Helle returns to her profession as new Head of Department at DTU
Helle Waagepetersen, a qualified pharmacist with a PhD in neurochemistry, will take up the role of Head of Department at DTU Health Technology on 1st of March 2026. She brings a long university career with her – and a strong belief that work should be both meaningful and enjoyable.
02.05.2026
By: Maria Trustrup, journalist, Pharmadanmark
When Helle Waagepetersen starts her new position in a month’s time, she will not only change her title.
She will also return “home” to her profession.
On 1st of March, Helle takes up the position as Head of Department at DTU Health Technology.
The role allows her to draw on both her leadership experience and her background in pharmacy and research.
“I am looking forward to returning to something that is closer to my professional foundation,” Helle says.
She graduated in pharmacy in 1997 and completed her PhD in neurochemistry in 2000.
For many years, she worked as a researcher at the University of Copenhagen. In 2018, she became Head of the Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology at the university.
Helle loved – and still loves – pharmacy. But she needed a change of scene.
“I had been at Pharma my entire career. I knew where all the dust was – and which direction it was lying in.”
“I had been at Pharma my entire career. I knew where all the dust was – and which direction it was lying in,” says Helle.
From Pharma to Odense
Four years ago, she decided it was time to try something new. In 2022, she joined the University of Southern Denmark as Pro-Rector.
It was a transformative experience on many levels, Helle explains.
First, it was a completely new university. She also moved two levels up in the leadership hierarchy.
At the same time, she suddenly had to embrace every discipline – from philosophy and law to software engineering and medicine.
“I had to love every subject. That has not been a problem for me, but professionally it has of course been a huge challenge to engage deeply with so many different fields.”
The role in Odense also gave Helle direct insight into the political engine room of the university. Her learning curve was steep.
“I have learned an incredible amount. But my own professional field has played almost no part. That is what I am returning to now,” she says.
“Even though it is not pharmacy, it is probably the closest I can get.”
Building bridges to healthcare and the Life Science industry
Helle is looking forward to becoming part of DTU and getting to know the university even better.
She will draw on her experience from both the University of Copenhagen and the University of Southern Denmark. She feels well prepared for her new role.
Not least when it comes to external collaboration with the healthcare sector and the Life Science industry.
“There is already a very clear strategy for DTU Health Technology. It is about contributing directly to clinics and hospitals, building strong ties to the entire Life Science industry and collaborating with other academic environments,” Helle says, and continues:
“My role will be to ensure that we create the right ecosystems and bring DTU Health Technology’s expertise into play wherever we can contribute.”
Technology must make a difference
DTU Health Technology was established in 2019. It is therefore still a relatively young department, which Helle will help shape.
Research will remain a key anchor. A main focus will be to ensure that research and new technologies are implemented in practice.
“Everyone is calling for new technology. We must constantly ensure that what we research can be applied in the healthcare system and in industry,” Helle says, and adds:
“Strong basic research is the foundation for delivering high quality and real value to society.”
Having fun matters
Helle looks forward to connecting the dots between the university, the healthcare system and companies.
“At the end of the day, the most important thing for me is that I enjoy my work.”
Throughout her career, she has been deliberate about her choices. It has always mattered to her to work with good people.
“At the end of the day, the most important thing for me is that I enjoy my work.”
“I think people would say that I am highly engaged and that I bring energy into the room. But I can only do that if it makes sense to me and I feel passionate about it.”
If we ask your new colleagues in six months’ time what kind of leader they have gained, what will they say?
“I hope they will say that they have gained a leader who genuinely cares about them and who wants to build an ambitious department. They will feel that cohesion has grown stronger and that the direction is clear. That is certainly my ambition.”