Henrik C. Wegener

Henrik C. Wegener

Rector

Appointed on March 1, 2017 as Rector No. 259 of the University of Copenhagen.

MSc in Food Science,1988, and PhD in Microbiology, 1992, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University. Master of Public Administration (MPA), 2007, Copenhagen Business School.

Worked as research assistant, researcher, centre director, research professor and head of research at the National Veterinary Serum Laboratory and the Danish Institute for Food and Veterinary Research in the period 1988-2007. Director of The National Food Institute,Technical University of Denmark (DTU), 2007-2011. Provost, Executive Vice President, DTU, 2011-2017.

Seconded National Expert, World Health Organisation (WHO), 1999-2000. Chairman of the Scientific Advice Mechanism of the European Commission (EC SAM) 2015-2017.

Primary fields of research

My primary research area is the study of the sources of infection and the routes of infection for infectious diseases (epidemiology). Particular focus on infections with complex routes of infection  that are transferred to humans from animals (zoonoses), foods or environment. Special focus areas have been salmonella and antibiotic resistance. I have developed laboratory and informatics-based methodologies and concepts for monitoring, identification and quantification of sources of infection and routes of infection as well as methods and principles for the prevention and control of infectious diseases.

My research and advisory services have contributed to the development of national, European and global programmes for monitoring, among other things, salmonella and antibiotic resistance in the farm-to-fork chain. It has also contributed to a significant reduction in the number of cases of illness from food-borne diseases and a ban on the use of antibiotics as growth promoters for livestock in Europe.

Possible conflicts of interest

Have no board memberships in commercial enterprises, political parties, religious organisations, NGO’s or other interest organisations.

Current member of:

  • Chairman, Board of the International Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance Solutions
  • Board of the Danish Nature Fund

Selected publications

  1. An outbreak of multidrug-resistant, quinolone-resistant Salmonella enterica serotype typhimurium DT104

    Molbak, K., Baggesen, D. L., Aarestrup, F. M., Ebbesen, J. M., Engberg, J., Frydendahl, K., Gerner-Smidt, P., Petersen, A. M. & Wegener, H. C., 1999, In: New England Journal of Medicine. 341, 19, p. 1420-1425

    Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

  2. Antibiotics in animal feed and their role in resistance development

    Wegener, H. C., Oct 2003, In: Current Opinion in Microbiology. 6, 5, p. 439-445

    Research output: Contribution to journalReviewpeer-review

  3. Salmonella Control Programs in Denmark

    Wegener, H. C., Hald, T., Wong, D. L. F., Madsen, M., Korsgaard, H., Bager, F., Gerner-Smidt, P. & Mølbak, K., 2003, In: Emerging Infectious Diseases (Print Edition). 9, 7, p. 774-780

    Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

  4. Surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in bacteria isolated from food animals to antimicrobial growth promoters and related therapeutic agents in Denmark

    Aarestrup, F. M., Bager, F., Madsen, M., Jensen, N. E., Meyling, A. & Wegener, H. C., 1998, In: A P M I S. Acta Pathologica, Microbiologica et Immunologica Scandinavica. 106, 6, p. 606-622

    Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

  5. A Bayesian approach to quantify the contribution of animal-food sources to human salmonellosis

    Hald, T., Vose, D., Wegener, H. C. & Koupeev, T., 2004, In: Risk Analysis. 24, 1, p. 255-269

    Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

  6. A case-control study of risk factors for sporadic campylobacter infections in Denmark

    Neimann, J., Engberg, J., Mølbak, K. & Wegener, H. C., Jun 2003, In: Epidemiology and Infection. 130, 3, p. 353-66 14 p.

    Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

  7. Web-based surveillance and global Salmonella distribution, 2000-2002

    Galanis, E., Wong, D. L. F., Patrick, M. E., Binsztein, N., Cieslik, A., Chalermchaikit, T., Aidara-Kane, Á., Ellis, A., Angulo, F. J. & Wegener, H. C., 2006, In: Emerging Infectious Diseases (Print Edition). 12, 3, p. 381-388

    Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

  8. Fresh chicken as main risk factor for campylobacteriosis, Denmark

    Wingstrand, A., Neimann, J., Engberg, J., Nielsen, E. M., Gerner-Smidt, P., Wegener, H. C. & Mølbak, K., 2006, In: Emerging Infectious Diseases (Print Edition). 12, 2, p. 280-284

    Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

Selected activities

  1. European Commission - Scientific Advice Mechanism (EC SAM) (External organisation)

    Wegener, H. C. (Chair)

    20152017

    Activity: Membership typesMembership in committee, council, board

  2. Forsvarsakademiets Advisory Board (External organisation)

    Wegener, H. C. (Member)

    2015 → …

    Activity: Membership typesMembership in committee, council, board

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