Henrik Birn is new clinical professor and chair in kidney diseases

Clinical professor, consultant, DMSc Henrik Birn will head the clinical research and the academic development of the specialty kidney diseases when he from 15 September 2024 will take up the position of clinical professor and chair at Aarhus University and Aarhus University Hospital.

Portrait of Henrik Birn
As a clinical professor and chair, Henrik Birn will support all forms of kidney research and researchers, both local and external, with an interest in the kidneys. Photo: Jens Thaysen

Henrik Birn conducts research into kidney diseases, both the rare and the common forms of chronic kidney disease, and into the complications and treatments resulting from kidney failure, e.g. kidney transplantations. His research aims to uncover the extent and causes of kidney diseases and to examine how new treatment can help patients both before and after kidney failure. He does this both through clinical studies of patients and by means of experimental experiments in cells and on laboratory animals.

"My research will contribute to a better diagnosis and treatment of people with kidney disease, both those who have not yet reached kidney failure and those who are already being treated for it. This includes better diagnostics, simpler and safer diagnosis assessment and more effective and individually tailored treatment options," says Henrik Birn.

On 15 September he will take up the position of clinical professor and chair at the Department of Clinical Medicine and Department of Kidney Diseases. Here, he will influence and develop the interaction between clinic, research and teaching within the field of kidney diseases.

According to Henrik Birn, the ambition is to create an environment where these three elements support each other across areas of specialisations, and where the desire to conduct research and communicate is stimulated by and is a natural element of the clinical work.

"The professorship gives me the opportunity to become more closely involved in teaching medical students in kidney diseases and internal medicine. My ambition is to create the framework for engaging teaching that stimulates independent thinking and a lifelong interest in searching for new knowledge," says Henrik Birn.

Contact

Clinical professor and chair, consultant, DMSc Henrik Birn
Aarhus University, Department of Clinical Medicine and
Aarhus University Hospital, Department of Kidney Diseases
Phone: 61 71 78 70
Email: hb@clin.au.dk