Molly Maleckar is a Research Professor at the Computational Physiology Department of Simula Research Laboratory , Oslo, Norway. Her work bridges computational modeling, cardiac electrophysiology, and biomedical applications, with a focus on arrhythmia mechanisms, fibrosis modeling, and machine learning integration in cardiac risk prediction. Research Interests include: Computational Cardiology Ion Channel Dynamics Machine Learning in Medicine Excitable Tissue Modeling Cardiac Fibrosis Analysis Biomedical Simulation Scientific Contributions span 15+ publications (2018-2024) addressing atrial fibrillation, calcium handling, and AI-driven ECG analysis. Key collaborative projects involve patient-specific ventricular modeling and educational initiatives like the Simula Summer School in Computational Physiology .
Norwegian University of Science And TechnologyNorway
Bjørn Olav Åsvold, MD, PhD, is a Professor of Medicine (Epidemiology) and Center leader at the HUNT Centre for Molecular and Clinical Epidemiology (HUNT MCE), Department of Public Health and Nursing, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). He also serves as a Consultant at the Department of Endocrinology, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital. His research spans epidemiology, genetics, and clinical medicine. MD, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 2001 PhD, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 2008 Specialist in internal medicine, 2014 Specialist in endocrinology, 2015 Åsvold's research focuses on thyroid dysfunction and diabetes , investigating their interplay with cardiometabolic diseases and pregnancy complications . He utilizes Mendelian randomization studies to explore causal relationships between genetic factors and health outcomes, including sleep traits , autoimmune thyroid disease , and kidney function . His work also addresses global health issues like obesity in Nepal and diabetic complications in Norway. Recent publications highlight his contributions to understanding hip fracture risk prediction , cardiovascular implications of sleep patterns , and genetic determinants of trace elements . Åsvold's collaborations span multiple international institutions, including the HUNT Study and HUNT MCE in Norway.
Eva Gerdts is a Professor at the Clinical Institute 2, University of Bergen, and is affiliated with Haukeland University Hospital. She is a Member of the Norwegian Academy of Sciences and leads the Bergen Hypertension and Cardiac Dynamics Group. Her work is central to the Center for Research on Heart Disease in Women, established in 2020 with support from the Heart Foundation, Bergen Women's Health Association, and the Grieg Foundation. University: University of Bergen Affiliation: Clinical Institute 2 Research Group: Hypertension and Cardiac Dynamics Center: Center for Research on Heart Disease in Women Email: eva.gerdts@uib.no Her research focuses on heart disease in women , particularly as influenced by hypertension, aortic valve stenosis, obesity, and autoimmune diseases. She investigates sex-specific differences in cardiac strain, arterial stiffness, and myocardial remodeling. Her work emphasizes how male-based data cannot be extrapolated to women, advocating for gender-specific cardiovascular guidelines. Her recent publications span population studies like the Tromsø and Hordaland Health Surveys, clinical trials, and international collaborations. Key trends include sex differences in hypertension outcomes , cardiac effects of bariatric surgery , cryptogenic stroke in young adults , and inflammatory markers in autoimmune diseases . Her research integrates echocardiography, longitudinal data, and public health implications. Scientific recognition includes: Member of the Norwegian Academy of Sciences National Heart Association's Heart Research Prize 2022 She supervises multiple PhD and Master’s students, including Ester Kringeland, Sahrai Saeed, and Arleen Aune. She leads the PhD course NORHEART901 in Cardiovascular Imaging and teaches in medical education on hypertension, cardiac ultrasound, and women's heart health. Her research is supported by large-scale population studies and clinical collaborations, particularly through the NOR-SYS and SECRETO projects. She also organizes professional education on valvular disease and dyspnea. She leads or collaborates with several research teams: Bergen Hypertension and Cardiac Dynamics Group Center for Research on Heart Disease in Women NOR-SYS (Norwegian Stroke in the Young Study) SECRETO (Searching for Explanations for Cryptogenic Stroke in the Young) FATCOR Study (Fitness, Adiposity, and Cardiovascular Risk)
Dr. Espen Saxhaug Kristoffersen is an Associate Professor at the Department of General Practice, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, and a Senior Consultant at the Stroke Unit and Department of Neurology, Akershus University Hospital. His academic career spans over a decade with a focus on headache disorders, stroke, and cerebral venous thrombosis. Dr. Kristoffersen earned his Medical Degree (MD) from the University of Tromsø in 2005 after completing medical school from 1999-2005. His educational journey included clinical rotations at various hospitals including Longyearbyen Hospital in Svalbard and Hammerfest Hospital. He completed his PhD in 2014 with the thesis "Brief Intervention for Medication-overuse headache in primary care" through the Department of General Practice at the University of Oslo. Dr. Kristoffersen's research spans multiple neurological domains with primary focus on headache disorders (particularly migraine and medication-overuse headache), stroke (ischemic and hemorrhagic), and cerebral venous thrombosis. His work integrates clinical practice with epidemiological studies, genetic research, and treatment optimization. He has made significant contributions to