Malene Flensborg Damholdt completed her PhD dissertation at the Department of Psychology and Behavioural Sciences in 2011 and is currently employed as a research assistant at the department.

Her dissertation bears witness of an impressive PhD project of a high international standard dealing with Parkinson's disease. In overall terms, she examines the disease from different angles with the aim of clarifying its status as a disease and shedding light on cognitive and emotional changes associated with this neurodegenerative disorder.

Malene Flensborg Damholdt's research not least contributes new, clinically relevant knowledge of how testing the sense of smell can play an instrumental role in identifying severe cognitive problems and attendant possibilities of early intervention. The project has resulted in three important scientific articles, a chapter in a book and the PhD dissertation itself, all of which enrich the field. One of the articles has been published in the prestigious, international journal entitled "Movement Disorders", which deals with the specialised field of the dissertation.

A tremendous working effort forms the basis of Malene Flensborg Damholdt's research with more than 600 hours of examinations of patients with Parkinson's disease and healthy elderly people, personally conducted by Malene Flensborg Damholdt. This feat of strength has resulted in a large and valuable pool of data which may generate further articles. The PhD project is also distinguished by an exemplary, interdisciplinary collaboration between the Department of Psychology and Behavioural Sciences at Aarhus University and highly specialised sections at Aarhus University Hospital.

Facts about the Aarhus University Research Foundation's PhD prizes
Every year, the Aarhus University Research Foundation awards PhD prizes to promising young researchers who have completed their PhD degree programme at Aarhus University the previous year. In connection with Aarhus University's 75th anniversary in 2003, five newly minted PhDs received the prizes in recognition of their research efforts. This was the first time that the prizes were awarded, and it has been an annual event ever since. The prize winners also receive DKK 50,000.

The Aarhus University Research Foundation's PhD prizes will be awarded on Friday 25 May 2012, and the award ceremony will take place from 11.00 to 13.30 in the Main Hall at Aarhus University (entrance from Nordre Ringgade, building 1410).