Irina Oleinikova is a Professor at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in the Department of Electric Energy, Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering. She leads the Power System Operation and Analysis research group and serves as the NTNU Smart Grid Team Leader. She is a steering committee member of the European Energy Research Alliance (EERA) Joint Programme on Smart Grids and an expert in the International Smart Grid Action Network (ISGAN) WG6. Research Interests : Power System Operation, Digital Power System Protection and Control, Grid Resilience, Energy Flexibility, Cybersecurity in Power Systems, and Hydrogen Technology Integration. Her work focuses on advancing smart grids, grid flexibility, and cybersecurity through projects like FME CINELDI, HONOR, ASAP, and ZeroKyst. Key Projects : CINELDI : Developing intelligent electricity distribution grids. HONOR : Cross-sectoral energy flexibility markets. ASAP : Next-generation system protection schemes. ZeroKyst : Hydrogen and charging infrastructure along Norway’s coast. COSPAT : Stability of AC/DC transmission grids via co-simulation. Advising & Grants : Supervises PhD students in digital protection and cybersecurity. Active in projects funded by RCN, STATNETT, and EU Horizon 2020. Leads the Power System Operation and Analysis group and collaborates with SINTEF and industry partners. Labs/Teams : NTNU Smart Grid Team and the Power System Operation research group.
Nadia Shardt is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). Her research focuses on interfacial thermodynamics, particularly in systems with nanoscale curvature, with applications spanning atmospheric science, biomedical cryopreservation, and industrial process optimization. She contributes to teaching courses such as TKP4580 - Chemical Engineering Specialization Project and KP3100 - Chemical Engineering . PhD in Chemical Engineering (University of Alberta, 2019) BSc in Chemical Engineering (University of Alberta, 2015) Postdoctoral researcher at ETH Zurich (2020-2022) Her work addresses fundamental challenges in phase behavior under curvature constraints, combining microfluidic experimentation , Gibbsian thermodynamic modeling , and machine learning techniques to study systems like CO 2 storage media, cloud microphysics, and food emulsions. Recent publications emphasize surface tension modeling for complex multi-component systems and cryoprotectant loading efficiency. Scientific awards include the ETH Postdoctoral Fellowship Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Postdoctoral Fellowship Outstanding Academic Fellows Programme 2024-2028
Marta Molinas is a Professor at the Department of Engineering Cybernetics within the Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). Her research spans multiple interdisciplinary domains with a focus on EEG technology and brain-computer interfaces. She actively supervises numerous Master's projects and maintains extensive international collaborations with institutions including Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, University of Tsukuba, Juntendo University, and several European universities. Professor Molinas' research interests center on developing innovative EEG technologies, particularly her FlexEEG concept for reduced-channel EEG systems with brain imaging capabilities. Her work integrates signal processing, artificial intelligence, and neuroscience to create practical applications in mental health, sleep research, neurorehabilitation, and human-computer interaction. She specializes in EEG source imaging, machine learning for brain signal analysis, and the development of brain-computer interfaces for various applications including locked-in syndrome communication, ADHD treatment, and driver monitoring systems. Her publication portfolio demonstrates strong trends in interdisciplinary research combining neuroscience with electrical engineering and artificial intelligence. The work shows particular emphasis on developing practical EEG-based systems that minimize invasiveness while maintaining analytical power, with applications spanning healthcare, rehabilitation, and human augmentation. Her research bridges theoretical signal processing with real-world implementations through numerous student projects and international collaborations. Professor Molinas actively supervises a large team of Master's and PhD students across multiple projects, with each project typically requiring two students working collaboratively. Her research is supported through numerous international collaborations with institutions in Japan, India, and Europe, indicating substantial research funding and project leadership. She has developed a pipeline of student projects that build upon previous work, creating a cumulative knowledge base within her research group. She leads the EEG ITK research team at NTNU, which focuses on developing the FlexEEG headset prototype featuring flexible, wireless, dry electrodes designed to move across the scalp. This team works at the intersection of neuroscience, electrical engineering, and computer science, developing applications for sleep research, mental health monitoring, neurorehabilitation, and brain-computer interfaces. The team collaborates extensively with international partners including the Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience, the International Institute of Integrative Sleep Medicine at University of Tsukuba, and several engineering departments across Europe and Asia.
Professor Ingrid Bouwer Utne is a faculty member at the Department of Marine Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). Her primary research focuses on risk analyses of ships, marine systems, and autonomy, with emphasis on operational safety, maintenance management, and risk control in autonomous maritime technologies. Key Projects: Leader of the Risk Group at NTNU, involved in the SFI Autoship initiative and ERC AdG BREACH project addressing risk-based rationality in autonomous systems. Research Interests: Autonomous systems design, probabilistic risk assessment, safety engineering, and risk-informed decision-making for marine operations. Grants & Funding: Secured funding from the Research Council of Norway, MAROFF, and industry partners for projects like ORCAS (Online Risk Management for Autonomous Ships) and UNLOCK (Supervisory Risk Control). She supervises numerous PhD students and postdocs, focusing on topics such as autonomous vessel navigation, risk modeling for underwater robotics, and decarbonization of maritime systems. Her work bridges theoretical risk analysis with practical applications in marine autonomy and safety systems.
