Kaja Skålnes Knudsen, MSc.

I have obtained a bachelor’s degree in nanotechnology and a master’s degree in nanoscience at the University of Bergen. In my masters I worked with developing a co-delivery nanocarrier to be used in cancer treatment. As a student I was active in several volunteer positions, such as manager of the nanoscience student council and CEO of the student program called Talentjakten. After finishing my degree, I worked 50 % in the same group where I took my masters (Herfindals group, Department of Clinical Science, UiB) and 50 % as a farm hand. In January 2018 I started in CealTech as a laboratory technician and am now working as a scientist.

What I like about my job at CealTech?

Being new in the work life, I really appreciate the opportunity to take part of not only the lab work, but also the research and planning behind the different projects and experiments. Learning about the process of commercializing science. It is also fun to get to work with graphene, as this is the material that got me to study nanotechnology in the first place. I do also have to mention the kind and supporting environment here, that nourish both good discussions and laughs.

What I like to do in my free time?

I enjoy using my free time out in the nature, either hiking or kayaking. These are activities allowing me to clear my mind and experience the wildlife that can be found just outside the house door. I do however also appreciate a calm evening with knitting in front of the tv or learning to play the mandolin. And let us not forget about the cows! My boyfriend’s family own a farm and being an animal lover, I try to become best friend with all of them. So far, my experience is that bribing them with food works the best.

Jan Sverre Vea, MSc.

I completed my studies at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim and graduated with a MSc. in applied physics, and a great and memorable experience through my organizational work with the students’ sports club NTNUI. I started my professional career in 2006 as a maintenance engineer in Aker Kværner (later Aker Solutions), before advancing to project management within the same company. My main activities included M&M projects for Statoil. After that period, I moved to Odfjell Drilling, where I was also involved in M&M activities, until I joined CealTech in February 2016.

What I like about my job at CealTech?

The simple answer is: the people. It has been incredibly fun and motivating to be part of the team, and not the least, it has also been both rewarding and inspiring to be a part of a scientific revolution, with graphene, “the new supermaterial”, at the center of it. I also enjoy the opportunities that come with working in a small company, as I got to do different tasks and to be involved in a lot of the things that are going on.

What I like to do in my free time?

Mostly sailing during summertime. I am actually one of the owners of a racing sailboat that we use in regional regattas. In wintertime, I try to put in as much skiing as I can. My other winter activity is curling, which I have played for several years now!

Anh Hoang Dam, Ph.D.

I earned my Doctoral degree in Chemical Engineering at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Norway. Prior to joining CealTech, I worked first as a Material Engineer, with specialty in Polymer Nanocomposite Material, then I worked as a Chemical Engineer, and had as research task the ‘development of gravel pack for oil and gas production using expandable polymer material’. In 2016, I started working as R&D Chemist at CealTech, and since have been focusing my research activities on graphene, and graphene derivatives, and related applications, such as: composites, elastomers, paints/coatings, corrosion resistance, antifouling, electromagnetic shielding, etc.

What I like about my job at CealTech?

Mostly the work environment! I also enjoy the fact that I can develop and fulfill my research interests, in that graphene gives me the opportunity to work on polymer composite, paint, elastomers, organic and inorganic nanomaterials, catalysts, etc.

What I like to do in my free time?

I like watching and playing football and table tennis. I also like movies and music.

Fan Huang, Ph.D.

I obtained a bachelor of Science degree in Polymer Science and Engineering from Wuhan University of Technology in China. I then continued studying and researching in the field of polymers, in particular in conductive polymers, whereby I received a Master’s degree at the University of Manchester in UK. Afterwards, I started researching in Electrical Energy Storage (EES) devices – including supercapacitor and Li-ion battery – and earned my Doctoral degree at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Norway. I believe EES is going to play a more significant role in our daily life – actually, it is already doing that – and I see that further advance in material science is one of the most important prerequisites to achieve this goal. Prior to joining CealTech, I had several years of work experience in R&D and product development from various industries.

What I like about my job at CealTech?

to have the opportunity and challenge of working on cutting-edge technology, and to be researching in unknown and uncharted areas! But most importantly, I also enjoy having the support from a multicultural group of dedicated individuals with various talents.

What I like to do in my free time?

I mostly like listening to music.