Cristina
Legido-Quigley
SYSTEMS MEDICINE LAB
Neuro & Metabolic Clinical Research
KEY PEOPLE & PROJECTS
(Last updated September 2024 )
Working together to cure neuro & metabolic disease.
Investigators in the interface of biochemistry, medicine, analytical chemistry, statistics, bioinformatics and big data.
RESEARCH IN ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE & SYSTEMS MEDICINE
I find exploring the complexity of Alzheimer's Disease fascinating and an important step towards understanding brain regeneration"
- Asger Wretlind
Dr Asger Wretlind
Postdoc Neuro Precision Medicine King's College London
Asger did a Masters in biochemistry and a project in industry (Novozymes). After that he joined our team in 2018 and worked in the targeted metabolomics and lipidomics platform. His postdoc looks into individual metabolic response to diabetes and dementia and investigate biomarkers that can be used to direct personalized treatment. His studies are funded by the LundbeckFonden. Publications in ORCID
Dr Weiqiang Chen
Postdoc in Systems Medicine, Steno Diabetes Center & Harvard University
Dr. Wenqiang Chen currently works as a senior postdoc (and incoming Instructor of Medicine) at the Harvard Medical School (Joslin Diabetes Center) under the mentorship of Prof. C. Ronald Kahn, revealing the link between diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) through glial insulin signaling. He is now visiting the Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen (SDCC) as a Visiting Scholar under CLQ mentorship. Following his previous award as NIH NIDDK T32 fellow, Dr. Chen made a career breakthrough by becoming the first awardee from Joslin/Harvard to receive the Steno North American Fellowship, awarded from Novo Nordisk Foundation for which he is identifying CSF biomarkers from two cohorts involving patients with various stages of AD and diabetes.
Having worked on animal models of brain diseases for my whole career, my one-year visit at the CLQ lab gives me the opportunity to work with samples donated by people with Alzheimer's Disease patients and metabolic syndrome conditions, i.e., T2D/AD. This is the final goal of career I could imagine: precise and personalized disease profiling"
- Weiqiang Chen
RESEARCH IN DIABETES COMPLICATIONS, SYSTEMS & PRECISION MEDICINE
Dr Simon Kienle
Postdoc, Steno Diabetes Center
Simon is an expert in mass spectrometry, after his phD and working in industry he moved to Denmark form Germany & is working in a big data multiomics project to solve vascular complications of diabetes within 5000 participants from the SDCC hospital. The project is multiomics lipidomics, metabolomics, proteomics and genomics based and aims to discover new biomarkers and targets. Collaborators are the diabetes complications group in SDCC and scientists in Novo Nordisk.
Dr Kristina Pigsborg
Postdoc, Steno Diabetes Center
Kristina is an expert in metabolomics and nutrition with a PhD from the University of Copenhagen. She is working in biomarker translation in the clinic to prevent cardiovascular disease in individuals with diabetes. She is developing a new test STAR (Steno Test for Atheroesclerosis Risk) that will be implemented and trialed in the T2D clinic and it is based on lipid molecules proxies of CVD arterial inflammation. Her study is funded by philantrophy funds for personalise medicine. Publications https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1987-523X
RESEARCH IN DIABETES NEURODEGENERATION & SYSTEMS MEDICINE
Dr Gurjeet Kaur Virk
Postdoc, Steno Diabetes Center
Gurjeet completed her PhD in Clinical plasma proteomics for the identification of Alzheimer's disease biomarkers with the Scientia fellowship at the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. Before joining Steno, she worked at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Australia. She is a clinical proteomics expert in targeted and non-targeted acquisition (DIA and DDA) methods. She is applying various plasma proteomics techniques to establish the next-generation proteomics pipeline in order to identify potential biomarkers of diabetes neuropathy. Her project is funded by ODINE study, a NNF award to Dr Sulek's fellowship. Google Scholar:Gurjeet Kaur
Proteomics is the key to unlocking the full potential of precision medicine, allowing us to develop targeted therapies that are tailored to the specific needs of individual patients and their unique disease profiles."
