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Curriculum Vitae (summary) – Trude Vrålstad
PERSONALIA
 Date of birth: 10.01.1970, Norwegian citizen, married, 3 children.
 Mobile: +4793222380, work: +4723216247, e-mail: trude.vralstad@vetinst.no
CURRENT POSITIONS
 Head of section, Section of Mycology, Norwegian Veterinary Institute, Oslo (since 2014)
 Senior scientist, Section of Mycology, Norwegian Veterinary Institute, Oslo (since 2005)
 Associate professor II (20%), Department of Biosciences (DB), University of Oslo, Norway (since 2006)
EDUCATION
 Cand. scient (MSc.) in Biology (Mycology), June 1996, University of Oslo, Norway.
 Dr. scient (PhD) in Biology (Mycology), June 2001, University of Oslo, Norway.
PREVIOUS PROFESSIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE
 2004: Researcher in Mycology, DB, University of Oslo (UoO), Norway.
 2001 –2004: Post doc in Mycology, DB, UoO, Norway, and Hasselt University, Belgium
 2001- 2002: First consultant, 7th international mycological congress (IMC7), DB,UoO, Norway
 January 1997-June 2001: Doctoral research fellow in mycology, DB, UoO, Norway
TEACHING, SUPERVISION, LEADERSHIP, ADMINISTRATION, COMMISSIONS
 May-Nov 2012: Completed the leader course “Entering leadership in research” held by the Institute for
Co-creative Leadership Ltd (www.iml.no)
 Since 2009: The NVI's representative in the national Working Group for Freshwater Crayfish (WGFC)
 Since 2009: The NVI's representative in the National Reference Laboratory network for Crystacean
Diseases – Annual meetings for Europe organized by the European Union Reference Laboratory for
Crustacean diseases (EURL) in Weymoth, CEFAS.
 Since 2008: ◊ Main supervisor for one PhD student (graduated 2013) and three master students
(graduated 2010, 2011, 2013). ◊ Evaluation committee member for scientific positions at the UoO,
University of Tromsø and NVI. ◊ Adjudication committee member for one PhD thesis (UoO)
 Since 2007: Deputy Head of Section of Mycology, Norwegian Veterinary Institute.
 Since 2005: Responsible for crayfish plague diagnostics and related advisory support to the authorities
 Since 2003: Referee commissions for >25 international peer review journals
 Since 2002: ◊ Lecturer on bachelor, master and PhD courses in mycology/biology at UoO, University of
Life Sciences, Ås, Norway, & Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden. ◊
Supervisor/co-supervisor for many bachelor- and master student projects, UoO and NVI. ◊ External
examiner master exams (Univ. of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway).
 2004: Main organizer of the NordForsk research training course for European PhD students
“Identification of ectomycorrhizal fungi – from root tip to sequence” at UoO, August 2004.
 2001-2002: Main coordinator of the 7th International Mycological Conference (IMC7) scientific program
(~1200 international delegates), Department of Biology, University of Oslo, Norway
 2001-2002: Board member of IMC7 the 7th International Mycological Conference (IMC7), DB, UoO
FUNDED NETWORKS & RESEARCH PROJECTS
 2015-2018: Project leader of the research project "Targeted strategies for safeguarding the noble
crayfish against alien and emerging threats" (TARGET) funded by the Norwegian Research Council,
Environment2015/Miljø2015 (243907). 8 partners, 6 countries.
 2014-2018: Project participant in “FUNtox-SIS” - Fungi and mycotoxins in a "one health" perspective.
FUNtox is a strategic institute scheme at the Norwegian Veterinary Institute established to provide a
centre of excellence for research on fungi (FUN) and toxinology (tox).
 2008-2013: Project leader of the research project "Advanced monitoring of the introduced crayfish
plague (Aphanomyces astaci) for improved management of endangered freshwater crayfish" funded by
the Norwegian Research Council, Environment2015/Miljø2015 (183986). 7 partners, 5 countries.
 2008-2011: Project partner in the research network “Fungi in boreal forest soils”, NordForsk (080158)
 2005-2009: Project partner in the Nordic-Russian network “New emerging mycotoxins and other
metabolites in toxigenic fungi of Northern Europe” funded by NordForsk (nr. 040291).
