Women’s Brain Health: Understanding the Research, Advancing Innovation

Women’s brain health is receiving increasing attention, yet significant gaps remain in our understanding of how neurological conditions affect women differently from men. Women are more likely to experience disorders such as migraine and Alzheimer’s disease, while sex-specific biological factors, hormonal changes, and historical gaps in research continue to influence diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes. Research also shows that women’s health has long been underrepresented in neuroscience, limiting our understanding of disease mechanisms and opportunities for innovation.

Join the MVA Women’s Health Network in for an afternoon dedicated to women’s brain health. Bringing together experts from academia, hospitals, and the life science industry, the seminar will explore how sex and gender influence brain health across the lifespan, and why a greater focus on women-specific research is essential for improving patient outcomes and advancing innovation.

The seminar will highlight ongoing research, clinical perspectives, and industry efforts to address unmet needs in women’s brain health. Participants will also have the opportunity to discuss how improved data collection, greater representation of women in research, and increased investment in women’s health can help close existing knowledge gaps and accelerate innovation.

Whether you work in academia, healthcare, biotech, pharmaceuticals, or healthcare innovation, this event offers a unique opportunity to gain insights into an emerging field that sits at the intersection of neuroscience, women’s health, and life science innovation.

We look forward to welcoming you to an engaging afternoon of knowledge sharing, discussion, and networking.

Date: Tuesday, 17th November 2026
Time: 14:00 – 18:30
Venue: Medicon Valley Alliance, Arne Jacobsens Vej 13, Hub3, Auditorium

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Program

Speakers​​​​​​

	Michael Oettinger MD, MPG is a neurologist and Head of Department of Neurology at Odense University Hospital and President of the Danish Neurological Society. He is a member of the board of the Danish Brain Council. He has been active in the work for the brain health plan in the Region of Southern Denmark, resulting in the first plan for this area in Denmark. He is supporting the efforts for a national strategy for brain health and neurology in Denmark.
	Carina Wattmo is affiliated with the Cognitive Disorders Research Unit at Lund University. She holds a PhD in Medical Science and has a multidisciplinary background in nursing, statistics and business administration. Her research focuses on Alzheimer’s disease progression, including risk factors associated with cognitive and functional outcomes, and the development of statistical prediction models that may support research into future therapies.
	Thomas Folkmann Hansen is Professor of Translational Neurogenetics and Multiomics at DTU Health Technology and Rigshospitalet–Glostrup, where he heads the NeuroGenomics group in the translational research centre TRACE. His research combines large-scale genomics, multiomics and Danish nationwide registry data to uncover the molecular basis of neurological disorders: migraine, chronic pain, and cognitive traits, with the aim of moving these fields towards precision medicine. He leads Cyclome, a deep-phenotyping cohort mapping the menstrual cycle across genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic and microbiome layers alongside cognitive and symptom measures.
	Mia Tellgren is Medical Affairs Manager for Migraine at AbbVie Scandinavia. She has extensive experience in the pharmaceutical industry, having worked across therapeutic areas relevant to women’s health, with a particular focus on neuroscience. She has a strong scientific foundation, holding a PhD in Neurochemistry from Stockholm University, where her doctoral research focused on pro-inflammatory cytokines in fever, inflammation, and Alzheimer’s disease. In her current role, she works to advance the understanding of migraine and improve care for people living with the condition.
	Yvanka de Soysa is a biomedical scientist turned investor with a passion for leveraging scientific innovation to transform healthcare for women. She is a Senior Associate at Foreground Capital, bringing expertise at the intersection of translational science, venture capital, and entrepreneurship. Yvanka previously worked across the life sciences ecosystem, including venture capital at 5AM Ventures, venture creation at Flagship Pioneering, and business development at Harvard University’s Office of Technology Development. She earned her PhD in Biomedical Sciences at UCSF and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in neuroimmunology as a William Randolph Hearst Fellow at Harvard Medical School and Boston Children’s Hospital.
Moderator
	Caroline Ford is a scientist and women’s health advocate with dual appointments in Copenhagen and Sydney. She is the Strategic Director of the Ainsworth Endometriosis Research Institute (AERI), which takes a precision medicine approach to research into endometriosis, including detection, management and treatment. In addition, she was recently appointed as Professor of Precision Medicine in Women’s Health at TUH (Technical University Hospital of Greater Copenhagen), a partnership between the Capital Region of Denmark, Region Zealand, and DTU. Beyond research, Prof Ford is a vocal and engaged advocate for women’s health, science communication and gender equity in STEMM using social and mainstream media, educational platforms, and community engagement to increase awareness and develop practical strategies to address these issues.

The deadline for registration is 15th November 2026

The MVA Women’s Health network
Joining the MVA Women’s Health Network is free of charge but is limited to Medicon Valley Alliance members. Non-member organizations and companies are welcome to attend one network event to evaluate the relevance of joining the network. For more information, please contact Katrine Brems Olsen at kbo@mva.org

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