Naja Hulvej Rod
Professor, Head of Section
Section of Epidemiology
Bartholinsgade 6Q, 2. sal, 1356 København K, 24 Øster Farimagsgade 5, Building: 24-2-16
Naja Hulvej Rod (Formerly Naja Rod Nielsen) MS, PhD, DMSc LinkedIn: Naja Hulvej Rod Twitter: @HulvejRod |
EDUCATION
DMSc in Medicine |
University of Copenhagen, Denmark |
2014 |
PhD in Epidemiology |
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), USA |
2007 |
Master of Public Health Science |
University of Copenhagen, Denmark |
2004 |
Bachelor of Public Health Science |
University of Copenhagen, Denmark |
2002 |
CURRENT APPOINTMENTS
Chair and co-Founder of Section of Epidemiology |
University of Copenhagen, Denmark |
2018- |
Professor of Epidemiology |
University of Copenhagen, Denmark |
2019- |
PREVIOUS APPOINTMENTS
Professor (mso) of Stress Epidemiology |
University of Copenhagen, Denmark |
2017-2019 |
Adjunct Researcher |
University of Stockholm, Sweden |
2017-2020 |
Associate Professor of Epidemiology |
University of Copenhagen, Denmark |
2008-2017 |
Adjunct Postdoctoral Fellow |
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), USA |
2008-2011 |
Researcher |
National Institute of Public Health, Denmark |
2007-2008 |
Teaching Assistant |
University of Copenhagen, Denmark |
2005-2006 |
Research Assistant |
National Institute of Public Health, Denmark |
2002-2006 |
Epidemiologic advisor |
RAND Health, Santa Monica, USA |
2004 |
Research Assistant |
Institute of Preventive Medicine, Denmark |
2001-2002 |
RESEARCH STATEMENT
I am Chair and co-Founder of the Section of Epidemiology, which is a strong interdisciplinary and international environment that contributes to the development of the field of theoretical epidemiology, with a specific focus on causal inference, complexity and life course epidemiology. I am also heading an interdisciplinary research group in Complexity and Big Data in Epidemiology. Health is a complex phenomenon, and the aim of the research group is to study the social and biological factors determining health and disease and to elucidate the underlying behavioral, psychological, and physiological mechanisms that might explain these effects. I specifically aim to investigate the health consequences of the accumulation of childhood social adversities and the complex interactions between work, life and health as they evolve across the life span. I have solid experience in working with longitudinal datasets, register-based research and complex modelling including social influences and group dynamics. I also have a particular interest in causal inference and in development and application of new methods in epidemiology, such as interaction and mediation analyses. To embrace complexity in epidemiology I actively explore new sources (e.g. smartphones) of ‘big data’, incorporate system theory thinking and leverage insights across disciplines. I am also involved in several citizen science projects with a direct societal engagement and impact.
CAREER BREAKS
Three periods of maternity leave; July 2007 to March 2008 (9 months), June 2010 to February 2011 (9 months) and from October 2013 to June 2014 (9 months).
HONORS
The Elite Research Prize (EliteForsk-prisen) awarded by the Ministry for Higher Education and Science to outstanding researchers with international experience. |
2022 |
DFF Starting Grant (Sapere Aude), Independent Research Fund Denmark |
2017 |
Matas’ Heart Prize, Danish Heart Foundation |
2011 |
Raymond D. Goodman Scholarship Award, UCLA |
2006 |
RESEARCH LEADERSHIP
Primary investigator for the citizen science research project ‘Standing together – at a distance: How Danes are living with the Corona Crisis’ (https://coronaminds.ku.dk/), which documents the public health effects of the crisis. |
2020- |
Primary investigator for the SmartSleep program (www.smartsleep.ku.dk), which is a multi-sourced study on mobile phone use, sleep and health |
2018- |
Primary Investigator of the Danish Life Course (DANLIFE) Cohort (www.danlife.ku.dk), which is a register-based cohort of more than 2 mill Danish children focusing on childhood adversities |
2017- |
Head of the Steering Committee for the Copenhagen Stress Research Center (www.stressresearch.ku.dk), which has been established to provide coordinated and innovative research into the mechanisms, health consequences and prevention of stress |
2012-2019 |
Head of the research group in Complexity and Big Data in Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen (https://publichealth.ku.dk/sections/section-epidemiology/research/complexity-and-big-data/) |
2015- |
Primary investigator of the Stress and Health Sub-study of CAMB, which includes detailed information on physiological stress mechanisms |
2010- |
RESEARCH FUNDS
I have, in total, received 5.29 million EUR (equivalent to 39.7 mill DKK) in research funds as primary investigator and more than 3.1 m Euros as co-PI. I qualified for the 2nd round (interview) of the ERC consolidator grant 2021.