understanding headache epidemiology, stroke management during pandemics, and the relationship between work schedules and headache frequency. Analysis of Dr. Kristoffersen's recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on cerebrovascular disorders and headache research. His work spans clinical trials, observational studies, and systematic reviews with particular focus on treatment protocols for stroke and headache disorders. Notably, he has contributed to international guidelines and large-scale collaborative studies examining anticoagulation in stroke, headache management in primary care, and neurological complications of infectious diseases including COVID-19. Dr. Kristoffersen has received several prestigious awards recognizing his contributions to neurology and headache research: European Academy of Neurology (EAN) Investigator Award for the subspecialty Headache (2015) Norwegian Neurological Federation - National Headache fellowship (2018) Best poster presentation at the Norwegian Neurology Congress (2018) Forsberg og Aulies legat (2018) Norwegian Neurological Federation – National Neurology Fellowship (2020) Dr. Kristoffersen has led multiple significant research projects including the Long-term follow-up of Brief Intervention for Medication Overuse Headache, studies on neurology residents' knowledge of headache management, and investigations into Norwegian GPs' handling of headache patients. He currently leads several ongoing studies including the Akershus aCute Headache Evaluation (ACHE-1), the Akershus Study of Ischemic Stroke and Thrombolysis (ASIST-1), and epidemiological research on cerebral venous thrombosis in Norway. Dr. Kristoffersen is actively involved in several research groups and international collaborations including the Clinical Neuroscience Group at Akershus University Hospital, the Health Services Research group, the International Cluster Headache Genetics Consortium, the International Migraine Genetics Consortium, and the Global COVID-19 Stroke Registry. He serves as the Norwegian representative to the International Headache Society and European Headache Federation, and contributes to the European Academy of Neurology Scientific Panel on Headache.
Professor John Bjarne Hansen is a prominent researcher in the field of venous thromboembolism (VTE) at the Department of Clinical Medicine, UiT The Arctic University of Norway. He serves as Research Group Leader of Thrombosis Research (TREC) and Head of Unit at the Thrombosis Research Center (TREC), Medical Clinic, University Hospital of Northern Norway. Education: Cand.med (MD), Universitetet i Tromsø (1989) Dr. med (PhD in Cardiovascular Medicine), Universitetet i Tromsø (1997) Hansen's research focuses on clinical epidemiology and risk factors for venous thromboembolism, diagnostic and predictive biomarkers for VTE, and the pathophysiology of thrombotic events. His work spans multiple projects including PREVENT, Mission-VTE, Genetics and VTE, Biomarkers of VTE risk, and Cancer-associated VTE. He has contributed significantly to understanding the complex interplay between genetic factors, lifestyle, and comorbidities in VTE development. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on biomarkers for VTE prediction, with numerous 2024-2025 articles examining genetic, molecular, and clinical risk factors. His research utilizes large population studies like the HUNT and Tromsø studies to identify novel predictors and understand gender differences in VTE risk. Hansen has made substantial contributions to thrombosis research through his leadership of the Thrombosis Research Center (TREC) and through active participation in international collaborations. His work bridges basic science and clinical application, with emphasis on translating research findings into improved risk prediction and prevention strategies for venous thromboembolism. Mentorship and Academic Leadership: Primary supervisor for 35 completed PhD theses Co-supervisor for 5 completed PhD theses Currently supervising 7 PhD students as primary supervisor and 6 as co-supervisor Mentored 13 postdoctoral researchers (10 former, 3 current) He has held various academic positions since 1991, progressing from doctoral student to full professor, with a visiting professorship at The Scripps Research Institute (2008-2009). From 2007-2008, he served as Pro-Dean for Research at the Faculty of Health Sciences.
Norwegian University of Science and TechnologyNorway
Imre Janszky is a Professor at the Department of Community Medicine and Nursing, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). His research focuses on cardiovascular epidemiology, public health, and the interplay between mental health and cardiac outcomes. He leads studies on atrial fibrillation risk factors, including lifestyle, environmental stressors, and life events such as bereavement. Key contributions include analyses of the HUNT study cohort, examining associations between invasive medical procedures and cardiovascular events. His work emphasizes methodological rigor in causal inference and global health trends. Recent articles explore the impact of prenatal stress on heart failure, insomnia on atrial fibrillation, and the role of reproductive lifespan in cardiovascular risks. He collaborates internationally on projects addressing obesity and underweight trends, as well as pandemic-related health outcomes like the link between tonsillectomy and COVID-19 risk. His research bridges epidemiology with clinical practice, informing policies on chronic disease prevention and healthcare system preparedness. Dr. Janszky has advised numerous population-based studies and contributes to global health initiatives through collaborative networks. His lab focuses on longitudinal health tracking, with particular attention to developmental origins of disease and intergenerational health effects.
