Lise Øvreås

Lise Øvreås is a Professor in Geomicrobiology at the Department of Biology, University of Bergen, with a distinguished career spanning over two decades. She serves as President of the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters (since 2022), Academic Director of Ocean Sustainability Bergen (2019-2022), and Dean of Research at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (2010-2014). Her interdisciplinary research bridges microbiology, ecology, mathematics, and computer science.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Microbiology (Dr.Scient), University of Bergen (1998)
• Pedagogic Exam in Instructional Theory and Practice, University of Bergen (1992)
• Master of Science in Microbiology (Cand. Scient.), University of Bergen (1991)
• Bioengineer (authorized), Fysiokjemikerhøgskolen in Bergen (1986)

Her research focuses on microbial genetic diversity, population dynamics, and biodiversity regulation in Arctic ecosystems and deep-sea hydrothermal vents. She investigates how microbial communities adapt to environmental stressors like climate change and gradients in salinity/pH. Her work emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to understanding microbial ecology.

Lise Øvreås has published 94 scientific articles (Google Scholar), including several highly cited papers on microbial ecology. Her research contributes to global understanding of microbial biodiversity in extreme environments.

Scientific Honours:

• Nansen Minneforelsening (2020)
• Fulbright Arctic Chair (2012)
• Multiple symposium awards (1993-2002)
• President of Norwegian Academy of Sciences and Letters (2022)
• Member of Norwegian Academy of Technological Sciences (since 2014)
• International working group memberships (Royal Society, NCEAS)

She has supervised 30 master’s students, 14 PhD graduates, and 7 postdocs, demonstrating her commitment to academic mentorship. Her leadership roles include Vice-Head of Biology Department (2015-2016) and participation in boards like Olav Thon Foundation (2014-2023).