Neil Martin Davies is a Researcher at the Department of Public Health and Nursing , Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) . His work bridges epidemiology, genetics, and public health, with a focus on causal inference, Mendelian randomization, and socioeconomic health disparities. His research explores the intersection of genetic epidemiology , developmental psychology , and clinical outcomes . Key themes include the impacts of antiseizure medications in pregnancy , cardiometabolic risks in psychiatric populations , and health policy implications of Mendelian randomization . Recent publications highlight methodological advancements in directed acyclic graphs (DAGs) , instrumental variable analysis , and family-based sampling . His work frequently addresses parental education effects , sleep patterns , and genetic correlations in large cohorts like UK Biobank. Neil Martin Davies contributes to scientific reporting standards , co-authoring the STROBE-MR guidelines for Mendelian randomization studies. His collaborations span neurology , mental health , and health economics , emphasizing causal relationships over correlational findings.
Bjørge Hermann Hansen is a postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Sport Medicine, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences (NIH), actively engaged in national physical activity surveillance and the International Children's Accelerometer Database (ICAD). His work bridges epidemiology, statistics, and device-based measurement to investigate activity patterns across diverse populations including children, cancer survivors, and clinical cohorts like Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy patients. Previously referenced in 2020-2023 materials as a University of Agder professor, NIH's December 2023 employee page confirms his current research role at Norway's premier sport science institution. Hansen's research focuses on physical activity epidemiology and measurement validity, specializing in accelerometer data analysis. He investigates intensity distribution, sedentary behavior, and their health associations across lifespan stages. His methodological expertise includes harmonizing multi-cohort data, validating self-report tools against objective measures, and developing protocols for reliable activity monitoring. Current projects address environmental determinants like family car ownership and school policies on screen time. Recent publications reveal a dominant trend: large-scale meta-analyses using pooled international data (ICAD) to establish dose-response relationships between activity patterns and mortality. He also examines secular trends in Norwegian youth activity, methodological challenges in measurement, and the impact of clinical conditions on movement behaviors. Key journals include The Lancet, British Journal of Sports Medicine, and PLOS ONE. Scientific awards: None explicitly mentioned in source materials. Hansen teaches Statistics, Epidemiology, and Scientific Methods at NIH, translating complex concepts through podcasts like Fysioformidlingen. While no specific grants or student advising records are provided, his leadership in national surveillance projects (e.g., Kan3 reports for Folkehelseinstituttet) indicates active grant-funded research. He advocates for evidence-based policies such as school mobile phone bans to increase recess activity. He collaborates with the ICAD consortium and Norwegian Institute of Public Health on population monitoring. His work with the Kan3 project involves nationwide data collection on adult physical activity and fitness. Recent Folkehelseinstituttet reports (2023-2024) demonstrate his role in national health surveillance systems.
Julia Debik is an Associate Professor at the Department of Public Health and Nursing, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), with a dual research role at the Musculoskeletal Research Group and CIMORe. She holds a PhD in Medical Technology and a Master of Science in Industrial Mathematics from NTNU, combining computational expertise with biomedical research. Academic Roles: Associate Professor (Onsager Fellow - AI and Health) Departments: Public Health and Nursing, Circulation and Medical Imaging Collaborations: National Network for Breast Cancer Research, Nordic Metabolomics Society, Metabolomics Society Research Focus: Integrating machine learning with metabolomics to uncover breast cancer risk factors, treatment response, and prognostic signatures. Her work emphasizes NMR-based metabolic profiling, biobank utilization (HUNT2, UK Biobank), and sample handling standardization (freeze-thaw cycles, delayed centrifugation). Publication Trends: Over 15 recent articles focus on metabolomic-biomarker discovery for breast cancer, circadian exercise effects, and technical validation of NMR platforms. Key subfields include lipoprotein associations, multi-omics integration, and AI-driven analysis of spatial -omics data. Scientific Contributions: Onsager Fellowship in AI and Health Key collaborator in HUNT biobank studies International presentations at Metabolomics Society conferences Developer of machine learning frameworks for multi-cancer profiling Outreach Activities: Regularly participates in public science events like Researchers' Night, delivers lectures on AI and molecular epidemiology, and contributes to popular science communication through initiatives like 'Tumorteltet'.
