FLASH – Center for Liver Research
Odense University Hospital (OUH)
The Center for Liver Research (FLASH), granted as an elite research center, is dedicated to clinical and translational research in steatotic liver disease. With a multidisciplinary approach, FLASH comprises 2 professors, 1 associate professor, 3 postdocs, 5 PhD students, 7 pregraduate research assistants, 3 project nurses, 1 engineer and 1 center manager, all pivotal in driving FLASH research forward. FLASH has been key partners in EU consortia such as GALAXY, MicrobLiver and MICROB-PREDICT, positioning itself at the forefront of liver disease research.
FLASH will lead WP4 with the planning and organization of the randomized screening study of 100.000 individuals and further lead the ethics and regulatory affairs of WP9. FLASH will be a contributing partner in all work packages including providing data and samples from existing cohorts to WP1 and WP2.
TEAM MEMBERS
Prof Aleksander Krag
Aleksander Krag, MD, PhD, MBA is Professor of hepatology at Odense University Hospital and Director of FLASH - Centre for Liver Research. He serves as Secretary General of European Association for the Study of Liver (EASL) 2023-2025. His passion is research with focus on clinical aspects of steatotic liver diseases (alcohol and non-alcohol related), liver fibrosis, complications to cirrhosis, biomarkers, and microbiome. Aleksander will lead WP9 overseeing the ethics and regulatory affairs of the Liver Aim consortium.
Prof Maja Thiele
Maja Thiele, MD, PhD, is Professor of hepatology at Odense University Hospital. Her research centers on the development and validation of diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, with a particular focus on early disease detection and cost-effective referral pathways within steatotic liver disease. Maja will lead the planning and inclusion of 100.000 patients in the randomized screening study Positive Trial in WP4.
Ida Villesen
Ida Villesen, presently serving as a postdoctoral researcher at Odense University Hospital. She is a biochemist with a specific focus on liver fibrosis, biomarker development and the investigation of liver disease. Her involvement will be pivotal in dissemination and communication activities of WP7.
Dr Stine Johansen
Stine Johansen is a medical doctor at FLASH – Center for Liver Research, Odense University Hospital. Her research focuses on diagnostic and prognostic non-invasive tests and early detection of steatotic liver disease. Stine will be involved in the planning of Positive Trial and inclusion of patients for WP4.
Helle Lindholm Schnefeld
Helle Lindholm Schnefeld is a research nurse and MSc in Health Sciences at the Center for Liver Research, Odense University Hospital, Denmark. Her research focuses on the early detection and monitoring of steatotic liver disease, health-related quality of life, and socio-economic differences between patients with different etiologies of steatotic liver disease. Helle will be involved in the recruitment of patients for WP4.
Peter Andersen
Peter Andersen holds a master’s degree in chemical engineering and currently serves as a Data Manager. He specializes in the design and maintenance of REDCap databases, ensuring efficient data capture for clinical research. In his role, Peter coordinates the shipment of samples to research partners and oversees data sharing initiatives. He is also involved in managing legal aspects of data handling, including the drafting and review of DPAs and JDCAs.
Dr Katrine Tholstrup Bech
Katrine Tholstrup Bech is a medical doctor and PhD student at FLASH - Center for Liver Research, Odense University Hospital, Denmark. Her research focuses on early detection and monitoring of steatotic liver disease using non-invasive methods, as well as improving and optimizing the referral process for patients referred to the Liver Clinic on suspicion of chronic liver disease. Katrine will be involved in the recruitment of patients for WP4.
ALL THE CONSORTIUM