Meet your colleague: Nasrin Asgari

Can you tell us about your work?

I am a consultant neurologist and a researcher at the Department of Neurology, Slagelse Hospital, as well as the Department of Regional Health Research and the Department of Molecular Medicine at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU).

My research focuses on autoimmune diseases, where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own cells. I study autoimmune diseases that affect the central nervous system, with a focus on conditions such as optic neuritis, multiple sclerosis, and related disorders like neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and MOG-associated disease (MOGAD).

To better understand these diseases, we use advanced imaging techniques, such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) to examine the optic nerve, and we analyse blood and cerebrospinal fluid samples to identify key biomarkers. I work closely with researchers from around the world.

How long have you been at SDU?  

I graduated as a medical doctor from SDU in 1998. Since 2008, my PhD and postdoctoral research have focused on NMOSD and MOGAD from epidemiological, clinical, and experimental perspectives.

I am affiliated with the Department of Regional Health Research and the Department of Molecular Medicine at SDU.

I was appointed professor in 2020, and my professorship has recently been extended.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

The best part is the balance between research and patient care. It’s incredibly rewarding to know that my work makes a difference, and I greatly appreciate the strong national and international collaborations that enable us to tackle challenges together.

Can you share a work achievement you are particularly proud of?

My career as a researcher has been intense, and I thrive in a positive and collaborative environment. I am especially proud of having built a strong network of research partnerships over nearly 20 years. Working in an international setting has been incredibly inspiring—particularly my time at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

We have conducted both clinical and translational research with a focus on autoimmune neurological diseases, including NMOSD, MOGAD, and optic neuritis. Collaborating with Professor Trevor Owens and developing disease models has been invaluable. This partnership has significantly advanced our understanding of disease mechanisms, which, in the long run, could lead to earlier and more precise diagnosis and treatment for patients.

In recent years, the interdisciplinary and international project IMAGINE has generated valuable insights into improving the prevention and treatment of multimorbidity—a condition in which a person has two or more chronic diseases simultaneously.

What is your educational background, and how did you come into this role?

I am a medical doctor with a PhD and a Doctor of Medical Science (Dr.Med.).

I have always been fascinated by the brain—an incredibly dynamic organ that continues to hold many mysteries.

Have you ever considered a different career path?

At one point, I wanted to be a novelist, and I also considered studying psychology.

How do you like to spend your free time?

I enjoy spending time with family and friends and love going for walks in nature.

Have you read, watched, or listened to anything interesting recently that you would recommend?

A Train in Winter by Caroline Moorehead. I hadn’t read anything by her before, but it’s a gripping account of a group of women fighting for survival in a concentration camp during World War II.

What is your favourite travel destination?

Italy and Kerteminde.

Do you have a special talent that others might not know about?

I played basketball for many years and was part of the national youth team before continuing in a basketball club in Odense. I also coached youth teams there.

These days, I keep the game close—a basketball hoop hangs both at home and in my office.

Do you have an interesting or unusual hobby you’d like to share?

Since my youth, I have written poetry inspired by nature. One day, I hope to publish my work.