Dr. Gunnveig Grødeland, Research Group Lead, Influenza and Adaptive Immunity, Institute for Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo

Text: Chelsea Ranger, Senior advisor, SwedenBIO

You have worked for many years in immunology, vaccinology, and pandemic preparedness. Throughout the pandemic, you have been a trusted source of information and reason for Norwegians. How have the past two years impacted you, and where do you see your role developing in the future?
It has been incredibly rewarding to see the public’s growing interest in understanding how the immune system works and what vaccines actually do. This increased knowledge should serve as the foundation for informed choices about vaccination moving forward.
For me, a key goal has been to provide balanced, science-based information to enable rational decision-making. Since public trust in science is essential for responding effectively to future viral threats, I believe it is crucial that information is neither exaggerated nor downplayed. Looking ahead, I hope to continue contributing insights that help society prepare for future pandemic threats, as well as support vaccine implementation and development.

How open do you feel the current channels of information and knowledge exchange are between academia and industry, or between the fields of infectious disease, immunology, and oncology? What would an improved model look like to you?
This question has many possible answers. On one hand, there are already several platforms in place to foster knowledge exchange between academia and industry. At the University of Oslo, for example, we have the SPARK Norway program, which promotes research commercialization by connecting innovation projects with industry mentors. Another example is the Growth House, a more informal space where students and researchers can engage with industry professionals and potentially form early-stage partnerships.
However, we could improve how we utilize these existing channels, particularly for early-stage projects that have commercialization potential. Perhaps we could also create more opportunities for students to work on defined projects with industry, helping to bridge the current gap.

Additionally, I believe we need to recognize that the divide between academia and industry is somewhat artificial. While there are differences in how we work, both sectors are driven by creative minds on a mission. Encouraging students to take an active role in academia—not just as recipients of knowledge but as contributors—can foster the motivation and drive needed to turn innovative ideas into reality.

We look forward to having you join us at NLSDays this year to share your experiences and insights. What do you hope to learn during the conference, and what advice would you like to share with entrepreneurs?
I hope to learn more about innovation strategies and success stories from across the Nordic region—identifying strong examples that can serve as inspiration for future initiatives.

For early-stage companies and entrepreneurs, my advice is to set the bar high-based on rational considerations, of course. If you aim for the sky and only reach halfway to heaven, that’s still an incredible achievement. And if you fail, at least you tried, and the lessons you gain will be invaluable for your next attempt.