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2004-2006: Project leader of the research project: ”Identification of ectomycorrhizal fungi in Nordic
forests”. (7 partners) funded by the Nordic Forest Research Co-operation Committee (SNS-92).
2003-2007: Project partner in the Nordic-Baltic network “Identification and Ecology of Ectomycorrhizal
fungi” funded by NordForsk (nr. 020275).
2001-2005: Coordinating group member of UNITE (A Molecular database for the identification of fungi):
http://unite.ut.ee/
2001-2004: Project leader: ”Fungal genotyping, Cu-tolerance and host protection in ectomycorrhizal
strains of the Hymenoscyphus ericae aggregate” NRC post doc (145324/432)
37 PUBLISHED PAPERS IN ISI-COVERED JOURNALS.
Citation metrics (Web of Science, June-15): Citing articles without self-cites: 799, H-index: 16
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS IN PEER-REVIEWED JOURNALS SINCE 2009
 Aamot H, Ward TJ, Brodal G, Vrålstad T, Larsen GB, Klemsdal SS, Elameen A, Uhlig S, Hofgaard I. 2015.
Genetic and phenotypic diversity within the Fusarium graminearum species complex in Norway. Eur J
Plant Pathol. 142, 501-519.
 Negård M, Uhlig S, Kauserud H, Andersen T, Høiland K, Vrålstad T. 2015. Links between genetic groups,
indole alkaloid profiles and ecology within the grass-parasitic Claviceps purpurea species complex.
Toxins 7: 1431-1456. http://www.mdpi.com/2072-6651/7/5/1431
 Thoen E, Vrålstad T, Rolén E, Kristensen R, Evensen Ø, Skaar I. 2015. Saprolegnia species in
Norwegian salmon hatcheries: field survey identifies S. diclina sub-clade IIIB as the dominating taxon.
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Dis Aquat Org 114: 189-198
Vrålstad T, Strand DA, Grandjean F, Kvellestad A, Håstein T, Knutsen AK, Taugbøl T, Skaar I, 2014.
Molecular detection and genotyping of Aphanomyces astaci directly from preserved crayfish samples
uncovers the Norwegian crayfish plague disease history. Vet Microbiol 173: 66-75.
Strand DA, Jussila J, Johnsen SI, Viljamaa-Dirks S, Edsman L, Wiik-Nielsen J, Viljugrein H, Enghdahl F,
Vrålstad, T, 2014. Detection of crayfish plague spores in large freshwater systems. Journal of Applied
Ecology 51: 544-553
Grandjean F, Vrålstad T, Dieguez-Uribeondo J, Jelic M, Mangombi J, Delaunay C, Filipova L, Rezinciuc S,
Kozubikova-Balcarova E, Guyonnet D, Viljamaa-Dirks S, Petrusek A. 2014. Microsatellite markers for
direct genotyping of the crayfish plague pathogen Aphanomyces astaci (Oomycetes) from infected host
tissues. Vet Microbiol 170: 317-324.
Svoboda J, Strand DA, Vrålstad T, Grandjean F, Edsman L, Kozák P, Kouba A, Fristad RF, Koca SB,
Petrusek A. 2014. The crayfish plague pathogen can infect freshwater inhabiting crabs. Freshwater
Biology 59: 918-929
Sandström S, Andersson M, Asp A, Bohman P, Edsman L, Engdahl F, Nyström P, Stenberg M, Hertonsson
P, Vrålstad T, Granèli W. 2014. Population collapses in introduced non-indigenous crayfish. Biological
Invasions 16: 1961-1977
Uhlig S, Egge-Jacobsen W, Vrålstad T, Miles O. 2014. Indole-diterpenoid profiles of Claviceps paspali
and Claviceps purpurea from high-resolution Fourier transform Orbitrap mass spectrometry. Rapid
Communications in Mass Spectrometry 28: 1621-1634
Schrimpf A, Maiwald T, Vrålstad T, Schulz HK, Smietana P, Schulz R. 2013. Absence of the crayfish
plague agent may explain coexisting populations of European and American crayfish in central Europe.
