Master of Headache Disorders

Medical Degree from University of Copenhagen 1981. Neurological residency at University Hospitals in Copenhagen. Fellowship at The Headache Clinic in Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen under supervision of Professor Jes Olesen, and received a medical doctoral degree from University of Copenhagen in 1999.

Rigmor has been associated professor and lecturer at The University of Copenhagen since 1997 and was appointed as professor in Headache and Neurological Pain in 2007. Has conducted or been involved in numerous epidemiological, clinical, and neurophysiological studies of migraine, tension-type and cluster headache since 1988. Rigmor has published more than 250 scientific papers in refereed journals and more than 50 text books chapters and had been the supervisor of 3 doctoral theses and 12 PhD theses.

Co-founder of the Danish Headache Center, a multidisciplinary academic headache center, at Rigshospitalet-Glostrup, which was awarded as Global Excellence in Health in 2010 and 2014.

Has been working extensively with national and international organisation of headache care, pre- and postgraduate education in headache since 1988, is past president of EHF, and now board member and co-chair of IHS educational committee.

Henrik Schytz is co-director of the master program and consultant in neurology at the Danish Headache Center and Department of Neurology, Rigshospitalet Glostrup, University of Copenhagen.

Dr. Schytz received his PhD. and Dr.Med.Sci. degrees at the University of Copenhagen. He is the recipient of the Harold Wolff-John Graham Award for Headache/Facial Pain Research and the 2014 G. Nappi Cluster Headache Award.

Dr. Schytz has been actively involved in headache research since 2005 and has authored more than 100 articles and book chapters in the headache field. His main interests include diagnostic testing of headache, secondary headaches, human headache models and neuroimaging.

Dr. Olesen is the founder and co-chair of the Danish Headache Center within the Department of Neurology at Rigshospitalet Glostrup in Copenhagen, Denmark.

He earned his MD and doctorate from the University of Copenhagen and underwent clinical education at associated hospitals, including Queen Square and Cornell. With a substantial academic portfolio, he has authored 33 books and over 500 original scientific articles published in peer-reviewed journals. Dr. Olesen has successfully supervised over 50 dissertations. Notably, he played a key role in establishing the European Federation of Neurological Societies and the European Brain Council. His contributions have been acknowledged through numerous Danish and international awards, honorary doctorates, and honorary memberships in British, German, French, and other neurological societies. Additionally, he delivers one or more invited/named lectureships annually.

Dr. Olesen's comprehensive research has encompassed various facets of migraine and other headaches, with his current focus directed towards genetics and both animal and human models.

Lars Bendtsen is Associate Professor at the Department of Neurology and Danish Headache Center, Rigshospitalet Glostrup, University of Copenhagen.

Dr. Bendtsen received his Ph.D. and Dr.Med.Sci. degrees at the University of Copenhagen. He has actively been involved in headache research since 1991 and has authored over 140 papers and book chapters on headache topics. Dr. Bendtsen is the recipient of the 1997 Glaxo Wellcome Research Prize, 2000 Danish Headache Society Prize for scientific achievements, 2001 Danish Neurological Society’s Roche Prize and 2015 Seymour Diamond Lectureship Award for scientific achievements in neurology. He is past President of the Danish Headache Society.

Dr. Bendtsen is currently co-director of The Danish Headache Centre. His main research interest includes clinical aspects and treatment of migraine and headache in general and more specifically the pathophysiology and management of tension-type headache, medication-overuse headache and trigeminal neuralgia.

Poul Jørgen Jennum is a professor in clinical neurophysiology at the university of Copenhagen, and head of Danish Center of Sleep Medicine, Rigshospitalet. He is member several national and international boards and represents wide international collaboration. Research area includes brain regulatory mechanism of sleep-wake, sleep medicine, clinical neurophysiology, and development of new methods. >230 peer reviewed papers and several international presentations.

Faisal Mohammad Amin, MD, PhD, is a neurologist and senior scientist at the Danish Headache Center, where he has been working since 2009. Dr. Faisal Mohammad Amin is president of the Danish Headache Society

His main research focus is neuroimaging of neurovascular biomarkers of migraine pain and the effect of vasoactive neuropeptides such as CGRP and PACAP in migraine patients. Moreover, he is attached the Master of Headache Disorders at University of Copenhagen as Associate Professor.

Mads Barløse is Associate Professor at the Master of Headache Disorders.

Dr. Barløse received his PhD at the University of Copenhagen on the topic of chrono- and neurobiology of cluster headache. He has since completed his specialization within the field of nuclear medicine. Dr. Barloese's main research interests include neurostimulation, imaging and chronobiology.

Anders Hougaard is Head of Research and Consultant Neurologist at the Department of Neurology, Herlev & Gentofte Hospital, and Associate Professor at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark.

Dr. Hougaard has been actively involved in headache research since 2009 and has authored more than 70 articles and book chapters in the headache field. His current main research interests include the pathophysiology of stroke and migraine with aura, cortical spreading depolarization, and neuroimaging methods including structural and functional MRI.

Sarah Louise T. Christensen is senior scientist at Danish Headache Center, Department of Neurology, Copenhagen University Hospital – Rigshospitalet and external associate professor at the Master of Headache disorders. She received her veterinary degree (2011) and PhD (2018) from University of Copenhagen specialising in biomedicine and in vivo pharmacology.

Dr. Christensen received the International Headache Society Basic Science Headache Research Fellowship Award in 2022 to work with Dr. Levy at Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School. This project was also awarded the Frontiers in Headache Research Scholarship Award from the American Headache Society 2023.

Scientific focus since 2012 has been within animal models of migraine and how to investigate the generation of migraine pain in and ex vivo. Main research interest is meningeal mechanisms of pain generation.

Cristina Tassorelli, MD, PhD, a fully trained neurologist, serves as an Associate Professor of Neurology at the Dept. of Brain and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Pavia. Concurrently, she is a Consultant Neurologist at the C. Mondino National Neurological Institute of Pavia, Italy, directing the Headache Science Centre. Additionally, she holds a senior consultant position at the Neurorehabilitation and Parkinson’s Disease Units of the C. Mondino National Neurological Institute.