Professor Kirsti Kvaløy leads the Ung-HUNT youth study and is affiliated with the HUNT Research Center at NTNU's Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Her work focuses on epidemiology and genetic epidemiology, leveraging large-scale health surveys like HUNT and SAMINOR to study disease trends, exposure-health linkages, and public health interventions. She specializes in obesity, adolescent mental health, and Sami health. Education: D.Phil. in Genetics, University of Oxford (1994) Cand. Scient. in Cell Biology, University of Oslo (1989) Research Interests: Epidemiological analysis of obesity and related comorbidities Mental health trends in youth, particularly loneliness and resilience Genetic and environmental factors in health disparities among Sami populations Impact of lifestyle factors on population health Recent Articles: Her work highlights pandemic effects on adolescent mental health, secular trends in youth mental health, and obesity-mortality links in SAMINOR. Key themes include health surveillance, biobank utilization, and population-level health interventions. Roles & Governance: Board Member, HUNT OneHealth (NTNU/NMBU/Veterinary Institute) Member, HUNT Data Access Committee Leadership roles in epidemiological societies and health initiatives Labs/Teams: Directs the Ung-HUNT study and collaborates with the Center for Sami Health Research at UiT.
Mari Mohn Paulsen is an Associate Professor in the Department of Nutrition at the University of Oslo's Faculty of Medicine. Her research focuses on disease-related malnutrition, dietary assessment methods, implementation science in healthcare, and sustainable dietary practices. She is actively involved in developing digital tools like the MyFood app to improve nutritional care for hospitalized patients and older adults. Her work bridges nutritional epidemiology with eHealth innovations, emphasizing practical applications in clinical and community settings. Key academic affiliations include the Institute of Basic Medical Sciences and leadership in projects such as the NOR-Eden initiative and the GAIN project targeting cancer patients' nutritional needs. She collaborates extensively with institutions like the Norwegian Environmental Biobank and has contributed to national dietary surveys (e.g., Ungkost 3). Her teaching focuses on skill-based and simulation-based learning for healthcare professions. Research highlights include evaluating the Nutri-Score system in Nordic contexts, analyzing environmental contaminants in children's diets, and studying secular trends in infant feeding practices. Her studies frequently address implementation challenges in nutritional interventions, particularly in home healthcare and institutional settings. Current projects include optimizing digital decision support systems and exploring sustainable diets' climate impacts. She has been a key figure in advancing evidence-based nutritional practices through randomized controlled trials and qualitative implementation studies.
Magnus Hagland is an Assistant Professor affiliated with the Department of Clinical Science at the University of Bergen. His work focuses on clinical oncology, particularly breast cancer research, integrating liquid biopsy technologies and patient-reported outcomes. He collaborates with Haukeland University Hospital, contributing to translational studies in hormonal therapy and biomarker development. Research interests include early-stage breast cancer monitoring via integrative biobanking (PBCB study) and pharmacokinetic analyses of aromatase inhibitors in postmenopausal patients. His projects bridge laboratory and clinical settings, emphasizing precision medicine approaches. No scientific awards or advised students are explicitly listed. His current affiliation is active with no indications of part-time status or prior roles.
Eivind Coward is a Researcher at the Department of Public Health and Nursing within the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). He conducts research at the K.G. Jebsen Center for Genetic Epidemiology and participates in the Bioinformatics Core Facility and ELIXIR network. His research focuses on the intersections of genetics, proteomics, and microbiota with bone health outcomes. Key areas include: Genetic and proteomic determinants of bone mineral density and fracture risk Microbiome-bone health interactions using HUNT study data Multiple myeloma genomics and clonal evolution Development of risk prediction models for hip fractures Analysis of Dr. Coward's recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on population-based genetic epidemiology, with significant contributions to understanding the molecular basis of bone fractures through proteomics and Mendelian randomization approaches. His work spans both bone health and cancer genomics, demonstrating methodological expertise in bioinformatics and large-scale data analysis. Dr. Coward actively supervises research and teaches bioinformatics methods for next-generation sequencing analysis. His collaborative network includes researchers across Europe working on the HUNT study and multiple myeloma consortia. His laboratory work centers on the K.G. Jebsen Center for Genetic Epidemiology, where he applies bioinformatics approaches to large population datasets to uncover genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying bone health and cancer progression.