Funded projects where I am PI:
- The Young Sleep Program: patterns, mechanisms, and dynamics underlying sleep health in young adults. Lundbeck Foundation, 4,976,645 DKK (665,000 EUR), 2023 to 2026, PI
- Labor market outcomes, mental health problems and childhood disadvantages. Rockwool Foundation, 2,863,098 DKK (381,700 Euros), 2022 to 2025, PI together with Signe Hald Andersen
- A nationwide study on childhood adversities and gestational diabetes mellitus: understanding mechanisms, pathways, and consequences. Independent Research Fund Denmark, 2,851,366 DKK (380,200 Euros), 2021 to 2024, PI
- Working environment in Danish Hospitals. The Danish Regions, 460,000 Euros, 2019 to 2023, PI
- Healthy working among people with chronic disorders. Danish Work Environment Foundation, 340,000 Euros, 2019 to 2023, PI
- The SmartSleep program. Documenting health consequences of smartphone interrupted sleep through a pioneering combination of high-resolution smartphone data and rich clinical health data, DFF Starting Grant (Sapere Aude), Independent Research Fund Denmark, 757,000 Euros, 2018 to 2023, PI
- Parental leave reforms and women’s health. Danish Health Insurance Foundation, 52,000 Euros, 2018 to 2020, PI together with Emilie Courtin
- Psychosocial working environment and the risk of diabetes, sickness absence and disability pension (PSA-DISPO), Danish Work Environment Foundation, 512,000 Euros, 2017 to 2020, co-PI
- Negative social relations at work and risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease: mediating mechanisms, Danish Work Environment Foundation, 123,320 Euros, 2016 to 2019, PI
- Psychosocial work environment in the Region, Danish Regions, 245,000 Euros, 2016 to 2018, PI
- Childhood adversities and onset of type 1 diabetes, Innovation Foundation, 145,000 Euros, Company PhD to Jessica Linnéa Bengtsson, 2016 to 2019, Co-PI from the University.
- Resourceful work: a multi-national study on health effects of improvement in work environment, Danish Work Environment Foundation, 520,000 Euros, 2016 to 2019, PI
- Psychosocial work environment and healthy ageing, NordForsk, 2015 to 2020, 2.6 mill Euros, PI: Mika Kivimaki, co-PI for Work package 2
- Social capital at hospitals – well-being, sickness absence and quality of work, Danish Work Environment Foundation, 306,000 Euros, 2014 to 2017, PI
- Health consequences of the complex interplay between psychosocial work demands and demands in private life, Danish Work Environment Foundation, 435,000 Euros, 2013 to 2017, PI
- Impaired sleep and cancer, Lundbeck Foundation, 13,500 Euros, 2011 to 2012, PI
- Psychosocial risk factors for Parkinson’s Disease, Danish Health Insurance Foundation, 46,500 Euros, 2011 to 2012, PI
- Impaired sleep and cardiovascular disease prognosis, Danish Health Insurance Foundation, 53,500 Euros, 2010 to 2012, PI
- Psychosocial factors and cardiovascular disease: Understanding the mechanisms for men and women, Danish Heart Association, 53,500 Euros, 2010 to 2011, PI
- Life course stress and risk of chronic obstructive lung disease, Lundbeck Foundation, 16,000 Euros, 2009 to 2010, PI
- Stress and risk of developing the metabolic syndrome, Danish Heart Association, 13,500 Euros, 2009 to 2010, PI
- Stress-related morbidity and mortality, Danish Research Council, 306,500 Euros, 2007 to 2011, PI
ORGANISATION OF SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS
2012-2013 |
Scientific Committee Member for the IEA-IEE European Congress of Epidemiology 2013 |
2010-2011 |
Scientific Committee Member for the European Public Health Association Conference 2011 |
2005- |
Scientific Committee Member for the annual Danish Stress Research Conference |
INSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
2019- |
Member of the management team of the Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen |
2014- |
Director of Research Education Program in Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Denmark |
2010-2016 |
Member, Educational Board for Master of Public Health Science, University of Copenhagen |
INTERNATIONAL NETWORK
Visiting Professor and Fellow, Institute of Advanced Studies, University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands (5 months) |
2022 |
Formalized collaborations around the DANLIFE cohort with Professors at Imperial College London, University College London, Harvard School of Public Health and INSERM in France |
2018- |
Visiting Professor, Department of Epidemiology, UCLA School of Public Health, USA (6 weeks) |
2017 |
Visiting Researcher, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Medicale (INSERM), Paris, France (4 weeks) |
2014 |
Visiting Researcher, Department of Insurance Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Sweden (3 weeks) |
2013 |
Visiting Researcher, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London (4 weeks) |
2012 |
Program Director for the Danish arm of the IDEAR (Integrated Datasets across Europe for Ageing Research) network, which has been established in order to improve research on chronic diseases and aging (www.idear-net.net). The IDEAR network brings together large, well-established cohort studies from five European countries and builds on a highly productive collaboration between researchers at University of Copenhagen; University College London, UK; Stockholm University and Karolinska Institute, Sweden; INSERM, France; and University of Turku, Finland |
2010- |
Research visit, the Bandim Health Project, Guinea-Bissau, West Africa (3 months) |
2004 |
REVIEW ASSIGNMENTS
