Steen Larsen

Steen Larsen is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Copenhagen's Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences. He also holds a Visiting Professor position at the Medical University of Bialystok in Poland since 2018. Dr. Larsen leads the Exercise and Muscle Center for Healthy Aging and has established a laboratory specializing in mitochondrial analysis across various tissues since becoming an Assistant Professor in 2015.

His educational background includes a Doctor of Medical Sciences (2014), M.Sc. in Human Physiology (2008), and B.Sc. in Chemistry (2007), all from the University of Copenhagen. Dr. Larsen's primary research focuses on understanding how lifestyle interventions (exercise, diet, drugs) affect whole-body metabolism and mitochondrial function, with particular attention to skeletal muscle and adipose tissue. His laboratory primarily studies human subjects but occasionally employs animal models.

Dr. Larsen's recent publications (2024-2025) demonstrate a strong emphasis on mitochondrial physiology across various conditions including diabetes, obesity, statin treatments, and aging. His work spans from basic molecular mechanisms to clinical applications, with publications appearing in high-impact journals such as Cell Metabolism, Diabetologia, and Nature Communications. His research consistently connects mitochondrial function with metabolic health outcomes across different populations.

As an educator, Dr. Larsen teaches medical students during their 4th and 5th semesters and supervises numerous bachelor's, master's, and currently four PhD students. He is frequently invited to present at major conferences including the European College of Sport Science and the American College of Sports Medicine.