Charlotte Menne Bonefeld

Charlotte Menne Bonefeld, PhD, DMSc, is Head of Department at the Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, and leads the LEO Foundation Skin Immunology Research Center. She serves as Professor with special responsibilities at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, with extensive expertise in skin immunology and contact allergy mechanisms.

Her educational background includes a DMSc (2018), PhD (2004), and MSc in Biochemistry (1999), all from the University of Copenhagen. Dr. Bonefeld has progressed through academic ranks from Research Assistant (2000) to Associate Professor (2009-2018) to her current Professor position (2019-present).

Dr. Bonefeld's research focuses on skin immunology with specific emphasis on contact allergy mechanisms involving nickel, fragrance, and hair dye allergens. Her work investigates T cell responses, skin-resident memory T cells, and the immunological pathways underlying allergic contact dermatitis. She has established herself as a leading researcher in understanding how environmental chemicals trigger immune responses in the skin.

Her recent publications (2024-2025) demonstrate continued leadership in skin immunology research, with multiple high-impact papers on skin-resident memory T cells, contact allergy mechanisms, and global aspects of contact dermatitis. Her work spans basic immunological mechanisms, translational research, and clinical applications, with particular attention to T cell biology in skin inflammation.

Among her notable recognitions is the 2011 LEO Pharma Research Foundation Silver Award. She has established international collaborations through CARGO, an international research group she co-founded in 2009, and has conducted research at prestigious institutions including The Scripps Research Institute.

Dr. Bonefeld actively supervises students and early-career researchers, with 5 completed and 3 ongoing Master's students, 7 completed and 4 ongoing PhD students, and 1 ongoing postdoc. She leads multiple educational initiatives including the 'Skin Immunology' course for Master's students and the Graduate Programme of Immunology and Infectious Diseases. Her laboratory at the Skin Immunology Research Center continues to investigate the complex immunological mechanisms underlying contact allergy and skin inflammation.