Geir Johnsen

Geir Johnsen is a Professor at the Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), with a part-time research position (Prof II) at the University Centre on Svalbard (UNIS). He is also a co-founder of the NTNU spin-off company Ecotone, which develops optical techniques for marine environmental mapping. Currently, he is on a one-year research stay at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, focusing on spectral bioluminescence in marine taxa and coral reef monitoring.

• University: Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)
• Department: Department of Biology
• Additional Roles: Prof II at UNIS, Co-founder of Ecotone

Research Areas: Marine ecology, bio-optics, photosynthesis, pigment chemotaxonomy, underwater robotics, and sensor development for in situ identification of marine biogeochemical objects. His work integrates autonomous systems for Arctic polar night studies, coral reef mapping, and microplastics analysis.

Scientific Output: Over 130 peer-reviewed papers, book co-editorships, and leadership in the Centre of Excellence (AMOS) for autonomous marine systems. Key 2025-2024 publications address climate change in the Arctic, hyperspectral marine mapping, microplastics detection, and photophysiological studies in polar regions.

• Advising: 3 MSc and 5 PhD students (total 47 MSc and 17 PhD advisees)
• Outreach: Public articles on deep-sea mining ethics, light pollution in the Arctic, and marine robotics.