The cardiovascular research field has received an economic injection of 25 million DKK which the Danish Cardiovascular Academy has granted 21 innovative research projects in early June 2023.

— As we received 140 high quality applications, our grant committee faced a challenging task in selecting the 21 most promising research projects. I look forward to following their contribution to our understanding and treatment of cardiovascular disease, says Christian Aalkjær, Executive Managing Director, DCAcademy.

Collaborations that support world-class research 
 

Of the 25 million DKK that DCAcademy is granting this year, the Danish Heart Foundation is contributing with 6 million DKK.

— We are very happy to once again be influencing cardiovascular research in this country in such a significant way, tells CEO of the Danish Heart Foundation, Anne Kaltoft.

— Within the cardiovascular field, Denmark delivers world-class research. Every year, Danish researchers present ground-breaking results which in many cases have significance for treatment of cardiovascular disease on a global scale.

With an increasing survival rate, around 524.000 Danes live with cardiovascular disease today.

— We need research that enables us to continuously prolong the lives of patients with cardiovascular disease as well as offer individual treatment solutions, says Christian Aalkjær.

For the first time, DCAcademy collaborates with the Danish Diabetes and Endocrine Academy (DDEA) about three cross-academy scholarships. Christian Aalkjær and Chairman of DDEA Board of Directors of DDEA, Allan Flyvbjerg, are happy that the academies have the possibility to support the next generation of early-career researchers and clinicians within diabetes, hormone-related and cardiovascular diseases.

The research projects range broadly
 

One of the granted research projects is a clinical study investigating adipose tissue distribution and cardiometabolic risk factors in children treated for obesity. Another project examines the use of artificial intelligence to improve the treatment choice associated with acute myocardial infarction.

DCAcademy also supports epidemiological studies. E.g., whether polypharmacy is an important undiscovered risk factor of Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD).

This is the third time that the DCAcademy grants scholarships. Supporting basic research was also important this year. One project will investigate the atrial mechano-electrical coupling in obstructive sleep apnea. Another project examines the role of microRNAs in adipose tissue and endothelial cells of obese individuals. 

This year, DCAcademy supports:
 

14 PhD projects – of which three are shared PhD projects with DDEA

Five 2-year full-time postdoctoral fellowships

Two 5-year clinical part-time postdoctoral fellowships

PhD grant recipients:
 

• Anton Friis Mariager, University of Copenhagen
• Caroline Espersen, University of Copenhagen
• Jakob Solgaard Jensen, Rigshospitalet
• Jonathan Samuel Achter, University of Copenhagen
• Kristine Kyle de Leon, University of Southern Denmark
• Louise Aas Holm, Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research
• Malene Højgaard Andersen, Aarhus University
• Malene Lykke Wind, University of Copenhagen
• Tanita Drejer Jeppesen, Aarhus University
• Tarannum Ara, Aarhus University
• Tobias Skjelbred, University of Copenhagen

Cross-academy (DCAcademy and DDEA) grant recipients:
 

• Christian Velling Thorup, Aarhus University
• Helene Bei Thomsen, Aarhus University
• Mathilde Sonne Søndergaard, University of Copenhagen

Postdoctoral grant recipients:
 

• Jonas Lynggaard Isaksen, University of Copenhagen (2-year)
• Lisa Amalie Gottlieb, University of Copenhagen (2-year)
• Maithily Satish Nanadikar, University of Copenhagen (2-year)
• Majid Khazaee, Aalborg University (2-year)
• Menachem Viktor Khamo Sarusie, University of Copenhagen (2-year)
• Andreas Andersen, Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen (5-year)
• Laust Dupont Rasmussen, Gødstrup Hospital (5-year)      

Next call for applications will open October 2023 with application deadline in February 2024.