By Marianne Fuglsang Welling Farsinsen, AAU Communication and Public Affairs. Translated by LeeAnn Iovanni, AAU Communication and Public Affairs

Professor Jean-Frederic Colombel is one of the world's foremost experts and highly regarded researchers in the field of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) which he has been studying since 1984. Jean-Frederic Colombel's research and clinical trials have been crucial to the development of new drugs, particularly biologic therapies.

Thanks to several local, national and international collaborations, he has been able to contribute to important breakthroughs in IBD research, which has also led to important positions such as President of the European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation (2008-2010) and Chair of the International Organization for the Study of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IOIBD) (2010-2012). Professor Jean-Fredeic Colombel was additionally awarded the Sherman Prize in 2018 and the Alumni Association of Mount Sinai J. Lester Gabrilove Award in 2021.

Optimal framework for excellent collaboration

The ongoing and fruitful collaboration between the Centre of Excellence PREDICT at Aalborg University and Professor Jean-Frederic Colombel, which has developed since the establishment of ​PREDICT in 2021, is reflected in numerous ambitious research projects resulting in a number of publications in high-ranking international journals. Further, Mount Sinai has also recognized PREDICT's Center Director, Professor Tine Jess, with the international David Sachar Award. In addition, there is an ongoing exchange of PhD students and postdocs between PREDICT and Professor Colombel's team at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, which ensures the optimal framework for ongoing collaboration across institutions.

Tine Jess, Professor at the Faculty of Medicine, AAU and Director of PREDICT, explains:

"Through his years of significant research and many breakthroughs, Professor Jean-Frederic Colombel demonstrates a dedication and skill that I am proud that AAU is recognizing with the award of an honorary doctorate. Jean-Frederic Colombel has an impressive publication record – more than 1000 scientific publications – and has mentored over 50 students from all over the world with the goal of providing them with clinical and research expertise in IBD. He is a pioneering example of developing, co-creating and ensuring shared knowledge internationally – knowledge that can change people's lives around the world. PREDICT takes pride in collaborating with Jean-Frederic Colombel and is looking forward to welcoming him 18 April 2024 when he will give a guest lecture on IBD prevention."

The award of the honorary doctorate to Professor Jean-Frederic Colombel at AAU takes place at the celebration of the university's 50th Anniversary on 19 April 2024 at Musikkens Hus.