Photo: Sverre-Leander Sundset
Monica Alterskjær Sundset
Job description
- Professor in Animal Physiology
- Excellent teaching practitioner
- Deputy leader at Dept of Arctic and Marine Biology
Ragnhild Sandvoll,
Monica Alterskjær Sundset
:
Fostering collegial faculty development of teaching–a case study from a Norwegian university
Journal of Further and Higher Education 2025 DOI
Sara A Meier,
Melanie Furrer,
Nora Nowak,
Renato Zenobi,
Monica Alterskjær Sundset,
Reto Huber
et al.:
Uncoupling of behavioral and metabolic 24-h rhythms in reindeer
Current Biology 2024 DOI
Monica Alterskjær Sundset,
Nora Qi Baskår Norli,
Cato Bjørndal,
Camilla Svensen
:
Formative feedback through digital MCQs: Students´ perceived learning in a bachelor-level physiology course
Hanne Bjerknes,
Edel Oddny Elvevoll,
Monica Alterskjær Sundset,
Andreas Langdal,
Karl-Erik Eilertsen
:
Farmed blue mussels (Mytilus edulis)—a nutrient-dense resource retaining nutritional value through processing
Marina Tonkopeeva,
Eli Risten Skum,
Kia Krarup Hansen,
Monica Alterskjær Sundset,
Tatyana Romanenko,
David Griffiths
et al.:
Resilience Thinking in Reindeer Husbandry
Melanie Furrer,
Sara A. Meier,
Maxime Jan,
Paul Franken,
Monica Alterskjær Sundset,
Steven A. Brown
et al.:
Reindeer in the Arctic reduce sleep need during rumination
Monica Alterskjær Sundset,
Ragnhild Sandvoll
:
Academic development through a collective approach – introducing peer observation of teaching in a multidisciplinary faculty
Kia Krarup Hansen,
Issat Turi,
Monica Alterskjær Sundset,
Svein Disch Mathiesen
:
Bridging traditional and scientific knowledge on reindeer meat smoking - a pilot study
Margherita Paola Poto,
Edel O. Elvevoll,
Monica Alterskjær Sundset,
Karl-Erik Eilertsen,
Mathilde Morel,
Ida-Johanne Jensen
:
Suggestions for a systematic regulatory approach to ocean plastics
Mario Acquarone,
Alejandro Salgado Flores,
Monica Alterskjær Sundset
:
The Bacterial Microbiome in the Small Intestine of Hooded Seals (Cystophora cristata)
Alejandro Salgado Flores,
Alexander Tøsdal Tveit,
Andre-Denis Wright,
Phillip Pope,
Monica Alterskjær Sundset
:
Characterization of the cecum microbiome from wild and captive rock ptarmigans indigenous to Arctic Norway
Michał Hubert Węgrzyn,
Paulina Wietrzyk-Pełka,
Agnieszka Galanty,
Beata Cykowska-Marzencka,
Monica Alterskjær Sundset
:
Incomplete degradation of lichen usnic acid and atranorin in Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus)
Kia Krarup Hansen,
Monica Alterskjær Sundset,
Lars Folkow,
Marte Nilsen,
Svein Disch Mathiesen
:
Methane emissions are lower from reindeer fed
lichens compared to a concentrate feed
Emilie Andersen-Ranberg,
Christopher J Barnes,
Linett Rasmussen,
Alejandro Salgado Flores,
Carsten Grøndahl,
Jesper Bruun Mosbacher
et al.:
A Comparative Study on the Faecal Bacterial
Community and Potential Zoonotic Bacteria of
Muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) in Northeast
Greenland, Northwest Greenland and Norway
Monica Alterskjær Sundset,
Truls Aaby,
Emma Falkeid Eriksen,
Bjørn-Petter Finstad,
Kristin Holtermann,
Ingrid Hovda Lien
et al.:
WEBINAR UIB: Former students value long-term impacts of work-integrated learning in Fishery and Aquaculture Science and STEM science programs
2025
Kristin Holtermann,
Jonathan Soule,
Sehoya Harris Cotner,
Monica Alterskjær Sundset,
Bjørn-Petter Finstad,
Ingrid Hovda Lien
et al.:
Workshop MNT konferansen 2025: Praksis i disiplin og tverrfaglige studieprogram: Hva, hvorfor og hvordan?
2025 FULLTEKST
Ann-Rita Thoresen,
Bjørn-Petter Finstad,
Ingrid Hovda Lien,
Ragnhild Sofie Sandvoll,
Monica Alterskjær Sundset
:
MOKTA Utdanningskonferansen ved UiT: Sampraksis. Digitalt opplæringsprogram for veiledning i praksisbedrifter.
