Academic Interests
How does the brain develop and change during the life-span, and which cognitive consequences does this development have? My research is focused on understanding the dynamic relationship between changes in brain structure, brain function, and cognitive abilities. Participants in these studies range from 4 to 90 years of age. As many other researchers within the field of cognitive neuroscience, I try to take advantage of several different approaches to understand the relationship between brain and cognition, focusing mainly on electrophysiology (EEG/ ERP), structural brain measures (MR morphometry, diffusion tensor imaging), patients studies, and standardized as well as more experimental cognitive and neuropsychological tests. In specific projects other measures of or related to the brain are also included (PET, fMRI, CSF biomarkers, genetic testing). A recent interest is in how brain structure and function interact with CSF biomarkers in aging and Alzheimer’s disease to produce cognitive changes.
Higher education and employment history
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Professional degree in psychology from UiO (2001)
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PhD in psychology from UiO (2005). Thesis title: Integrating brain and behavior throughout the adult life-spa
Fellowships and awards
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2016 Elected member of the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters
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2015 University of Oslo’s Research Prize shared with Kristine Walhovd
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2015 LCBC appointed status as one of 5 “World class” groups at UiO
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2012 Morgenbladet’s list of the top 10 young (< 40 years) Norwegian researchers
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2006 The Fridtjof Nansen Award for young investigators
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2006 His Majesty the King's Gold Medal for best PhD thesis
Current major grants
2015-2020 LCBC appointed status as one of 5 World Class groups at UiO to receive special funding for 5 years (€ 3mill)
2014-2017 New biomarkers for early detection of Alzheimer’s Disease. (The National Health Association €1.125 mill)
2014-2017 Inflammation, Amyloid and Atrophy in the Aging Brain: The Borders between Healthy Brain Aging and Neurodegeneration. (NRC FriPro program €850k)
2014-2017 Patterns and mechanisms of brain atrophy in healthy aging and dementia: Why is the aging brain susceptible to Alzheimer’s Disease? (NRC Nevronor €750k)
2012-2017 Emergence and Decline of Constructive Memory – Starting Grant from the European Research Council (€ 1.5 mill)