Find Academic Supervisors

Christina Gjestvang is an Associate Professor at the Department of Sports Medicine, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences. She earned her PhD in 2022 from the same institution, researching fitness clubs as public health venues. With 23 peer-reviewed publications and over 50 invited presentations, she received the institution's research communication award in 2020. She maintains 17+ years of practical experience as a fitness instructor and chairs the Norwegian Association of Exercise Physiologists. Her research focuses on: Fitness club industry dynamics and member behaviors Exercise initiation/adherence mechanisms Women's health including pregnancy exercise Body image and mental health in fitness contexts Public health interventions through physical activity Publication analysis reveals consistent themes in exercise psychology, public health implementation, and fitness industry studies. Recent work emphasizes digital health interventions, pregnancy physiology, and disordered eating in fitness environments. Awards: Norwegian School of Sport Sciences Research Communication Award (2020) As chairman of the Norwegian Association of Exercise Physiologists, she promotes professional standards for exercise-based health interventions. Her extensive industry experience informs both research and teaching in exercise prescription methodologies.

• Exercise Science
• Public Health
• Sports Medicine
• +4 more

Ulrik Wisløff is a Professor and Head of the Cardiac Exercise Research Group (CERG) at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging. He also holds an Honorary Professorship at the University of Queensland, Australia, and serves as Head of Physical Performance at Rosenborg FC. His research focuses on exercise physiology, translating experimental findings into clinical applications, and developing health technologies like the PAI (Personal Activity Intelligence) metric. Wisløff leads CERG, a 55-member group renowned for groundbreaking studies on exercise in cardiovascular health, aging, and disease prevention. He has authored over 340 peer-reviewed papers, with 127,000+ citations, and been recognized as one of the world's top-cited exercise scientists. Key achievements include the Fitness Calculator (used by 80.5 million people) and PAI, a free app with 70 million users worldwide. Current projects include NorEx (9,700 patients with myocardial infarction) and ExPlas (Alzheimer’s cognitive function trials). Wisløff has mentored 22 postdocs and 38 PhD students, advancing the next generation of researchers. His leadership extends to innovative ventures like the 'My Medical Digital Twin' project, spun into Mia Health Ltd. Scientific contributions span exercise physiology, cardiovascular risk prediction, and high-intensity training efficacy. Awards include Norway’s highest honor in heart research (2020). Research spans molecules-to-society translational medicine, emphasizing global health impact through physical activity advocacy.

• Exercise Physiology
• Cardiovascular Health
• Exercise as Medicine
• +3 more

Jan Helgerud is a Professor in the Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. His research focuses on exercise physiology, endurance training, and cardiovascular health, with particular emphasis on aerobic capacity, muscle strength, and their clinical applications in chronic diseases and rehabilitation. Research Interests: Exercise physiology and its impact on health and disease High-intensity interval training (HIIT) adaptations in athletes and clinical populations Cardiovascular and metabolic responses to exercise Strength training in patients with rheumatic diseases, Parkinson's disease, and spinal cord injuries Physiological determinants of endurance performance in sports like cycling and cross-country skiing Recent Article Trends: Recent work emphasizes the efficacy of high-intensity training protocols for improving aerobic capacity (VO2max) and functional outcomes in diverse populations, including elite athletes and patients with long-term conditions like long-COVID or rheumatic diseases. Studies also explore mechanisms of muscle adaptation, heat tolerance in occupational settings, and digital health tools for exercise assessment. Advising & Grants: Collaborations with colleagues on randomized controlled trials for strength and endurance interventions Focus on translational research linking physiological insights to clinical outcomes Labs/Teams: Active in NTNU's Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, contributing to interdisciplinary projects in sports science and rehabilitation medicine.