2025
Kristin Holtermann,
Jonathan Soule,
Sehoya Harris Cotner,
Monica Alterskjær Sundset,
Bjørn-Petter Finstad,
Ingrid Hovda Lien
et al.:
WORKSHOP MNT konferansen 2025: Praksis i disiplin og tverrfaglige studieprogram: Hva, hvorfor og
hvordan?
Monica Alterskjær Sundset,
Ragnhild Sandvoll
:
NOKUT-podden: En podcast om høyere utdanning som skal bidra til samtalen om god praksis i høyere utdanning
22. May 2025 DATA
Monica Alterskjær Sundset,
Ragnhild Sofie Sandvoll,
Bjørn-Petter Finstad,
Ingrid Hovda Lien,
Torstein Låg
:
Praksis i ikke-profesjonsrettede utdanninger - hva sier forskningen?
2024
Galina Gusarova,
Hedvig Elisabeth Mjøen,
Magali Corti,
Frédéric Mahé,
Pernille Meyer,
Lilja Steinthorsdottir
et al.:
Bridging past and present: From dietary metabarcoding of large herbivores towards broad scale biodiversity analyses
2024
Astrid Strandbu,
Lena Bendiksen,
Monica Alterskjær Sundset,
Kristine Ludvigsen,
Ragnhild Sofie Sandvoll
:
UiT sitt arbeid med en modell frem mot et pedagogisk akademi
2024 SAMMENDRAG / FULLTEKST
Ragnhild Sofie Sandvoll,
Bjørn-Petter Finstad,
Monica Alterskjær Sundset
:
Students’ perspectives on learning when crossing contexts in a multi-disciplinary program with work-integrated learning
2023
Jayalal Kalathil Parambil Jayanthan,
Andreas Langdal,
Monica Alterskjær Sundset,
Karl-Erik Eilertsen,
Edel Oddny Elvevoll
:
SECURE: Harnessing low-trophic level marine organisms for sustainable food and health benefits
2023
Ragnhild Sofie Sandvoll,
Monica Alterskjær Sundset
:
Merittering av fremragende undervisere motiverer
Khrono.no 2023 FULLTEKST
Monica Alterskjær Sundset,
Ellen Kathrine Bludd,
Lars Folkow,
Silje Kristine Helgesson
:
Hundene i Finnmarksløpet slår syklistene i Tour de France
17. March 2023 FULLTEKST
Monica Alterskjær Sundset,
Lars Folkow,
Ellen Kathrine Bludd,
Silje Kristine Sælen-Helgesson
:
Finnmarksløpet slår Tour de France
16. March 2023 FULLTEKST
Monica Alterskjær Sundset
:
Kollegafellesskap som grunnlag for utvikling av undervisning og pedagogisk kompetanse
2023 OMTALE
Ragnhild Sandvoll,
Bjørn-Petter Finstad,
Monica Alterskjær Sundset
:
Praksis som læringsform i ikke-profesjonsrettede utdanninger- hva vektlegger studentene som sentralt for egen læring?
2023 SAMMENDRAG
Monica Alterskjær Sundset
:
Læringspunkter fra tilsynsprosessen ved Bachelorprogrammet i Biologi. Dokumentasjon og sporbare prosesser.
2023 OMTALE
Nora Qi Baskår Norli,
Monica Alterskjær Sundset,
Camilla Svensen,
Cato R. P. Bjørndal
:
Flervalgsoppgaver som verktøy for læring og utvikling av tilbakemeldingskompetanse i fysiologiundervisning på bachelor nivå
2022
Camilla Svensen,
Monica Alterskjær Sundset
:
Hvordan gi tilbakemelding underveis i undervisning slik at den fremmer læring?
2022
Melanie Furrer,
Sara Meier,
Maxime Jan,
Monica Alterskjær Sundset,
Reto Huber,
Steven Brown
et al.:
Changes in reindeer sleep regulation across the year: A central role for rumination?
2022 DATA
Melanie Furrer,
Sara Meier,
Maxime Jan,
Paul Franken,
Monica Alterskjær Sundset,
Reto Huber
et al.:
Changes in reindeer sleep regulation across the year: A central role for rumination?
