Kersti Skaarup Knudsen (PhD-student, Health, Aarhus University). Project: iMproving thE DIagnostics And Treatment Of ceRvical precancer - the MEDIATOR study. (Supervisor)

2024-      Karen Guldbrandsen (PhD-student, SVF, Aalborg University). Project: NMR Spectroscopy and Ovarian Cancer – Exploring an emerging method for early diagnosis and prognosis of ovarian cancer. (Main supervisor)

2024-      Pernille Walbum Kristensen (PhD-student, SVF, Aalborg University). Project: Gestational Trophoblastic Disease; risk, diagnostics and surveillance. (Supervisor)

2024-      Agnes Kielgast Ladelund (PhD-student, Health, University of Copenhagen). Project: Associations of antenatal corticosteroid treatments with mental health outcomes in mothers and children. (Primary co-supervisor)

2024-      Mette Peters Michaelsen (PhD-student, SVF, Aalborg University). Project: Nutritional supplements and Fertility – exploring the impact of nutritional supplements on male and female fertility. (Main supervisor)

Teaching profile

Pre-graduate teaching 

Students of physioterapy and occupational therapy

1996/97  Physiology for physiotherapists, Ergo- & Fysioterapeutskolen in Holstebro, 131 hours.

1996/97  Basic knowledge of disease for physiotherapists, Ergo- & Fysioterapeutskolen in Holstebro, 6 hours.

1998-00  Basic knowledge of disease for occupational therapists, Ergo- & Fysioterapeutskolen in Aarhus, 240 hours over 6 semesters.

Medical students

2001-05  Epidemiology and biostatistics for medical students, Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, 22 hours/semester over 4 semesters, 44 hours/semester over 3 semesters. Additional lectures on diagnostics and screening, 7 hours.

2002       Social medicine for medical students, Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, 21 hours/semester over 2 semesters.

2005-09  Obstetrics and gynaecology for medical students. Aarhus University Hospital. 7 hours.

2015-19  Obstetrics and gynaecology for medical students. Herlev Hospital.

2019-      Obstetrics and gynaecology for medical students. Aalborg University Hospital.

Post-graduate teaching =  494 hours (konfrontationstimer)

2001       Data documentation. Postgraduate PhD-course, Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, 6 hours.

2004       Basic course in health research (epidemiology). Postgraduate PhD-course, Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, 1,5 hours. Teaching in English.

2004-06  Perinatal Epidemiology. MPH-education, Faculty of Health, Aarhus University,, 3x4 hours.

2004-08  Targeted course in epidemiology. Postgraduate PhD-course, Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, 2 days (out of 4), 12 hours (2004, 2006, 2007, 2008), 3 days (out of 4), 18 hours (2005). Teaching in English.

2006-11  Basic course in scientific methodology, module I. Research training course as part of specialist training (all specialties). Educational Region North (Aarhus University), 2x3 hours (2006), 3x5 hours (2007), 2x6 hours + 1x24 hours non-stop (2008), 3x6 hours + 1x24 hours non-stop (2009), 3x6 hours (2010), 1x6 hours + 1x24 hours non-stop (2011).

2007-08  Course in scientific methodology, module II. Research training course as part of specialist training (all specialties). Educational Region North (Aarhus University), 2x8 hours (2007), 1x8 hours (2008).

2007-15  Epidemiology. Speciality specific research training course as part of the specialist training in obstetrics and gynaecology. 8 hours (2007-2015) Organizer: DSOG.

2009-      Basic principles of epidemiology. 4-day postgraduate PhD-course, Faculty of Health, Aarhus University. Teaching hours; 17½ hours (2009, 2010, 2011), 10 hours (2012), 2x12½ hours (2013-2015, 2019-2024), 3x12½ hours (2016-2018). Teaching in English.

2010       Introduction to reproductive medicine. The infertile woman. ¾ hour. Organizer: MSD.

2012-      The epidemiology of fertility and lifestyle factors chance of pregnancy. Course in fertility for trainees. DSOG. 1 hour (2012, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021-2024).

2012       Critical reading of scientific litterature. Serono. 6 hours.

2012       Introduction to basic statistics and different study designs. Symposium for paramedics. Organizer: ESHRE. 2 hours.

2014       The epidemiology of fertility and individual factors that may affect fertility. Course for nurses and midwives. Organizer: Nordic Fertility Society. ¾ hour. Teaching in English.

