Frank Karlsen

Frank Karlsen is a full Professor in the Department of Microsystems at the Faculty of Technology, Natural Sciences and Maritime Sciences, University of South-Eastern Norway (USN), Campus Vestfold. Appointed full Professor in 2010 after serving as Professor II since 2006, he has over 35 years of expertise in molecular methods development spanning clinical microbiology, virology, and biotechnology applications.

His educational foundation includes a PhD from Oslo University Hospital (1998) with thesis "Analysis of Human Papillomavirus in Intraepithelial neoplasia and carcinoma of the cervix uteri". Career milestones encompass founding NorChip/PreTect AS (1999-2010), initiating USN's involvement in SFI CtrlAQUA (2014), and pioneering closed-containment aquaculture filtration systems since 1987.

Research focuses on molecular diagnostics innovation, highlighted by mRNA-based cervical pre-cancer detection (earning the 2003 Reodor prize) and point-of-care lab-on-a-chip systems for RNA diagnostics. His aquaculture technology contributions include biofilm filter development and a 2009 co-invented refining technology currently in production. Current projects involve commercializing POCNAD cartridges with Horten-based manufacturers for aquaculture and healthcare applications.

Scientific awards:

• Innovation Norway gold prize Reodor (2003) for mRNA method enabling direct cervical pre-cancer detection

Advising and grants: Supervised numerous PhD/Master's students including Nhut Tran-Minth (recent thesis defense) and Cosmas Muyabwa (Kenya cervical screening project). Led 14+ international projects funded by Norwegian Research Council, European Commission, Statoil, and Innovation Norway, with significant involvement in DR Congo research (2003-2005) published in British Journal of Cancer (2010).

Labs and teams: Core contributor to SFI CtrlAQUA research center; collaborates with Oslofjord Ressurspark (co-founded), Horten production facilities for diagnostic cartridges, and Sande-based company manufacturing his refining technology. Maintains active industry partnerships across aquaculture and medical diagnostics sectors.