- Gurjeet Kaur Virk
Dr Marietta Kokla
Postdoctoral Researcher , Steno Diabetes Center
Marietta's scientific journey began with a Master's in Bioinformatics from the University of Copenhagen, followed by a PhD in Nutritional Metabolomics and Bioinformatics from the University of Eastern Finland. With nearly 12 years of experience in data analysis, she specializes in fusing different research areas, such as bioinformatics, metabolomics, and epidemiology. Through her prior roles, she conducted diverse data analyses encompassing data from cancer genomics, flow cytometry, medical imaging, and nutritional metabolomics fields while taking charge of research projects and guiding students. Currently, she is funded by the ODINE project with PI Karolina Sulek. Orchid ID :https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6683-6375
Dr Tik Muk (Mudi)
Postdoctoral Researcher , Steno Diabetes Center
Mudi holds a Ph.D. in Molecular Mechanisms of Diseases from the University of Copenhagen. Her previous research expertise lies in utilizing biofluid proteome, metabolome, and transcriptome profiling to investigate organ injuries, elucidate underlying mechanisms, and identify early markers of perinatal infectious diseases in neonates. Specializing in both experimental omics and data analysis, she is funded by ODINE through the Novo Nordisk Foundation for Karolina Sulek's fellowship, focuses on using LC-MS based lipidomics to discover potential biomarkers for distal symmetrical polyneuropathy in patients with Type 1 Diabetes. Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=wFDXltsAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao
RESEARCH IN THE GUT-LIVER AXIS & SYSTEMS MEDICINE
Dr Tommi Suvitaival
Reseacher (Assistant Professor Level)
in Systems Medicine, Steno Diabetes Center
Tommi has been working as a researcher in Systems Medicine seen years. Before that he did a PhD in Machine Learning (2015), his expertise in in bioinformatics, biostatistics, information visualization and statistical programming with R. He is a senior data analyst in the team and oversees many projects. He oversees the IT, bioinformatics and data analyses pipelines in the team. His studies are funded by NNF and IMI projects. See Tommi's publications in ORCID and visit his webpage.
Dr Jin Xu
Visiting Senior Scientist in Systems Medicine, King's College London
Jin finished her PhD in metabolomics in King's College London in 2019. An expert in experimental omics and data science she started a postdoc working in data analyses in a range of projects in collaboration with Petra Proitsi who is also her mentor. She has been the recipient of many prizes like the Young Lipid Scientist by the Society of Chemical Industry for her work in transplantation. She managed both the Q-TOF in the lab in KCL and the running of the lab in KCL before joining a startup doing omics discovery. Publications in ORCID
RESEARCH IN NEUROACTIVE BIOMARKERS
Wenjun Hu (Winni)
PhD Candidate in Systems Medicine, King's College London
Wenjun received her master’s degree from the Chinese Academy of Sciences. She conducted plant metabolomics research in China. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Systems Medicine, focusing on the molecular liver-gut-brain axis throughout the life course with a particular emphasis on neuro-health. Her project integrates mass spectrometry detection technology and bioinformatics data analysis methods.
Sonia Melgar-Locatelli
PhD candidate at University of Granada & Academic Visitor in Systems Medicine, King's College London
Sonia holds a Bachelor's degree in Biology and a Master's degree in Cellular and Molecular Biology from the University of Malaga, where she started her research career in neurobiology. She has conducted research
on Alzheimer's disease and addiction. Currently, she is pursuing a PhD in Advanced Biotechnology, focusing on the effects of cocoa on cognitive function and neurogenesis. Her project integrates neurocognitive, biological, and biochemical perspectives, including metabolomics approaches.
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Yang Cheng
MSc candidate 23-24 King's College London
Yang is stratifying persons that produce low amounts of serotonin and measuring precursors in circulation.
OMICS TECHNOLOGY & LAB AUTOMATION
Annette Frost Bjerre
Senior Biomedical Scientist
in Systems Medicine, Steno Diabetes Center
Annete joined the group in 2019 and she is a biomedical scientist with 30-year experience working in industry (Novo Nordisk). She is an expert in many molecular techniques and is currently developing methods for tissue sample preparation. She is also working in automation of sample preparation flows.
Ismo Mattila
Chemist in Systems Medicine, Steno Diabetes Center
Ismo is an analytical chemistry MSc that has contributed to many reports in the field with more than fifty publications to his name. He is an expert in GCxGC-QTOF and is responsable for the smooth running of projects with the platform and compound identification GC in several biological matrices. Publication in ORCID
The first CLQ group was formed in early 2007
thanks to two PhD visitors, Nello Grassano from Italy, Isabel Garcia-Perez from Spain,
and Nicola Greenberg a master student from the UK.
Since then, many scientists have contributed to the discoveries in the lab
and shared their results in peer-review journals, masters of science and PhD theses."
~CLQ~
Alumni and past lab members
Postdoctoral Fellows (current company/institution): Dr Karolina Sulek (Novo Nordisk), Dr Kourosh Hooshmand (Bavarian Nordic), Andressa Zawadski (Nordic Biosciences, Denmark), Dr Mina Ali (University of Copenhagen, Denmark), Dr Peter Heriksen (RegionH, Denmark), Dr Amera Ebshiana (Imperial College London, UK), Dr Nadia Nielsen Aalling (University of Copenhagen, Denmark), Dr Min Kim (University of Copenhagen, Denmark), Dr Kajetan Trost (University of Copenhagen, Denmark), Dr Linda Ahonen (Biosynthia, Denmark), Dr Ashfaq Ali (AstraZeneca, Sweden), Dr Stuart Snowden (Royal Holloway University, UK), Dr Petra Proitsi (King's College London, UK), Dr Arundhuti Sen (Glaxo SmithKline, UK).
