I acquired my PhD in Biomedical Science and Engineering in 1997 (Aalborg University, Denmark) and obtained a Doctoral degree in Medical Science (DMSc, Copenhagen University) in 2006. Currently, I am the Director at the Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), Aalborg University, Denmark (since 2015), and a full professor in Pain Neuroscience since 2008. The Danish National Research Foundation funds CNAP.
Our research focuses on translational studies of musculoskeletal pain, bridging the gap between basic animal findings and clinical manifestations of pain. The scope is to identify and modulate key features of human pain neuroplasticity, leading to the prevention of maladaptive neuroplasticity and the promotion of advantageous neuroplasticity. The development of pain models, biomarkers, assessment, and neuromodulatory technologies are key biomedical tools for translational studies.
I have published 360+ peer-reviewed scientific papers (approx. 18,000 citations) and received several awards, most notably the Knight of the Order of Dannebrog(2020). I review papers regularly for high-ranked journals, have presented as a keynote speaker at several international conferences, and organized scientific workshops and symposia at international meetings. More than 10 national and international collaborations on translational pain research have been established, including research groups in Sweden, Germany, the UK, Japan, the USA, and Australia. Moreover, advocacy for pain research has been a cornerstone activity via dedicated involvement in, e.g., IASP.