Freshwater Biology 58: 1116-1125.
Ali SE, Thoen E, Vrålstad T, Kristensen R, Evensen Ø, Skaar I. 2013, Development and reproduction of
Saprolegnia species in biofilms. Veterinary Microbiology 163, 133-141.
Makkonen J, Strand D, Kokko H, Vrålstad T, Jussila J. 2013. Timing and quantifying Aphanomyces astaci
sporulation from the noble crayfish suffering from the crayfish plague. Vet Microbiol 162: 750-755.
Carlsen T, Aas AB; Lindner D, Vrålstad T, Schumacher T, Kauserud H. 2012. Don't make a mista(g)ke: Is
tag switching an overlooked source of error in amplicon pyrosequencing studies? Fun Ecol 5: 747-749.
Strand D, Jussila J, Viljamaa-Dirks S, Kokko H, Makkonen J, Holst-Jensen A, D, Viljugrein H, Vrålstad T.
2012. Monitoring the spore dynamics of Aphanomyces astaci in the ambient water of latent carrier
crayfish. Veterinary Microbiology 160: 99-107
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Pârvulescu L, Schrimpf A, Kozubíková E, Cabanillas RS, Vrålstad T, Petrusek A and Schulz R. 2012.
Invasive crayfish and crayfish plague on the move: first detection of the plague agent Aphanomyces
astaci in the Romanian Danube. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms 98: 85-94.
Kozubíková E, Vrålstad T, Filipová L, Petrusek A. 2011. Re-examination of the prevalence of
Aphanomyces astaci in North American crayfish populations in Central Europe by TaqMan MGB realtime PCR. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms 97:113-125.
Vrålstad T, Johnsen SI, Fristad RF, Edsman L, Strand DA. 2011. Potent infection reservoir of crayfish
plague now permanently established in Norway. Diseases of Aquatic Org 97:75-83.
Vrålstad T. 2011. ITS, OTUs and beyond – fungal hyperdiversity calls for supplementary solutions.
Molecular Ecology 20: 2873-2875.
Gjessing M, Davey M, Kvellestad A, Vrålstad T. 2011. Exophiala angulospora causes systemic
inflammation in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L). Dis Aquat Organ 96: 209-219.
Strand D, Holst-Jensen A, D, Viljugrein H, Edvardsen B, Klaveness D, Jussila J, Vrålstad T. 2011.
Molecular detection of the crayfish plague agent Aphanomyces astaci in water samples- an approach
for direct monitoring of aquatic environments. Diseases of Aquatic Org 95: 9-17.
Uhlig S, Petersen D, Rolén E, Egge-Jacobsen W, Vrålstad T. 2011. Ergosedmine, a new peptide ergot
alkaloid (ergopeptine) from the ergot fungus, Claviceps purpurea parasitizing Calamagrostis
arundinacea. Phytochemistry letters 4: 79-85
Skov C, Aarestrup K, Sivebæk F, Pedersen S, Vrålstad T, Berg S. 2011. Non-indigenous signal crayfish
Pacifastacus leniusculus is now common in Danish streams; Preliminary status for national distribution
and protective actions. Biological Invasions 13: 1269-1274
Bjorbækmo MFM, Carlsen T, Brysting A, Vrålstad T, Høiland K, Ugland KI, Geml J, Schumacher T,
Kauserud H. 2010. High diversity of root associated fungi in both alpine and arctic Dryas octopetala.
BMC Plant Biology 10, 244.
Grelet GA, Johnson D, Vrålstad T, Alexander IJ, Anderson IC. 2010. New insights into the mycorrhizal
Rhizoscyphus ericae aggregate: spatial structure and co-colonisation of ectomycorrhizal and ericoid
roots. New Phytologist 188, 210-222.
Johnsen, S.I. & Vrålstad, T. 2010. Introduced signal crayfish and crayfish plague in Norway – history,
consequences and management actions. Vann 2:213-221. In Norwegian
Abarenkov K, Nilsson RH, Larsson KH, Alexander IJ, Eberhardt U, Erland S, Hoiland K, Kjøller R, Larsson E,
Pennanen T, Sen R, Taylor AFS, Tedersoo L, Ursing BM, Vrålstad T, Liimatainen K, Peintner U, Kõljalg U.