Cristina Tassorelli completed her internship and neurology residency at the C. Mondino National Neurological Institute, obtaining a PhD in Human Psychobiology from the University of Modena, Italy. Following a 2-year Post-Doctoral Fellowship at the University of Rochester (NY), she worked as a consultant neurorehabilitator at the Maugeri Neurorehabilitation Research Institute before returning to C. Mondino National Neurological Institute.

She has held leadership roles, including serving on the Board of the International Headache Society (IHS) and chairing the IHS Subcommittee for Clinical Trials Guidelines. Dr. Tassorelli was a founding member of the European Headache Alliance, where she served as Vice-President. Presently, she is a member of the Board of Directors of the Italian Society of Neurorehabilitation. With over 200 peer-reviewed publications and 6 co-authored books, her research interests encompass animal models of neurological disorders, headache, chronic pain, and neurorehabilitation.

Arne May is a Professor of Neurology in the Department of Systems Neuroscience at the University of Hamburg and head of the headache outpatient clinic of the University clinic of Hamburg.

Arne May's major research interests are the basic mechanisms of pain in the head, the chronification of pain and plasticity within the human brain. The work of his group involves human imaging studies in primary headache as well as experimental studies of trigeminovascular nociception, with the aim of understanding how to modulate headache syndromes and chronicity of pain. He has published over 280 original and review articles and is since 2016 the Editor of Cephalalgia.

Timothy Steiner is Professor of Medicine (Headache and Global Public Health) in the Department of Neuroscience, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway, and Honorary Consultant Physician (headache medicine) at Imperial College NHS Healthcare Trust, London, UK.

As an academic physician, Timothy has worked in headache medicine for over 35 years and is a past-President of the European Headache Federation and past-General Secretary of the International Headache Society. Pursuing his principal research interests in public-health aspects of headache, and working with the World Health Organization, he is the architect and Director of the Global Campaign against Headache.

Messoud Ashina is Professor of Neurology in the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. He is also Director of the Human Migraine Research Unit at the Danish Headache Center and Department of Neurology, Rigshospitalet, Denmark.

Messoud received his medical degree from Azerbaijan Medical University and completed his residency in neurology at the University of Copenhagen, where he was awarded his PhD and DMSc.

Messoud has been actively involved in headache research since 1995. His research interests include experimental migraine models and functional neuroimaging. He has authored over 300 papers, abstracts and book chapters on the topic of headache, including migraine.

Peter J. Goadsby obtained his basic medical degree and training at the University of New South Wales, Australia. Neurology training was done with Prof James W. Lance and clinical neurophysiology with Prof David Burke in Sydney.

After post‐doctoral work in New York with Don Reis at Cornell, with Jacques Seylaz at Paris Diderot University, and post‐graduate neurology training at Queen Square, London with Professors C David Marsden, Andrew Lees, Anita Harding and W Ian McDonald, he returned to the University of New South Wales, and the Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney as a consultant neurologist and was promoted to Associate Professor of Neurology.

Peter was appointed a Wellcome Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Neurology, University College London in 1995. He was Professor of Clinical Neurology and Honorary Consultant Neurologist at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London until 2007. He has been Professor of Neurology, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco since 2007. He has been an Honorary Consultant Neurologist at the Hospital for Sick Children, Great Ormond St, London since 1998.

In 2013 he was appointed Director, NIHR/Wellcome Trust King’s Clinical Research Facility, King’s College Hospital, Professor of Neurology at King’s College London and Honorary Consultant Neurologist, King’s College Hospital. His major research interests are in the basic mechanisms of primary headache disorders, such as migraine and cluster headache, in both experimental and clinical settings, and translating these insights into their better management.

Rami Burstein is John Hedley-Whyte Professor of Anaesthesia and Neuroscience at Harvard Medical School, and the Vice Chairman of Research in the Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

Among Professor Burstein's accomplishments are the discoveries of the spinohypothalamic tract, peripheral and central sensitization role in migraine pathophysiology and treatment, mechanisms of action of several anti-migraine drugs, the neurobiology of photophobia, and most recently, the glymphatic system role in migraine.

Hans-Christoph Diener, MD, PhD is Director of the Department of Neuroepidemiology at the Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology University Duisburg-Essen in Essen, Germany.

He was Professor of Neurology and Chairman of the Department of Neurology at the University of Essen from 1989 to April 2016 and Professor of Clinical Neurosciences at the Medical Faculty of the University Duisburg-Essen from 2016-2019. He was President of the German Neurological Society (2003-2004), the European Headache Federation (2006-2008) and the International Headache Society (2009-2011).

Sait Ashina is a headache specialist and assistant professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School. He is a Director of Comprehensive Headache Center at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, MA.

Sait specializes in the treatment of various headache conditions. His approach to headache treatment is patient-centered and combines drug therapy and interventional treatments. He is involved in training, mentoring and educating residents and pain fellows at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School. His research interests include epidemiology of headache and chronic pain, quantitative sensory testing, human pain models and structural brain lesions in migraine, implication of photophobia in pathophysiology and treatment of migraine.

Amy Gelfand is an Associate Professor of Neurology & Pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco. She directs the Child & Adolescent Headache Program at the UCSF Benioff Childrens’ Hospitals. She is the Editor-in-Chief of Headache, the journal of the American Headache Society.

Her research interests include examining the role of melatonin and circadian rhythm in the management of pediatric migraine, as well as the relationships between migraine and “ episodic syndromes” such as infant colic, benign paroxysmal torticollis, and cyclic vomiting syndrome.

Dr Fayyaz Ahmed qualified from Dow Medical College, Karachi (Pakistan) in 1986 and moved to the UK after his residency. He was trained in Neurology at the St James’s University Hospital, Leeds and the Imperial College, London and was affiliated with the Princess Margaret Migraine Clinic at the Charing Cross Hospital (1992-1996) where he did his research.

