Karl Albert Brokstad

Professor Karl Albert Brokstad is a distinguished immunologist and virologist at the Department of Safety, Chemistry and Bioengineering at the University of Bergen, Norway. His research focuses on understanding immune responses to infections and vaccines, particularly related to influenza and SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19). He has extensive experience leading clinical studies across all phases (I-IV) and contributes significantly to the field of vaccinology and immunological research.

Education:

• Cand.Mag. and Cand. Scient. in Microbiology, University of Bergen
• Dr. Scient. in Virology and Immunology, University of Bergen
• Postdoctoral Researcher in Molecular Biology, Virology and Immunology, University of Bergen

Professor Brokstad's research centers on the immunological mechanisms triggered by infections and vaccinations, with particular emphasis on identifying biomarkers of immune response, improving vaccine efficacy, and developing optimized vaccination strategies. His work investigates how the immune system responds differently across age groups and how pre-existing immunity influences vaccine effectiveness. His expertise spans both theoretical immunology and practical clinical applications, making significant contributions to understanding immune responses to respiratory viruses.

Analysis of his recent publications (2022-2025) reveals a strong research trajectory focused on SARS-CoV-2 immunology and influenza vaccinology. His work consistently examines age-related differences in immune responses, comparative vaccine effectiveness between different vaccine platforms, and the development of advanced in vitro models for studying respiratory infections. He has made substantial contributions to understanding immune senescence in elderly populations and how this impacts vaccine responses.

Professor Brokstad has led and participated in numerous clinical studies (phases I-IV) related to influenza and SARS-CoV-2. His research has been supported by various grants focusing on pandemic preparedness, vaccine development, and understanding immune responses in different demographic groups. He has mentored numerous students and researchers in the field of immunology and virology.

He is actively involved with several research entities including the Influenza Center at the University of Bergen, the Microbiology Research Group at Clinical Institute 2, and the Bergen Covid-19 Research Group. These affiliations provide him with robust infrastructure for conducting cutting-edge research on viral infections and immune responses.