Coen Campsteijn
Associate Professor - Nuclear Envelope Dynamics Group
Actioned strategic financial investments: We should identify and invest in collaborative key scientific thematics that bridge sections and departments.
Develop IMB’s identity: What is the outward profile of IMB? Who are we and how are we perceived? Where does IMB stand between LVB and the new Rikshospitalet? These are questions we need to find an answer to.
Ensure space and time for science: Our ability to do cutting-edge science is essential to IMBs future, identity and development, as well as its ability to provide and develop top-level education to students.
Clarity in future teaching: The many ongoing changes in teaching constructions at IMB are still unclear and inaccessible. How can we improve the flow of communication, and organize implementation of innovative teaching methods?
Svend Davanger
I am Professor at the Section of Anatomy, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, and have been employed at the University of Oslo since 2003. I have previously served as Head of the Section of Anatomy.
Academic background / research
I am a medical doctor and neuroscientist, with a particular interest in synaptic plasticity and the mechanisms underlying brain function and adaptation. My research ranges from basic neuroscience to questions related to stress, ageing, nutrition and meditation. I teach medical students and have supervised students and early-career researchers at different levels for many years.
Motivation and key priorities
After many years in academia, I am particularly interested in the conditions for research and academic work from a career-long perspective – from student and temporary academic positions, through established research positions and professorships, to the emeritus stage. Different phases of an academic career require different forms of support, and the university should have sufficient flexibility to accommodate individual needs throughout this trajectory.
• I am concerned with the academic substance, quality and long-term value of research, and with ensuring that academia does not become overly focused on measurable achievements, awards and external recognition. It should be possible both to pursue highly ambitious academic work and to maintain a sustainable balance between work and private life. In my view, this requires flexible arrangements that recognise differences in individual circumstances, working styles and ambitions.
• I also believe that research must remain an attractive career path for people with professional backgrounds. At a medical faculty in particular, it is important to facilitate careers in which clinical and other professional experience can be combined with research and teaching.
• IMB is a large institute composed of academic environments with long and proud scientific and historical traditions. I believe that the Institute leadership should not only ensure efficient administration, but also safeguard the culture, distinctiveness and academic identity of its departments and sections. These traditions should not merely be preserved as history; they are resources on which future development can be built.
• Rules, procedures and administrative systems are necessary tools for creating good conditions for research and teaching. At the same time, they should be applied with sufficient judgement and flexibility to ensure that long-term academic goals are not lost behind the rules themselves.
Experience
I have experience from both academic leadership and trade union work, in addition to many years as a researcher, teacher and supervisor at the university. This has given me insight into the institute both from the perspective of the
Ragnhild Eskeland
Associate Professor, Division of Biochemistry, Department of Molecular Medicine, and Principal Investigator at the Centre of Excellence, CanCell.
My research focuses on epigenetics in stem cells and cancer.
Priorities:
- A positive and inclusive working environment.
- Protection of academic freedom and time for research.
- Clear and transparent communication from the Institute’s leadership and administration.
- Support for high-quality teaching and the redevelopment of teaching facilities to meet the needs of an evolving medical degree programme.
- Building a curiosity driven teaching and research environment on the basis of our academic traditions
Helene Knævelsrud
Associate Professor, Division of Biochemistry, Department of Molecular Medicine
My research focuses on how autophagy is regulated under physiological and pathological conditions. I use fruit flies, cell cultures and patient-derived material in my research.
Priorities:
- Favourable conditions for basic research.
- Team-building, internal collaboration, and the optimal use of shared resources and infrastructure at the Institute.
- Ensuring the best possible conditions for securing external funding.
Hanne Cathrine Lie
Professor, Department of Behavioural Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences
Current member of the Institute Council
Priorities
- Transparency in financial matters and institutional priorities.
- Effective communication between the Institute leadership and the departments.
- Increased collaboration across departments and disciplines, including with Oslo University Hospital (OUS) and other parts of the University of Oslo.
- A continued focus on high-quality support services for academic work, including teaching and research.
Valeria Vitelli
Professor at the Department of Biostatistics at UiO, which is part of the Oslo Centre for Biostatistics and Epidemiology (OCBE), bringing together statisticians from UiO and OUS. I am also a Principal Investigator at Integreat, the Norwegian Centre for Knowledge-driven Machine Learning.
Academic background / project:
My main research fields are high-dimensional statistics, Bayesian methods, machine learning, and functional data analysis. More broadly, I focus on modelling intrinsically smooth processes and complex data structures, often motivated by biomedical applications. I recently received FRIPRO funding to investigate Bayesian clustering methods for multi-view high-dimensional data.
Motivation and key issues:
I am very concerned with the evolution of scientific thinking and research practices during the current AI revolution. Our work as academics, as well as democratic processes within the university and beyond, will be deeply affected by developments in AI in the coming years. It is therefore crucial to have someone on the council who understands how AI models work, their strengths and limitations.
Experience:
I have previously served as a deputy representative in the institute council.