He has been a consultant neurologist at Hull since 1996 where he established a dedicated headache clinic. He was a clinical director for Neurosciences (2003-2011) during which he completed his MBA (exec) with distinction from University of Hull.

He served in BASH as secretary (2005-2008), vice chair (2009-2010), chair (2011-2013) and educational officer (2014-2023). He was the Chair of Headache (UK) (2012-2016), Director at the European Headache and Migraine Trust International Congress (EHMTIC) (2011-2016), topic specific member in the NICE headache guidelines (CG150-revision) and Nice Technology appraisal (TAG 260) for Botulinum Toxin in Migraine.

He is currently the treasurer and executive director of the International Headache Society (IHS) and Anglo-Dutch Migraine Association and a member of the ABN headache subcommittee. He is currently an ambassador and formal Trustee of the Migraine Trust and currently Chairs the scientific committee of the Migraine Trust research committee.

His research interest lies in Chronic Migraine and Cluster Headaches and is involved in headache education in the UK for many years. He has PGCME and is heavily involved in teaching and organising educational meetings on headache all over the UK. He organises the biggest UK headache meeting in Hull every other year since 2005.

Neurologist and headache specialist at Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid, Spain. Trained on headache medicine with a PhD on detection of secondary headache disorders (University of Valladolid) and the Master of Headache Disorders (University of Copenhaguen – 2020-2022). Chairman of the Secondary Headache, Special Interest Group of the International Headache Society. Secretary of the neurology section of the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS), member of the Spanish Society of Neurology Board and the Africa Task Force of the European Academy of Neurology. Author of >145 publications, his main areas of interest are secondary headache disorders, and other primary headaches.

Francesca Puledda is a Neurologist and post-doctoral researcher in the headache group at King’s College London.

Francesca received her MD in the Sapienza University of Rome, where she also completed her specialization in Neurology in 2016. In 2020 she obtained a PhD in Neuroscience from King’s College London, with a research project aimed at understanding the neurophysiology of visual snow syndrome, an important comorbidity of migraine. Francesca has been actively involved in headache research since 2010. Her main interests include the pathophysiology of migraine and its comorbidities, neuroimaging, neuromodulation and the neurophysiology of primary headache disorders. Since 2021 she has been Chair of the Junior Group of the International Headache Society, that aims to promote the professional and clinical development of young trainees in the headache field.

Elena Ruiz de la Torre is one of the leading patient advocates and researchers in the world. She is a tireless and passionate champion for people with headache disorders in the workplace and beyond, with her advocacy career beginning in her native Spain, and then expanding to Europe, and now the world. Elena leads the European Migraine and Headache Alliance, a nonprofit patient umbrella group that represents 33 patient groups from across the continent. She also opened enlarged the EMHA to a winder net of associates as part of the organization with the aim of being aligned in messages and exchange best practices world wide.

She has also authored and co-authored several publications, and her list of current advocacy work is extensive, including the “Eurolight”, “My Migraine VoiceSurvey”, “Migraine at Work”, Access To Care”, “Migraine Friendly Workplace”, “Stigma Project” and more.

Else Tolner is Assistant Professor at the Departments of Neurology and Human Genetics of the Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC), the Netherlands.

Else obtained her PhD in Neuroscience from the University of Amsterdam in 2005, followed by postdoctoral training in Berlin and Helsinki. She came to the LUMC in 2011 with an LUMC Fellowship, joining the Leiden Headache Group. Her present research focusses on unraveling attack mechanisms and improving treatments for migraine and epilepsy, for which she performs neurophysiological and behavioral studies in (transgenic) mouse models. Her parallel involvement in clinical EEG studies and human iPSC-derived ‘brain-on-chip’ models allows bidirectional translation of clinical and preclinical findings.

Gisela Terwindt is professor of Neurology, in particular paroxysmal brain disorders, at the department of Neurology of the Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC).

She is director of the Leiden Headache Center. She is chair of the International Headache Society (IHS) Clinical Trial Guideline Committee and the Women’s Leadership Forum.

In addition, she is board member and chair of the Scientific Committee of the Dutch Headache Society. She (co)chairs the Headache Treatment guideline Committee for the Dutch Neurology Society, and is committee member for the International Headache Classification. She has published >450 scientific papers and book chapters on headache, migraine, and hereditary neurovascular syndromes. She received a prestigious personal grant from the Dutch Research Council (VIDI).

Emi Smilkov is a neuroradiologist at the Department of Imaging at Rigshospitalet-Glostrup. He has a special expertise in imaging of intracranial hypotension and hypertension.

Ian Carroll collaborated With Stanford's Neuroradiology and Neurology Headache divisions in 2015. The aim was to create the Stanford CSF Leak Headache Program after his daughter suffered through an initially-undiagnosed CSF leak. This experience left him with a passion for helping patients experiencing CSF leaks around the world.

Ian is board-certified in four different specialties: Headache Medicine by the United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties; Addiction Medicine by the American Board of Addiction Medicine; Pain Medicine by the American Board of Anesthesiology; and Anesthesiology by the American Board of Anesthesiology.

Ian's primary focus is on spinal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks. He has spoken at numerous national meetings on CSF leaks, management of the pain from nerve injuries, and factors influencing opioid cessation. He has conducted visiting professorships at Johns Hopkins University, Vanderbilt University, Yale University, University of California at Davis Medical Center, and others.

Ian has published over 50 original articles including research funded by the Foundation for Anesthesia Education and Research (FAER); the National Institute for Drug Abuse (NIDA); and the Stanford Institute for Neuro-Innovation & Translational Neurosciences (SINTN).

Kerstin Luedtke qualified as a physiotherapist in Germany in 1993. She continued her professional development with a Master’s degree in Manipulative Physiotherapy from Sheffield Hallam University (UK) in 2002 and a PhD from the University of Birmingham in 2014.