2010. The UNITE database for molecular identification of fungi - recent updates and future
perspectives. New Phytologist 186, 281-285.
Uhlig S, Botha CJ, Vrålstad T, Rolén E, Miles CO. 2009. Indole-diterpenes and ergot alkaloids in Cynodon
dactylon infected with Claviceps cynodontis from an outbreak of tremors in cattle. Journal of
Agricultural and Food Chemistry 57, 11112-11119.
Vrålstad T, Knutsen AK, Tengs T, Holst-Jensen A. 2009. A quantitative TaqMan® MGB real-time
polymerase chain reaction based assay for detection of the causative agent of crayfish plague
Aphanomyces astaci. Veterinary Microbiology 137, 146-155.
SELECTED PRESENTATIONS AT CONFERENCES & MEETINGS (since 2008)
 Vrålstad, T. 2015. Crayfish diseases in Europe – The one significant and the remaining lurking in the
shadows. Keynote lecture at European Crayfish conference: Research and Management; 2015-04-09 2015-04-12
 Strand D & Vrålstad T. 2015. TARGET: Targeted Strategies for Safeguarding the Noble crayfish against
alien and emerging threats. European Crayfish conference: Research and Management; 2015-04-09 2015-04-12
 Vrålstad T, Strand D, Jussila J, Johnsen SI, Viljamaa-Dirks S, Edsman L, Wiik-Nielsen J, Engdahl F,
Viljugrein H. 2014. Environmental DNA monitoring of the crayfish plague pathogen Aphanomyces astaci
- news and views for research and management. Invited talk at 10th internation mycological congress
(IMC10), Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC), Aug. 3-8.
 Vrålstad T, Grandjean F, Kozubíková-Balcarová E, Filipová L, Strand D, Delaunay C, Petrusek A. 2014.
Culture-independent microsatellite genotyping of Aphanomyces astaci – a powerful tool for molecular
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epidemiology studies of past and present crayfish plague epizootics. Oral presentation, 10th internation
mycological congress (IMC10), Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC), Aug. 3-8
Vrålstad T, Negård N, Uhlig S, Kauserud H, Andersen T, Høiland K. 2014. Links between genetic groups,
indole alkaloid chemistry and ecology within the grass-parasitic Claviceps purpurea species complex.
Poster at the 10th internation mycological congress (IMC10),Queen Sirikit National Convention Center
(QSNCC), Aug. 3-8.
Negård M, Uhlig S, Kauserud H, Høiland K, Andersen T, Vrålstad T. 2014. Indole alkaloid profiles in
ergot (Claviceps purpurea): Is there a link between chemotype, genetic group and ecology? Poster,
Metabolomics and Systems Biology Conference 2014, Texas, USA
Strand DA, Vrålstad T. 2013. Status på prosjektet «Avansert overvåking av introdusert krepsepest
(Aphanomyces astaci) for bedre forvaltning av truet ferskvannskreps». Miljø2015 konferansen IV 2013
«På TVERS av miljøkonfliktene». Radisson Blu Nydalen, 6.–7. februar.
Strand DA, Vrålstad T. 2013. Water monitoring of the crayfish plague agent Aphanomyces astaci Results, Challanges and Possibilities, Oral presentation Crayfish Workshop/5th Annual Meeting of
National Reference Laboratories for Crustacean Diseases - Tampere, Finland den 1.09.2013
Strand DA, Jussila J, Johnsen SI, Viljamaa-Dirks S, Edsman L, Wiik-Nielsen J, Viljugrein H, Engdahl F,
Vrålstad T, 2013. Environmental monitoring of the Aphanomyces astaci sporulation dynamics in large
freshwater systems. Oral talkt, Regional European Crayfish meeting, Sept 26-28, 2013 Rovinj, Croatia.
