Helle Hansson

Helle Hansson is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Immunology and Microbiology at the University of Copenhagen's Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences. She is affiliated with the DRUGS team (Drug Resistance Understanding and Genomic Studies) and conducts research primarily focused on malaria parasite biology and drug resistance mechanisms. Her work bridges molecular biology, epidemiology, and public health to address critical challenges in malaria control and elimination efforts globally.

Education:

• PhD in Molecular Biology, University of Copenhagen (2009-2015), awarded June 26, 2015
• MSc in Parasitology, University of Copenhagen (2006-2007), awarded November 19, 2007

Dr. Hansson's research interests center on molecular mechanisms of drug resistance in $$\text{Plasmodium falciparum}$$, particularly related to antimalarial treatments and seasonal chemoprevention strategies. She investigates genetic markers of resistance, parasite population dynamics, and the impact of control interventions on resistance selection. Her work also extends to vector biology, examining insecticide resistance in $$\text{Anopheles}$$ mosquitoes. Through genomic and transcriptomic approaches, she contributes to understanding how malaria parasites adapt to drug pressure and environmental changes, with implications for treatment policy and malaria elimination strategies.

Analysis of Dr. Hansson's recent publications (2023-2025) reveals a strong focus on molecular surveillance of antimalarial drug resistance markers across Africa. Her work spans West, Central, and East Africa, examining resistance to sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine and artemisinin derivatives. Notably, she has contributed to understanding $$\text{pfdhps}$$ mutant haplotypes, $$\text{PfK13}$$ mutations, and $$\text{var}$$ gene expression patterns. Her research combines field studies with advanced genomic and computational approaches, often in large international collaborations addressing operational challenges in malaria control programs.

Dr. Hansson actively collaborates with researchers across multiple African countries and international institutions, contributing to the global effort against malaria. Her work has been disseminated through numerous peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals, with several appearing in 2024-2025. Her research has garnered attention in scientific communities, as evidenced by readership metrics and media mentions noted in the publication records.