Ylva Hellsten

Ylva Hellsten serves as Professor and Head of Section at the Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, University of Copenhagen, leading the Cardiovascular Research group within The Integrative Physiology section. She holds dual appointments in The August Krogh Section for Human Physiology and The August Krogh Section for Molecular Physiology.

Education:

• Dr.Med.Sci, Department of Physiology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden (1993)
• Bachelor of Arts, Hampshire College, Amherst, MA, USA (1987)

Professor Hellsten's research focuses on cardiovascular physiology and the effects of physical activity and inactivity. Her work spans human studies and cellular investigations to elucidate molecular mechanisms underlying vascular function. Key research areas include estrogen loss effects on vascular health in women, endothelial and smooth muscle cell mitochondria in vascular function, pericytes in skeletal muscle angiogenesis, Pannexin-1 channel roles in hypertension, remote ischemic preconditioning mechanisms, and physical activity impacts on platelet function and blood clot formation.

Recent publications demonstrate strong trends in exercise-induced vascular adaptations, blood clotting mechanisms, and sex-specific physiological responses. Her work frequently examines skeletal muscle microvasculature, cardiovascular responses in special populations (postmenopausal women, athletes, stroke patients), and molecular signaling pathways related to exercise adaptation.

Research Group:

• 3 Post-doctoral researchers
• 4 PhD students
• Multiple Master's students
• Technical staff