Christian Aalkjær

Short presentation

I am interested in cardiovascular physiology, with a special focus on the function of the small arteries, which determine the peripheral hydrodynamic resistance and consequente blood pressure and blood flow distribution. I base my work on experimental research based on animal experimentation and experiments with arteries dissected from human biopsies. I am interested in cardiovascular changes in hypertension, obesity and diabetes with a particular interest in understanding how transport of ions across cell membranes is affected in these conditions.

Primary fields of research

• cell biology
• physiology and pharmacology of blood vessels
• ion transport

Teaching

Physiology for medical students and molecular biomedicine students.

Supervisor for research students within vascular physiology and ion transport.

CV

Born: August 9 1954, Denmark

Present occupation: Professor of physiology

Education and employments:

• 2014 -: Professor, Institute of Biomedicine, Copenhagen University
• 1997 -: Professor, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Aarhus
• 1988-1997: Associate professor, Institute of Pharmacology, University of Aarhus
• 1981-1988: Assistant professor, Institute of Biophysics University of Aarhus
• 1981: Final University Examination in Medicine, Aarhus University

Doctoral thesis:
1989 Some aspects of sodium metabolism in arterial resistance vessels

Selected honors:

• 1984: 3 years stipend from K Abildgaard, Løvens Kemiske Fabriks forskningsf¬ond.
• 1988: Demuth Award, The International Society of Hypertensio¬n
• 1989: ICI Award, Danish Hypertension Society.
• 1998: Novo Nordisk Prize joint with professor dr. med. MJ Mulvany.
• 2002: Teacher of the year, Medical Faculty, Aarhus University
• 2008: Teacher of the year, Medical Faculty, Aarhus University 

Positions of trust:
Scientific Journals
Edtorial Board of Hypertension, Clinical Science, American Journal of Physiology, Journal of Vascular Research, Vascular Pharmacology.

Evaluator:
Welcome Foundation, UK; INSERM, France, Chairman evaluation panel Lunds University, Sweden. Evaluation of 15 Ph.D. theses in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, UK and Holland.

• 9 years: Member of the Danish Heart Foundation Research Committee
• 7 years: Member of the board of the Danish Hypertension Society
• 6 years: Member of the board of European College of Cardiovascular Research.
• 4 years: Member of the International Panel, British Heart Foundation Studentship Programme

Leadership experience:

• 1990 -: Leader of research group with 5-15 members.
• 2001- 2010: Member of the board of the ”Water and Salt Research Centre” established by the Danish Research Foundation
• 2005 -: Board member Danish Academy for Cardiovascular Research
• 2007-2014: Leader of the graduate program of cardiovascular research, Aarhus University

International Training Networks:
2009-2013: Marie Curie Training network “SmArt”
2013-2017: Initial Training Network “SmArter”
 
Scientific Publications
A total of 174 peer-reviewed papers, 2 editorials, 22 review articles and 149 original research papers. Impact factor max.: Lancet 39.1, Nature 38.6, Physiol Rev: 30.2, Circulation 15.2, Circulation Research 11.9. H-index 42, total citations 8100