Lars O. Nord is a Professor in the Department of Energy and Process Engineering at NTNU, specializing in thermal energy systems, CO2 capture technologies, and dynamic process modeling. He holds a PhD from NTNU (2010) and a Master's from Virginia Tech (2001). His research focuses on power cycles, turbomachinery optimization, and decarbonization strategies for energy systems. Nord has led projects such as DEXPAND and InnCapPlant, addressing CO2 capture under variable loads and expander efficiency in renewable systems. Current roles: Head of the Thermal Energy research group and teaches courses like Engineering Thermodynamics. Research highlights include thermal energy storage integration, moving bed adsorption processes, and offshore hybrid energy systems. His work spans over 80 publications, emphasizing CO2 capture dynamics, turbine design, and control strategies for flexible power plants. Notable collaborations include SINTEF and Aker Solutions. Nord advises multiple PhD candidates and has mentored alumni now leading roles in industry and academia.
Filippo Maria Bianchi is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at UiT The Arctic University of Norway, where he conducts research at the intersection of machine learning, dynamical systems, and complex networks. He is also a Senior Researcher at NORCE Norwegian Research Centre and actively contributes to the IEEE Task Force on Learning for Structured Data and the ELLIS Society. Department: Department of Mathematics and Statistics School: Faculty of Science and Technology University: UiT The Arctic University of Norway Adjunct Position: Senior Researcher, NORCE Education: Bachelor’s in Computer Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome Master’s in Artificial Intelligence & Robotics, Sapienza University of Rome (cum laude, 2012) PhD in Machine Learning, Sapienza University of Rome His research focuses on graph machine learning, time series analysis, reservoir computing, and probabilistic forecasting , with applications in energy analytics and remote sensing. He has led and contributed to numerous projects involving Arctic power grids, satellite-based environmental monitoring, and deep learning for sustainability. The recent publications reflect a strong trend in graph neural networks —particularly pooling mechanisms, spatiotemporal modeling, and explainability—alongside applications in energy forecasting, avalanche detection, and remote sensing . His work combines theoretical innovation with real-world impact, especially in Arctic and remote environments. Scientific Affiliations and Leadership: Vice-Chair, IEEE Task Force on Learning for Structured Data Member, ELLIS Society Co-founder, Northernmost Graph Machine Learning group Member, IEEE Task Force on Reservoir Computing Visiting Professor, Politecnico di Milano (2024–2025) He actively mentors students and collaborates on interdisciplinary research. He has led projects in power grid reliability, solar fault detection, and unsupervised change detection in satellite imagery . His work is supported by open-source implementations and reproducible research practices. Laboratories and Research Groups: Northernmost Graph Machine Learning group (co-founder) ARC Research Group, UiT Graph Machine Learning Group, Lugano
Nicola Paltrinieri is a Professor of Risk Assessment at the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, NTNU (Norway), and an Adjunct Professor at the University of Bologna (Italy). His expertise spans risk assessment, hydrogen technologies, process safety, and data-driven safety management. He holds Chartered Engineer and Chartered Scientist certifications and has served on editorial boards for journals like Safety Science and Journal of Risk Research . Education: PhD in Environmental, Safety and Chemical Engineering (University of Bologna, 2012) Master’s in Chemical and Process Engineering (University of Bologna, 2008) Research Interests: Focuses on hydrogen infrastructure safety, Natech accident analysis, risk-based inspection strategies, and AI integration in safety systems. His work emphasizes sustainable energy transitions and mitigating risks in emerging technologies like hydrogen. Key Projects (2022-2026): H2Glass : Decarbonizing glass and aluminum sectors via hydrogen HyInHeat : Hydrogen technologies for industrial heating HYDROGENi : Norwegian research center for hydrogen/ammonia Awards: Onsager Fellowship (2016–2021) Frank Lees Medal (2012) for safety-related publications Grants & Leadership: Head of NTNU Energy Team Hydrogen, coordinator for EU-funded projects like SUSHy , and active in international risk committees (e.g., EFCE, ESRA). His work bridges academia and industry, with over 8 PhD examinations supervised. Labs/Teams: Leads the NTNU Energy Team Hydrogen and collaborates on initiatives like SH2IFT-2 for safe hydrogen fuel handling. His research group focuses on AI-driven risk analysis and hydrogen infrastructure resilience.