Norwegian University of Science And TechnologyNorway
Arne Helland is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, affiliated with the Department of Clinical Pharmacology at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). He is also a Senior Consultant Physician at St. Olav University Hospital in Trondheim, Norway. His expertise lies in therapeutic drug monitoring, clinical and forensic toxicology, and the effects of drugs on driving behavior and traffic risk. Helland holds an M.D. (2004), a specialist qualification in clinical pharmacology (2011), and a Ph.D. (2016) focused on drug effects on driving behavior. His research emphasizes pharmacokinetics, particularly in populations undergoing bariatric surgery, and the clinical implications of drug metabolism variations. His work spans studies on antihypertensive drug concentrations in uncontrolled hypertension, pharmacokinetic changes post-bariatric surgery for ADHD medications, and the stability of anticoagulants in different serum collection tubes. He has also contributed to forensic toxicology investigations, including cases involving sexual assault and codeine-related deaths. Helland’s publications frequently address practical clinical challenges, such as optimizing drug therapy in specific patient populations and improving laboratory methodologies for drug detection and quantification. His research trends highlight a focus on drug-drug interactions, the impact of surgical interventions on pharmacokinetics, and the development of clinical guidelines for therapeutic drug monitoring. Helland collaborates extensively with colleagues in pharmacology, toxicology, and clinical medicine, contributing to both peer-reviewed journals and clinical practice guidelines.
Joakim Sundnes is a Chief Research Scientist and Research Professor at the Department of Scientific Computing, Simula Research Laboratory. He specializes in computational physiology, cardiac biomechanics, and mathematical modeling of cardiovascular systems. Key Research Areas: Cardiac electromechanics, computational fluid dynamics in cardiology, uncertainty quantification in cardiac models, and mechano-electric feedback mechanisms Recent Trends: Focus on patient-specific modeling, left atrial flow dynamics, right ventricular mechanics in pulmonary hypertension, and personalized treatment simulations Scientific Contributions: Active participant in international conferences and editorial work. Co-author of multiple benchmark studies and educational texts on physiological modeling.
Norwegian University of Science And TechnologyNorway
Eva Skovlund is a Professor at the Department of Public Health and Nursing , Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Her work bridges applied statistics with clinical research in cancer, obesity, and chronic disease management. Education : PhD in Medical Statistics, University of Oslo (1990) MSc in Pharmacy, University of Oslo (1985) Research Interests : Eva focuses on applied statistical methods , clinical cancer research , controlled clinical trials , and drug safety assessment . Her work spans hypertension management in Nepal, neuro-oncology, and metabolic effects of bariatric surgery. Publication Trends : Recent articles (2021–2025) emphasize brain metastases prognosis hypertension interventions in South Asia pharmacokinetic studies in obesity statistical modeling for multimorbidity maternal and child health risks Scientific Contributions : While no specific awards are listed, her extensive peer-reviewed publications in Cancers , BMJ Open , Clinical Pharmacokinetics , and Tidsskriftet underscore her impact.
Dan Atar is a Professor II at the Medical Clinic (MDK) of the University of Oslo, serving as Research Manager and Editor-in-Chief of Cardiology . Specializing in cardiology, he holds visiting appointments at Johns Hopkins University and has led major clinical trials (e.g., BETAMI, ARTESIA, FOURIER-OLE). His research focuses on myocardial infarction, troponin biomarkers, and cardiovascular pharmacotherapy. Education: Specialist in Cardiology/Internal Medicine from Denmark and Switzerland. Key Roles: Chair of the FESC Task Force (ESC), ESC Treasurer/Secretary (2018–2020), and leader of international clinical trials. Research Interests: Prevention of reperfusion injury in heart attacks, atrial fibrillation pharmacology, and cardiovascular drug efficacy. He pioneered the BETAMI trial evaluating beta-blockers post-MI and contributed to global treatment guidelines. Awards: Recipient of the Heart Research Award from the National Association for Public Health (presented by King Harald V of Norway), Ole Storstein Prize, and Doctor honoris causa from the University of Bucharest. Ranked among the top 25 most cited researchers in Norway (2019). Grants & Projects: Secured 12 MNOK from the Research Council of Norway (2019), EU Horizon2020 funding for EXHAUSTION (climate and cardiovascular health), and Eurostars grants for WATCH IT and PILLOXA. Active in the Mitocare consortium and the ESC Guidelines Writing Committee. Labs & Teams: Leads the Clinical Cardiovascular Research Group at UiO and collaborates with institutions like Sydney University and the University of Texas.
