Jan G. Bjaalie

Jan G. Bjaalie is Professor of Neuroinformatics and Dean of Research and Innovation at the University of Oslo Faculty of Medicine. Since 2023 he heads the faculty’s research and innovation strategy, while directing the Neural Systems and Graphics Computing Laboratory at the Institute of Basic Medical Sciences.

Education:

• 1990 Ph.D. in Neuroanatomy, University of Oslo
• 1986 M.D., University of Oslo

Research interests revolve around collaborative and open neuroscience, digital brain atlasing, and the cyber-infrastructures that enable data sharing. He leads efforts to build next-generation atlases that integrate multi-scale brain architecture and connectivity data, and to develop ontologies and FAIR-compliant platforms for global neuroscience.

Recent work emphasizes in silico integration of rodent and human imaging datasets, leveraging machine-learning registration tools and cloud-based services such as EBRAINS. The goal is to transform how brain data are stored, visualised and reused across laboratories worldwide.

Scientific output & impact: A scan of publications from 2023-2025 reveals a strong focus on digital atlas frameworks, automated image registration (DeepSlice, DeMBA), open data standards (AtOM ontology), and large-scale analyses of genetic influences on brain structure in Alzheimer’s models. These works collectively advance reproducible, high-throughput neuroanatomy and cross-species translation.

Grants & leadership roles:

• Coordinator/Partner in EU Flagships EBRAINS 2.0, BRAIN Health, Human Brain Project (2013-2026)
• Infrastructure Director, Human Brain Project (2018-2023)
• Leader of Neuroinformatics Platform & EBRAINS Data Services (2017-2023)
• Head of Institute of Basic Medical Sciences (2009-2016)
• Executive Director, International Neuroinformatics Coordinating Facility (INCF) (2006-2008)
• Chair, International Brain Initiative (2021-)

Editorial & governance service: Founding Chief Editor Frontiers in Neuroinformatics (2007-), Section Editor Brain Structure and Function (2002-2020), member of the INCF Governing Board and EBRAINS AISBL Management Board, and numerous international advisory panels on data governance and ethics.

His laboratory hosts the Norwegian Neuroinformatics Node and collaborates closely with global consortia to deliver open-access atlases, software pipelines and FAIR data standards that underpin modern neuroscience.