• Exercise Physiology
• Endurance Training
• Cardiovascular Health
• +3 more

Eva Gerdts is a Professor at the Clinical Institute 2, University of Bergen, and is affiliated with Haukeland University Hospital. She is a Member of the Norwegian Academy of Sciences and leads the Bergen Hypertension and Cardiac Dynamics Group. Her work is central to the Center for Research on Heart Disease in Women, established in 2020 with support from the Heart Foundation, Bergen Women's Health Association, and the Grieg Foundation. University: University of Bergen Affiliation: Clinical Institute 2 Research Group: Hypertension and Cardiac Dynamics Center: Center for Research on Heart Disease in Women Email: eva.gerdts@uib.no Her research focuses on heart disease in women , particularly as influenced by hypertension, aortic valve stenosis, obesity, and autoimmune diseases. She investigates sex-specific differences in cardiac strain, arterial stiffness, and myocardial remodeling. Her work emphasizes how male-based data cannot be extrapolated to women, advocating for gender-specific cardiovascular guidelines. Her recent publications span population studies like the Tromsø and Hordaland Health Surveys, clinical trials, and international collaborations. Key trends include sex differences in hypertension outcomes , cardiac effects of bariatric surgery , cryptogenic stroke in young adults , and inflammatory markers in autoimmune diseases . Her research integrates echocardiography, longitudinal data, and public health implications. Scientific recognition includes: Member of the Norwegian Academy of Sciences National Heart Association's Heart Research Prize 2022 She supervises multiple PhD and Master’s students, including Ester Kringeland, Sahrai Saeed, and Arleen Aune. She leads the PhD course NORHEART901 in Cardiovascular Imaging and teaches in medical education on hypertension, cardiac ultrasound, and women's heart health. Her research is supported by large-scale population studies and clinical collaborations, particularly through the NOR-SYS and SECRETO projects. She also organizes professional education on valvular disease and dyspnea. She leads or collaborates with several research teams: Bergen Hypertension and Cardiac Dynamics Group Center for Research on Heart Disease in Women NOR-SYS (Norwegian Stroke in the Young Study) SECRETO (Searching for Explanations for Cryptogenic Stroke in the Young) FATCOR Study (Fitness, Adiposity, and Cardiovascular Risk)

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Hypertension
• Heart Disease in Women
• +7 more

Christian Helland serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sport and Social Sciences at the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences (NIH). Additionally, he works as a consultant in the strength department at Olympiatoppen (the Norwegian Olympic Training Center), where he is responsible for physical training programs for beach volleyball, para table tennis, and rowing athletes. Christian holds a master's degree from the Institute of Physical Performance and has been engaged in both practical and theoretical lecturing since 2012. His professional background includes competing as a beach volleyball player at the World Tour level since 2014, which provides him with valuable practical experience to complement his academic work. Dr. Helland's research focuses on optimizing athletic performance through scientific approaches to physical training. His work examines strength development, jump and sprint performance metrics, tendon mechanics, and recovery processes in elite athletes. His research has significant practical applications for coaches and athletes seeking to improve performance while minimizing injury risk. His publication record demonstrates a strong focus on force-velocity profiling, strength and power testing methodologies, and the physiological responses to different training modalities. A recurring theme in his work is the comparison of different training approaches and assessment methods, particularly examining how strength-oriented versus power-oriented training affects recovery needs and performance outcomes. His research often involves collaborations with other leading sports scientists across Norway and internationally. Christian teaches courses in volleyball, coaching methodologies, sports psychology, and sports practice for children and youth. His practical experience as an elite athlete informs his teaching approach, bridging theoretical knowledge with real-world application.

