Department Head Thomas G. Jensen has chosen to continue as head of the Department of Biomedicine. His employment has been extended by three years.

2016.02.04 | Mette Louise Ohana

Thomas G. Jensen takes three more years as department head at Biomedicine

Thomas G. Jensen has held the position of department head at the Department of Biomedicine for nearly five years. The position expires in the summer, but with the option of extension. Thomas G. Jensen has now chosen to say thank you to that option.

"I’m really enjoying the work of department head. It’s both challenging and rewarding – and that is why I would therefore like to continue. One of the things that I'm most pleased about is the contact to all the people who work at the university. Both those at the department and those I collaborate with elsewhere," says Thomas G. Jensen.

Five challenging years

The department has been through a lot of changes during Thomas G. Jensen’s time at the helm. It started with a merger in 2011 – the same year that he took up his position, where six departments were merged into one. This was followed by budget cutbacks in 2014, which led to both dismissals and resignations. At the same time, construction work began on the new Biomedicine building, which is still under construction.

"There's no doubt that it has been a challenging time. The cutbacks in particular were really difficult. But I think that we’ve got through all of it in a good way and I’m very pleased with how the department is today. We have really talented people who deliver great teaching and excellent research. I’m very impressed with and also grateful for the efforts made by the employees despite the merger and the cutbacks, which have meant that they’ve had to do more than previously," says Thomas G. Jensen.

He is particularly proud of the young employees at the department.

"One of the things I’m most happy about is the number of incredibly talented young people we have here at the department. They have such huge potential, both when it comes to research and teaching, and they are ready to take over in the long term. I'm also pleased that the employees have succeeded in establishing networks across the department, creating new collaborations. I think it’s important to have room to take the initiative and the freedom to choose who you will work together with, so that people look forward to going to work," adds Thomas G. Jensen.

High thoughts about the department's potential

Despite the department already having a high level, he has a vision of an even better department.

"I hope that we can profit from the many talented people, so that we can become even better in our research and teaching. My hope is that we can get new research centres and increased external research funding. I also hope we can attract even more high-profile researchers from abroad, because they can strengthen our research environments. If we interact more with each other across the department, everyone will benefit," says Thomas G. Jensen.

Diversity and collaboration across research groups are particularly important.

"We have the different types of people – the nerdy, social and less social types – as well as people from 25 different countries and 15-20 different staff groups. Having so many different and exciting people and giving them room for new ideas is one of the best things about to going to work. I very much hope that it will be possible to have great diversity at the department with many different nationalities and both large and small research groups, and that these can benefit from one another, while at the same time maintaining the local environments," concludes Thomas G. Jensen.

About Thomas G. Jensen

• Head of the Department of Biomedicine from 2011
• Professor of medical genetics at AU from 2006.
• Member of The Danish Council on Ethics between 2003-2011.
• Member of the National Committee on Health Research Ethics from 2012.
• Professor and Research Leader at the Kennedy Centre in Glostrup between 2003-2006.
• Head of the Department of Human Genetics at Aarhus University between 2001-2003.
• Associate Professor at the Department of Human Genetics at Aarhus University between 1997-2003.
• Research fellow at the Clinical Gene Therapy Branch, National Institutes of Health, USA between 1995-1997.
• Research fellow at the Department of Human Genetics at Aarhus University between 1987-1995.
• Graduated as a medical doctor from AU in 1987.
• Born in 1961. Married and lives in Skødstrup outside Aarhus. He has two sons aged 30 and 28.