Asgeir Johannessen

Asgeir Johannessen serves as Professor II at the University of Oslo's Faculty of Medicine and Department of Clinical Medicine, while also holding positions as Deputy Director of the Center for Global Health and Senior Consultant at the Department of Infectious Diseases, Vestfold Hospital. With a medical degree from UiO in 2000 and PhD in 2011 focused on HIV/AIDS treatment in rural Tanzania, he has established himself as a leading expert in viral hepatitis and infectious diseases with particular focus on African healthcare contexts.

His research interests span viral hepatitis (particularly HBV), HIV/AIDS, infectious diseases, and global health with emphasis on resource-limited settings. Johannessen has developed expertise in simplified monitoring tools for infectious diseases, building on his doctoral work on dried blood spot technology for HIV monitoring in Tanzania. His current research focuses on hepatitis B epidemiology, treatment strategies, and diagnostic approaches across Africa, with significant contributions to understanding mother-to-child transmission, treatment eligibility criteria, and disease progression in chronic hepatitis.

Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals a strong focus on hepatitis B research in African contexts, with particular emphasis on Ethiopia. His work spans epidemiological studies, clinical trials, diagnostic evaluations, and implementation research aimed at improving hepatitis care in resource-limited settings. Notable contributions include development of the HEPSANET score for treatment eligibility, evaluation of birth-dose vaccination strategies, and machine learning approaches to predict disease progression.

Johannessen has also contributed to major international efforts including the WHO Solidarity trials during the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrating his broad expertise across infectious disease domains. His collaborative approach is evident in numerous multi-country studies involving African researchers and international partners.

As Deputy Director of the Center for Global Health, he plays a significant leadership role in advancing global health research and capacity building. His clinical work as a Senior Consultant in Infectious Diseases at Vestfold Hospital connects his academic research with practical patient care, particularly for migrant populations with infectious diseases.