Vrålstad T, Strand DA, Edsman L, Edvardsen B, Engdahl F, Fristad R, Holst-Jensen A, Johnsen SI, Jussila J,
Klaveness D, Kokko H, Makkonen J, Viljamaa-Dirks S, Viljugrein H. 2012. Hunting the crayfish plague
disease agent in water sources – challenges and possibilities. Oral talk, IAA19 International Association
of Astacology (IAA) 19th Symposium, Aug. 26 – 31, 2012 Innsbruck, Austria
Schrimpf A, Maiwald T, Vrålstad T, Schulz H, Smietána P, Schulz R. Absence of the crayfish plague agent
may explain coexisting populations of European and American crayfish in central Europe. 2012. Poster,
IAA19 International Association of Astacology (IAA) 19th Symp, Aug. 26–31, Innsbruck, Austria.
Strand D, Jussila J, Viljamaa-Dirks S, Kokko H, Makkonen J, Holst-Jensen A, Viljugrein H, Vrålstad T.
2012. Aphanomyces astaci spore dynamics in the ambient water of latent carrier crayfish revealed
using qPCR. Oral presentation, IAA19 International Association of Astacology (IAA) 19th Symposium,
August 26 – 31, 2012 Innsbruck, Austria.
Grandjean F, Jelic M, Mangombi J, Delaunay C, Filipová L, Kozubíková E, Viljamaa-Dirks S, Vrålstad T,
Diéguez-Uribeondo J, Petrusek A. 2012. Isolation of microsatellite markers in Aphanomyces astaci:
new perspectives for the identification of pathogen strains in infected crayfish. 2012. Oral talk, IAA19
International Association of Astacology (IAA) 19th Symposium, August 26 – 31, 2012 Innsbruck, Austria.
Vrålstad, Strand D. 2012. Hunting infectious disease agents in water – from aquaria to lakes. Open
seminar, National Veterinary Institute, Oslo, Norway, May 14th 2012.
Vrålstad T, Strand D. 2011. Detecting alien signals - can novel methods improve the management of
freshwater crayfish? Invited talk “IX National days of crayfish”, Economicum, 7 Arkadiankatu,
University of Helsinki, Finland, Nov. 16th 2011
Strand D, Jussila J, Viljamaa-Dirks S, Kokko H, Holst-Jensen A, Viljugrein H, Vrålstad T. 2011. Dead or
alive - American signal crayfish release crayfish plague spores continuously. Oral presentation 2nd
Norwegian Microbiology Meeting, Hemsedal, Norway, Sept. 14-16
Strand D, Holst-Jensen A, D, Viljugrein H, Edvardsen B, Klaveness D, Jussila J, Vrålstad T. 2010.
Detection of crayfish plague (Aphanomyces astaci) directly from aquatic environments. Oral talk, IAA18
- 18th Symposium of the International Association of Astacology, Columbia, MO, USA, July 18-23
Vrålstad T, Strand D, Edvardsen B, Holst-Jensen A, Jussila J, Klaveness D, Viljugrein H. 2010. Molecular
detection of crayfish plague (Aphanomyces astaci) in aquatic environments. Poster at the IMC9 - 9th
International Mycological Congress, Edinburgh, Scotland, Aug 1-6.
Strand D, Holst-Jensen A, Viljugrein H, Klaveness D, Edvardsen B, Vrålstad T. 2010. Detection of crayfish
plague in water and environment. Poster, “Climate for Environmental Research - Enviroment 2015
conference II”. Thon Hotell Opera, Oslo Feb16-17
Vrålstad T. 2008. Advanced monitoring of introduced crayfish plague (Aphanomyces astaci) for
improved management of endangered freshwater crayfish. Research for improved environmental
management - Opening conference MILJØ 2015. Lillestrøm. Nov 18-19.
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Vrålstad T. 2008. Recent advances in molecular detection of Aphanomyces astaci. Invited Keynote
lecture, International Association of Astacology (IAA) 17th, Kuopio, Finland. Aug 4-8.
