The production of edible insects is often presented as a solution to the current environmental and food security challenge of feeding a growing human population, but faces major technical and cultural limitations. While cultural limitations can be overcome by convincing people about the importance of shifting our diets to a more sustainable one, many technical limitations can be overcome by using existing methods and theory from the biological sciences. In this regard, it is critical to understand how a variety of biotic and abiotic conditions affect the quantity, nutritional quality, safety and sustainability of insect production. It is currently recognised that the gut microbiome plays a fundamental role in driving the viability of animal food production, with the EU recently investing 1.4 billion € into exploring this relationship further in vertebrate systems. However, I argue there is almost certainly also a strong association between microbiomes and the production of insects as a food resource, hence the focus of my application. Using wild crickets of the commonly farmed species Acheta domesticus, this project aims to decipher the relationship between the environment, microbiome composition, and the nutritional quality (essential nutrients) of edible insects as human food. The knowledge gained from wild animals will be contrasted to controlled experimental results to dissect the production conditions that best reflect the findings from the field. This project will provide key insights about the best quality wild populations in Europe and the corresponding optimal laboratory/industry rearing conditions that maximise edible cricket production and quality.

Despite significant advancements in cancer therapy, the inadequate diagnosis and prognosis of many common cancers continue to limit the full potential of life-saving treatments. This gap is particularly evident in the case of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), where late-stage diagnosis, coupled with limited treatment options, results in a mere 12% five-year survival rate for patients. To improve survival rates, innovative technologies that facilitate early detection are urgently needed. In response to this unmet need, our preceding research has identified a novel tumor biomarker – circular DNA from chromosomes. Under the FET project CIRCULAR VISION, we have successfully developed a technology tailored for early-stage detection and prognosis of PDAC based on circular DNA profiles from plasma and tumors. The current project seeks to advance this technology towards commercialization. Our strategic roadmap includes maturation and validation of the Circle-DNA technology to TRL5 by advancing our molecular methods for purification of circular DNA from tumor and plasma, optimizing our computational method for mapping of sequenced circular DNA, and building a machine-learning classifier for detection of cancer from maps of circular plasma DNA. We will validate the Circle-DNA technology for screening on plasma and for the prognostic solution on tumors from ~1000 individuals. To commercialize our transformative technology, we will develop a robust and comprehensive business plan for our spin-out company, CARE-DNA, initiate fund-raising activities to secure future financing, map the regulatory approval pathway under the In Vitro Diagnostic Regulation, and prepare the launch of early commercial activities targeting the research market. By aligning cutting-edge scientific innovation with a clear commercial trajectory, this project is poised to make a profound impact on PDAC diagnosis and prognosis, which can ultimately transform patient outcomes across an array of cancers.

Supporting the mental wellbeing (MWB) of healthcare workers (HCWs) is a global public health priority with far-reaching societal and economic consequences. HCWs face multiple occupational risks that can significantly affect their mental health. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated strained working conditions in hospitals, leading to increased rates of stress, depression, and burnout, particularly among women and nurses. This has resulted in a concerning shortage of HCWs, triggering a negative cycle of deteriorating working conditions, reduced job satisfaction, compromised healthcare quality, and patient safety. To address this critical issue, an intersectoral action using innovative, multi-level interventions promoting MWB is necessary. However, the lack of robust evidence of cost-effectiveness for preventive approaches in the healthcare sector hampers informed health policies and sustainable actions. Three major hindrances to progress are identified: the absence of positive mental health indicators (MWB) as the primary intervention outcome, the need for a multifaceted approach considering individual and organizational factors, and the lack of health economic evaluations. The HELP-CARE project emerges as a solution, aiming to provide a realist and economic evaluation of a multi-level MWB-based intervention in the public healthcare sector launched by the technological company HOWDY.care in Denmark. The study will use Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and Cost-Benefit Analysis on large longitudinal data of Danish HCWs to understand how this type of intervention works and its economic impact. HELP-CARE entails a strong inter-sectoral collaboration (academic-public-private-NGO) whose findings will pave the way for more effective interventions to enhance HCWs' MWB.The involvement of leading experts in the field from the Department of Psychology at University of Copenhagen offers valuable resources and infrastructures for the success of this project and my career.

This project is centered on the field of algebraic geometry and involves homotopy theory and analytic geometry. The overall goal is to unveil the underlying principles of a large variety of cohomology theories in algebraic and analytic geometry and develop robust foundations that facilitate the study of those cohomology theories from the vantage point of homotopy theory. This will be achieved through innovations of motivic stable homotopy theory beyond the current technical limitations of A1-homotopy invariance. In addition, its interdisciplinary perspective will be advanced, especially in relation to p-adic geometry and complex geometry. The research proposal consists of 5 main objectives, which are organically related to each other. The first objective is to establish a six functor formalism, which would be the most important challenge in non-A1-invariant motivic stable homotopy theory. The second objective is to investigate the kernel of the A1-localization and aims to describe it in terms of p-adic or rational Hodge realization, following the principle of trace methods of algebraic K-theory. In particular, in the p-adic context, this will lead to the p-adic rigidity, which will conclusively connect motivic homotopy theory with p-adic geometry. The third objective is to find out the potential of unstable motivic homotopy theory and develop calculation techniques. The forth objective is to establish a general and universal construction of motivic filtration of localizing invariants, such as algebraic K-theory and topological cyclic homology. The last objective is to explore the analogue in complex geometry, which is an interesting unexplored subject that will pave the way for further developments of motivic homotopy theory for a broader range of analytic geometry.

Trees outside forests make up more than one quarter of the tree cover in Africa, but there is currently a lack of efficient and reliable monitoring systems for trees outside forests. Previous research suggests that most forest and landscape restoration (FLR) is occurring outside of contiguous forests, particularly in agroforestry systems. This implies that tree on fields, in particular those of smallholder farmers, as well as trees in restoration and plantation areas cannot be effectively and rapidly monitored. The ERC project TOFDRY has developed methods and tools that can fulfil these tasks, but the project outputs are not harmonized and not operational. The TREEMAP project aims at moving research into practical and needed application in Africa that facilitate the use of tree level biomass maps with end-users, such as governmental authorities or NGOs. TREEMAP will conduct a user needs assessment, and harmonize TOFDRY methods to develop operational products at two scales: (1) local/regional scale tree-level biomass maps using sub-meter resolution imagery, (2) annual high resolution biomass maps at national scale based on PlanetScope images, with a focus on dynamics in farmlands and restoration/plantation areas. Finally, TREEMAP will disseminate and distribute demo-products to end-users. TREEMAP will partner with AUDA-NEPAD, who is setting up in-country institutional arrangements to enable multi-sector use of the biomass maps. TREEMAP products will generate visibility on and verification of FLR efforts that can attract climate finance. Tree-level biomass maps contribute to Greenhouse Gas (GHG) inventories, the Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use (AFOLU) sector, Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) reporting, and potential participation in carbon markets. Placing highly accurate, user friendly, regularly updated, analysis ready products in the hands of non-experts in Africa allows widespread participation in FLR monitoring and carbon markets.