2022 DATA
Melanie Furrer,
Sara Meier,
Monica Alterskjær Sundset,
Reto Huber,
Steven Brown,
Gabriela Wagner
:
Rumination may substitute for sleep in reindeer
2022 DATA
Melanie Furrer,
Sara Meier,
Maxime Jan,
Paul Franken,
Monica Alterskjær Sundset,
Gabriela Wagner
et al.:
Reindeer sleep regulation across the arctic year: Substitution of sleep time by rumination
2022 DATA
Melanie Furrer,
Sara Meier,
Reto Huber,
Steve Brown,
Monica Alterskjær Sundset,
Gabriela Wagner
:
Reindeer sleep and metabolism
2022
Sara Meier,
Melanie Furrer,
Nora Nowak,
Monica Alterskjær Sundset,
Reto Huber,
Renato Zenobi
et al.:
Uncoupling of behavioural and metabolic rhythms in an arctic ruminant
2022 DATA
Sara Meier,
Melanie Furrer,
Nora Nowak,
Monica Alterskjær Sundset,
Reto Huber,
Renato Zenobi
et al.:
Uncoupling of behavioural and metabolic rhythms in an arctic ruminant
2022 DATA
Sara Meier,
Melanie Furrer,
Nora Nowak,
Monica Alterskjær Sundset,
Reto Huber,
Renato Zenobi
et al.:
Uncoupling of behavioural and metabolic rhythms in an arctic ruminant
2022 DATA
Melanie Furrer,
Sara Meier,
Maxime Jan,
Paul Franken,
Monica Alterskjær Sundset,
Reto Huber
et al.:
Changes in reindeer sleep regulation across the year: A central role for rumination?
2022 DATA
Sara Meier,
Melanie Furrer,
Nora Nowak,
Monica Alterskjær Sundset,
Reto Huber,
Renato Zenobi
et al.:
Uncoupling of behavioural and metabolic rhythms in an arctic ruminant
2022 DATA
Sara Meier,
Melanie Furrer,
Nora Nowak,
Renato Zenobi,
Monica Alterskjær Sundset,
Reto Huber
et al.:
Arctic strategies for sleep and metabolism
2022 DATA
Kazunuari Ushida,
Richard Kock,
Monica Alterskjær Sundset
:
Special Issue: Wildlife Microbiology
Microorganisms 2021 DOI
Monica Alterskjær Sundset,
Marit Allern,
Ragnhild Sandvoll
:
Utvikling av undervisningskvalitet gjennom styrket fagfellesskap
2019 FULLTEKST
Monica Alterskjær Sundset,
Ragnhild Sandvoll,
Marit Allern
:
Enhancing a collective approach to teaching in the spirit of SoTL
2019 FULLTEKST
Annfrid Sivertsen,
Camilla Brekke,
Ragnhild Johanne Rensaa,
Monica Alterskjær Sundset,
Michaela Aschan,
Kathrine Tveiterås
:
Trodde du at naturvitenskap og teknologi ikke var for deg?
Nordlys 09. April 2018 DATA
Monica Alterskjær Sundset
:
Fra kollegaveiledning til fagfellevurdering – Et utviklingsprosjekt ved BFE
2018
Monica Alterskjær Sundset
:
Kollegaveiledningsprosjektet ved BFE – Et felles løft for kvalitetskultur
2018
Monica Alterskjær Sundset
:
Kollegaveiledningsprosjektet ved BFE: Erfaringer og resultater fra en pilot – hvor går veien videre?
2018
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Research interests
Ongoing projects
- SECURE - Novel Marine Resources for Food Security and Food Safety (Stategic funding by UiT - The Arctic University of Norway)
- Physiological adaptations for ultra-endurance in long-distance sled dogs
- Collaboration on internship in higher education (DIKU)
- Developing Feedback Literacy for Learning in Biology (Utviklingsmidler tildelt av Strategisk Utdanningsutvalg, UiT - The Arctic University of Norway)
- The Learning Academy at Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics, UiT - The Arctic University of Norway
- European University Alliance for Global Health (EUGLOH)- Member of the Project Team (EU funding from 2022)
- SLUSEN - innovation and research project on leadership in education, learning and education during change, funded by the Norwegian Research Council 2017-2022 (Result, UiT)
PhD supervision
- Hedvig Elisabeth Mjøen (2022-2026), The Arctic University Museum of Norway, AMB, BFE. Genomic basis of eco-evolutionary responses to chaning environments in Arctic plant-herbivoee systems. Supervisors: Galina Gusarova, Monica A Sundset, Inger G Alsos, Gabriela Wagner.
- Hanne Bjerknes (2021-2025), NFH. Effects of novel low-trophic arctic marine raw materials on the development of atherosclerosis. Supervisors: Karl- Erik Eilertsen, MA Sundset, Edel Elvevoll.
