Rate My Professor Rikke Louise Meyer

Rikke Louise Meyer is Professor at the Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Faculty of Natural Sciences, where she serves as Head of the Biofilm Group. She also holds associate professor positions at the Department of Biology and at WATEC, Aarhus University Centre for Water Technology. Holding a PhD in Microbiology, her research focuses on elucidating the biological mechanisms underlying bacterial biofilm formation to prevent their development or devise superior treatment approaches. The Biofilm Group examines how bacteria adhere to implant surfaces and other cells through key biomolecules, investigating genes in species like Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Employing molecular microbiology alongside biophysical methods—such as confocal laser scanning microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and single-cell force spectroscopy—her team characterizes cell surface properties, visualizes biofilms, and measures interaction forces. Many projects emphasize practical applications, partnering with industry leaders including Alfa Laval, Accoat, Grundfos, Eurofins, Arla, Foss, DNA Diagnostic, Biomodics, and DuPont to create antifouling surfaces for water systems, nanoparticle-delivered antimicrobials for biofilm infections, and natural preservatives for food safety.

Professor Meyer's contributions have earned her election as a member of the Royal Danish Academy of Sciences and Letters in 2024, the ST Industrial Collaboration Award in 2019, and the L'Oréal For Women in Science grant in 2007. Her work has garnered over 16,500 citations, reflecting substantial influence in microbiology and nanobiotechnology. Key publications include 'The house that Kocuria built: A potential role for functional amyloid in the unique cube-based structure of K. varians biofilms' (Otzen et al., Microbe, 2026), '[18F]Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography for diagnosis and monitoring of acute Staphylococcus aureus vascular graft infection in a rat model' (Faddy et al., 2026), 'Broad-Spectrum Antimicrobial Treatment Targeted Through Drug Conjugation to Vancomycin' (Dybtved et al., 2026), and 'The Effect of Enzymes on Dental Plaque: A Randomized Controlled Trial' (Rikvold et al., 2026). She previously served on the Danish University Extension committee from 2016 to 2022.