Brooke N. Wolford is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellow at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), affiliated with the Department of Public Health and Nursing within the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. She leads the ProtectHearts and HUNT AI for Heart Health projects at the HUNT Center for Molecular and Clinical Epidemiology, while also contributing to the EU-funded INTERVENE project through the Finnish Institute for Molecular Medicine. Her work bridges statistical genetics, computational biology, and clinical applications to advance precision public health initiatives. Dr. Wolford earned her PhD in Bioinformatics and Master's in Statistics from the University of Michigan, where she completed her dissertation on 'Genetic Discovery and Precision Medicine in Cardiovascular Diseases Using Electronic Health Record-linked Biobanks' under Dr. Cristen Willer and Dr. Michael Boehnke. Her undergraduate training includes a Bachelor of Science in Quantitative Biology with highest honors from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she was a Phi Beta Kappa honors graduate. Her research program focuses on artificial intelligence-driven precision public health, particularly in cardiovascular disease prediction and prevention. By integrating genomics, proteomics, and clinical data from large biobanks like HUNT, UK Biobank, and FinnGen, she develops novel risk prediction models that address critical gaps in women's heart health and young adult disease prevention. Her work on polygenic risk scores and proteomic biomarkers aims to transform population-scale screening programs through explainable AI methodologies. Dr. Wolford's recent publications demonstrate significant contributions to genetic epidemiology, with high-impact work in Nature Genetics, Nature Communications, and Circulation: Genomic and Precision Medicine. Her research outputs reveal consistent themes in cross-population polygenic score development, sex-specific disease mechanisms, and innovative biobank data integration approaches that enhance cardiovascular risk prediction across diverse populations. 2022/2023 Best Dissemination Award (K.G. Jebsen Centers) 2022 ASHG Trainee Research Excellence Award Finalist 2021 ASHG Trainee Research Excellence Award Semi-Finalist National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Genome Sciences Predoctoral Traineeship University of Michigan Program in Biomedical Sciences 20th Anniversary Award As a dedicated mentor, Dr. Wolford supervises multiple graduate students across Master's and PhD programs at NTNU, focusing on proteomic risk prediction for diabetes, cardiovascular-Alzheimer's disease connections, and polygenic scoring for women's heart health. She actively promotes open science through R-ladies Trondheim leadership and develops educational resources like the Health AI in R workshop. Her ongoing projects with INTERVENE and ProtectHearts secure substantial European research funding for translational genomics initiatives. Dr. Wolford co-leads the HUNT AI for Heart Health initiative and ProtectHearts project within the HUNT Center for Molecular and Clinical Epidemiology. These teams integrate computational biologists, clinicians, and epidemiologists to develop explainable AI models that translate genomic discoveries into clinical prevention strategies, with particular emphasis on addressing health disparities in cardiovascular outcomes for women and younger populations.
Anna Lydia Svalastog is a Full Professor at the Department of Welfare, Management and Organisation at Østfold University College. Her roles include chairing the psychosocial work research group and the international research network Navigating Knowledge Landscapes (NKL), which focuses on health and the digital society. She is also an associated researcher at the Centre for Research Ethics and Bioethics (CRB) at Uppsala University and a member of the International Brain Initiative (IBI) Cross-Cultural Working Group. Education: PhD in Theology, Uppsala University (1994–1998) MA, Uppsala University (1994) BA in Humanities, Oslo University (1986–1989) Research Interests: Her work spans bioethics, psychosocial work, digital health landscapes, and indigenous studies. She explores narrative ethics, cross-cultural communication, and the intersection of technology and health. Key themes include the ethical governance of biobanks, the role of storytelling in healthcare, and Indigenous perspectives in neuroscience. Grants & Advising: Supervises PhD students and leads projects like 'Good Neighbors - Good Neighborliness,' studying integration strategies. Her research often involves interdisciplinary collaborations and policy engagement. Labs/Teams: Coordinates the psychosocial work research group and the NKL network, fostering global dialogues on health, technology, and culture.