Jan Emblemsvåg is a Professor at NTNU’s Department of Ocean Space Operations and Civil Engineering in Ålesund, Norway. He has held senior industry roles including Shipyard Director at Vard, SVP Ship Design & Systems at Rolls-Royce Marine, and Managing Director at Midsund Bruk. His academic positions span BI Norwegian Business School, Ålesund University College, and NTNU since 2006. Emblemsvåg’s expertise bridges engineering and management, focusing on sustainable development through rigorous analytical frameworks. Education: PhD from Georgia Institute of Technology (1999), MSc (1995), and Civil Engineering degree from Norwegian Institute of Technology (1994). R&D focuses on six core areas: 1) Product/process development with Lean methodologies, 2) Life-Cycle Costing/Analyses (integrating cost, environmental, and social dimensions), 3) Risk management and uncertainty analysis using Monte Carlo methods, 4) Operations/General management under Lean principles, 5) Project management with Lean integration, and 6) Renewable energy (especially nuclear power’s role in maritime and industrial sectors). Publications emphasize energy policy critiques, nuclear propulsion feasibility, and sustainable shipping. Recent work highlights nuclear energy’s potential as a cost-effective, low-emission solution for maritime transport and industrial needs. Active in policy debates advocating evidence-based energy strategies. Labs/Teams: Leads NTNU’s research initiatives on nuclear propulsion for merchant ships (NuProShip project) and collaborates internationally on maritime safety and evacuation modeling.
Hossein Farahmand is a Professor at the Department of Electric Energy, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), and leads the Electricity Markets and Energy Systems Planning (EMESP) research group. He holds an Associate Editor role at IEEE Transactions on Energy Markets, Policy and Regulation and contributes to international initiatives like IEA Wind Task 25 and ISGAN Annex 9. Education : Dr.ing. (PhD) from NTNU (2012) His research focuses on power market analysis, hydropower scheduling, power system balancing, and local flexibility markets in smart grids. Recent work explores renewable energy integration, digitalization, and hydrogen systems. Trends include machine learning applications in hydropower scheduling, offshore wind economics, and grid flexibility solutions. Scientific awards include Senior Member of IEEE and representation in ISGAN Annex 9 and IEA Wind Task 25 . He supervises PhD candidates and co-supervised projects in areas like grid tariffs , local energy communities , and electric vehicle integration . Grants include EU Horizon 2020 and Research Council of Norway funding for projects such as IntHydro , HONOR , and Ocean Grid . Labs and teams include the EMESP research group at NTNU, collaborations with Hohai University , Smart Innovation Norway , and industry partners in China and Norway.
Sebastien Nicolas Gros is a Professor at the Department of Engineering Cybernetics, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). His research focuses on safe reinforcement learning (RL) and data-driven model predictive control (MPC), with applications in energy systems, biomedical engineering, and autonomous vehicles. Institution: Norwegian University of Science and Technology Department: Engineering Cybernetics His work emphasizes AI-driven optimization for domestic energy storage, battery integration, and smart building management. Collaborations include Equinor, DNV, Kongsberg, Volvo, and CorPower Ocean. Key themes in his publications include: Control theory for renewable energy systems (wave energy converters, buildings) Biomedical applications (artificial pancreas, glucose monitoring) Transportation systems (electric vehicles, autonomous ships) Machine learning integration with physical models He supervises 6 PhD students and co-supervises projects on multi-rotor wind turbines and industrial PhD collaborations. The articles demonstrate a convergence of RL, MPC, and uncertainty quantification across energy, biomedical, and transportation domains.
Prof. Chong-Yu Xu is a Professor of Hydrology at the University of Oslo's Department of Geosciences, affiliated with the Section for Geography and Hydrology (GeoHyd). He has held this position since 2005, having previously served as an Associate Professor at Uppsala University (1998–2005) and Assistant Professor (1994–1998). His research focuses on hydrological modeling, climate change impacts, regional evapotranspiration, and uncertainty analysis. He teaches courses such as GEO4310 (Stochastic Methods in Hydrology) and GEO4320 (Hydrological Modelling). Education: BSc in Hydrology (Nanjing University, 1978–1982), MSc in Regional Hydrological Modeling (Free University Brussels, 1986–1988), and PhD in Hydrological Modelling (Free University Brussels, 1988–1992). He has been honored with prestigious awards, including the NHF Lifetime Achievement Award (2022) and IWA Publishing Award (2022). He serves as an honorary professor at institutions like Hohai University and is a doctoral supervisor at multiple universities. His research spans global, regional, and local hydrological modeling, with a focus on climate change adaptation and water resource management. He leads projects such as the NORHED-II initiative on climate change and ecosystem management in Malawi and Tanzania. His work bridges theoretical hydrology with practical applications, including flood risk reduction and hydropower optimization. Publications highlight advancements in hydrological extremes, non-stationary drought assessment, and AI-driven flood prediction. Collaborative efforts with international networks like the Nordic Hydrological Association underscore his global impact in hydrological sciences.
