I completed Personalised Medicine from a Nordic Perspective through the University of Copenhagen and University of Iceland. The course explored how biobanks (collections of biological samples), health registries, and biomarkers (measurable health indicators) can be used to guide individual care, while also addressing risk communication, data protection, and broader ethical considerations.

For a data analyst, this provides valuable context for how health data is generated and applied, and shows the importance of collaboration between doctors and data scientists. The Nordic countries offer a strong case study: they maintain comprehensive health registries and biobanks, and are leaders in responsible data sharing across sectors. The material is presented in a way that makes these complex topics accessible to a broader audience, not just specialists.

This course was built and launched by two principal collaborators, Sisse Rye Ostrowski, MD, University of Copenhagen and Sædís Sævarsdóttir, MD, University of Iceland. They summed up its importance this way:

“The healthcare system is a wonderful place to be if you’re interested in data and developing algorithms. There are extremely complex data like omics data, register data, and data from wearables with all kinds of measurements you could possibly imagine. So, the healthcare field is the data playground of the future.” - Ostrowski

“We want people to understand the challenges involved and how collaboration and technological innovation is the key to shaping the future of healthcare.” - Sævarsdóttir

Explore the Course: Personalised Medicine from a Nordic Perspective