Haakon Robin Skogseth is an Associate Professor at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), affiliated with the Department of Public Health and Nursing within the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. His research focuses on prostate cancer biology, cancer metastasis mechanisms, and biobanking methodologies. Skogseth has contributed to optimizing tissue preservation techniques, identifying biomarkers, and studying gene expression changes in cancerous tissues. He holds a Doctoral Dissertation (2007) and Master's Thesis (2009), with early research rooted in plasminogen activator studies (2001). His work spans from foundational molecular biology to translational biobanking solutions, emphasizing clinical applications and public health implications. Research trends in his publications highlight advancements in biobanking protocols, prostate cancer biomarker discovery, and therapeutic target validation. He has explored the role of tyrosine kinase inhibitors and miRNA profiles in cancer progression, alongside epidemiological studies on fetal growth. Skogseth collaborates on projects like the Scandinavian SGA cohort and regional biobanking initiatives in Central Norway. His teaching includes the MDV6004 biobanking course, reflecting his expertise in both research and academic training.
Borgunn Ytterhus is a Professor in Health Science at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), affiliated with the Department of Community Medicine and Nursing within the Faculty of Medicine & Health Science. He holds a Master's in Sociology (1995), a PhD in Sociology (2000), and training as a registered nurse (1983) and postgraduate in elderly care (1990). His research focuses on social inclusion/exclusion, disability studies, and health services for marginalized groups, including disabled children and refugees. He leads projects like 'Silent Space Speech' and collaborates on initiatives like FAMREUN (Family Reunification and Unaccompanied Refugee Minors). Education includes a Master’s in Sociology (NTNU, 1995) and a PhD in Sociology (NTNU, 2000). Clinical experience spans orthopedic, pediatric, and elderly care. He has held professorial competencies in Early Childhood Special Education (2008) and Health Science (2009). Research interests emphasize marginalized populations under UN SDGs, particularly disabled children and refugee youth. Key contributions include studies on children as next of kin, qualitative methodologies, and healthcare equity. He chairs the multidisciplinary research group 'Children and young people's health & welfare' and the think-tank 'Gaze on Children'. Teaching includes courses like 'Children and Youth: A Foundation for Public Health' and 'Qualitative Research Methods in Medicine & Health Science'. He has supervised nearly 40 master’s and 10 PhD students across Norway and internationally. Grants include funding from Trondheim University Municipality, NTNU, and the Research Council of Norway. His work appears in journals like Scandinavian Journal of Public Health and Disability & Rehabilitation. He reviews for multiple peer-reviewed journals and is a former president of the Nordic Network on Disability Studies (NNDR).
Tormod Bjørkkjær is an Associate Professor in the Department of Nutrition and Public Health at the University of Agder (UiA), Faculty of Health and Sports Sciences. He holds a temporary position from August 2016 to July 2017 and is currently (2023–2027) a faculty member of UiA’s Gender Equality and Inclusion Committee (LiU), with additional roles as a second deputy on the faculty board (2024–2027). His research focuses on the role of food and meals in universal arenas like kindergartens, schools, and higher education, with specific emphasis on teaching practices and learning processes in the school subject Food and Health. Research Interests : Teaching practices in Food and Health, competence in the subject, food and meal practices in kindergartens, school lunch dynamics, children’s food acceptance (“food courage”), dietary impact on learning, sustainable diets, and implementation science for habit change. Publications and Research Trends highlight digital interventions (e.g., Nutrition Now, Matnyttig), implementation strategies for dietary life skills courses (e.g., Skills for Life), and interdisciplinary collaborations across Nordic networks (LEARNFOOD, FENN). His work spans from early childhood nutrition (e.g., Matmot interventions) to higher education dietary programs. Advising and Grants include supervising master’s and PhD students in public health, contributing to projects like TEACHFOOD, and leading research groups such as the Lifecourse Nutrition center. He also collaborates on grants for community-based nutrition trials.