• Physical Training
• Strength Training
• Athlete Testing
• +4 more

Maria Sydnes serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Technology and Security at UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø. Her academic work focuses on emergency management and organizational resilience within high-risk Arctic environments, with particular emphasis on maritime safety and cross-border crisis coordination between Norway and Russia. Her research interests span interorganizational coordination during emergencies, organizational learning for resilience building, and practical applications of lean production principles in crisis contexts. She investigates Arctic-specific challenges including avalanche response in Longyearbyen, oil spill management in polar waters, and integration of unorganized volunteers into formal emergency systems, consistently addressing the intersection of climate change impacts and security vulnerabilities. Analysis of her publication record reveals a strong trend toward interdisciplinary solutions for Arctic safety, with recurring themes of Norwegian-Russian cooperation, maritime risk assessment, and adaptive governance structures. Her work bridges theoretical frameworks with real-world case studies—from Svalbard waters to the Barents Sea—demonstrating practical approaches to disaster risk reduction in extreme environments. Dr. Sydnes actively participates in multiple research initiatives including the Climate Change Adaptation and Secure Societies groups. Her current projects encompass Co-producing knowledge about risk and safety of maritime activities around Svalbard SPRICE (spray icing modelling for maritime decision support) GLOBSEC (North-South security partnerships) NoCoU (civil security for Norwegian communities) Beredt! (risk-based governance for climate-driven natural hazards) highlighting her commitment to scalable, community-focused security solutions in vulnerable Arctic regions.

• Emergency Management
• Crisis Response
• Organizational Resilience
• +4 more

Shao-Fang Wen is an Associate Professor at the Department of Information Security and Communication Technology, Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). Their work focuses on integrating artificial intelligence with cybersecurity, secure software development, and socio-technical systems. Research Interests: Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity Secure Software Development Semantic Web and Ontology Socio-Technical Systems System Security Assurance Publications and Contributions: Shao-Fang Wen has contributed significantly to developing frameworks for AI security assurance, quantitative security evaluation models (e.g., SAEOn metamodel), and contextualized learning systems for software security. Their work spans journal articles, conference papers, and book chapters, emphasizing ontology-based approaches and open source community dynamics. Teaching: IIKG2001 - Software Security

• Artificial Intelligence
• Knowledge Management
• Secure Software Development
• +3 more

Heidi Johansen-Berg is Pro-Vice Chancellor (Strategic Initiatives) at the University of Oxford and Associate Head (Research and Innovation) in the Medical Sciences Division. She holds a Professorship in Cognitive Neuroscience and a Wellcome Principal Research Fellowship at the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, where she leads the Plasticity Group at the Oxford Centre for Functional MRI of the Brain (FMRIB). Her research centers on neuroplasticity mechanisms in the sensorimotor system, with emphasis on white matter plasticity, activity-dependent myelination, and implications for stroke rehabilitation and age-related brain decline. She integrates multimodal neuroimaging with behavioral studies to investigate how the brain adapts to learning, experience, and damage, translating findings into therapeutic interventions for neurological conditions. Recent publications reveal strong thematic trends in sleep-motor interactions post-stroke, exercise-induced neuroprotection in aging and adolescence, and experience-dependent white matter remodeling. Her work demonstrates how physical activity modulates brain structure-function relationships across the lifespan, with direct applications for neurorehabilitation protocols. Scientific recognition includes: Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences (FMedSci) Wellcome Principal Research Fellowship Professor Johansen-Berg directs the WIN Plasticity Group and co-leads the WIN Neuroplastics Network and Oxford University Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging (OxCIN). Her research program drives translational initiatives in stroke recovery and brain health maintenance, with ongoing projects examining digital sleep therapies, myelin dynamics, and exercise neuroscience through large-scale clinical trials and advanced imaging methodologies.

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Neuroplasticity
• +3 more

Anne-Sofie Helvik is a Professor at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) within the Department of Public Health and Nursing . Her research focuses on quality of life, coping mechanisms, aging, impairment, and disabilities, with a particular emphasis on older adults. Email: anne-sofie.helvik@ntnu.no Location: Øya Helsehus, 153.03.001, Øya, Håkon Jarls gate 11 Her work spans multiple domains: Health Promotion: Central to her research is improving health outcomes in older populations. Substance Misuse: Investigates alcohol and drug use among older adults and its impact on health. Mental Health: Studies depression, pain, and dementia in aging populations. Sensory Function: Explores olfactory and hearing impairments in older adults. Healthcare Systems: Evaluates treatment, care, and postoperative follow-up in both pediatric and geriatric contexts. Her methodological approach combines both quantitative and qualitative research , with a strong emphasis on longitudinal studies and population-based analyses. Currently, she supervises two doctoral students: Heidi Sivertsen – Researching depression among older community residents. Ingrid Torvik Heian – Investigating olfactory functioning. Her research unit, Allmennmedisinsk Forsknings Enhet (AFE) , focuses on aging and health in older adults, accessible via NTNU’s aging and health page.