Norwegian University of Science and TechnologyNorway
Ben Michael Brumpton is an Associate Professor in the Department of Community Medicine and Nursing at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. His research focuses on genetic epidemiology, particularly leveraging population-based health surveys (e.g., HUNT Study), electronic health records, and omics data to establish causal relationships in public health. Methodologically, he emphasizes Mendelian randomization and genetic epidemiology frameworks. Major Research Projects: HUNT Genotyping HUNT-COVID Questionnaire HUNT Metabolomics HUNT Methylation Research Interests: His work spans DNA methylation analysis, metabolomics, and the integration of omics data into epidemiological studies. He investigates causal links between genetic traits and diseases such as cardiovascular disorders, cancer, and respiratory conditions. Recent studies have explored intergenerational effects of maternal glycemic traits and parental BMI on offspring health outcomes. Publications Overview: His recent work highlights novel genetic loci for chronic low back pain, venous thromboembolism, and celiac disease. He has also contributed to large-scale meta-analyses of atrial fibrillation and breast cancer risk, emphasizing polygenic prediction and Mendelian randomization approaches. Labs/Teams: Primary affiliation with the HUNT Research Center and collaborations within NTNU’s epidemiology and genetics research groups.
Hege Beate Ihle-Hansen is an Adjunct Professor at the Centre for Medical Ethics, University of Oslo, and a senior consultant at Oslo University Hospital (OUS). Her roles include clinical work in geriatrics and neurology, academic research in stroke and aging, and ethics guidance in medical practice. She holds a PhD from UiO (2012) and is a specialist in internal medicine and geriatrics. Research interests focus on stroke pathways, decision-making in serious illness, healthy aging, and ethical challenges in physician roles. She has contributed to national guidelines, stroke registries, and ethics councils. Over 150+ peer-reviewed articles span stroke pathophysiology, cognitive outcomes, and vascular risk factors. Her work integrates clinical practice with population-level studies, including the Nor-COAST cohort analyzing post-stroke cognitive decline. She supervises PhD candidates and teaches ethics, leadership, and end-of-life care. Current research explores anticoagulant reversal in hemorrhagic stroke and blood pressure guidelines' real-world impact.
Vegard Skogen is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Health Sciences , UiT The Arctic University of Norway . His research focuses on Infectious Diseases , Cardiovascular Medicine , Public Health , and Immunology . He contributes to clinical research, teaching, and academic leadership within the Research Program in Medicine . University: UiT The Arctic University of Norway School: Faculty of Health Sciences Skogen's research spans COVID-19 severity prediction , HIV-related quality of life , antimicrobial resistance , and post-surgical rehabilitation . His work often involves multinational collaborations (e.g., ISARIC–WHO protocol, NOR-Solidarity trial) and integrates machine learning with clinical data . Recent publications highlight his expertise in epidemiology , infectious disease management , and digital health applications (e.g., smartwatch-based atrial fibrillation detection). He also investigates peer support systems for HIV patients and chemsex behaviors among men who have sex with men. Skogen collaborates extensively with teams across Norway and internationally, including the NOR-Solidarity trial and ISARIC–WHO clinical characterisation protocol . His work informs national guidelines (e.g., antibiotic prescribing) and global health policies .
Gyrd Thrane is an Associate Professor in Physiotherapy at The Arctic University of Norway. His research focuses on physical activity interventions in clinical populations, particularly after cardiac events and stroke, using mHealth approaches. Recent work includes studies on smartwatch-based atrial fibrillation detection post-cardiac surgery, machine learning prediction of post-stroke fatigue, and mobile health interventions for physical activity in intellectual disability populations. Publications demonstrate expertise in rehabilitation outcome measurement, longitudinal recovery patterns, and digital health innovation in physiotherapy.
Norwegian University of Science and TechnologyNorway
Linn Beate Strand is an Associate Professor at the Department of Community Medicine and Nursing, Norwegian University of Science and Health Sciences (NTNU), with ongoing work in sleep epidemiology, cardiovascular disease risk factors, and Mendelian randomization. She is affiliated with the Epidemiology and Medical Statistics and MR Nursing research groups. Research Interests: Environmental determinants of health outcomes Population-level sleep disorder analysis Genetic epidemiology of cardiovascular diseases Application of Mendelian randomization Recent Research Trends: Her work bridges sleep science and cardiovascular health through Mendelian randomization, investigating insomnia's role in atrial fibrillation, stroke, and myocardial infarction. She also explores psychosocial factors in nursing education and aging populations' health behaviors. Collaborations: Regularly partners with researchers from University of Bristol, QUT, and St. Olav's Hospital.
