Janne Kudsk Klitgaard

Janne Kudsk Klitgaard is an Associate Professor at the University of Southern Denmark's Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, with a joint affiliation at Odense University Hospital's Department of Clinical Microbiology Research Unit. She obtained her PhD in Molecular Biology from SDU in 2005 and has been research-active since 2014.

Her research program focuses on Staphylococcus aureus pathogenesis and antimicrobial resistance. Klitgaard investigates innovative therapeutic approaches including helper compounds like cannabidiol that enhance conventional antibiotics against multidrug-resistant pathogens. This work addresses the critical global challenge of treatment-resistant bacterial infections.

Recent publications demonstrate multidisciplinary approaches spanning from molecular microbiology to public health applications. Her 2024 work validates mental health assessment tools, while earlier studies investigate health literacy impacts on chronic disease outcomes and cognitive function in aging populations. The research consistently employs longitudinal cohort designs and psychometric validation methodologies.

Research Recognition:

• 2019 Innovation Prize from SDU Faculty of Science

Klitgaard actively mentors graduate researchers, currently supervising PhD candidates Tina Kronborg and master's students Linette Sudergaard Eybye, Maya Louise Hammond Andersen, and Yasemin Göktas. Her laboratory conducts translational research bridging basic microbial science and clinical applications.