The Lancet Public Health, British Medical Journal, Psychological Medicine, Cancer Causes and Control, Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, Diabetologia, Steroids, Acta Oncologica, International Journal of Epidemiology, Journal of Sleep Research, JAMA
COMMISIONS OF TRUST
2021- |
Vice-Chair, Council on Health and Disease Prevention (Vidensråd for Forebyggelse), Denmark |
2021- |
Member, Scientific Advisory Board, the Health Data Hub, France |
2021 |
Member, Scientific Expert Panel, Evaluation of the strategic program Health, Finnish Strategic Research Council |
2020- |
Steering Group Member for COVID-MINDS, which is a Wellcome Trust funded network of longitudinal studies on the global mental health impact of Covid-19 |
2020 |
Appointed member of expert panel designing the COVID-19 population testing and surveillance in Denmark for the Danish Health Authority |
2020 |
External scientific reviewer, ERC starting grant |
2019- |
Advisory board member, Center for Digital Health, Danish National Board of Health, Denmark |
2019-2020 |
Member, Scientific Evaluation Committee, Swedish Research Council for Health, Working Life and Welfare (Forte) |
2015- |
Scientific Board Member, the Council on Health and Disease Prevention, Denmark |
2014-2017 |
International Scientific Reviewer, National Cancer Institute, France |
2011-2015 |
Scientific Board Member, Danish Epidemiologic Society, Denmark |
2011 |
International Scientific Reviewer, Swedish Research Council |
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
2021 |
Podcast ‘Jorden Kalder – Stadig!’ Natural History Museum Denmark. |
2020 |
Podcast ‘Loneliness in Coronatimes’ Science and Cocktails |
2019 |
Developed a toolbox for ‘Balanced Screen Time’ with Danica Pension. |
2019 |
Podcast ‘Mobiltelefonen ødelægger din nattesøvn’ The Independent Research Fund Denmark |
2018 |
Citizen science week on sleep ‘Sover du godt tema’, a collaboration between the Danish National Broadcasting Company (Danmarks Radio) and the SmartSleep project. |
SELECTED INVITED TALKS AND TEACHING
2022 |
Keynote speaker, ‘Health Complexity and Big Data’, Swedish Register-based Research Summit, Stockholm |
2022 |
Keynote speaker, ‘Childhood adversity and Health: Results from the Danish Life Course Cohort, Stress Research Conference, Copenhagen |
2022 |
Invited speaker, ‘Social phenomena and health: exploring the role of networks and group dynamics’, Population Scale Network Analysis (PopNet) seminar series, Institute of Advanced Studies, Amsterdam. |
2020 |
Keynote speaker, ’Moderation in health inequality research’, Invited Workshop on Mechanisms in Social Inequalities in Health, Committee on health inequalities, European Academies of Science, Paris. |
2019 |
Keynote speaker, ‘Complexity, causality and big data: the mix and match of modern epidemiology’ 9th Nordic Conference of Epidemiology and Register-based Health Research, Tampere, Finland |
2019 |
Invited speaker, ‘Complexity and causality in Epidemiology’, Symposium, School of Public Health, Peking University |
2019 |
Keynote speaker, ‘Childhood adversities across a life course: findings from a nationwide cohort’ Symposium, Institute of Child Health, University College London |
2018 |
Invited expert, the National Stress Panel, National Ministry of Health, Denmark |
2018 |
Keynote speaker, Danish Society for Obesity Research annual meeting, Nyborg |
2017 |
Keynote speaker, 14th Stress Research Conference, Copenhagen |
2017 |
Invited speaker, seminar series on epidemiologic methods, University of California, San Diego |
2016 |
Panel discussant, Conference on Social Innovation, Copenhagen, Denmark |
2015 |
Keynote speaker, National Working Environment Conference, Nyborg, Denmark |
2015 |
Keynote speaker, 11th Parkinson’s Disease Meeting, Stockholm, Sweden |
2013 |
Lecturer at a 3-day PhD level course on Causal Inference, Center for Social Inequity Studies, Stockholm University and the Karolinska Institute, Sweden |
2013 |
Keynote-speaker at the Summer School of the national graduate research program in Public Health (GRASPH), Denmark |
2012 |
Invited expert, workshop on psychosocial risk management in the EU- company experiences in the context of regulatory frameworks and politics at the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Germany |
2012 |
Invited expert on stress, National Ministry of Health, Denmark |
TEACHING
I am responsible for PhD-level courses in Causal Inference and Introduction to Directed Acyclic Graphs at the University of Copenhagen. I also give lectures in stress and sleep epidemiology. I have been the main advisor for numerous bachelor and master students in Public Health Science and Medicine at the University of Copenhagen, and I have been on the assessment committee for seven PhD theses and one Doctoral Dissertation.
Education
MS, PhD, DMSc
ID: 928500
Most downloads
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458
downloads
High perceived stress and social interaction behaviour among young adults. A study based on objective measures of face-to-face and smartphone interactions
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › peer-review
Published -
324
downloads
Social Relations at Work and Incident Dementia: 29-Years' Follow-Up of the Copenhagen Male Study
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › peer-review
Published -
252
downloads
‘Standing together – at a distance’: Documenting changes in mental-health indicators in Denmark during the COVID-19 pandemic
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › peer-review
Published