During the PhD and for her postdoctoral studies (2009-2016) she was a researcher at the Department of Systems Neuroscience (Head of department Prof. Dr. Christian Buechel) at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf in the work group led by Prof. Dr. Arne May. The Hamburg group has a research cooperation with the group around Prof. Dr. Messoud Ashina at the University of Copenhagen/Danish Headache Center. Investigating the musculoskeletal system in patients with migraine for the postdoctoral period was the logical consequence of numerous lunchtime discussions within the work group about whether or not peripheral structures can influence the central nervous system processes known to occur during migraine attacks. The topic is still a main area of interest, complimented by recent projects on endogenous pain modulation.

In October 2016, Kerstin Luedtke changed to the University of Luebeck, where she works as a Professor for Physiotherapy. She is still connected to the Hamburg group as a guest researcher.

Manjit Matharu is professor in Neurology and senior Lecturer at The Institute of Neurology and Honorary Consultant Neurologist at The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen square, London, UK. He is the Clinical Lead of the Headache Group at The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery.

Dr Matharu gained his BSc and MBChB from the University of Manchester in 1991 and 1994, respectively. He completed his general medical training in London leading up to obtaining the Membership of the Royal College of Physicians (MRCP) in 1998. He subsequently obtained a PhD at The Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London on Structural and Functional Neuroimaging in Primary Headache Syndromes. He completed his residency in Neurology at The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, The Royal London Hospital and Homerton Hospital in London in 2007.

Dr Matharu’s major research interests include functional and structural imaging in Primary headaches, trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias and neurostimulation for intractable headaches. He has authored numerous scientific papers.

Lars Arendt Nielsen, dr med sci., ph.d., is full professor of translational pain research, founder, and director of the International Center for Sensory-Motor Interaction (SMI), Aalborg University, Denmark.

Lars has published 910 peer reviewed journal papers. The research is focused on development and application of human, quantitative, mechanistic pain biomarkers in 1) human experimental pain studies, 2) clinical pain studies and 3) in studies profiling pain management procedures and new drugs. Editor-in-chief for IASP Press, and president-elect for IASP.

Marianne Juhler is professor of neurosurgery at University of Copenhagen, visiting professor at Aarhus University and previous board member of the ISHCSF.

Marianne is the head of Copenhagen CSF Study Group, which is a research group dedicated to both clinical, experimental and technical research in the areas of hydrocephalus and ICP. MJ’s publications count numerous journal papers and a number of contributions to textbooks.

Line Buchgreitz is an MD, a PhD and a senior physician at The Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics at the Copenhagen University Hospital in Herlev.

Line has conducted excellent epidemiological and clinical studies in basic pain mechanisms in tension-type headache and migraine during her PhD study at the Danish Headache Center and defended her thesis in 2008 with the title: Pain Processing in Tension-type Headache. With a genuine interest in surgery and obstetrics, she chose the challenging way to become a “neuro-obstetrician” and is now a consultant for The Danish Headache Center mainly in cases with menstrual migraine and pregnancy related headaches.

I have worked in Pediatrics since 2002 and became a Pediatric specialist in 2014. I have been part of the child neurologyteam in Esbjerg for 12 years and during that time took a Master in Headache and Facial Pain which I completed in 2018. I was in charge of the headache clinic for children in Esbjerg and I have worked parttime in the headache clinic at the neurology department at Odense University Hospital for 4 years (2017-2021).

Now I work at the childrens department Sygehus Lillebælt where I am part of the neurology team and the team for functional diseases.

Nunu Lund graduated as a medical doctor in 2014 but has been affiliated with the Danish Headache Center since 2012. She is currently working as a PhD researcher on chronobiology and altered autonomic function in cluster headache with Professor Rigmor Jensen.

Raquel Gil-Gouveia, MD, PhD, is a neurologist, holding a medical degree from the Faculty of Medicine of Lisbon, complemented by specialized training in neuro-ophthalmology and a PhD in neurology. As a clinical neurologist and headache specialist, passionate about advancing headache care, Professor Gil-Gouveia serves as the head of the neurology department and coordinates the headache center at Hospital da Luz in Lisbon.

Professor Gil-Gouveia's expertise extends beyond clinical practice to clinical research, where she has made significant contributions to numerous clinical trials and investigator-initiated studies across various neurological domains, including headaches, cognition, neuroinflammation, and cerebrovascular disease. Since 2013, she has actively contributed to the Luz-Saúde research committee and assumed the role of principal investigator at LIoN - Luz Innovation on Neurosciences in 2020. This clinical research group focuses on multimodal approaches to understanding brain physiology, aging, and neurological disorders, with a particular emphasis on cerebrovascular and headache conditions. Since 2022, she has served as a researcher at the Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Health, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Lisbon, Portugal. Additionally, she holds an associate professorship at the Faculty of Medicine of the Portuguese Catholic University.

Beyond her clinical and academic roles, she actively contributes to the advancement of headache research and patient care through her involvement in professional societies and global initiatives. She has served on the management group of the Portuguese Headache Society since 2018, currently holding the position of President. Furthermore, she is a member of the Service Quality Evaluation Group of the Lifting The Burden (LTB) global campaign since 2009, the EAN Scientist Panel on Headache since 2021, and the board of the European Headache Federation since 2022, where she currently serves as the secretary on the executive board.

Sonja Antic MD., PhD, is a Senior Consultant Neurologist specializing in Headache Disorders, Pain Management at the Headache and Pain Clinic, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark. With extensive experience in diagnosing and treating various types of primary and secondary headaches, including migraine, chronic post-traumatic headaches, neuropathic pain, and complex chronic non-malignant pain such as fibromyalgia and whiplash.

Dr. Antic has authored and co-authored numerous scientific papers, abstracts, and book chapters in the field of neurology, headache disorders, and pain management. She is also an active Board Member of Danish Headache Society (DHOS), since 2017, as well as board member of Danish National Knowledge Center for Headaches, dedicated to promoting headache research and knowledge dissemination among healthcare professionals and the general population in Denmark.

Stine Maarbjerg is an MD, a PhD and a neurology resident at the Department of Neurology at the university hospital Rigshospitalet in Glostrup, Denmark.

