My name is Jacob With Christensen, and I am a Master’s Student at the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, University of Copenhagen. My research explores energy homeostasis and thermogenic adipose tissue biology.
What does a typical workday look like for you?
My workdays vary a lot. Some days I have multiple back-to-back meetings to plan projects, coordinate writing etc. Some days are full lab days consisting of in vitro assays or mouse work. Some days are a mix of the two. I appreciate this alternation in my everyday life. No weeks are the same
What first sparked your interest in working in the field of obesity?
My first course on exercise metabolism truly ignited my interest in adipose tissue biology. Before that, I only knew the basics – that adipose tissue stores energy and that many people wish they had less of it. Learning how this organ functions as an endocrine regulator of appetite, insulin sensitivity, and whole-body metabolism completely changed my perspective and opened my eyes to the complexity behind obesity as an adiposity based chronic and progressive disease.
As I explored further, I discovered broader roles of adipose tissue, from regulation of hair follicle regeneration, fueling of milk production in mammary glands, to providing essential structural support. More exotic and unexpected functions include forming the cheek flanges that signal hierarchical status in male orangutans and echolocation in bottlenose dolphins. It is a remarkably diverse and dynamic tissue with functions far beyond energy storage (PMID: 29320711).
Realizing how misunderstood – and how metabolically vital – this tissue is drew me into obesity research. What keeps me in the field is the ongoing discovery of how adipose dysfunction contributes to obesity-related disease, and how a deeper understanding of this organ can help us reduce stigma and improve treatments.
How has being part of the ECN changed your journey so far?
I will let you know in a year! However, I am expecting this incredible addition to my network to have very positive consequences in the near future!
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to the “you” who was just starting out?
When in doubt, ask. Science advances because people are willing to share ideas, challenge assumptions, and learn from one another. If every researcher had to figure out everything alone, we would never have made the kind of progress we’ve seen in obesity research – or in any field. Of course, there are moments where focused, independent work is exactly what is needed. But knowing when to ask questions, seek guidance, or draw on someone else’s expertise is a strength, not a weakness. It accelerates understanding, avoids unnecessary dead ends, and ultimately brings us closer to meaningful solutions for people living with obesity.
What excites you most about the future of obesity research?
What excites me most about the future of obesity research is the possibility of developing treatments that move beyond primarily suppressing appetite. I am particularly excited about the prospect of safely increasing energy expenditure – whether through targeting thermogenic adipose tissue, modulating mitochondrial efficiency, or discovering entirely new metabolic pathways.
Email: jacob.christensen@sund.ku.dk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-with-christensen-27ab001b5/