AU Distinguished Senior Innovators

Bridge-builder and catalyst for innovation

Aarhus University has launched a new initiative to build stronger connections between research and innovation across the university.

As the first programme of its kind in Denmark, the AU Distinguished Senior Innovators (DSI) programme enables experienced researchers to dedicate their time to a combination of research and innovation.

The researchers serve as ambassadors for knowledge-based innovation and entrepreneurship.

Distinguished Senior Innovators 2025

In 2025, seven distinguished researchers were appointed as Aarhus University's first Distinguished Senior Innovators.

Together, they represent a broad range of disciplines – from anthropology and biomedicine to space technology.

Over the next three years, they will serve as ambassadors for knowledge-based innovation while addressing global challenges in areas such as climate, health and technology.

Learn more about each researcher and their focus area below.

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Aarhus BSS

Helle Neergaard

Helle Neergaard is a Professor at the Department of Management and the creator of LAB99, an initiative built on the belief that there are many different ways to be an entrepreneur.

LAB99 is designed for students who do not identify with the dominant narratives around entrepreneurship and who are currently significantly underrepresented in incubation environments.

Technical Sciences

Jens Vinge Nygaard

Jens Vinge Nygaard, Associate rofessor at the Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, researches computer modelling of biomaterials and tissues. His project focuses on developing new methods to treat muscular dystrophy and chronic wounds through electrical stimulation. He wants to involve early career researchers in developing the technology.

Health

Karin Lykke-Hartmann

Karin Lykke-Hartmann, Professor at the Department of Biomedicine, aims to revolutionise fertility treatment through the QUEINI project by developing methods to improve the egg fertilisation and increase the chances of pregnancy.

The initiative involves early-career researchers and is expected to lead to the establishment of a new biotechnology company.

Natural Sciences

Christoffer Karoff

With a research background in space technology, Christoffer Karoff, Associate professor at the Department of Geoscience and Department of Physics and Astronomy, advocates for more accurate strategies for environmental and climate protection by improving the measurement of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. His project will also strengthen Denmark’s position in the space industry’s global market.

Natural Sciences

Ulf Andersson Vang Ørom

Ulf Andersson Vang Ørom, Associate professor at the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, focuses on developing medical treatments for incurable diseases, such as cancer and neurodegenerative disorders, through RNA research. The project is a step towards creating patentable solutions that can revolutionise treatment.

Arts

Heather Anne Swanson

Heather Anne Swanson, Professor at the School of Culture and Society, wants to include perspectives from the humanities and social sciences in the green transition. She collaborates with businesses and civil society to develop sustainability projects that go beyond technological solutions.

Arts

Christian Dindler

Christian Dindler, Associate professor at the School of Communication and Culture, creates platforms where humanities students can connect with businesses, to make the businesses aware of the skills that these students bring to the table and to help the students navigate their careers.

What is the role of a Distinguished Senior Innovator?

As a Distinguished Senior Innovator you will:

advise and support projects that can create a positive change in relation to promoting the innovation and entrepreneurship agenda at your faculty.
become an ambassador for academic entrepreneurship, where you carry out research at your department while also practising academic entrepreneurship based at Kitchen, Aarhus University.
become involved in developing a variety of business ideas or innovative solutions in collaboration with colleagues in the field with the aim of strengthening the innovation culture in a broad sense.

What is the employment status as a Distinguished Senior Innovator?

As a Distinguished Senior Innovator, you maintain your departmental affiliation, but on top of that, you'll work in the university's innovation hub, Kitchen, Aarhus University.

What do you gain from being a Distinguished Senior Innovator?

The Distinguished Senior Innovator programme includes:

access to facilities (office space, possibility of access to laboratories).
access to external expertise.
access to dedicated support for securing funding (dedicated application support for the provision of external funding, e.g. Proof-of-Concept funds).
access to investors, including specially designed models for access to investors for researchers who need it.

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Questions?

Want to learn more about the Distinguished Senior Innovator programme?

Get in touch with Vegar Lein Ausrød.

Phone: +45 93 50 87 43
Email: vlaus@au.dk

Contact Vegar

Revised 09.07.2026

Nina Heiberg Lyhne