- PhD Sara Meier (completed Dec 2023), Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Switzerland. Seasonality of diurnal metabolomics and sleep in an Arctic ruminant. Supervisors: Prof. Reto Huber, Prof. Gabriela Schaepmann-Strub, Prof. Monica A Sundset, Dr. Gabriela Wagner, Prof. Dr. Steven Brown (deceased).
- PhD Melanie Furrer (completed Nov 2022), University of Zürich, Switzerland (Neuroscience program). Circadian and homeostatic aspects of sleep regulation: From naturalistic models to clinical settings. Supervisors: Reto Huber, Gabriela Wagner, Steven Brown, Monica A Sundset.
- PhD Alejandro Salgado-Flores (completed 2017) Gut metagenomics in relation to diet and methanogenesis in Arctic herbivores, ISBN 978-82-8266-140-9. UiT. Supervisors: Monica A Sundset, Phillip B Pope (Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo), Andre-Denis G Wright (The University of Arizona, USA).
- PhD Kirsti E Præsteng (completed 2012) Genetic identification and ruminal dosing of cellulolytic bacteria to reindeer in search of a future probiotic, ISBN 978-82-8266-040-2. UiT. Supervisors: Monica A Sundset, Svein D Mathiesen, Isaac KO Cann (University of Illinois, USA), Roderick I Mackie (University of Illinois, USA).
- PhD Trine Glad (completed 2010) Antimicrobial resistance and bacterial diversity in Arctic Environments, ISBN 978-82-7589-313-8. UiT. Supervisors: Monica A Sundset, Kaare M Nielsen.
- PhD Pål Vegar Storeheier (completed 2003) Food intake and forage utilization in reindeer during winter, ISBN 82-7589-139-6. UiT. Supervisors: Monica A Sundset, Svein D Mathiesen.
MSc Thesis Advisor
- Jason Byrne (2024-2025) Setaria tundra: a climate change-sensitive parasite in Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus). Supervisors: Ingebjørg Helena Nymo, Monica A Sundset, Rebecca Davdson, Kayla Buhler, Morten Tryland.
- Nora Qi Badkår Norli (2022-2023, 40 stp). Formativ tilbakemelding gjennom digitale flervalgsoppgaver i CANVAS. En kvalitativ studie av studentenes læringserfaring gjennom arbeid med flervalgsoppgaver i et fysiologi-emne på bachelor nivå. Veiledere: MA Sundset, Camilla Svensen, Cato Bjørndal.
- Silje Hælen-Helgesson (2022-2023, 60 stp). The effect of endurance training on mitochondrial function in Siberian huskies and Alaskan huskies. Supervisors: MA Sundset, Chiara Ciccone, Ingebjørg Helena Nymo, Shona Wood, Lars Folkow.
- MSc Irina Alexopoulou (2019-2020, 60 stp). Regulation of urokinase receptor (uPAR) cleavage by cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in oral cancer. Veiledere: Synnøve Magnussen (IMB), MA Sundset.
- MSc Pernille Meyer (2019) Validation of DNA metabarcoding as a tool for diet analysis in reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus L.) Supervisors: Galina Gusarova, Stefaniya Kamenova, Anne K. Brysting, Monica A. Sundset, Lars Folkow). Pernille was a MSc student at the Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo - doing parts of her project with us in Tromsø.
- MSc Marte Nilsen (2013) Ernæringsbasert metanproduksjon hos sau (Methane emissions from sheep).
- MSc Kia Krarup Hansen (2012) Methane emissions from reindeer. Do reindeer fed lichens emit less methane than reindeer on a pelleted feed diet?
- MSc Anders J Hamnes (2007) Evaluering av lokalprodusert gresspellet som fôr til rein og effekt av melassetilsetning.
- MSc Vibeke F Kristiansen (2007) Ampicillin resistance and bacterial diversity in colon content from grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) and harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) at the coast of northern Norway.
- MSc Pål Bernhardsen (2007) Bacterial diversity and ampicillin resistance in faecal content from polar bears (Ursus maritimus).
German Diploma Thesis Advisor
- Alexandra Kohn (2008) Antibiotic usnic acid in lichens. Review and screening for usnic acid-resistant rumen bacterial strains from reindeer. Visiting Scholar.
Veterinary Medicine Thesis Advisor
- Larsen AK & Marhaug T (2004) Digestion in polar bear - An anatomical study of the digestive system in Polar bear related to its ability to adapt to future climatic changes in the Arctic.
