Kristine Bakke Westergaard

Kristine Bakke Westergaard is an Associate Professor at the Department of Natural History, NTNU University Museum. She holds a PhD from UiT The Arctic University of Norway (2010) and has extensive experience from the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), where she remains a scientific advisor. Her research focuses on biogeography, plant systematics, conservation genetics, and invasive species in Arctic, alpine, and boreal ecosystems.

Her work integrates field studies, herbarium data, and genetic approaches to address questions about species dispersal, historical biogeography, and conservation strategies. Key projects include phylogenomics of Carex sect. scirpinae, ecological impact assessments of alien species in Norway, and studies on Arctic greening and soil development under climate change.

Her publications span topics such as flowering phenology shifts, Arctic invasive species dynamics, and genomic tools for ecological restoration. She collaborates internationally on projects like the Biodiversa-funded Asics initiative (2021–2025) and ETH+ (2021–2025). Her research emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, combining vegetation ecology, bioinformatics, and AI to tackle complex environmental challenges.

• Education: PhD in Botany (2010), UiT The Arctic University of Norway
• Roles: Curator of vascular plants at the NTNU University Museum Herbarium TRH
• Key Projects:
  • Phylogenomics of Carex scirpinae
  • Arctic Greening – Soil Resources (ETH+)
  • Cold Region Invasions (Asics)

Her outreach activities include popular science writing and advocacy for Arctic conservation, emphasizing public engagement with environmental issues.