Professor of genetic epidemiology at University of Southern Denmark

Since 2001 Qihua Tan has worked as assistant and then associate professor at Institute of Public Health and Institute of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark. Qihua Tan’s research area involves twin modelling, bioinformatics, genetics, epigenetics, biodemography as well as their applications in public health with a focus on human aging and development and in clinical medicine such as cancer, diabetes, asthma etc. He has also established a strong network of international collaboration on twin analysis, genetic and epigenetic studies on aging and metabolic health.

Qihua Tan received his Medical Degree in 1985 from Shandong Medical University, China. From 1985-1988, he taught hygiene and medical statistics at Linyi Medical School, China. In 1991 he got a master’s degree of Medicine from Shanxi Medical University. He was visiting scholar from 1995-1996 at the Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark. In 1996 he followed Professor James W Vaupel, founder of the Max-Planck Institute for Demographic Research, to Germany where he pursued his PhD project on genetics of human aging and longevity. In 2001 he got PhD from Faculty of Health Science, University of Southern Denmark.

Qihua Tan has published over 250 articles in international peer reviewed journals among which about half as first author or last author. The new professorship will further enhance Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Biodemography as a unified group in creating competitive research and education at both national and international levels.