Stine defended her thesis in 2016 based on studies of the clinical characteristics and diagnostic criteria in classical trigeminal neuralgia. Stine has also published studies on quantitative sensory testing and neuroanatomical findings in classical trigeminal neuralgia. Recently, Stine has worked with idiopathic persistent facial pain alongside training in clinical neurology.

Thomas F Hansen is research leader at the Department of Neurology and Danish Headache Center, Rigshospitalet Glostrup, University of Copenhagen.

Thomas has been involved in neuro genetics for more than 13 years, and has authored >110 scientific research articles. This includes genetic hallmark papers in both migraine and schizophrenia research. His interest is molecular genomics of complex traits.

Thomas List is chairman at the department of Orofacial Pain and Jaw Function, and director of postgraduate and continuing dental education at Malmö University in Sweden.

Thomas's research encompasses epidemiological studies of TMD in adults and adolescents; clinical investigations into diagnosis and mechanisms of TMD and orofacial pain; and intervention studies to evaluate the pain-relieving effect of pharmacological, physical, and biobehavioral therapies in orofacial pain. He has published 120 articles or book chapters and serves as an expert on several international and national research and health technology assessment committees

Vlasta Vukovic Cvetkovic was born in 1969. in Zagreb, Croatia. In 1993. she graduated from the Zagreb University School of Medicine and in 1999. completed her residency. Vlasta received further training at a number of clinical courses, among these at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London.

In 2002 Vlasta defends her MS thesis in the field of ultrasound in neurology and in 2007 she defends her PhD thesis on the prevalence of primary headaches in Croatia. Vlasta's special fields of interest are headaches, cerebrovascular diseases and the application of ultrasound in neurology. Since 2014. she is working as a consultant at the Danish Headache Center, Rigshospital Glostrup in Copenhagen, Denmark. She is the author or co-author of 96 scientific and professional papers and book chapters in the field of clinical neurology and neurosonology and member of several professional societies.

Hanne Yri is an MD and PhD and currently in a neurological training (residency) at the Department of Neurology, Sjællands Universitetshospital in Roskilde.

The couple of years have included training at neurological and neurophysiological departments at Rigshospitalet, Rigshospitalet Glostrup and Herlev Hospital. She did her PhD in idiopathic intracranial hypertension at the Danish Headache Center and University of Copenhagen. During her PhD she was responsible for the clinical diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of all patients with IIH referred to the Danish Headache Center

What is your overall impression of the programme?

This program is truly unique, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about headache disorders. It's led by world-class experts and brings together students from various backgrounds, including doctors, osteopaths, pharmacists, physiotherapists, and more. With such a diverse range of professionals, the opportunity to learn about different approaches to headache management enhances the learning environment even further.

What will you highlight from the programme and why?

The clinical experience stood out as the highlight of the program for me. It was incredibly inspiring to shadow world-renowned headache specialists, psychologists, researchers, nurses, physiotherapists, and other professionals. Throughout the program, I had the opportunity to form new friendships with individuals from various corners of the globe. The program went above and beyond, incorporating many opportunities for collaboration through group work, as well as extracurricular activities and shared dinners.

What is your motivation to enroll in the Master of Headache Disorders?

As a nurse personally affected by chronic migraine, my motivation to enroll in the Master of Headache Disorders program arises from a strong desire to educate and support others who also live with migraine. I believe that by deepening my understanding and expertise in this specific area, I can make a meaningful difference in the lives of people with headache disorders.

How has the programme prepared you for future career opportunities?

The Masters of Headache Disorders program has equipped me with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel and advance in my nursing career within the field of headache medicine.

Student at Master of Headache Disorders, interview from 2024

What is your overall impression of the programme?

An excellent course covering the basic science and latest research on headache disorders. Fantastic tutors who really care about the quality of the course and your development in the headache field.

What will you highlight from the programme and why?

The tutors and course leads are fantastic and their enthuthiasm for headache medicine and your education is a real highlight of this course for me.

What is your motivation to enroll in the Master of Headache Disorders?

To develop a thorough understanding of headache disorders & latest evidence based treatments. To further develop my skills in the headache field and allow me to professionally develop in this area.

To get a recognised qualification in headache medicine to be recognised as a headache specialist and allow me to develop a local service for patients with headache.

How has the programme prepared you for future career opportunities?

Improved knowledge and understanding of pathophysiology and latest evidence based treatments which I can implement in my day to day practice. I also work as an Education Fellow at the National Migraine Centre and often share this knowledge with colleagues.

Student at Master of Headache Disorders, interview from 2024

What is your overall impression of the programme?

The Master of Headache Disorders is a programme densely packed with academic knowledge, as well as relevant clinical experience. Additionally, research techniques are taught and the skill of critical assessment of published articles.

What will you highlight from the programme and why?

The Master of Headache Disorders is conceived in such manner that a perfect balance between your career and academic expansion is maintained throughout the programme. Additionally, meeting the people of similar interests, but of different professional orientation enables the creation of excellent networking potential.

What is your motivation to enroll in the Master of Headache Disorders?

I wanted to gain a good and thorough insight into the field of headaches in an excellent learning environment and with great teachers.

How has the programme prepared you for future career opportunities?

I believe that the knowledge I gained enables me to perform my neurological examination and recommendations with great confidence and a broad spectrum of services I have learned to perform.

Student at Master of Headache Disorders, interview from 2024

Headache Specialist within a non-medical framework

As a physiotherapist specialized in pain physiotherapy with special focus on the neck area, Rahele Indzere, sees many patients suffering from headache disorders. The great number of headache patients has raised the need for more knowledge.

”I am a physiotherapist who specializes in pain physiotherapy with special focus on the neck area and many of my patients come with headaches. Therefore, I felt a need to gain more knowledge about headache disorders”.

Through the Master of Headache Disorders, Rahele Indzere gains a more thorough understanding of different groups of headache patients and different treatment strategies. This includes knowledge of when she has the competences needed and when other specialists should be included.

Scientific expertise and critical thinking

According to Rahele Indzeres, the lecturers at the master’s programme do not only pass on knowledge, they also encourage critical reflection. The open and honest teaching approach allows for discussions of case studies, e.g. how insights from an unexpected outcome of a treatment strategy can be used to come up with a different strategy that might have a better effect.

