Peter Lawætz Andersen, Research Director of the Center for Vaccine Research at Statens Serum Institut, is joining the Novo Nordisk Foundation as Senior Project Director to head up the Foundation’s initiative within infection medicine. He will take up his new post on 1 June 2021.
The 59-year-old professor has worked at Statens Serum Institut for more than 30 years and is renowned for his research on developing new vaccines and diagnostic methods that are widely used internationally.
Peter Lawætz Andersen will head a newly established unit that will lead the Foundation’s expanding initiatives in infection medicine, vaccine research, viral infections and microbial diseases. One goal is to contribute to establishing a new major research centre for infectious diseases, virology and immunology and thereby contribute to society becoming even better at preventing and responding to future epidemics.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has shown a real need to improve preparedness to combat infectious diseases. We want to strengthen research and development on infection medicine in Denmark and internationally and thereby contribute to being better prepared for possible future epidemics and other public health threats,” says Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, CEO, Novo Nordisk Foundation.
Prize-winning research
Peter Lawætz Andersen has received several awards for his pioneering research, including the Novo Nordisk Prize in 2011, and he is one of the most frequently cited infectious disease researchers in Denmark. In addition to his research work at Statens Serum Institut, he is Professor of Infectious Disease Immunology at the University of Copenhagen.
“Denmark has considerable expertise in infection medicine and immunology, and I am very much looking forward to leading this new initiative. A strong research community in Denmark can provide new knowledge, which can pave the way for effective medicine, vaccines and diagnostics and thus benefit people in both Denmark and the rest of the world,” says Peter Lawætz Andersen.
Peter Lawætz Andersen received a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University in 1988 and a Doctor of Medical Science degree from the University of Copenhagen in 1996.
Further information
Christian Mostrup, Senior Programme Lead, +45 3067 4805, [email protected]
