News from the department
Brain research
25.01.2021
DKK 35 million for new type of research in neuro diseases
Professor Martin Røssel Larsen has received DKK 35 million from the Lundbeck Foundation to cultivate and research mini-brains.
Cancer
14.01.2021
Why does breast cancer often spread in obese women?
Every year, approx. 5,000 Danish women are diagnosed with breast cancer. Obesity makes the cancer cells more aggressive, so they spread to other parts of the body. This is the focus of Rasmus Siersbæk’s research and he hopes to be able to find better treatment methods for this disease.
Small revolutions
15.10.2020
Researcher uses mini-brains for disease research
Professor Martin Røssel Larsen researches brain diseases. In order to better understand them, he makes mini-brains from stem cells in his laboratory.
Cannabis
24.03.2020
New study: Cannabis helps fight resistant bacteria
Bacteria are increasingly becoming resistant to antibiotics. By combining antibiotics with the cannabis compound, cannabidiol, researchers have found a way to enhance the antibiotic effect.
New research
10.03.2020
SDU intensifies its research in artificial skin
Researchers want to develop and 3D print skin for humans. The Novo Nordisk Foundation provides DKK 15 million for a new research project.
09.03.2020
Closing in on liver fibrosis: Detailing the fibrosis process at unprecedented resolution
Today, there is no effective way to treat liver fibrosis. In a new study, researchers from the University of Southern Denmark, SDU, present a new technology to investigate the cellular processes as they change during fibrosis development. Key findings are being validated in studies of human patients, paving the way for possible novel diagnostics and treatments.
Grants
23.01.2020
Phantom genes keep diabetes at bay
Until now, the purpose of a ‘phantom gene’ was largely unknown. New research suggests that it helps to ensure a healthy metabolism and could be involved in the development of lifestyle diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D).
News from the faculty
FUNDING
15.01.2026
SDU uses its own supercomputer to build virtual teaching labs with full ownership
The University of Southern Denmark (SDU) is now leveraging its existing supercomputer infrastructure to create virtual teaching laboratories for IT education. The initiative gives students access to high-end server environments and distributed systems while enabling SDU to keep full ownership of the teaching platform and ensure predictable, transparent use of resources.
Electrolysis
14.01.2026
Research project at SDU aims to make green hydrogen production PFAS-free and competitive
In collaboration with European partners, researchers from SDU’s Department of Green Technology will develop a new type of electrolyser that can produce green hydrogen more cheaply, sustainably, more efficiently, and without the use of PFAS, which is currently used.
DKK 13 million for SDU researcher
18.12.2025
AI to make quantum physics more accessible and sustainable
Line Jelver, a newly appointed assistant professor at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU), has received DKK 13.3 million from the Novo Nordisk Foundation. By integrating advanced language models with supercomputers, she aims not only to accelerate the development of materials with tailor-made quantum mechanical properties but also to address the research world’s enormous energy consumption.
Inge Lehmann grant
15.12.2025
SDU researcher Maria Ormhøj wants cancer cells to explode like bombs
Maria Ormhøj from the University of Southern Denmark has just received a prestigious Inge Lehmann grant. With the innovative advancement of immunotherapy, she aims to harness the body’s own cells. Hence, they function as “Trojan horses,” capable of alerting the immune system and triggering an attack on stubborn solid tumours.
11.12.2025
Professor Emad Ebeid receives Carlsberg Semper Ardens grant for development of self-charging drones
With the 'FreeFly' project, researchers at the University of Southern Denmark aim to streamline powerline inspection by mimicking avian flight. The new grant will elevate the technology from basic research to practical application.
EU millions for Professor Rafsanjani
09.12.2025
Snake robot will navigate Unknown terrain by listening
The European Research Council has awarded a highly prestigious Consolidator Grant of two million euros (approx. 15 million DKK) to Ahmad Rafsanjani, professor of soft robotics at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU), for the project “Exploring the Unexplored with a Crawling Soft Robot (METABOA).” His project aims to develop soft crawling robots and teach them to navigate complex terrains using friction — a capability that could unlock opportunities in everything from collapsed buildings to distant planets.
Gastrophysics
08.12.2025
Jellyfish can be used to make mayonnaise and butter
Researchers at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) have discovered that jellyfish can be used as a food stabiliser. In the future, the slimy creatures may become an important ingredient in a more sustainable food production system.
02.12.2025
Thankgod Nnaji receives the DSNAME honarary award
Master’s student Thankgod Nnaji from SDU has been honoured by the Danish Society for Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering Foundation for his work on reusing batteries from the world’s first fully electric car ferry. The award means he can travel home to Nigeria for the first time in two years – and brings him closer to his dream of building a future in Denmark.
01.12.2025
School students' massive waste hunt nominated for UN prize
The 'Change4Circularity' project and Astra's Mass Experiment have just been selected as one of the world's best digital solutions by the World Summit Awards. The nomination recognises a unique Danish model where thousands of children and young people don't just learn about the green transition – they actively create the data foundation for it.
Robotics
26.11.2025
New research project to bring humanoid robots to Denmark
Researchers from the University of Southern Denmark (SDU), together with Novo Nordisk, Harting and several other partners, aim to develop a humanoid robot capable of taking over, for instance, repetitive and hazardous tasks in industry.
News from SDU
News
21.01.2026
Pro-rector moves to DTU
Helle Waagepetersen will take up the position as Director of DTU Health Tech on 1 March.
15.01.2026
Now you can drink the water in Esbjerg again
The drinking water in Jerne Nord - which includes SDU in Esbjerg - can once again be drunk without first having to be boiled. The authorities have cancelled the boiling recommendation on Thursday afternoon.
Master’s Degree Reform
15.01.2026
Six master's degree programmes will have industrial master's degree tracks from 2026
TEK will begin in 2026 with six industrial master's tracks and will expand from 2028. Director of Education Thomas Skjødeberg Toftegaard sees the format as a supplement to the classic 120 ECTS civil engineering master's degree, where relevant employment is linked more closely to the programme of study through a binding collaboration.
15.01.2026
New name for the Rector's Office
At the turn of the year, the Rector's Office has been renamed to SDU Rector's Staff. The tasks remain the same, so the contact to the SDU Rector's Staff for the rest of the organisation will be the same as before.
EPICUR
15.01.2026
New call for Applications: Funding for Collaboration with EPICUR Partners
We are pleased to announce a fourth SDU call to apply for funding to initiate, support and strengthen cooperation with EPICUR partners.
Status of the restructuring
14.01.2026
Survey on the way – how is programme administration perceived?
In early 2026, SDU will be conducting a survey among all lecturers and heads of programme about the perceived quality of programme administration.
Esbjerg
12.01.2026
Contaminated water at SDU Esbjerg: Boil the water first - until friday!
Contamination in the supply lines to SDU Esbjerg means that water must be boiled before consumption until the alert is cancelled – expected during Tuesday 13 January.
Staff policy
12.01.2026
SDU launches new staff policy
A new staff policy has been approved by SDU’s management and the Central Liaison Committee, who look forward with great joy and anticipation to seeing it being adopted and providing a strong framework for the University of Southern Denmark as an outstanding workplace both professionally and socially.
Exhibition
08.01.2026
Can you see what I see? Photo exhibition about psychoses on Stenten in the SUND building
What does the world look like when reality starts to shift? The photo exhibition Can you see what I see? conveys personal experiences of psychosis through images, sound and storytelling. It can be experienced on the Stenten in the SUND building until 16 March 2026.
EPICUR
07.01.2026
EPICUR is much more than individual courses and calls
– it is a coherent SDU initiative across faculties and units.