Birgitte Helwigh

Birgitte Helwigh is a Senior Scientific Officer at the National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark (DTU), within the Research Group for Global Capacity Building. She specializes in cross-sectoral collaboration, project management, and research on food safety, zoonotic diseases, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). She holds a PhD in Veterinary Parasitology and an MSc in Biology, with extensive experience in EU-funded projects and international training programs.

• PhD: Veterinary Parasitology (The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, 1998)
• MSc: Biology (Copenhagen University, 1994)
• BSc: Ecology (University of New South Wales, 1988)

Her research focuses on mitigating foodborne outbreaks, implementing EU Zoonoses legislation, and combating AMR through surveillance and policy. She coordinates EU initiatives such as the EU Reference Laboratory for Public Health (AMR) and WateResist, addressing AMR spread via water systems. Her work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals, emphasizing global health and food safety.

Key projects include managing BTSF training programs for EU officials, analyzing antimicrobial use in poultry farms, and evaluating Campylobacter control strategies in organic farming. She has authored over 60 publications, with recent work highlighting AMR in Nigeria and E. coli risks among slaughterhouse workers.

• Projects: EU Reference Lab for AMR (2025–2030), WateResist (2024–2027)
• Grants: Fleming Fund Regional Grant (SeqAfrica), CarbaCamp

She mentors project managers and oversees financial coordination in her research group. Her contributions to global capacity building and policy frameworks underscore her role in advancing food safety and public health.