• Quality of Life
• Coping Mechanisms
• Aging and Health
• +12 more

Øyvind Kirkevold is a Professor at the Department of Health Sciences Gjøvik at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). He also holds research roles at the National Center for Aging and Health at Vestfold Hospital HF and the Department of Geriatric Psychiatry at Innlandet Hospital HF. Research interests include geriatric psychiatry, aging, dementia, physical performance in older adults, home care service interventions, and resource planning in healthcare. His work emphasizes qualitative methodologies, geriatric assessment, and improving care for frail elderly populations. Recent publications focus on meaning in life for dementia patients, physical performance in prostate cancer survivors, crisis prevention for frail individuals, geriatric assessment interventions, and resource planning using the Nursing Activities Score. These studies span geriatric psychiatry, oncology, and healthcare logistics. Scientific awards : 2012 - Andrus Viidik Prize 2004 - Leon Jarner Research Prize Projects include active initiatives like screening for delirium, assessing consent capacity, prostate surgery outcomes, and completed projects on minority elder care. He collaborates with institutions such as Innlandet Hospital HF, Oslo University Hospital, and the National Center for Aging and Health.

• Geriatric Psychiatry
• Aging
• Health Sciences
• +6 more

Hilde Moseby Berge serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Sports Medicine at the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences. She is actively engaged in research and clinical work focused on sports medicine, particularly in the areas of sports cardiology and Para athlete health. Her contact information indicates ongoing institutional affiliation with direct lines for professional communication. Dr. Berge's research interests center on cardiovascular health in athletes, with particular emphasis on sudden cardiac arrest prevention, ECG interpretation in sports settings, and health monitoring systems for elite athletes. Her work spans both Olympic and Paralympic populations, with significant contributions to understanding injury and illness patterns among these athletes. She has developed expertise in periodic health evaluations and has led initiatives to improve cardiac emergency response in sports settings, particularly through projects like ParaFRISK and YoungParaFRISK. Analysis of her publication record reveals consistent focus on cardiovascular incidents in sports, particularly examining the limitations of cardiac screening programs and the prevalence of cardiac events even among athletes with previously negative screening results. Her more recent work has expanded to include comprehensive health monitoring systems for Paralympic athletes and community-based interventions to improve survival from cardiac events in sports settings. Her research bridges clinical practice with epidemiological investigation, contributing significantly to evidence-based approaches in sports medicine. Dr. Berge maintains active collaborations with key researchers in sports medicine including Kathrin Steffen, Benjamin Clarsen, and Roald Bahr. Her work has contributed to national health monitoring programs for Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic athletes, with longitudinal data collection spanning multiple Games cycles. She appears to be involved in practical implementation of health services during major sporting events, as indicated by her publications related to preparation for the Tokyo and Paris Games.

• Sports Cardiology
• Cardiovascular Incidents in Athletes
• Paralympic Athlete Health
• +4 more

Hilde Stokvold Gundersen serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Sport, Food and Natural Sciences at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL). Her academic position is based at the Bergen KRONSTAD campus where her office is located in room L215. She maintains an active research profile with multiple publications in 2024 across various sports science domains. Dr. Gundersen's research interests span multiple critical areas in sports science, with particular focus on adolescent development in athletic contexts, strength training methodologies, and aquatic safety education. Her work bridges theoretical sports science with practical applications in educational settings, especially in primary school physical education programs. She demonstrates expertise in examining physiological development markers like bone age and their relationship to athletic performance metrics. Analysis of her 2024 publications reveals a strong emphasis on practical applications of sports science research. Her work addresses gender-specific training considerations, developmental physiology in youth athletes, and safety education in aquatic environments. The publications appear in both Norwegian-language educational resources and international scientific journals including the Journal of Applied Physiology and Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, indicating both national and international scholarly impact. While specific awards are not mentioned in the available information, her publication record demonstrates active scholarly contribution to the field of sports science. Her collaborative work with researchers across different institutions suggests integration within broader research networks in exercise physiology and sports pedagogy.