SELECTED COMMUNICATION AND DISSEMINATION TO USER GROUPS AND PUBLIC
 Intervju med Vrålstad T. 2015. Krepsepest -ekstremt høyt smittepress. NRK Østlandsendingen
08.06.2015. http://www.nrk.no/ostlandssendingen/frykter-krepsepest-i-hemnessjoen-1.12397815
 Vrålstad T, Strand D & Johnsen SI. «TARGET» – Målrettet og moderne overvåkning av edelkrepsen og
dens biologiske trusler? Seminar i Norsk vannforening "Vannmiljø og overvåkning - Lange tidsserier hvorfor er disse viktige?" Aker brygge, 2015-04-15
 Johnsen SI, Garnås E, Skurdal J, Strand D, Vrålstad T. Edelkreps - Ettertraktet og sterkt truet. Jakt og
fiske 2014 (8) p. 90-91
 Vrålstad T, Strand DA. 2013. Høydepunkter fra prosjektet «Avansert overvåking av introdusert
krepsepest (Aphanomyces astaci) for bedre forvaltning av truet ferskvannskreps». Foredrag for
Arbeidsgruppa for ferskvannskreps 12. mars 2013, Fylkesmannen i Buskerud, Statens Hus, Drammen
 Vrålstad T. 2013. Kreps og krepsepest i Haldenvbassdraget - fortid, nåtid og framtid. Foredrag for
Aremark og Marker Senterparti, Båtcafeen i Ørje 25. juni 2013.
 Strand DA, Vrålstad T. 2013 Jakten på krepsepesten. Foredrag på Nationell Kräftkonferens, Jönköping,
Sverige, 27-28. November 2013
 Vrålstad T. 2012. Use of qPCR for A. astaci diagnostics, carrier status analyses and agent detection in
water sources. 2012. 4th Annual Meeting of the National Reference Laboratories of Crustacean
Diseases. CEFAS, Weymouth, UK, Nov 1-2, 2012.
 Vrålstad T. 2012. Krepsekrigen – tilbakeblikk, oppdateringer og framtidsutsikter. Invitert foredrag til
åpningen av utstillingen “Stopp pesten! Redd Edelkrepsen!” ved Kanalmuseet i Ørje, 15. august 2012
 Intervju i Uniforum: Krepsekrigen i Haldenvassdraget. Uniforum 27.08.2012
http://www.uniforum.uio.no/nyheter/2012/08/krepsekrigen-i-haldenvassdraget.html
 Utstilling: Stopp pesten, redd edelkrepsen: http://ostfoldmuseene.no/2012/08/06/stopp-pesten-reddedelkrepsen/ . Åpnet 15. august 2012. Vrålstad har i perioden 2010-2012 bidratt med tekster,
presentasjoner , bilder og faglig kvalitetssirking av sluttproduktet.
 Strand DA, Vrålstad T. 2010. Krepsepestjakten. 2010. Argus 1. s. 13
 Johnsen SI, Vrålstad T. 2010. Introdusert signalkreps og krepsepest i Norge – historikk, konsekvenser og
tiltak. Vann 02: 213-221
 Vrålstad T, Johnsen SI, Strand D. 2009. If you can't eat them - beat them! I Norge skal pestkreps
bekjempes, ikke nytes. Sopp og nyttevekster Årgang 5 - Nr. 4: 36-40.
 Interview with Vrålstad T. 2009. Signalkrepsen på golfbanen. http://www.nrk.no/viten/signalkrepsenpa-golfbanen-1.6811365
 Interview with Vrålstad T, Strand DA. 2009. Verdt å vite spesial: Krepsepest. NRK P2 12.okt. 2009. Sendt
i reprise 6. aug. 2010. https://gpodder.net/podcast/nrk-verdt-a-vite/verdt-a-vite-2009-10-12-spesial
 Vrålstad T, Strand A. 2009. Future diagnostic tools in crayfish plague surveillance. Invited lecture on the
Crayfish disease seminar at the Finnish Food Safety Authority Evira, opening of Evira as appointed OIE
reference laboratory for crayfish plague. August 13th-14th 2009.
9 REPORTS FOR THE AUTHORITIES (not shown due to space limitations – see CRISTIN link below)
SCIENTIFIC AWARD
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2002: The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences’ winner of “The Kings golden medal” for the
PhD thesis “Molecular ecology of root-associated mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal ascomycetes”
126 registered results in CRISTIN (Current Research Information System in Norway):
https://www.cristin.no/as/WebObjects/cristin.woa/2/wa/personVis?type=PERSON&pnr=24698&la=en&instnr=7497
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