Hard work, but worth the struggle

The Master of Headache Disorders is an academically hard programme according to Rahele Indzere. However, the interdisciplinary set-up of the programme, the open and dedicated lecturers, and her own enthusiasm make the programme easier to complete.

“I really recommend other physiotherapists to try”.

Teaching fellow physiotherapists

Besides providing better treatment to her patients, Rahele Indzeres’ ambition is to teach fellow physiotherapists in diagnosis and treatment of headache disorders.

“I would like to teach other physiotherapists how important it is to look at this complex disorder more widely and not to place headache patients in just one group.”

Using a scientific approach, Rahele Indzeres’ goal is to prepare a set of guidelines for physiotherapists in their work with headache patients.

“I want to make a paper on recommendations for work with headache patients in physiotherapy practice”.

This interview was conducted in 2019 where Rahele Indzere was a student at the Master of Headache Disorders. Rahele has now graduated from the programme.

Direct route towards becoming a headache specialist

Juan Bernardo Gómez-Galvàn wants to become a headache expert. ”The Master of Headache Disorders makes me learn about headaches in a structured and organized way.” In Spain, the usual way to become a headache specialist is through interaction with many different headache experts and patients, reading scientific literature, and attending congresses within the area. Juan Bernardo Gómez-Galvàn likes the fact that The Master of Headache Disorders presents all aspects of headache in a very structured and organized way, which is speeding up the process of becoming an expert.

Learning from leading experts

Juan Bernardo Gómez-Galvàn points out that all the information is readily accessible on the internet. However, getting the chance to discuss scientific articles with the experts behind them is what makes this master’s programme unique. “I think the lecturers are the biggest value of the programme. They change the perception of the programme from just reading articles to us having their personal opinion on the subjects. They have the greatest expertise and this is delivered directly to the students.” Juan Bernardo Gómez-Galvàn concludes that having world experts telling how they do it in their day-to-day practice, will change his own practice in the future.

Pursuing a career in clinical research

The master’s programme is also a way for Juan Bernardo Gómez-Galvàn to ensure a job of high interest. “I would like to pursue a career in clinical research so the MHD is a foundation of basic and clinical knowledge about headache and migraine that will help me to establish successful research afterwards.” The programme provides basic and clinical knowledge of headaches and migraine, which Juan Bernardo Gómez-Galvàn intend to use to establish his research.

This interview was conducted in 2019 where Juan Gómez-Galvàn was a student at the Master of Headache Disorders. Juan has now graduated from the programme.

Susie Lagrata is a headache nurse who decided to join the Master because it would add an important dimension to her work.

“I have been working as a headache nurse for over ten years, and I have been exposed to different headache syndromes from the most common disorders to the rarer forms. I know for a fact that headache is a disease with really complex neurobiology, and I really wanted to bridge that knowledge gap.”

For Susie, the Master was a natural next step in her career. “Gaining my Master’s was definitely instrumental in my career progression from being a headache nurse specialist to becoming an Advanced Nurse Practitioner in Headache and Neuromodulation.”

Networking and sharing good practice

Taking the Master’s in Denmark was also an obvious choice: “It is a fact that Copenhagen is one of the biggest headache hubs in the world, with world authorities in headache disorders. It is such an interesting and dynamic place to take this degree.”

Susie Lagrata also especially highlights the fact that all the students of different nationalities have a lot of experience to share with each other.

“This course was an amazing platform to network and share good practice. Having fellow master students that came from different parts of the world and specialties like neurologists, dentists, neurosurgeons and physiotherapists to fellow headache nurses, gave me the opportunity to connect to numerous professionals – all of whom are successful in their careers.”

Go for it

After finishing the programme, Susie can tell a different in the way she works.

“Completing the Master of Headache Disorders has had a huge impact in my daily work. The in-depth knowledge I have gained has given me more confidence in making safe and evidence-based clinic decisions independently. It has significantly changed my practice for the better and has validated my speciality.”

At last, she invites potential future participants to join the programme if the subject of headache interests them. “For those who are interested in the program: Go for it. It is not just an interesting move for your career, but it is also such a huge professional investment. So go for it.”

This interview was conducted in 2019 where Susie Lagrata was a student at the Master of Headache Disorders. Susie has now graduated from the programme.

Neurologist will improve headache treatment in Latvia

Linda Zvaune is a neurologist, pain specialist and lecturer.

”I chose the Master of Headache Disorders because I work with pain patients everyday”

She finds the work with headache patients challenging and wants to improve the headache treatment in Latvia. To do so, Dr. Zvaune intends to acquire a greater knowledge and clinical skills in the field, which she can use in the treatment of her headache patients.

Excellent lecturers and an open atmosphere

Through this master’s programme, Linda Zvaune strives to improve her scientific work and scientific literature reading in order to improve her own publications and the scientific field in general. She appreciates the lecturers’ expertise and open mind-set, which allows for discussions amongst students and lecturers.

“The lecturers’ knowledge is excellent. The atmosphere of the courses is friendly and open and we can freely discuss any questions”

Pass on the knowledge to future pain specialists

As a lecturer at Riga Stradins University, Linda Zvaune will pass on her new knowledge to her students, who might become tomorrow's headache specialists. This is another important step towards improving headache treatment in Latvia.

This interview was conducted in 2019 where Linda Zvaune was a student at the Master of Headache Disorders. Linda has now graduated from the programme.

Desire to improve and advance

Clinical Nurse Specialist, Juliana Ochulor has worked within many different specialties including neurology. The meeting with headache patients has awakened a desire to progress and advance within the field of headache disorders.

”The Master of Headache Disorders degree will not only enhance my knowledge and experience as a Clinical Nurse Specialist but will equip me better to do my job, and advance my career in headache.”

Juliana Ochulor expects that a master’s degree in headache disorders will improve her daily work and prepare her to advance within the profession.