2016       How do we interpret the statistics in graphs and tables in scientific presentations. Inspiration Day, teaching of fertility nurses. Organizer: Ferring, 2/6 2016, 2 hours.

2016       Research ethics and the law. Meeting for research nurses. 1 1/3 hour. Organizer: MSD.

2016-      Study designs. Speciality specific research training course as part of the specialist training in obstetrics and gynaecology. 5½ hours (2016-) Organizer: DSOG.

2016-      Research practice. Speciality specific research training course as part of the specialist training in obstetrics and gynaecology. 5½ hours (2016-) Organizer: DSOG.

2019       Lifestyle factors and fertility. Basic course in fertility – module 3. Organizer: Merck. 5/6 hour.

2020-21  Lifestyle and medical factors that influence fecundity. At: Elective and International Summer Course: Mother and Child Health: from fecundity to puberty. Aarhus University 3/8 2020, 10/8 2021 (online teaching). 3 hours annually.

2021-      Fertility treatment and risk of childhood and adolescent somatic and mental disorders. At: Pregnancy and programming and later risk of obesity and related disease. Parker Institute 21/9 2021; 14/6 2022; 10/2 2023 ; 21/2 2024. 4x1½ hours. Teaching in English.

2024       Livsstilsfaktorer, hvad betyder det for fertiliteten hos mænd og kvinder og hvordan vejleder vi bedst? Fertilitetsforum, modul 10. Arrangør: Merck. 2x1 time. AUH, 11/1 og København, 18/1 2024.

Exams

Examiner

1997       Physiology for physiotherapists. Oral exam. Examiner. Ergo- & Fysioterapeutskolen in Holstebro.

2000       Basic knowledge of disease for physiotherapists. Development and evaluation of written exams Once/semester (2 semesters). Ergo- & Fysioterapeutskolen i Aarhus.

2001-02  Social medicine for foreign doctors. Oral exam. (examiner 1 time). Aarhus University.

2002-05  Epidemiology and biostatistics for medical students. Evaluation of written exam (5 times) and development of written exam 2 times. Aarhus University.

2004       Obstetrics and gynaecology, oral exam (OSCE). Examiner. Aarhus University.

2016-19  Obstetrics and gynaecology, oral exam. Examiner. University of Copenhagen. Every term.

2017-19  Bachelor/Candidate thesis (Medicine). Total of 5 theses (University of Copenhagen).

2022-      Obstetrics and gynaecology, oral exam. Examiner. University of Aalborg. Every term.

2022-      Bachelor/Candidate thesis (Medicine/Medis). Total of 7 theses (Aalborg University).

External examiner (Censor)

2001-02  Social medicine for foreign doctors. Oral exam. Marking/grading from 09/2001-11/2002 (12 times). Aarhus University.

2008-10  Clinical social medicine and rehabilitation for medical students. Marking/grading (3 times). University of Copenhagen.

2010       Osval I & II (social medicine). Total of 2 exams (external reviewer). University of Copenhagen.

2015-      Obstetrics and gynaecology. External reviewer 3 days Spring of 2015, 5 days in 2021, 4 days in 2022 at University of Copenhagen.

2016-      Special written report/bachelor thesis/master thesis, Medicine (speciale). Total of 50 reports/theses (Aarhus University), 19 reports/theses (University of Copenhagen), 2 reports/theses (University of Southern Denmark), 2 reports/theses (Aalborg University); (external reviewer).

2018       Reproductive endocrinology, written exam. Total of 31 exams (external reviewer). Aalborg University

Course leader

2005       Epidemiology and biostatistics for medical students. Health, Aarhus University (2 semesters of 6 weeks each)

2007       Course on research methodology, module II. Research training course as part of the specialist training. Educational Region North. Aarhus University. (1 time @ 4 days, 24 hours)

2007-15 Speciality specific research training course as part the specialist training in obstetrics and gynaecology. DSOG. (8 times of 2 days, 12 hours per course)

2009- Basic principles of epidemiology. Postgraduate PhD-course, Health, Aarhus University, (19 times @ 4 days, 25 hours per course).

2016- Study designs. Speciality specific research training course as part of the specialist training in obstetrics and gynaecology. DSOG. (8 times @ 2 days, 12 hours per course)

2016-      Research practice. Speciality specific research training course as part of the specialist training in obstetrics and gynaecology. DSOG. (8 times @ 2 days, 12 hours per course)

2017-19  Responsible for teaching and examination of medical students at Dept. of obstetrics and gynaecology, Herlev Hospital.