Linn Beate Strand is an Associate Professor at the Department of Public Health and Nursing within the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) . Her research integrates Public Health , Epidemiology , and Mendelian Randomization to explore complex health relationships. Education : Bachelor of Nursing (2005), Høgskolen i Sør-Trøndelag Master of Health Science (2009) & Master of Applied Science (2011), Queensland University of Technology PhD in Community Medicine (2014), NTNU Her work focuses on Sleep Epidemiology , Cardiovascular Health , and Environmental Risk Factors , with recent studies examining insomnia's role in atrial fibrillation and myocardial infarction . She leads research in Mendelian Randomization and Nursing Pedagogy , including bachelor's thesis methodologies. Key publication trends include 2025 articles on genetic sleep traits and youth mental health , 2024 studies on prescription medication risks and geriatric health promotion , and 2023 work linking adolescent loneliness to adult psychiatric outcomes. Scientific Awards : Honorary Research Fellow (2019–), University of Bristol As a Postdoctoral Fellow (2015–2019) at NTNU, she expanded her work on cardiovascular epidemiology , with ongoing collaborations in International Public Health and Pharmacoepidemiology .
Guro F. Giskeødegård is a Professor of Biostatistics at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), affiliated with the Institute for Community Medicine and Nursing within the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. She leads research in the HUNT Center for Molecular and Clinical Epidemiology, focusing on metabolomics and molecular -omics analysis of biological datasets to uncover disease mechanisms and identify diagnostic biomarkers, particularly in cancer and chronic conditions. Her work integrates advanced data analytics with clinical and population health studies. Her research emphasizes metabolomics in biofluids and tissue samples from patients and population biobanks, targeting biomarker discovery for improved diagnosis and treatment strategies. Key areas include cancer (e.g., breast, prostate, ovarian), cardiovascular diseases, and immune-related conditions like preeclampsia and PCOS. She collaborates extensively on multi-omics projects, leveraging longitudinal cohort data from Norway’s HUNT Study. Dr. Giskeødegård’s articles highlight her contributions to understanding exercise effects on lactation biomarkers, sexual health in cancer survivors, and biobanking protocols. Her work on metabolic profiling in breast and prostate cancer has advanced prognostic subtyping and treatment monitoring. She also explores machine learning applications in medical research and imaging biomarkers for lymphoma diagnosis. Her research teams investigate spatial transcriptomics in prostate cancer, metabolite stability in gut microbiomes, and longitudinal cytokine changes in pregnancy complications. She advises on biostatistical methodologies and has pioneered R packages for longitudinal data analysis (e.g., ALASCA). Her work bridges basic science and clinical practice, aiming to translate molecular insights into actionable health strategies.
Haakon Robin Skogseth is currently the Head of Research and Associate Professor at the Department of Community Medicine and Nursing, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). He holds a Dr. philos in medicine and a master's degree in management. His research focuses on prostate cancer biology, biobanking methodologies, gene expression profiling, and cancer metastasis mechanisms. He leads the regional research biobank of Central Norway, emphasizing tissue preservation and multi-disciplinary biomedical studies. Education: Dr. philos in Medicine (NTNU), Master's in Management. Research interests revolve around prostate cancer progression, tissue preservation techniques, and translational biomedical research. Key projects include optimizing biobanking methods for cancer studies and investigating miRNA profiles in fetal growth. Professional activities include editorial roles and contributions to international conferences. Publications span over two decades, with a focus on prostate cancer biomarkers, tissue storage stability, and targeted cancer therapies. His work bridges molecular biology, clinical oncology, and biotechnology innovation. Labs/Teams: Directs the Central Norway Regional Research Biobank and collaborates with the Department of Pathology and Bioengineering teams at NTNU.
