We are fortunate that an outstanding young researcher like Nicolai Juul Birkbak has chosen to carry out his research here at Health. These are the words of the Dean’s Office, which assigns Associate Professor and PhD Nicolai Juul Birkbak the faculty’s talent award this year. Come to the award ceremony and hear from the winner himself.

2020.09.17 | Sabina Bjerre Hansen

Associate Professor and PhD Nicolai Juul Birkbak receives the faculty's talent award this year. Register for the award ceremony on 7 October and hear him explain why he is fascinated by bioinformatics and precision medicine, and how he approaches research. Photo: Jann Thiele Zeiss, Health AU.

He has already carved out an exceptional career for himself in cancer research, while working together with elite international researchers from world-leading universities and research institutions, and he is also exceptionally skilled at securing external funding. These were among the arguments listed by Department Head Jørgen Frøkiær and Deputy Head of Department for Research Anne-Mette Hvas from the Department of Clinical Medicine in their successful recommendation of Nicolai Juul Birkbak for the Skou award.

Each year, Health presents the faculty’s most distinguished award, the Jens Christian Skou award, to a junior researcher who is among the international elite, and this year Nicolai Juul Birkbak receives the award and the DKK 100,000 which follow with it.

Nicolai Juul Birkbak conducts research into cancer, more specifically translational bioinformatic cancer research. This means that he e.g. examines the evolution in cancer and seeks to understand the correlation between different stages in the development of cancer cells, as they develop towards the malignant stage. He also utilises his knowledge to develop new methods and studies that can improve the course of the disease for cancer patients and increase their chances of survival.

Come to the award ceremony

The Jens Christian Skou award will be formally presented on Wednesday 7 October 2020 at 13:00, following which Nicolai Juul Birkbak will give a celebration speech about his research within bioinformatics and precision medicine. The event is open to all but registration is required.

"I hope to see many people in the Lakeside Lecture Theatres as we honour Nicolai Juul Birkbak. He deserves to be recognised and celebrated for his efforts and for his impressive results. So I appeal to you all to make time to come along. It's important that we celebrate each other's successes. And let’s not forget that the award ceremony is a rare opportunity in these times to network with colleagues face-to-face – though naturally while respecting the current guidelines for limiting infection," says Vice-dean for Research Hans Erik Bøtker.

How to register for the award ceremony

Nicolai Juul Birkbak will receive the Jens Christian Skou award on Wednesday 7 October 2020 at an event in the Lakeside Lecture Theatres beginning at 13:00.

The faculty invites you to an informal reception with snacks and a glass of wine immediately following the award ceremony. This will be open to everybody who has registered via AU’s webshop. The deadline for registration is 30 September 2020.

About the Jens Christian Skou Award

The Jens Christian Skou award is given annually to a researcher who is extraordinarily talented within his or her field of research, and who is both creative and productive. Last year the Skou award went to Professor Ebbe Bødtkjer from the Department of Biomedicine.

Health’s five department heads are the only people who can nominate candidates for the Jens Christian Skou Award and each candidate must meet a range of criteria. It is not possible to apply for the award.

Contact

Associate Professor & PhD Nicolai Juul Birkbak
Aarhus University, Department of Clinical Medicine and
Aarhus University Hospital, Department of Molecular Medicine
Mobile: (+45) 25 39 47 79
Email: nbirkbak@clin.au.dk

Vice-dean for Research Hans Erik Bøtker
Aarhus University, Health
Mobile: (+45) 40 29 33 89
Email: boetker@au.dk