Nanna MacAulay

Nanna MacAulay is a Professor in the Department of Neuroscience at the Faculty of Health, University of Copenhagen, with continuous academic appointments since 2002. Her research investigates molecular mechanisms of cerebral water and ion homeostasis, focusing on pathological conditions like hydrocephalus and brain edema.

Her educational background includes:

• DMSci from UCPH (2020)
• PhD from UCPH (2002)
• MSc in biochemistry from McGill University, Canada (1998)
• Student exchange to McGill University, Canada (1995-1996)
• BSc in biology from UCPH (1995)

MacAulay's laboratory examines CSF secretion, glial cell swelling, and ion transporter regulation using molecular biophysics and in vivo rodent models. Her work targets pharmacological interventions for brain water disorders by studying aquaporins, cotransporters, and receptor-mediated pathways.

Recent 2025 publications reveal concentrated research on choroid plexus function, with key themes including age-resistant CSF secretion mechanisms, GLP-1 receptor modulation of intracranial pressure, and the critical role of Na+,K+,2Cl− cotransporters over aquaporins in maintaining K+ homeostasis. Methodological innovations in awake animal models feature prominently.

Her scientific awards include:

• Lundbeck foundation’s Ascending Investigator Grant (2019)
• Leo Danin’s Research award (2019)
• NNF’ tandem program grant (2017)
• Danish Independent Research Council’s Sapere Aude (2012)
• L’Oreal-UNESCO scholarship (2008)
• Young Elite Researcher’s Award (2006)

As Head of the Graduate Programme in Neuroscience (NeuroGrad) since 2016, she oversees PhD training and mentors students. Her research is funded by major grants from the Lundbeck Foundation and Novo Nordisk Foundation, with additional service as Associate Editor for Fluids and Barriers in the CNS and British Royal Society panel member.

She leads a specialized laboratory investigating cerebral fluid dynamics, collaborating internationally on projects spanning molecular transport mechanisms to clinical applications for hydrocephalus and idiopathic intracranial hypertension.