Maria Abildgaard Steffensen

Maria Abildgaard Steffensen serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Immunology and Microbiology at the University of Copenhagen's Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences (SUND). She conducts her research at the Panum Institute on the 13th floor, working at the intersection of immunology and ophthalmology with a specific focus on immune-privileged sites in the eye.

Education:

• PhD in Immunology, University of Copenhagen (2011)
• MSc in Biomedicine, University of Southern Denmark (2008)
• BSc in Biomedicine, University of Southern Denmark (2006)

Dr. Steffensen's research program centers on understanding how inflammation and infectious diseases affect immune-privileged sites, particularly investigating how immune cells are regulated once they enter these protected areas. Her work employs animal models and patient biopsies to uncover mechanisms underlying ocular diseases, with the ultimate goal of developing novel treatment approaches. She maintains active collaborations with both university research groups and hospital clinicians, facilitating translational research from bench to bedside.

Analysis of her recent publication record (2023-2025) reveals a concentrated research focus on age-related macular degeneration (AMD), with particular attention to immune cell behavior in the retina, chemokine signaling pathways, complement system involvement, and biomarkers predicting treatment response. Her work consistently bridges basic immunological mechanisms with clinical ophthalmology applications.

Dr. Steffensen maintains an active research program with numerous collaborations both within the University of Copenhagen and with external clinical partners. Her work environment at the Panum Institute provides access to advanced research facilities supporting her investigations into ocular immunology and inflammation.