Olav Bolland is the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and holds the academic rank of Professor of Thermal Power Engineering. His research focuses on carbon capture and storage (CCS), thermal power systems, and CO2 emission management in power generation. He leads the ECCSEL initiative, an international laboratory infrastructure for CCS research and innovation. Bolland teaches courses such as TEP4185 (Gas Process Technology) and FLYT2202 (Aerodynamics). His research emphasizes techno-economic assessments of CO2 capture technologies, including chemical looping reforming, gas switching reforming (GSR), and pressure swing adsorption (PSA). He has published extensively on topics like pre- and post-combustion CO2 capture, power plant optimization, and hydrogen production integration. His work bridges academic research with practical applications in energy systems, aiming to advance sustainable energy solutions. Notable contributions include a textbook on CO2 emission management and collaborative efforts in international CCS infrastructure development. His projects often involve large-scale plant analysis and validation using real-world data from facilities like the CO2 Technology Center Mongstad.
Sverre A. C. Kittelsen is a Senior Research Fellow at the Frisch Centre and holds a Professor II position at the Department of Health Management and Health Economics (HELED) within the Institute of Health and Society at the University of Oslo. His academic career spans over three decades with a Doctor Politicae (Dr.Polit.) in Economics from the University of Oslo (1998) and a Cand.Polit. in Economics from the University of Bergen (1985). His primary research interests include Production theory, Efficiency measurement, Regulation, Health Economics, and Energy Economics. Kittelsen has established himself as a leading researcher in Nordic healthcare efficiency analysis, particularly focusing on hospital productivity, quality assessment, and the economic implications of healthcare reforms across Scandinavian countries. He has also made significant contributions to energy economics, especially regarding European energy markets and climate policy. His recent publication record demonstrates remarkable productivity with 15+ publications since 2017, showing consistent scholarly output across health economics and energy economics. The research trends indicate a strong focus on empirical analysis of healthcare systems using advanced econometric methods, particularly data envelopment analysis (DEA) and productivity measurement techniques. His work frequently involves cross-national comparative studies within the Nordic region, examining how different healthcare organizational structures affect efficiency and quality outcomes. Kittelsen has been involved in numerous research projects related to public sector efficiency, including hospital productivity studies, tax office efficiency analysis, and energy market modeling. His work often bridges theoretical economic concepts with practical policy implications for healthcare and energy sectors. His institutional affiliations with both the Frisch Centre (a prominent Norwegian economic research institute) and the University of Oslo position him at the nexus of academic research and policy-relevant analysis. This dual affiliation enables him to contribute both to theoretical economic literature and to practical policy discussions in Norway and the broader Nordic region.
Eilif Pedersen is a Professor and Program Leader for Marine Technology at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). He leads the Department of Marine Technology under the Faculty of Engineering. His research focuses on mathematical modeling, simulation of machinery systems, and energy-efficient solutions in marine and offshore contexts. He is actively involved in projects such as SEACo, SFI Smart Maritime, and ViProMa, emphasizing virtual prototyping and hybrid power systems. Key research areas include bond graph methodology, thermodynamic system modeling, and dynamic analysis of marine systems. Pedersen supervises numerous PhD and industrial projects, including studies on hybrid propulsion, wind turbine dynamics, and fuel cell integration. He has contributed to over 50 publications, with recent work addressing co-simulation techniques, energy conservation in marine systems, and emission reduction strategies. His expertise spans marine engines, fluid dynamics, and renewable energy applications. Collaborations with industry partners like Rolls-Royce and Kongsberg Digital highlight his commitment to bridging academic research with practical maritime challenges.
Ashkan Jahanbani Ghahfarokhi is an Associate Professor in Reservoir Engineering at NTNU’s Department of Geosciences since 2019. He leads the CEORS Gemini Centre (CO2 Enhanced Oil Recovery & Storage) and is a core member of the BRU21 Reservoir Management group. His research focuses on data-driven subsurface modeling, CO2 storage, and optimization of oil recovery processes. Education: PhD, NTNU (2015); MEng, University of Calgary (2009); MSc/BSc, Petroleum University of Technology, Iran (2006–2009). Roles: Head of Reservoir Engineering Group (2021–2022), Project Manager for NORHED II (2022), and NTNU’s Outstanding Academic Fellow (2022–2026). Research interests include CO2-EOR/Storage, machine learning applications, proxy modeling, and reservoir simulation. He has supervised 20+ students and published over 40 journal/conference papers. Awards include DNVA postdoc scholarship (2015–2017) and PoreLab postdoc (wettability studies). Teaching: Masters/PhD courses in reservoir fluids, simulation, and geomechanics. Guest editor for Energies (AI in Oil & Gas).