• Sports Science
• Exercise Physiology
• Strength Training
• +4 more

Stig Arve Sæther is a Professor of Sports Science at the Department of Sociology and Political Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Faculty of Social and Educational Sciences. His research focuses on talent development, elite sports, and sports psychology, with specific emphasis on transitions from junior to senior elite, stress, perfectionism, and coach-athlete relationships. He leads the research group Skill and Performance Development in Sports and School (SPDSS) and the NTNU Sports Network. Primary research areas: Talent development environments, dual careers, relative age effects, and athlete stress Ongoing projects: Female athlete development, Norwegian football club mergers, international youth football environments, senior transitions in school sports, and destructive leadership in sports Collaborations: Rosenborg Ball Club, Kristiansund Ball Club (NEAS Academy), Norwegian Handball Association, Norwegian Ice Hockey Association Editor-in-Chief: Scandinavian Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology His recent research explores gender differences in talent environments (handball/ice hockey), parental impacts on biathlon transitions, and communication barriers around menstrual cycles in female football. With 60+ international journal articles and multiple books, his work bridges academic rigor and practical sports insights. Media presence spans 200+ TV/radio/podcast appearances (TV2 Sporten, NRK, GameChanger) and newspapers (Wall Street Journal, Aftenposten). Key students include Max Bergström (PhD) and 46+ master’s graduates. Awards not explicitly mentioned, but his editorial and research group leadership highlight institutional recognition.

• Talent development
• Elite sports
• Sports psychology
• +7 more

Lars Engebretsen is a Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Oslo and Head of Medical Sciences at the International Olympic Committee (IOC). He holds academic roles including Professor Emeritus at the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences and co-chair of the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center. His expertise spans sports medicine, knee ligaments, cartilage repair, and injury prevention, with a citation index H-index of 118. Education: M.D. from University of Oslo (1979), Ph.D. in Medicine from University of Trondheim (1990). Professional Experience: Past roles include Professor and Divisional Chief at Oslo Orthopaedic University Clinic, President of the European Society of Sports Traumatology and Arthroscopy (ESSKA), and leadership in ISAKOS and AOSSM. He has supervised over 30 PhD students in orthopaedics and sports medicine. Research Contributions: Pioneered cartilage transplantation in Norway, led translational research in chondrocyte and stem cell therapies, and established the Norwegian Knee Ligament Registry. His work emphasizes prevention of sports injuries and osteoarthritis outcomes post-ACL reconstruction. Awards & Honors: AOSSM Hall of Fame (2015), ESSKA Honorary Membership (2016), Nordic Medicine Prize (2016), and ISAKOS Honorary Membership (2017). Recognized globally for contributions to sports medicine and orthopaedic research. Labs & Collaborations: Leads the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center, collaborating with institutions like the Steadman Philippon Research Institute and Sanford Clinic. Active in registries and international consensus initiatives on injury prevention and surgical techniques.

• Sports Medicine
• Orthopedic Surgery
• Knee Ligaments
• +4 more

Stephen Birch serves as an Honorary Professor within the Department of Health and exercise at the School of Health Sciences, Kristiania University of Applied Sciences, contributing to academic leadership and research initiatives in health-related disciplines. His scholarly focus centers on Health Sciences, Exercise Science, and Public Health, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to wellness, physical activity interventions, and population health outcomes. Research spans clinical exercise physiology, preventive healthcare strategies, and evidence-based health promotion frameworks applicable across diverse demographic contexts. While specific advising records and grant details remain unreported in available materials, his honorary appointment signifies sustained impact in health education and research collaboration within Scandinavia's academic landscape. The position reflects recognition of expertise without active teaching obligations, aligning with institutional knowledge-sharing objectives.

• Health Sciences
• Exercise Science
• Public Health