Large cohort studies: Success factors and methods

NorthPop Scientific Conference, 5-6 February 2026

The conference is now closed. A warm thanks to all our particpants!


How can we build sustainable large cohort studies and utilize them to generate impactful research results?
At this conference, successful examples from around the world will be presented. 

Umeå University and Region Västerbotten are internationally acknowledged for cohort studies in older adults and with the new NorthPop cohort, we now have  a cohort of 10 000 children and their young adult parents. How can we work together to become even stronger in this field?

New research methodologies in cohort studies will be discussed, including digital wearables, exposome approaches, advanced causal inference methods and machine learning. Further, ethical and legal considerations will be discussed and research facilites will be presented. 

We have a great scientific program and we welcome researchers, post docs and PhD students interested in cohort studies, epidemiology, public health and specific environmental/lifestyle exposures and health outcomes.

We welcome all PhD students, post docs and other researchers to submit abstracts relating to cohort studies
– this is a great opportunity to share and discuss with collegues in an informal setting

Registration is closed.

 

Day 1

12:00 - 13:00 Registration and lunch
Networking opportunity

 13:00 - 13:10 Opening remarks
Introduction and welcome

13:10 - 14:45 Large cohort studies: potential and success factors.

13:10 – 13:40 The ALSPAC cohort, UK
Nicholas Timpson, Professor of Genetic Epidemiology, University of Bristol

13:40 – 14:00 The NSHDS cohort, Sweden
Bethany van Guelpen, Professor and oncologist, Umeå University

14:00 – 14:20 The NorthPop cohort, Sweden
Magnus Domellöf, Professor of pediatrics, Umeå University
Christina West, Professor of pediatrics, Umeå University

14:20 – 14:45 Panel discussion.

14:45 - 15:15 Coffee Break

15:15 - 16:00 NorthPop reaching recruitment target – early results.

  • NorthPop early signals: How diet, antibiotics and pandemic exposure shape early food allergy risk and respiratory health
    Christina West, Professor of pediatrics, Umeå University
  • Early lifestyle exposures and health outcomes – from physical activity to screen time
    Magnus Domellöf, Professor of pediatrics, Umeå University
  • Environment and lifestyle during pregnancy: effects on epigenetic patterns and later health
    Sophia Harlid, Research fellow, Umeå University
  • Oral Health and Hidden Patterns: Exploring microbiome and inequality in NorthPop Families
    Pernilla Lif Holgerson, Associate professor Odontology, Umeå University

16:00 - 17:30 Building a sustainable cohort research infrastructure.
Moderators: Magnus Domellöf & Christina West
Panel discussion: Success factors and challenges, incl presentation of cohort data.

Magnus Domellöf, Christina West, Simon Haworth, Bethany van Guelpen,Ulrica Bergström (Strategy O??icer for University Healthcare, Region Västerbotten), Katrine Riklund (Dean, Medical Faculty, Umeå University

18:00 - Networking/reception/mingle at P5 

19:00 - Dinner at P5

 

Day 2 Focus on methods for cohort studies and poster walk

08:00 - 08:30  Coffee
Informal discussions and networking

08:30 - 08:45 Opening Remarks
Welcome
Special focus on supporting PhD students and early-career researchers

08:45 - 10:30 Research Methodologies in cohort studies.

08:45 - 09:20 How to use AI in cohort studies.
Patrik Rydén, Professor of Mathematical Statistics, Umeå University

09:20 - 09:55 Innovative study designs and analysis methods for data-driven precision medicine.
Paul Franks, Professor of Genetic Epidemiology, Lund University 

09:55 - 10:30 Examples of successful application of methods in cohort studies.
Simon Haworth, Consultant Senior Lecturer in Dental and Maxillofacial Radiology, University of Bristol

10:30 - 11:30 Coffee Break and poster walk.

11:30 - 12:45 Facilities and support for cohort studies.

11:30 - 11:50  Hot topics in the freezer.
Sara Rebbling, Head of Biobanken norr, Region Västerbotten

11:50 - 12:10 Children and pregnant women as research participants – ethical considerations.
Kalle Grill, Associate professor Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies, Umeå University

12:10 - 12:30 How are GDPR regulations and the handling of sensitive personal data addressed?
Rebecka Seton, Lawyer and Data Protection Officer, Region Västerbotten

12:30 - 12:45 Clinical research support.
Anna Ramnemark, Head of Clinical research center, Region Västerbotten
Marie Lindvall & Stina Segerstedt-Clode, Pediatric Research Nurses

12.45 - 13.00  Prize for best poster.

13:00 - 14:00  Lunch
Informal discussions and networking