Face-to-face with world-class professionals

Juliana Ochulor finds that the lecturers are the main asset of the master’s programme. For Juliana Ochulor, the chance to meet with these world-class professionals and discuss theoretically founded ideas with them, has raised her own level of understanding within the field of headache disorders.

This interview was conducted in 2019 where Juliana Ochulor was a student at the Master of Headache Disorders. Juliana has now graduated from the programme.

Headache Specialist within a non-medical framework

Osteopath Elizabeth Cunningham-Huzzey has developed a special interest in headaches for about ten years. Doing a lot of self-learning along the way, Elizabeth Cunningham-Huzzey has come across the names at the Faculty and their scientific standard.

”I have been looking for a Master’s in Headaches for many years. When I saw the Copenhagen one, I was very excited, because I knew of the reputation of Copenhagen and the Danish Headache Center.”

The Master of Headache Disorders helps Elizabeth Cunningham-Huzzey to become a headache specialist within a non-medical framework.

Very high standard and clinically applicable

Elizabeth Cunningham-Huzzey appreciates the fact that the master’s programme is clinically based. What she gets from the lecturers is not just the knowledge but also the experience and how clinically applicable this is.

“World leading experts pass on their knowledge and clinical experience. The standard of the lecturers is just phenomenal.”

Fine balance between family, work and studies

The organization of the master’s programme is intense but manageable. The clarity in expectations makes it possible to both orchestrate work patterns and prioritize studies.

“I would also like to mention the user friendliness of the course. We all work and I have a family. It is organised in the modules, four weeks online learning and an intense one-week on site followed by a 4 week break. This has enabled me to do it along with my other commitments both on the home front and professionally. I have been very, very impressed.”

“I would also like to mention the user friendliness of the course. We all work and I have a family. It is organised in the modules, four weeks online learning and an intense one-week on site followed by a 4 week break. This has enabled me to do it along with my other commitments both on the home front and professionally. I have been very, very impressed.”

The breathing time between courses allows you to concentrate on other things.

“It comes with expense in time and money but no regrets at all, I am delighted.”

Sharing the knowledge and skills with peers

“I am an Osteopath and Acupuncturist so what this course promised was consolidation of knowledge to a very high standard. It gives me qualifications that I will take back to my own practice and profession. I will take the knowledge back to non-medics similar to myself who see patients with headaches to ensure a safe and informed approach.”

This interview was conducted in 2019 where Elizabeth Cunningham-Huzzey was a student at the Master of Headache Disorders. Elizabeth has now graduated from the programme.

Studying with “The Gods of Headache

Christina Treppendahl started specializing in headache medicine in 2010. Christina Treppendahl’s great passion for headache medicine has taken her to headache conferences all over the US and internationally. At one point, Christina Treppendahl met Jes Olesen, who is a Professor at the Danish Headache Center. Jes Olesen convinced her to look at the Master of Headache Disorders.

Christina’s great-grandfather emigrated from Denmark, and she has always hoped to visit the motherland and meet the native Treppendahls. This was the perfect opportunity to realize two dreams.

”I am studying with what I call “The Gods of Headache”, because I have been reading the books that these men and women have written for years. I have this big headache bible called “The Headaches” by Jes Olesen and Peter Goadsby, and the binding is off of it, because I have used it so much. To come and actually study with Jes Olesen and Rigmor Jensen and the others… well, that was just like a dream come true.”

This is the best course ever

“The lecturers are amazing. Every time I come here, I think, this is the best course ever; and then I come back three months later and I am like, well, this is the best course ever.”

The deep science presented during the programme has steepened Christina Treppendahl’s learning curve:

“We all have patient cases in our own respective practices from the many different countries we represent around the globe that are challenging. It is a fabulous opportunity for all of us in headache medicine to present case studies and rigorous discussions about investigations, diagnoses, and treatment options. During the sessions, we are encouraged to ask questions and contribute feedback: we also participate in many small group activities that are specifically designed to make us find solutions for all the world’s problems in headache medicine. It is really very fun, especially when you are doing it as an international group.”

There are not enough headache specialists out there

In 2013, Christina Treppendahl opened up her own independent practice, which has grown into a large headache center in the U.S. Although Christina Treppendahl is certified in headache medicine by the National Headache Foundation, she believes there is a need for formal training:

“At The Headache Center (Ridgeland, Mississippi, USA), I am building the first one-year fellowship training programme in headache medicine that will be offered to Nurse Practitioners and Physicians Assistants in the U.S. My goal is to pass on a legacy to other non-physician providers like myself, who just fall in love with headache medicine and want to devote their careers to that.”

This interview was conducted in 2019 where Christina Treppendahl was a student at the Master of Headache Disorders. Christina has now graduated from the programme.

Working as a neurologist, Marco Lisicki developed an interest in headache, and he was the program as an opportunity to dive deeper into the subject. “When I first heard of the programme, it sounded very interesting. After my neurological training I was very intrigued in the field of headache. Now, having finished the program, my diagnostic skills have certainly improved. I have gotten a strong knowledge about a wide range of evidence-based therapeutic alternatives which I can offer my patients,” says Marco.

Face to face with the experts

Marco Lisicki points out that the teachers are the strength of the programme.

“At this programme the teachers are the people who have developed the field and have made some of the historical breakthrough findings. Hearing their first-hand experiences and their interpretation of the papers and the scientific activities is very valuable. You cannot find that elsewhere.”

Marco Lisicki also sees the programme as a way to get a systematization of knowledge of the headache field. “The courses are organized to follow a line of thought and set an order of chronological and of importance to all the publications. This was one of the main aspects for me at this programme”.

Many headache patients will benefit

Marco is confident that the skills he have acquired from Master of Headache Disorders will help both him and his patients in the future.

“I feel far more solid in my work now than I did before the programme. My vision of headache has been largely expanded, and the course has given me the opportunity to revise and ameliorate my clinical practice. I am confident that for every health care professional that takes the course, a large number of headache patients will largely benefit.”

This interview was conducted in 2017 where Marco Lisicki was a student at the Master of Headache Disorders. Marco has now graduated from the programme.

