Ken Haste Andersen

Ken Haste Andersen is a Professor and Head of the Section for Ocean Life at the National Institute of Aquatic Resources (DTU Aqua), Technical University of Denmark. He is a leading researcher in marine ecosystem modeling and ocean life dynamics, with extensive contributions to theoretical and applied marine ecology.

Research Interests: His work centers on trait-based and size spectrum modeling of marine ecosystems, food web structure, fish community dynamics, and the impacts of climate change and fisheries on marine biodiversity. He investigates biogeochemical cycling, marine carbon sequestration, and nitrogen fixation, with a strong emphasis on integrating empirical data with mechanistic models. His research supports UN Sustainable Development Goals related to life below water and climate action.

Recent Research Trends: His latest publications reflect an interdisciplinary focus on developing and applying computational models (e.g., FEISTY, NUM) to understand marine ecosystem functioning. Themes include integrating fish models with biogeochemistry, trait-based plankton dynamics, temperature effects on fish growth, and cephalopod biogeography. These works highlight a trend toward scalable, mechanistic models that incorporate functional traits and size-based interactions across trophic levels.

Scientific Awards:

• No specific awards mentioned in the text.

Advising and Grants: He actively supervises PhD students, including Y. Zhao, A. Kandylas, and A. Rosén, and serves as main or co-supervisor on multiple projects. He leads significant research initiatives such as NECCTON (New Copernicus capability for trophic ocean networks) and projects on fish carbon cycling and metabolic scaling. His grants involve collaboration with international partners and focus on climate change impacts, fisheries modeling, and marine biodiversity.

Labs and Teams: He leads the Section for Ocean Life at DTU Aqua and is part of the Centre for Ocean Life and DTU Microbes Initiative. His team conducts cutting-edge research in theoretical ecology, marine modeling, and microbial oceanography, often collaborating across disciplines and institutions.