Gitte Ravn-Haren

Gitte Ravn-Haren is a Senior Researcher at the National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark (DTU), where she leads research in the Research Group for Risk Benefit. With a PhD from the University of Copenhagen (2007) and an M.Sc. in Engineering from DTU (1996), she has established herself as a leading expert in food bioactive compounds and their health impacts. Her work contributes significantly to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to health and well-being.

Her research focuses on understanding how dietary and genetic factors interact to influence biological responses and chronic disease risk. She employs biomarkers of oxidative stress, defense mechanisms, and cardiovascular disease risk factors in human dietary intervention studies, biobank-based cohort studies, and experimental animal models. Current projects include increasing food literacy among school children through technology integration and investigating the effects of Denmark's iodine fortification program on thyroid health across Europe.

Ravn-Haren's publication record includes 107 works spanning nutrition science, food biochemistry, and public health. Her recent work shows strong emphasis on iodine fortification, food literacy, and the health impacts of specific food components like linseed. Her research consistently bridges laboratory science with real-world public health applications, particularly in European food policy contexts.

As an advisor to the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration, she provides expert guidance on safe levels of vitamins and minerals in food supplements and fortified foods, as well as the safety of botanicals. She also serves on the DanThyr steering group, which investigates iodine intake and thyroid diseases in Denmark.

Ravn-Haren actively supervises PhD students and other researchers, with recent projects focusing on iodine awareness, food fortification risk-benefit assessment, and automated plant farming. Her work has been featured in six media contributions, demonstrating her commitment to translating scientific findings for public understanding.