Hopes to be able to improve pain treatment

Anna Göbel works as a Physician. In her daily work she deals with patients who suffer from headache and she stresses the importance of taking the patients suffering seriously. By attending the Master of Headache Disorders she hopes to improve pain treatment in her daily practice. “Nearly all of the patients who go to the hospital suffer from pain. At the Universities, at least in Germany, there is only little focus on the pain treatment and little to non education for pain treatment. This is why is programme is so important and good, because it can help us improve that treatment”

By mixing different specialties the program is forming a whole image of headache

Anna Göbel considers the highlight of the programme the good mix of disciplines, which she finds very rewarding for the academic benefits.

I think it is the first time that a program is mixing the discipline like this. The participants are not just physicians like myself. There are also nurses, physiotherapists and dentists. The program is bringing together all of their knowledge. By mixing different specialties the program is forming a whole image of headache.”

"There is only little focus on the pain treatment and little to non education for pain treatment. This is why is programme is so important and good, because it can help us improve that treatment."

Improved knowledge on headache treatment

Even though Anna Göbel is working with headache patients in her daily job, she has been able to improve her knowledge about the area during the program.

“I have learned a lot about headache. I have been in contact with a lot of headache patients before but my knowledge on the diagnosis of headache and treatment is increasing as I attend this programme. I am gaining new knowledge about headache pathophysiology and epidemiology.”

This interview was conducted in 2017 where Anna Göbel was a student at the Master of Headache Disorders. Anna has now graduated from the programme.

A dentist with an interest in tension type headache

Fernando Pereira Exposto is a dentist by training and is currently doing his PhD on tension type headache at Aarhus University. “I’m a dentist by training and after working as a dentist for a while I started getting into temporomandibular disorders which is pain in the masticatory muscles and the temporomandibular joint. This is what I wanted to do, so I went to the US and I did a training in oral facial pain.

In the US when you talk about oral facial pain you talk about muscle pain and joint pain but you also talk about nerve pain and headaches. I started getting interested in other kinds of head pain, and now I am at Aarhus University doing my PhD on tension type headache.

"As a dentist interested in facial pain and tension type headache, this is a very good programme.”

A high level of Scientific Knowledge

Fernando Pereira Exposto joined the master program to learn more about the field of headache. He hopes to get knowledge to improve both his clinical practice and his research, but it is especially the research part that interests him.

“So far the program has been very good. The scientific knowledge is high, and they will give you a lot of papers to read with many different perspectives on headache disorders. I like the research part and I like learning about the different mechanisms behind headache disorders. I hope to gain new knowledge to improve both my research and clinical practice”.

This interview was conducted in 2017 where Fernando Exposto was a student at the Master of Headache Disorders. Fernando has now graduated from the programme.

Kristin Husby Scheuer works as Chief Physician and is now in the process of setting up a Headache Clinic at the hospital where she works. Kristin Husby Scheuer has been working as a neurologist and has taken a Ph.D. in Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia. The headache area is quite new to her.

Learning to set up headache clinics

Kristin Husby Scheuer got interested in the field of headache because of organizational changes at the hospital she works at. She is now involved in setting up a new headache clinic at the hospital.

”At the Hospital where I work, we are creating a new headache clinic. This awakened my interested in the headache area. The program is perfect for me because it helps me upgrade both the clinical part of my work, diagnostics and the therapeutic part. At the programme, we are also taught about the organizational part of setting up a heading clinic: How do you build it from scratch and things like that. The master is perfect for what I needed it for. ”

New knowledge supplements work at the clinic

Kristin Husby Scheuer enjoys acquiring new knowledge besides her work, and she likes the variation between her job and the time she spends gaining new knowledge at the Master. ”I like to learn new things, and I am really happy to be here."

I can use lot of the new knowledge I gain from the Master right away in my job. By studying parttime while you work, you have a connection between the theoretical and the practical dimensions. A patient will ask you a question at work, and you will actually remember this specific person’s face and problem in class. Also I have the opportunity to investigate further if a patient asks a question I am not able to answer right away. It works really well.”

Interdisciplinary learning

The students at the program have all kind of different backgrounds and nationalities and Kristin Husby Scheuer thinks that the diversity in profession and country of origin of the participants contributes to the course.

“The course is very interdisciplinary and there are nurses, dentists and physiotherapists among others. The participants represent different disciplines and they come from all over the world and it allows you to talk to people who look at headache from another perspective. With that kind of interdisciplinarity, the master differs from the courses you take becoming a doctor or to specialize as a doctor. The program covers a wider field. It is really a pleasure to be able to gain new knowledge”.

This interview was conducted in 2017 where Kristin Scheuer was a student at the Master of Headache Disorders. Kristin has now graduated from the programme.

Help patient and develop new knowledge

Working as a medical doctor, Carl Göbel in his daily life deals with patients suffering from headache, which he thinks is a neglected field. Thus, he thinks that it is important to raise awareness on the subject.

“Pain is such a huge burden for patients in general neurology and it is often neglected.”

Because patients suffer so heavily from pain I think it is extremely important that we try to help them the best as possible. This course helps us to do so because it spreads the cutting edge knowledge that is available here in Danish Headache Center in Copenhagen. It is the world’s leading center for headache, so there is no better place to learn about headache treatments right now than here in Copenhagen.”

Carl Göbel hopes to gain knowledge that can benefit his patients and that he can use for further research in the field of pain. “I hope to grasp the current knowledge about the field in its full extent. I wish to be able to treat my patients better but also to continue and expand the knowledge by doing my own research in the area of pain”.

Well-structured and unique

Carl Göbel is very pleased with both the content and the structure of the program. "I can't actually put into words how great this program is. It is extremely well structured and it is so unique in its breadth and depth of the subjects that it covers. All this knowledge is accumulated and the four modules in the course are structured so well. It is simply amazing how well this is structured and how good the individual lectures are”.

This interview was conducted in 2017 where Carl Göbel was a student at the Master of Headache Disorders. Carl has now graduated from the programme.