PhD defence: Theresa Møller Kynde

Date and Time: Friday, November 7th, 2025, at 14:00

Venue: Samfundsmedicinsk Auditorium, Building 1262-101, Bartholins Allé 4, 8000 Aarhus C

Institution: Aarhus University

After the defence, everyone is welcome to join the reception hosted by the Department of Public Health.

Occupational exposures significantly contribute to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung function decline. In her PhD project, Theresa Møller Kynde applied an exposome approach to investigate how multiple occupational exposures and biomarkers relate to new-onset COPD and lung function decline. Using data from the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) and the CONSTANCES cohort and covering 49 exposures, factors such as forward-bent postures, heavy lifting, gases and fumes, diesel exhaust, mineral dust, and solvents were linked to COPD development. Biomarker analyses (in ECRHS) showed generally lower levels of CC16 and YKL-40 in exposed individuals. Lower CC16 levels were associated with reduced lung function and greater decline, while higher YKL-40 levels correlated with lower lung function and higher FEV₁ decline. This project confirms that chemical occupational exposures play a role in COPD development and highlights novel links with ergonomic and physical exposures, as well as associations between CC16, YKL-40, and lung function decline. After the defence, everyone is welcome to join the reception hosted by the Department of Public Health.

Christina C. Dahm, Associate Professor, PhD
Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, DK

Sara de Matteis, Associate Professor, PhD,
Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, IT

Erik Jørs, Associate Professor, PhD,
Department of Occupational and Environmental
Medicine, Odense University Hospital, DK

Vivi Schlünssen, Professor, PhD
Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, DK

Anne Mette Lund Würtz, Assistant Professor, PhD
Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, DK

Anjoeka Pronk, PhD, Netherlands Organisation for
Applied Scientific Research, NL

Henrik Albert Kolstad, Professor, PhD
Department of Occupational and Environmental
Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, DK