Background and activities
Children's brain development is influenced by their environment. Caring relationships, safety, and learning opportunities all contribute in positive ways. By contrast, healthy brain development can be hindered by toxic chemicals in our environment — such as air pollution, heavy metals, pesticides, e-waste, and their "cocktail effects." Children's fast-growing nervous systems and neuroplasticity also mean children are particularly sensitive to the effects of toxins. Children's levels of exposure to environmental toxins varies widely, often based on where they live and their socioeconomic status. My work aims to bridge neurodevelopment and environmental toxins in light of social inequalities globally.
More generally, I seek a greater understanding of how early experiences influence long-term health and wellbeing — especially in children who face biological, social, and environmental risks in early life. I am interested in science writing, education, and policy towards the goal of supporting these children and their families.
NTNU's Center for Global Health Inequalities Research (CHAIN) examines social determinants of health, especially for children, in partnership with international organizations. I previously worked at NTNU's Center for Early Brain Development, using neuroimaging to study the long-term effects of preterm birth on brain structure, thinking, and behavior. From 2015-2017 I served as vice president of DION, NTNU's organization for PhDs and post-docs.
Scientific, academic and artistic work
Displaying a selection of activities. See all publications in the database
Journal publications
- (2019) Reduced hippocampal subfield volumes and memory function in school-aged children born preterm with very low birthweight (VLBW). NeuroImage: Clinical. vol. 23.
- (2019) Europe’s Environmental Pollution & Children’s Brain Development. EuroHealthNet Magazine. vol. 13.
- (2018) Childhood epilepsy and ADHD comorbidity in an Indian tertiary medical center outpatient population. Scientific Reports. vol. 8.
- (2018) Trajectories of brain development in school-age children born preterm with very low birth weight. Scientific Reports. vol. 8:15553.
- (2017) "Beginning with the Smallest Intake": Children's Brain Development and the Role of Neuroscience in Global Environmental Health. Neuron. vol. 95 (6).
- (2017) Utsatt for miljøgifter tidlig i livet. Morgenbladet.
- (2016) Limited microstructural and connectivity deficits despite subcortical volume reductions in school-aged children born preterm with very low birth weight. NeuroImage. vol. 130.
- (2015) Visual-motor deficits relate to altered gray and white matter in young adults born preterm with very low birth weight. NeuroImage. vol. 109.
- (2012) Neuroscience in the Capital: Linking Brain Research and Federal Early Childhood Programs and Policies. Early Education and Development. vol. 23 (1).
Report/dissertation
- (2018) Brain development, connectivity, and cognitive skills following preterm birth with very low birth weight: Neuroimaging findings from childhood, early adulthood, and the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study. Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet. 2018. ISBN 978-82-326-3059-2.
- (2017) PhD working conditions at NTNU with a special focus on PhD candidates with kids. 2017.
- (2016) PhD budget regulations at NTNU. 2016.
- (2016) PhD duty work regulations at NTNU. 2016.
- (2016) Report survey post-doctoral researchers at NTNU. 2016.
Others
- (2017) Preterm birth in India and Norway: What neuroscience tells us about long-term outcomes. NTNU Global Health Seminar ; 2017-09-14 - 2017-09-14.