Education

Experience

Professor at Department of Animal Science (ANIS), Faculty of Science and Technology (ST), Aarhus University (AU).

Previously Research Professor (2000-2010) and Head of Research Unit (1998-2000) at Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences (DJF),

and Associate professor (1995-1998), Research assistant (1989-1995) and Research stipendiate (1982-1989) at Section for Reproduction, KVL.

Competence

Research competence

Endocrinological, morphological and clinical studies of cattle and pig with respect to development of the egg in the period before, during and after ovulation, covering both basic and applied aspects.

Assisted reproductive technologies in farm animals, primarily cattle and pig, with superovulation, embryo transfer, in-vitro production, cloning and cryopreservation of embryos as primary areas.

Techniques for morphological and physiological investigations of embryos during their development.

Consequences after in-vitro handling (in-vitro production, cryopreservation, cloning) on subsequent development of embryo, fetus and offspring.

Grants/honours

Good experience in fund raising, research management and coordination based on receipt of more than 64 mio. DKK in funding from sources outside the University by Danish research counsils, EU and farm animal industries.

Professor Lagerlöf’s Gold Medal from the Nordic Veterinary Association for Farm Animal Reproduction (1994).

Member of the Academy of Technological Sciences (since 1999).

Adjunct professor at KVL (2006-2016).

Pioneer Award 2016, Association for Embryo Technologies in Europe (AETE).

Distinguished Service Award 2018, International Embryo Technology Society (IETS).

Teaching

Experience from graduate and postgraduate courses, as supervisor or co-supervisor for 19 PhD-students and 17 MSc-students, and as main advisor for 9 postdocs.

Numerous lectures and presentations to many groups, including lectures at Forsker-for-en-dag at Agro Business Park Foulum. For this latter activity, nominated for the Forskningsformidlingsprisen in 2006.

Scientific posts

Board Member of the Danish Embryo Transfer Association (since 1989), the European Embryo Transfer Association (AETE; 1995-2005), the International Embryo Technology Society (IETS; treasurer 2000-2005; 2011-2013, vice-president 2011, president 2012, past-president 2013) and the Center for Bioethics and Risk Assessment (CeBRA; 2001-2008).

Appointed censor in veterinary reproduction at KVL (since 2000).

Member of the Danish Council for Independent Research | Technology and Production Sciences (2006-2011; vice-chairman 2008-2009, chairman 2009-2011).

Member of Novo Nordisk Foundation: Committee for Biotechnology-based Synthesis and Production Research (2012-2021, chairman), Laureate Research Grant Committee (2012-2021), Committee for Interdisciplinary Synergy Programme (2014-2019) and Novozymes Prize Committee (2014-2021).

Member of the Danish Committees on Scientific Dishonesty (UVVU, 2012-2015).

Administration

At Department of Animal Science, AU, Deputy Head (2015-2019, 2022-). Previously, at Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, DJF, Deputy Chief of Department (2005-2009), Acting Head of Department (2005-2006), Head of Research Unit (1998-2005) and director of Embryo Technology Center (1993-1999).

Project leader of 32 externally and internally funded research projects.

License holder (FELASA Category C permit) to conduct and supervise animal experiments.

Publications

Author/co-author to 516 publications, in 101 first author. In Web of Science (July 2021): 222 articles and abstracts in ISI-publications. Total no. of citations exceeds 6,975. H-index=45. In Google Scholar (January 2022): 516 articles and abstracts. Total no. of citations exceeds 12,472. H-index=58.

Most cited paper: Vajta et al. Molec Reprod Develop (1998) cited 698 times; 12 articles cited more than 100 times, and 4 cited more than 200 times.

Patents

Participated in applications (none granted): (i) Method and apparatus for culturing cells and tissues. PCT International Application DK97/0001, filing/priority date 07 January 1997; (ii) Method and auxiliaries for cryopreservation of biological material such as egg cells. PCT International Application DK98/00375, filing/priority date: 03 September 1998; (iii) New method for embryo culture, the Well of the Well system. PCT International Application DK00/00308, filing/priority date: 08 June 2000.