Hans Brix appointed honorary professor in China
Director Xuanming Peng and Professor Hans Brix at the ceremony at Qingdao Institute of Marine Geology, China
Professor Hans Brix, Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, has been appointed honorary professor at the Qingdao Institute of Marine Geology, China. The title was conferred in April during a four-week tour of leading Chinese universities and research institutions in Beijing, Changchun and Qingdao.
2011.06.08
The Qingdao Institute of Marine Geology is a research institute under the auspices of the China Geological Survey. Professor Brix was awarded the honorary title for his ground-breaking research into wetlands ecology, including their ability to purify polluted water, and their role in connection with climate changes.
Professor Brix’s research has provided insight into the fundamental processes responsible for the role of the wetlands in the greenhouse gas balance, and their water purifying function in the countryside – relatively new research fields in China.
In 2009, Professor Brix was co-organiser of an international workshop in Qingdao about climate impact on coastal wetlands, attended by leading US experts in this field. The workshop was the starting point of a productive collaboration that – in addition to PhD student exchanges – involves joint research into the vegetation of wetlands and their role in connection with the greenhouse gas balance. By conferring the title, the Qingdao Institute of Marine Geology would like to not only honour Professor Hans Brix as a highly esteemed researcher on an international scale, but to also form even closer ties between him and the institution.
Great international recognition of Torben Heick Jensen
2012.05.09 — Professor Torben Heick Jensen, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, has achieved great international recognition with his nomination as a member of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO). The election to EMBO is in recognition of Professor Jensen’s outstanding research within gene expression.
Royal visit to Aarhus University – two Joachims and 20,000 ants
2012.05.01 — Prins Joachim visited Aarhus University’s Silkeborg department on Friday 27 April. Senior Scientist Joachim Offenberg, Department of Bioscience, explained how weaver ants are used in ecological pest control. Read more (in Danish only).
Minister for Science, Innovation and Higher Education waved goodbye to mother-in-law’s house
2012.04.27 — Minister for Science, Innovation and Higher Education Morten Østergaard was faced by facts when he visited Aarhus University for the Festival of Research. The MADALGO basic research centre and the EcoSense research group showed the minister how computer science research addresses this year’s theme – EUROPE’S CHALLENGES.
Your subject portal – all study information concentrated in one place
2012.03.29 — From Wednesday 28 March, you can find all information about teaching, examinations, timetable, course enrolment, student counselling and career guidance, and much more at your subject portal.
Grants for studies or research in the USA
2012.02.28 — The Denmark-America Foundation & the Fulbright Commission offer grants to Danish citizens to undertake study or research programmes at graduate level in the USA. The grants amount to DKK 85,000–100,000.
Lecturers wanted for ‘Science pays a visit’, 24–28 September
2012.02.28 — The Danish Science Week requires skilled lecturers to be part of a team giving talks about science at schools throughout Denmark from 24 to 28 September.
Unique pump in sperm cells makes a difficult journey possible
2012.05.01 — In his PhD work, Michael Jakob Voldsgaard Clausen made a detailed study of a molecular pump that is essential for sperm cells and is not found in other types of cells. The job of a sperm cell is to carry genetic information from a male to a female. In order to carry out this project, the cell has to travel from the testicle to the ovary, where both the pH value and salt concentrations are drastically altered. His results show that this pump is specific to sperm cells and is adapted to be able to maintain stable activity in conditions in which there are changes to the salt concentrations and the membrane potential of the cell. In time, it is possible that his results could be used in developing a birth control pill for men. Michael Clausen defended his dissertation on 23 April 2012. PhD supervisors: Professor Poul Nissen and Postdoctoral Research Associate Hanne Poulsen. Listen to the interview with Michael Clausen on Radio24syv (in Danish) about his results. (The interview starts 45.22 min into the broadcast). More information Michael Jakob Voldsgaard ClausenDepartment of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Denmarkmjc@mb.au.dk
2012.02.15 — Biologists are concerned about climate change impact, and they predict that a range of flora and fauna will disappear from Denmark within a few years. Hear Jens-Christian Svenning talk about climate change research at Aarhus University (in Danish only).
Play computer games and help research
2012.01.22 — Jacob Sherson, postdoctoral scholar at the Department of Physics and Astronomy, is developing a computer game where users can ‘play’ their way to answers to the most difficult research problems. On 17 January, he took part in Videnskabens Verden (Science World) on radio P1. Read more and hear the broadcast (in Danish only) here.