Nikolai Baastrup Nordsborg

Nikolai Baastrup Nordsborg is a Professor in Human Exercise Physiology and Head of the Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports at the University of Copenhagen's Faculty of Science. With over 200 employees under his leadership, the department serves approximately 700 students and manages an annual turnover of around 20 million EUR. His academic career began as Assistant Professor in 2008, progressed to Associate Professor in 2009, and culminated in his current Professorship and Department Head position starting in 2020.

Dr. Nordsborg's educational background includes:

• 1995: Elite coach education in Swimming from 'Trænerskolen Aalborg'
• 2001: M.Sc. in Human Physiology
• 2002: Coastal Life-Guard and PADI Rescue diver certification
• 2005: Ph.D. in Exercise and Sport Sciences
• 2008: Course in pedagogy of teaching at Universities
• 2011: Research Management Course from Copenhagen Business School
• 2015-2017: Various management courses from the University of Copenhagen

His research focuses on individual differences in human physiology, with emphasis on children's health, optimizing methods for individual monitoring of athletes, fighting doping, and understanding gene-environment-physiology interactions. His work spans from basic research in integrative exercise physiology to applied research in training modalities and anti-doping.

Recent publications demonstrate strong focus on hematology in sports, genetic adaptations to exercise, and novel approaches to doping detection. His research involves international collaboration with anti-doping authorities worldwide, including the World Anti-Doping Agency and Partnership for Clean Competition. Key themes include EPO and altitude effects on hemoglobin, genetic variability in exercise adaptations, and biomarkers for detecting blood doping.

Among his notable contributions are high-impact publications in journals like Nature Communications and PNAS. His research has secured significant funding, with grant acquisitions exceeding 100 million DKK since 2011.

Dr. Nordsborg has supervised more than 80 bachelor students, over 50 master's thesis students, and several PhD candidates including Thomas Bonne, Jacob Bejder, Anders Kilen, Andreas Andersen, and Sara Solheim. He has coordinated more than 40 different research projects since 2011, collaborating with over 220 different authors.

His leadership extends to heading the 'Integrative Physiology' section (2017-2020) and currently serving as Head of Department. He has established collaborations with numerous organizations including the World Anti-Doping Agency, Danish Security and Intelligence Service, NATO Special Forces, and various sports organizations.