Teaching
I teach in the following courses at UiT - The Arctic University of Norway:
- Bio-2002 Dyrefysiologi (animal physiology) (course instructor) - 10 ECTS
- BIO-3030 EXTREME ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY - 20 ECTS (since 2022)
- Bio-3008 Animal Physiology (-2022)
- BIO-2018 Genetikk, molekylærbiologi og bioinformatikk - 10 ECTS (since 2022)
- UNIPED-600 Kurs i forskningsveiledning (innlegg og paneldebatt, Okt 2022) (RESULT, UiT)
- UPED-691 Becoming a (PhD/masters) supervisor, universtity pedagogy course at University of Bergen (panel on supervision, Nov 2022)
- Bio-1105 Innføring i Biologi (course instructor) (2019)
- Bio-1006 Dyre- og Plantefysiologi
- Bio-2310 Arctic Biology
- Kompetanseutviklingsprogram for studieprogramledere ved UiT (Nov 2021)Kurs - Vurdering av utdanningsfaglig kompetanse (Result) (2020)
- UNIPED-100-1 19H Basismodul i pedagogisk kompetanse (Result) (2020)
- BFE Pedagogisk Seminar - Utvikling Pedagogisk Mapper (2020)
Member of research group
Member of project
CV
EDUCATION
- Cand mag (1990) in Biology, UiT
- Cand Scient (MSc) in Zoophysiology (1992), UiT
- Dr philos (PhD) in Zoophysiology (2000), UiT
- University Seminar in Pedagogics UiT (2003-2004)
- The Dean School of The Norwegian Association of Higher Education Institutions (UHR Dekanskolen, 2012-2013)
- Course on peer review of teaching portfolios UiT (2017-2018)
- Merited Teacher / Excellent teaching practitioner AMB/BFE/UiT (since 2019)
- UNIPED-600 Course in research supervision, Result, UiT (2021-2022)
- Associate professor in zoophysiology at Institute of Medical Biology, UiT (1997-2001)
- Post-doc UiT (appointed by the university board) (2001-2004)
- Visiting Scientist Univ. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA (2001-2002)
- Professor in Animal Physiology AMB/BFE/UiT (since 2004)
- Vice Dean of Education BFE/UiT (Nov 2010 – July 2018)
- Acting Dean BFE/UiT (4 months: 2015, 2016)
- Deputy Leader for Teaching AMB/UiT (Since Aug 2019)
LEADERSHIP / EXPERT
- The International Centre for Reindeer Husbandry (board member 2006-2010, 2010-2014)
- Appointed expert (leader of the committe) by NOKUT(2010) to assess the application for accreditation of a PhD program in Ecology from Telemark University College in Norway. Report from the Expert Committee. NOKUT reports. ISSN [1501-9640].
- Committee on Learning Environment (LMU) (member 2011-2013)
- The Strategic Committee on Education (SUV) at UiT (2013-2018)
- Evaluating the study programs at UiT Part 1: Bachelor and 5-year master programs (2016). Report in Norwegian from SUV 20.10.16.
- Evaluating the study programs at UiT Part 2: Workbases and and 2-year Master degree programs (2016-2017). Report in Norwegian from SUV 24.04.17.
- Focus group on innovation and entrepreneurship in education at UiT (member 2016-2017). Report in Norwegian.
- Committee on collaboration on education between society / worklife and UiT (member 2018-2019). Report in Norwegian.
- Program Committee for the T&L conference ”MNT-Conference 2019” (member 2017-2019)
- Board for BS/MS programs in Biotechnology and Aqua Medicine, The Norwegian College of Fishery Science, UiT (2018-2021)
- Leader of the Programboard for the BSc and the MSc in Biology at UiT - The Arctic University of Norway (2019-2021)
- Member Programboard for University Pedagogics (2019-2023)
- Editor, Special issue on Wildlife Microbiology 1.0 in Microorganisms (MDPI open access journals) (2018-2019)
- Editor, Special issue on Wildlife Microbiology 2.0 in Microorganisms (2020-2021)
- Expert comittee member / peer reviewer of applications to the Program on Flexible Educations funded by DIKU - The Norwegian Agency for International Cooperation and Quality Enhancement in Higher Education (2021)
- Expert appointed by NOKUT (the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education under the Ministery of Education and Research) for the periodic review of the institutional quality assurance practices at the Norwegian Business School (2021)
- Expert appointed by NOKUT (the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education under the Ministery of Education and Research) for for the periodic review of the institutional quality assurance practices at Atlantis Medical College (2023)
- Editorial Board member Nordic Journal of STEM Education (2024-)
- Expert (leader of the committe) appointed by NOKUT for the periodic review of the institutional quality assurance practices at The Norwegian Gestalt Institute (2024)
- Expert (leader of the committe) appointed by NOKUT for the periodic review of the institutional quality assurance practices at The Academy Barratt Due (2024)