PhD Alumni (current company/instituiton): Dr Jodie Lord (NHS, UK), Anchisa Poonprasartporn (Sirindhorn College Public Health, Thailand), Dr Naba Al-Sari (Novo Nordisk, Denmark), Dr Jenn Nguyen (Waters Corp, US), Dr Jin Xu (King's College London, UK), Dr Amera Ebshiana (Imperial College London, UK), Dr Min Kim (Universy of Copenhagen, Denmark), Dr Pei Han (Pekin Union Medical College, China), Dr Anuri Shah (JOVE, India), Dr Wael Aljohani (University of Jeddah, Saudi), Dr Yao Yao Wang (WuXi Biologics, China), Dr Michael Jones (Waters Corp, US), Dr Erin Chambers (Waters Corp, US), MPhil Farnoush Azadi (Mibeg-Instituu Medizin, Germany), Dr Luke Whiley (Murdoch University, Australia), Dr James Heaton (Pfizer, UK), Dr Saowalak (Aor) Whungsinsujarit (TRIA, Thai Goverment, Thailand), Dr Shana Jacob (Sidra Medical and Research Center, Qatar), Dr Kittipong Sitthisinthu (TRIA, Thai Goverment, Thailand ), Dr Hsiao Ching Foo (Singapore Turf Club, Singapore).
Biomedical Staff: Nina Christiansen, Birgitte Neergards-Robert.
Academic Visitors: Alicia Gomez Pascual, Dr Khalid Al-Qahtani, Dr Martina Palomino-Schatzelin, Dr Lin Zheng, Dr Ana Maria Casas, Dr Diego Garcia Gomez, Maria Tena, Prof Wenhui Gao, Prof Yong Huang, Dr Isabel Garcia-Perez, Antonio Grassano, Christina Abundis, Dr Raquel Hernandez.
Master Programme Research Thesis & Alumni: Ojas Grade (2023-2024), Shria Malik, Sanzida Islam, Rim Ouahbi (2023-2024), Visolakhon Ismoilova (2022-2024), Anisa Rossen (2022-2023), Salaha Ali (2022-2023), Jesse-Marie Havill (2021-2022), Nathalie Gan (2021-2022), Raman Kaila (2020-2021), Faheem Ali (2020-2021), Ling Wang (2020), Chris Tsoi (2019-2020), Gulcan Yasar (2019-2020), Elmi Galado, Sabiha Hussain, Ho Chan, Tahmina Ahmad, Yangfei Cheng, Nan Liu, Koo Wee Hiew, Kam Cheng, Vinesh Solanki, Mohammad Ally Hassan, Esther Santos-Gyasi, Lax Elanganathan, Faiza Sulaiman, Danting Wang, Mariam Mangal, Yaa Martey, Zohal Sakhi, Pelak Patel, Nuria Camina, Ali Ghalib Sheikh, Geetika Shah, Shreeya Patel, Maltina Shkodra, Wang Xiaoyu, Amish Patel, Kebedom Ghebrehiwet, Anna Allam, Dhiren Dayal, Setova Kpedekpo, Vinotha Tharmarajah, Maria del Carmen Velazquez Ortiz, Hajrah Yunus, Cheng Jiang, Nena Mistry, Zuo Chengchun, Archana Gnana Sekharan, Enoch Adjetey, Ting Yu, Oloma Nwodu, Tanika Rhule, Mufadal Jivanjee, Konstantina Papaspyridonos, Xiayan Li, Anna Mazgaj, Yingzi Hong, Echo, Sebastian Chinnu M, Sani Dennis Kerauni, Nicola Greenberg, Mahomed Suleman, Deena Patel, Krupali Joia, Rehan Ahmed, Nadira Mehjabin, Zeena Gosrani.
Visolakhon Ismoilova, MSc, Kings College London
Visola did a project extracting quantitative data and applying the FDA absolute quantitation guidelines for 25+ molecules in cerebrospinal fluid. The method will be applied in CSF samples from people with mild cognitive impairment. As part of her project she was able to publish a manuscript in collaboration with the group. She is looking to pursue a PhD in the EU.
Dr Karolina Sulek, Former Team leader (Associate Professor Level) Steno Diabetes Center
Karolina did her PhD at the Technical University of Denmark and a post-doc at the University of Auckland. Upon return to Denmark she set up a metabolomics facility at the University of Copenhagen, helping researchers at the NNF Center for Basic Metabolic Research to understand T2D and obesity through metabolomics profiling. Her interest of the omics opened the path to proteomics at NNF Center for Protein Research in the group of Clinical Proteomics led by Matthias Mann. She will apply gained knowledge within the MicrobLiver project and ODINE project a NNF Fellowship granted to her looking at multiomics in neuropathy. She is now a Scientific Director in CSO Office in Novo Nordisk. Karolina's publications in Google Scholar.
Thanks to visiting the Systems Medicine Lab I was able to work on two clinical studies"
Alicia Gomez Pascual
Alicia Gomez Pascual
Former PhD Candidate Visiting Systems Medicine 2022-23, Steno Diabetes Center
Alicia is an expert in computational biology and artificial intelligence, she applies these techniques to understand neurodegenerative disease. Her supervisor is Juan A. Botía informatics Professor at the University Murcia. GitHub