Aakra was previously head of research at SINTEF - Applied research, technology and innovation in Trondheim.
Friday 1 March, Ågot Aakra starts as the new dean at the Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management (MINA). Aakra comes from a position as head of research for the Department of Biotechnology and Nanomedicine at SINTEF Industri in Trondheim.
“We are very pleased to welcome Ågot back to Ås,” says rector Siri Fjellheim.
“Ågot has extensive experience in management in academia, and in her MINA will have a knowledgeable, diligent and forward-thinking dean.”
Good insight
“I'm very much looking forward to work at MINA,” says Aakra.
“MINA has a scientific profile that is particularly forward-looking, and the education and research at the faculty is absolutely central to being able to solve challenges both when it comes to nature, the environment and the climate.”
Aakra was head of administration at the then Institute for Natural Resource Management (INA), and for a short period into the MINA era. But she has followed the faculty afterwards as well.
“As a member of the faculty board, I maintained a little insight into what has happened at MINA in recent years as well.”
Long experience from NMBU
She also has extensive experience from NMBU, with a master's degree in biotechnology (1997) and a Ph.D. in microbiology (2000). After completing her doctorate, Aakra worked at NMBU for 21 years. First as a researcher and later as a senior adviser, head of administration and as dean at the Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science until 2021. She has also been area director for Climate and Environment at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI).