Newsletter July 2024

Newsletter JULY 2024

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS MONTH'S NEWSLETTER:

• Summer greetings from head of department
• Hightlights from the early-career researchers' seminar
• Award-winning research at the 2024 glass & optical materials division annual meeting
• New travel expense report system at AAU
• Who's who: Colleague spotlight
• Administration summer holidays 

SUMMER GREETINGS FROM HEAD OF department

In this period, we harvest the fruits of several years of hard and dedicated work. Approximately 150 bachelor and 120 master’s students have graduated during the past month. It has been a pleasure for me to witness numerous students finalizing their studies, by being greeted and celebrated by friends and family. Well educated and relevant graduates that can make a positive impact on society is our primary product and raison d'être. On this note, I would like to express my deepfelt appreciation to everyone, from teachers and supervisors to administrative staff and laboratory support, who over the years has worked diligently to make this possible.

NEW VICE HEAD OF DEPARTMENT

Upon agreement with the dean, Jens Muff will, instead of the irregular Leader BIO Esbjerg title, have the title of Vice Head of Department. His tasks and participation in the daily management of the department will be unchanged.   

Working time registration postponed

Due to new interpretations of the rules by the Danish Employee and Competence Agency, working time registration has been postponed (originally scheduled for implementation 1´st of July). A broader interpretation of who is covered by the rules on self-organizers than has been signaled thus far has been presented and as a result, the universities need to revisit how they approach this. With this new turn of events, it is currently unknown who will be required to register their working time. Maybe (and so far, only maybe) the result could be that researchers and leaders (self-organizers) at the universities will be exempted for working time registration.

The date for initiation of working time registration is so far unknow, so we can do no more that relax and enjoy the summer.  

Agreement on the Framework for a Reform of University Degree Programmes in Denmark (Kandidatereform)

The Committee for Master’s Degree Programmes published their status report on the work on reforming the Danish Master´s Degree programmes June 19´th. You can find the report (in Danish) here:  På vej mod et nyt kandidatlandskab - Kandidatudvalgets delafrapportering — Uddannelses- og Forskningsministeriet (ufm.dk). To give you the very short version of the report there are two takeaways; 1) It is very difficult to match the projected goals for changes in the masters programmes with the agreed reform economy and demands to increase in labor supply and 2) we have very few indications on how this will affect us as university and department. The committee has a very big job ahead of them and it expected to deliver their final recommendations by October this year.   

So again, we have very little exact information to act upon, and we can do nothing else than wait, relax and enjoy the summer.

Agreement with private fOUNDATIONS

The agreement between the universities and the largest private foundations in Denmark (the Novo Nordisk Foundation, Villum Fonden, Velux Fonden, the Lundbeck Foundation, the Carlsberg Foundation and the LEO Foundation) has now been published. You may find it here: Aftale med fonde om finansiering af forskningsprojekter - Danske Universiteter (dkuni.dk). The most important feature of this agreement is that the department for all new hires will receive supplement, 250.000 kr. pr. year of employment, to cover administrative expenses. A preliminary analysis of the consequences of this on future budgets, for projects granted by the foundations in question, is that it will enable us to make projects that are cost neutral for the department. All in all, a very welcomed change, that in the years to come will help improve the department economy.  

AAU EXCELLENCE

A two-year research talent programme for early career researchers, named AAU Excellence, will be initiated this year. 8 early career researchers (2 from Faculty of Engineering and Science) will be enrolled every year. Requirements counts a ph.d.-age of a maximum of 5 years and employment (with time for own research) at AAU. The call text will be available in July and the deadline for expression of interest is August 26´th. If you are in doubt whether you would be eligible or not, please do not hesitate to ask.  

Best wishes for aN enjoyable summer

Looking ahead and past the holiday period, I first and foremost look forward to seeing you all at the department seminar, 15-16´th of August. The planning committee has done a good job and prepared an interesting program for us. I also look forward to September 2´nd where we as usual will meet our new students on our bachelor and master’s programmes and get a new semester started. Looking even further, a new department strategy stands out as one of the tasks we as a department will work on during the fall, that I look forward to the most.

Finally, I wish you all a well-deserved and enjoyable summer.

NEWS FROM RESEARCH

Highlights from the Early-Career Researchers' Seminar

Friday, the 7th of June, all early-career researchers of the Department were invited to a joyful full day at Innovate, Aalborg, in the name of science. The seminar featured four guest speakers who presented topics that facilitated interesting discussions amongst the participants.

Jens Frede Rasmussen introduced the AAU Technology Transfer Office with an engaging talk on translating research to impact and business, highlighting a successful case involving Xianzheng Ma and Bastian Stiem Kirkebæk from our department. Kristian Østergaard Sørensen from AAU PhD presented the DISC personality profiling as a tool to promote efficient collaborations, and Jakob Nørlem shared insights fostering talent development among young academics. Finally, psychologist Camilo Henriquez offered valuable tools for enhancing researchers’ wellbeing.

The day also included a teambuilding photo scavenger hunt, terrace hangout in the beautiful weather, and was rounded off with a nice dinner. The PhD/postdoc committee, who hosted the seminar, would like to thank everyone who participated in the seminar for engaging in networking across sections and campuses!

Award-Winning Research at the 2024 Glass & Optical Materials Division Annual Meeting

We are thrilled to announce that Rasmus Christensen received the "Best Graduate Student Poster, Second Place" award at the 2024 Glass & Optical Materials Division Annual Meeting, held in Las Vegas from May 19-23.

The award-winning poster, titled "Deciphering the Structural Origin of Disorder-Induced Ion Conduction in NaFePO4 Glasses," showcased a study conducted in collaboration with Professor Kristin Persson from the University of California, Berkeley, and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. This research was part of a four-month international research stay from February to May.

The study focuses on the development and application of a machine learning interatomic potential to understand how sodium ions diffuse in NaFePO4 glasses, a potential cathode material for sodium-ion batteries.

Congratulations to Rasmus for this outstanding achievement and contribution to the field!

RESEARCHERS AND STUDENTS IN THE MEDIA

• Niels Madsen, Midler til skovrejsning skal sikre mere varig og urørt skov, Altinget.dk
• Mads Albertsen, Coronaprofessor har sat nyt, stort mål, Tv2.dk
• Michael Toft Overgaard & Mette Nyegaard, Nordjysk forskerpar kan nu sætte endeligt punktum i drabssag, Tv2 Nord
• Niels Madsen, Professor om trawlforbud ved fem stenrev: Der er lang vej igen, Berlingske m.fl
• Cejna Anna Quist-Jensen, Jens Muff og Peter Roslev, Forskere: Det er på tide at vågne fra drømmen om det rene grundvand - for skaden er allerede sket, Altinget.dk
• Jeppe Lund Nielsen, Derfor dufter sommerregn helt særligt, Dr.dk
• Niels Madsen, Debat: Er Hirtshals bare for langt væk for de danske medier?, Jyllands Posten
• Sussie Pagh, Camilla har mistet 20 bamser: Kamera gav hende svaret, og nu kan hun ikke være sur, Tv2 Østjylland

nEWS FROM STUDIES

Teacher of the year - Bastian Stiem Kirkebæk

Photo: PhD student Bastian Stiem Kirkebæk on the left / Vice Chairman of the Study Board Nicklas Dupont on the right

Congratulations to PhD student Bastian Stiem Kirkebæk on being awarded "Teacher of the Year"!  Every year our Study Board acknowledges the remarkable contributions of educators by awarding the title of "Teacher of the Year." In 2024, this prestigious recognition has been bestowed upon Bastian who have demonstrated exemplary dedication and inspired countless students.

"Bastian leads the way in creating a learning environment that promotes both professional development and personal growth. His ability to motivate us to think critically and reflect in our learnings is invaluable" 

NEWS FROM THE ADMINISTRATION

New travel expense report system at AAU

On 19 June 2024, AAU got a new travel expense report system, ERP Expense and RUS2 will be phased out. You can access the new system here.

It is expected that all employees do their own expense report. As before, it will be possible to get help from the secretariat.

Please note that all travel expense reports are expected to be made no later than 14 days after the end of the trip. You can find instructions for ERP Expense here. 

In addition, we have prepared checklists that can be used when creating your accounts, so that you are sure to have remembered everything.

You can find the checklists on our Intranet here

WHO'S WHO: COLLEAGUE SPOTLIGHT

In every newsletter, we try to create greater awareness between positions and individuals by asking a few questions so that we can all get to know the colleague better. We have asked Stephen Hald Christiansen a few questions, to get to know him better:

When did you join the department and what is your background? 

I joined the department on December 1, 2022, and was here for just 10 days before we were all sent home due to COVID-19. I hold a Master’s degree in Management Accounting from Aalborg University, which I completed in 2020. I started at the department as a financial controller, assisting Anders with various operational tasks. In August 2021, when a project controller position opened up, I accepted it because it was a better fit for me.

Why did you choose your educational path and subsequent career direction?

I initially wanted to become a doctor, but my grades weren’t high enough, and I wasn’t sure how good of a doctor I would have been - perhaps a bit like Dr. House, but without the Hollywood charm. Then, I considered studying International Communication with English and Spanish, but I turned out to be terrible at Spanish. No comprendo. Since I’ve always liked numbers, I decided to pursue an education in economics, which worked out well. The institute is actually my first full-time job, and why did I go in this direction? There wasn’t any specific reason, really. I needed a job, and I was lucky enough to end up at a great workplace.

What do you do overall in your job? What does it involve?

I assist a good number of the departments' researchers with managing project finances and various administrative tasks. This includes budget preparation, accounting, and controlling for projects we are either applying for or have already secured.

Do you have a fun fact that would surprise your colleagues? 

I have many fun facts about me, so it’s hard to choose. Here are a few:

• I’ve renovated an entire house almost entirely by myself, without any background in construction.
• I have taken up a hobby of mimicking famous characters’ voices. Currently, I’m working on Kermit the Frog.
• I have a cat named Liam.

Administration summer holiday

The BIO Administration is operating with reduced staff during the summer period.

Due to the holiday, the below mentioned shared mail boxes will not be attended to in the following weeks:

• HR: BIO-HR@bio.aau.dk week 28-29-30 
• Studies:
  • bachelor-studyadm@bio.aau.dk week 28-29
  • master-studyadm@bio.aau.dk week 28-29
  • phd-adm@bio.aau.dk week 28-29-30
  • studyboard@bio.aau.dk week 30

Furthermore, the offices of both the Department Team and the Study Team will be closed week 30.

Summer holiday closure of buildings and cafeteria

From July 8 to August 11, Facility Support will be available by appointment only. Contact us during working hours at 99403333 or facilitysupport@adm.aau.dk.

• AAU Booking: Closed weeks 29 & 30.
• Mail & Packages: No collection or delivery in July and August. Pick up/drop off by appointment at Frederik Bajers Vej 1 or Rendsburggade 14.
• Building Access: Exterior doors locked weeks 27-31 (July 1 - August 4). Use your AAU card and PIN.
• Cafeteria Closures:

Esbjerg: Closed weeks 27-34 (July 1 - August 23).

Aalborg:

• FIB15: Closed weeks 29-31 (July 15 - August 2).
• Rendsburggade and Selma Lagerløfs Vej 300: Closed weeks 27-34 (July 1 - August 23).
• Frederik Bajers Vej 7, Kroghstræde 3, Selma Lagerløfs Vej 249: Closed weeks 27-33 (July 1 - August 16).
• Thomas Mans Vej 25: Closed weeks 28-30 (July 8 - July 26).

Meeting catering is unavailable during cafeteria closures.

HR NEWS JULY 2024

NEW EMPLOYMENTS

Angie Waldisperg, PhD Student, 01.06.24, Environmental microbiology

RESIGNATIONS

Francesca Petriglia, Postdoc, 31.05.24, Environmental microbiology

RECENTLY PEER-REVIEWED REGISTERED PUBLICATIONS IN PURE

From the 08-05-2024 till the 21-06-2024

Ali, A., Agha Shirazi, M. M., Nthunya, L., Castro-Muñoz, R., Ismail, N., Tavajohi, N., Zaragoza, G., & Quist-Jensen, C. A. (2024). Progress in module design for membrane distillation. Desalination, 581, Artikel 117584. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2024.117584 

Alstrup, A. K. O., Kinze, C. C., Kristensen, N. M., Jensen, T. H., Bie Thøstesen, C., Larsen, H. L., Sønnichsen, K. A., Kyhn, L. A., Holm, T. E., Sigsgaard, J. J., & Pagh, S. (2024). Further Evidence for Breeding White-Beaked Dolphin (Lagenorhynchus albirostris) in Inner Danish Waters. Coasts, 4(2), 226. https://doi.org/10.3390/coasts4020013

Bejenari, M., Spedtsberg, E. M. L., Mathiesen, J., Jeppesen, A. C., Cernat, L., Toussaint, A., Apostol, C., Stoianov, V., Pedersen, T. B., Nielsen, M. R., & Sørensen, J. L. (2024). First-class – biosynthesis of 6-MSA and bostrycoidin type I polyketides in Yarrowia lipolytica. Frontiers in Fungal Biology, 5, Artikel 1327777. https://doi.org/10.3389/ffunb.2024.1327777

Chen, Z., Du, T., Christensen, R., Bauchy, M., & Smedskjær, M. M. (2024). Analyzing lithium-ion conduction in thiophosphate glassy electrolytes via machine learning. Poster præsenteret ved 2024 Glass & Optical Materials Division Annual Meeting, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.

Eriksen, N. T. (2024). Metabolic performance and feed efficiency of black soldier fly larvae. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 12, Artikel 1397108. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2024.1397108

Ge, X., Lai, P., Shi, C., Du, T., Li, Z., Lu, W., Qin, J., Yang, F., Yue, Y., Smedskjær, M. M., Li, J., & Hu, Q. (2024). Immiscibility in binary silicate liquids: Insight from ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. Physical Review B, 109(17), Artikel 174215. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.109.174215

Jing, R., Nielsen, T. T., Pennisi, P., Christiansen, J. D. C., & Larsen, K. L. (2024). Supramolecular Self-healing UV-Curable Hydrogels without Photo-initiators using Modified Dextrans. I 17th Scandinavian Society for Biomaterials (ScSB) Meeting, Helsingør, Denmark, April 23-26, 2024: Soft Materials with Dynamic Properties (s. 60) https://storage2.snappages.site/14bbtyxhkt/assets/files/Agenda-SbSB2024DK-Aprilh.pdf

Junker, A. L., Christensen, F. M., Bai, L., Jørgensen, M. K., Fojan, P., Khalil, A., & Wei, Z. (2024). Photocatalytic Treatment of PFAS in a Single-step Ultrafiltration Membrane Reactor. Environmental Science: Water Research and Technology. https://doi.org/10.1039/D4EW00224E

Kucheryavskiy, S., Rodionova, O., & Pomerantsev, A. (2024). A comprehensive tutorial on Data‐Driven SIMCA: Theory and implementation in web. Journal of Chemometrics, 1-19. Artikel e3556. https://doi.org/10.1002/cem.3556

Kuligowski, K., Konkol, I., Szafranowicz, P., Effelsberg, N., Christensen, M. L., Eriksson, P., Svensson, M., Vorne, V., Reinikainen, A., Pedusaar, T., Skundra, D., Zviedriss, J., Dvarionienė, J., & Cenian, A. (2024). Governance of Small-Scale Wastewater Treatment Plants in the Near-Coast Touristic Areas – A Baltic Sea Region Case. I Resource Recovery from Wastewater Treatment ICWRR 2024 (s. 474-478). Springer. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-63353-9_78

Li, Y. C., Li, P., Liu, X., Jiang, Z. J., Shan, Z. T., Zhang, Y. Y., Luo, S. H., Yue, Y., & Zhang, Y. F. (2024). Unveiling the key factor for enhancing capacity in iron-borate glass anodes for Li-ion batteries. Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids, 637, Artikel 123040. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnoncrysol.2024.123040

Shrestha, P., Smedskjær, M. M., Bauchy, M., & Hoover, C. G. (2024). Impact of strain rate on the Indentation Size Effect: Evidence of an intimate link between Size effect, Strain Rate and Ductility in Soda-lime Silica glass. Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids, 637, Artikel 123031. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnoncrysol.2024.123031

Simonsen, P. A., Husted, N. S., Clausen, M., Spens, A.-M., Dyrholm, R. M., Thaysen, I. F., Aaser, M. F., Staahltoft, S. K., Bruhn, D., Alstrup, A. K. O., Sonne, C., & Pertoldi, C. (2024). Effects of Social Facilitation and Introduction Methods for Cattle on Virtual Fence Adaptation. Animals, 14(10), Artikel 1456. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14101456

Smedskjær, M. M. (2024). Structural descriptors for zeolitic imidazolate framework glasses. Abstract fra 2024 Glass & Optical Materials Division Annual Meeting, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.

Takman, M., Betsholtz, A., Davidsson, Å., Cimbritz, M., Svahn, O., Karlsson, S., Østergaard, S. K., Nielsen, J. L., & Falås, P. (2024). Biological degradation of organic micropollutants in GAC filters–temporal development and spatial variations. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 472, Artikel 134449. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134449

Thomsen, L., Jensen, L. R., Yue, Y., & Østergaard, M. B. (2024). Crystallinity dependence of thermal and mechanical properties of glass-ceramic foams. Journal of the European Ceramic Society, 44(13), 7936-7942. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeurceramsoc.2024.05.079

Wooldridge, B., Svenning, J.-C., & Pagh, S. (2024). Habitat selection and movement patterns of the Raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) in Denmark using GPS telemetry data. European Journal of Wildlife Research, 70(64). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-024-01803-5

Xiao, X., & Ulstrup, J. (2024). Towards continuous potentiometric enzymatic biosensors. Current Opinion in Electrochemistry. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coelec.2024.101549

Yue, Y. (2024). Disordered solids versus glasses. Abstract fra The 11th International Conference on Advanced Glass, Shanghai, Kina.

Yue, Y. (2024). From melt to glass fiber. Abstract fra International Commission on Glass - Spring School, Lloret del Mar, Spanien.

Yue, Y. (2024). A brief review of the development of MOF glasses. Abstract fra 2024 Glass & Optical Materials Division Annual Meeting, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.

Zhen, Z., Ge, X., Li, Z., Smedskjær, M. M., Lu, W., Yang, F., Li, J., & Hu, Q. (2024). Low-temperature β-relaxation promotes crystallization in oxide glasses. Scripta Materialia, 250, Artikel 116179. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scriptamat.2024.116179

Aaser, M. F., Staahltoft, S. K., Andersen, M., Alstrup, A. K. O., Sonne, C., Bruhn, D., Frikke, J., & Pertoldi, C. (2024). Using Activity Measures and GNSS Data from a Virtual Fencing System to Assess Habitat Preference and Habitat Utilisation Patterns in Cattle. Animals, 14(10), Artikel 1506. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14101506