Three particularly talented PhD students from the Faculty of Health share the Fogh-Nielsen Legacy and the DKK 125,000.

2017.02.02 | Lise Wendel Eriksen

This year, the prestigious scholarship goes to the three research talents Maria Primo, Junjing Su and Morten Nørgaard Andersen, all of whom come from the Department of Biomedicine at Aarhus University. The Fogh-Nielsen scholarship is awarded to particularly talented PhD students and goes towards the continuation of excellent research efforts.

Morten Nørgaard Andersen from the Department of Biomedicine at Aarhus University receives DKK 55,000

In his research, Morten Nørgaard Andersen’s focal point is a type of immune cell called macrophages and their role in connection with myeloma (a cancer of the plasma cells). The body's own immune system is actually able to fight and remove cancer cells, but these macrophages appear to have the opposite effect, so they instead promote the growth of the cancer cells in cases of myeloma and other types of cancer.

In his research project, Morten Nørgaard Andersen has characterised the macrophage cells and developed a medication that can in all probability be absorbed in the carcinogenic macrophages and hopefully transform them into immune cells that fight the cancer. In the long term, the research may contribute to obtaining new knowledge about the biology of the cancer disease, which is an essential component in being able to develop improved diagnosis and more targeted treatment of cancer patients. 

See Morten Nørgaard Andersens presentation of his research on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEDgPIPETuo&t=4s

 

Maria Primo from the Department of Biomedicine at Aarhus University receives DKK 35,000

When our immune cells become infected with bacteria or viruses, what are known as pathogens activate additional antiviral mechanisms in the immune system to protect the body from infections. In her research project, Maria Primo has studied how these cellular mechanisms in the immune system are regulated by identifying and characterising new microRNA molecules.

 

Maria Primo’s research makes a particular contribution towards gaining knowledge about cellular processes in connection with autoimmune diseases, but is also beneficial for research within immunology as a whole.

See Maria Primos presentation of her research on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACr0eCd1yeA&t=7s

 

Junjing Su from the Department of Biomedicine at Aarhus University receives DKK 35,000

Junjing Su conducts research into the physiology of the cardiovascular system, more specifically the complex interaction between the heart and pulmonary system, and the interaction between blood pressure and blood flow in patients with pulmonary hypertension. Pulmonary hypertension is a serious cardiovascular disease characterised by very high blood pressure in the pulmonary system, which in turn can lead to right-sided heart failure.

Despite major progress during the last decade, the mortality rate among patients with pulmonary hypertension remains high. Junjing Su’s research provides improved insight into the underlying disease mechanisms, which can in the long term advance the development of more targeted treatment for patients with pulmonary hypertension.

See Junjing Sus presentation of her research on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMJNY1kz90E&t=1s

 

The legacy, which in its full length is called “Consul Johannes Fogh-Nielsen’s & Ella Fogh-Nielsen’s Legacy” was awarded at Health's annual PhD Day on 27 January 2017. The money was distributed after an assessment of the three PhD student’s presentations of their research projects.

 

Contact

Medical Doctor, PhD student Morten Nørgaard Andersen
Aarhus University, Department of Biomedicine
Email: morten@biomed.au.dk

PhD student Maria Primo
Aarhus University, Department of Biomedicine
Email: mnascimentoprimo@biomed.au.dk

PhD student Junjing Su
Aarhus University, Department of Biomedicine
Email: junjing.su@biomed.au.dk