Thor Grundtvig Theander

Professor Thor Grundtvig Theander is a distinguished Professor in Parasitology and International Health at the University of Copenhagen's Department of Immunology and Microbiology. He serves as Head of the Centre for Medical Parasitology (CMP) and Deputy Head of the Department of Immunology and Microbiology. With over 338 research outputs and an h-index of 68, his work has garnered more than 16,000 citations.

Dr. Theander earned his MD in 1982 and DSc in 1992, both from the University of Copenhagen, followed by physician certification in 1988. His academic journey progressed from Assistant Medical Doctor positions (1982-1988) through Clinical Research Associate (1983-1987) to Assistant/Associate Professor (1988-2004) before becoming a full Professor in 2004.

Professor Theander is internationally recognized for his groundbreaking research on malaria, particularly his work on Plasmodium falciparum Erythrocyte Membrane Protein 1 (PfEMP1). His most significant contributions include identifying VAR2CSA as the PfEMP1 responsible for placental sequestration and developing a VAR2CSA-based vaccine for placental malaria. His 2013 Nature paper on severe malaria's association with EPCR binding represents a major breakthrough in understanding malaria pathogenesis.

His research portfolio demonstrates a remarkable evolution from fundamental malaria research to innovative applications in cancer diagnostics and therapeutics. The discovery that VAR2CSA binds to carbohydrates on cancer cells has opened new avenues for cancer treatment, leading to the development of several biotech companies focused on cancer therapeutics and diagnostics.

• KFJ-price for preclinical research (2015, 1.5 million Dkr)
• Honorary Professor at University of Khartoum (1998)
• Member of multiple international scientific advisory committees

Professor Theander has secured substantial research funding totaling millions of DKK from diverse sources including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, European Union, and Danish Medical Research Council. His leadership extends to international collaborations across Africa, particularly in Tanzania, Sudan, and Benin, where he has established research capacity and clinical trial infrastructure.

As founder and Head of the Centre for Medical Parasitology, he oversees a team of approximately 80 scientists, students, and technicians. The Centre, recognized as a 'Centre of Global Excellence in Health' by the Capital Region of Denmark in 2015, integrates malaria researchers from University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen University Hospital, and the State Serum Institute.