I am groupleader for the BRuSH research group at the Department of Clinical Science at the University of Bergen. I have a background from evolutionary biology and ecology (MSc) from the University of Bergen and from Environmental Medicine and Epidemiology from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health and University of Oslo (PhD).

In 2010 I was awarded Voksentoppen Research Award within paediatric allergology and pulmonology, and in 2018 I received Kronprins Haakons research award for asthma and allergy.

My main research interests are on environmental exposure, microbiome and asthma and allergy. The Young Research Talent grant (RCN-funded) focused on exposure to antibacterial chemicals, oral microbiome and lung health.

I am currently PI for two large 5-year research projects with funding from the Research Council of Norway (BetterHealth-program) from 2018 to 2023 and the European Research Council (ERC); starting grant project "BRuSH" (2019-2023). In these research project we are exploring how bacteria that produce particularly potent proinflammatory lipid As (the component responsible for inflammation in the host) affects lung health and disease over time. The interest are both on bacteria in the environment and in the human body.

I have a shared researcher position between University of Bergen and Oral Health Centre of Expertise, where I have collaborators with dental background, which is valuable collaborators in the projects exploring oral and respiratory health. I am PI and biobank manager for RHINESSA Bergen centre (www.rhinessa.net).

My professional committments include

• Appointed member in the National Committee for Medical and Health Research Ethics (NEM) by the Ministry of Education and Research since 2014 
• Associate editor of International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health since 2017
• Vice chair for COST Action CA18131 (2019-2023): Statistical and machine learning techniques in human microbiome studies
• Appointed member of the Scientific advisory board of the Leibniz ScienceCampus Evolutionary Medicine of the Lung (EVOLUNG) http://evolung.fz-borstel.de/ since 2018

A successful track record for research funding includes grants such as 

• Research Council of Norway (RCN) Personal Postdoctoral Grant
• U.S.-Norway Fulbright Foundation for Educational Exchange Fellowship
• the Norwegian Asthma- and Allergy Foundation
• RCN Young Research Talent grant
• RCN Research Project from 2017 (BETTERHEALTH)
• ERC Starting Grant 2018.

Healthy lungs start from your toothbrush European Reaserch Council - World Microbiome Day

Phthalates and Childhood Asthma Environmental health perspectives - podcast

Housedust mite and allergies [in Norwegian]

Chemicals in toothpaste and cosmetics and risk on allergi [In Norwegian] 

Cat allergens and asthma risk [In Norwegian]

 

Academic article

• Vindenes, Hilde Kristin; Dregenes, Christine; Abouelhana, Hesham Amin Mohamed et al. (2024). Longitudinal analysis of the skin microbiome in association with hand eczema, hand hygiene practices and moisturizer use. (external link)
• Xu, Shanshan; Marcon, Alessandro; Bertelsen, Randi Jacobsen et al. (2024). Associations of long-term exposure to air pollution and greenness with incidence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Northern Europe: The Life-GAP project. (external link)
• Sinsamala, Robin Mzati; Johannessen, Ane; Marcon, Alessandro et al. (2024). Pregnancy outcomes as related to in utero exposure to air pollution and greenness: The Life-GAP Project. (external link)
• Zaigham, S.; Bertelsen, Randi Jacobsen; Dharmage, S.C. et al. (2024). An observational analysis on the influence of parental allergic rhinitis, asthma and smoking on exhaled nitric oxide in offspring. (external link)
• Viken, Anders Flataker; Siiak, Silver Peeter; Schlünssen, Vivi et al. (2024). Muscle Strength and Male Sexual Function. (external link)
• Lopez Cervantes, Juan Pablo; Schlünssen, Vivi; Senaratna, Chamara et al. (2024). Use of oral moist tobacco (snus) in puberty and its association with asthma in the population-based RHINESSA study. (external link)
• Khomich, Maryia; Lin, Huang; Malinovschi, Andrei et al. (2023). Association between lipid-A-producing oral bacteria of different potency and fractional exhaled nitric oxide in a Norwegian population-based adult cohort. (external link)
• Abouelhana, Hesham Amin Mohamed; Šantl-Temkiv, Tina; Cramer, Christine et al. (2023). Indoor Airborne Microbiome and Endotoxin: Meteorological Events and Occupant Characteristics Are Important Determinants. (external link)
• Vindenes, Hilde Kristin; Bertelsen, Randi Jacobsen; Lygre, Stein Håkon et al. (2023). Changes in Infection Prevention Practices and Occurrence of Skin Symptoms among Healthcare Workers, Cleaners and Day-care Workers in Norway during the COVID-19 Pandemic. (external link)
• Abouelhana, Hesham Amin Mohamed; Marshall, Ian P.G.; Bertelsen, Randi Jacobsen et al. (2023). Optimization of bacterial DNA and endotoxin extraction from settled airborne dust. (external link)
• Lam, Holly C. Y.; Neukirch, Catherine; Janson, Christer et al. (2023). Food hypersensitivity: an examination of factors influencing symptoms and temporal changes in the prevalence of sensitization in an adult sample. (external link)
• Markevych, Iana; Zhao, Tianyu; Fuertes, Elaine et al. (2023). Residential greenspace and lung function decline over 20 years in a prospective cohort: The ECRHS study. (external link)
• Vindenes, Hilde Kristin; Dregenes, Christine; Abouelhana, Hesham Amin Mohamed et al. (2023). The impact of alcohol-based hand sanitiser and hand washing with soap and water on bacterial skin microbiota composition. (external link)
• Røsland, Anders; Bertelsen, Randi Jacobsen; Bunæs, Dagmar Fosså et al. (2023). Periodontitis is associated with airflow obstruction in the Malmö Offspring Dental Study. (external link)
• D’Elia, Domenica; Truu, Jaak; Lahti, Leo et al. (2023). Advancing microbiome research with machine learning: key findings from the ML4Microbiome COST action. (external link)
• Kühnisch, Jan; Zhao, Tianyu; Bertelsen, Randi Jacobsen et al. (2023). The impact of gingivitis reduction on lung function: a randomized trial under intensified oral hygiene. (external link)
• Xu, Shanshan; Marcon, Alessandro; Bertelsen, Randi Jacobsen et al. (2023). Long-term exposure to low-level air pollution and greenness and mortality in Northern Europe. The Life-GAP project. (external link)
• Shigdel, Rajesh; Johannessen, Ane; Lin, Huang et al. (2023). Oral bacterial composition associated with lung function and lung inflammation in a community-based Norwegian population. (external link)
• Vindenes, Hilde Kristin; Lin, Huang; Shigdel, Rajesh et al. (2022). Exposure to Antibacterial Chemicals Is Associated With Altered Composition of Oral Microbiome. (external link)
• Madsen, Marie Kjær; Schlünssen, Vivi; Svanes, Cecilie et al. (2022). The effect of farming environment on asthma; time dependent or universal?. (external link)
• Bertelsen, Randi Jacobsen; Perez Barrionuevo, Antonio Manuel; Shigdel, Rajesh et al. (2022). Association of oral bacteria with oral hygiene habits and self-reported gingival bleeding. (external link)
• Svanes, Cecilie; Johannessen, Ane; Bertelsen, Randi Jacobsen et al. (2022). Cohort profile: the multigeneration Respiratory Health in Northern Europe, Spain and Australia (RHINESSA) cohort. (external link)
• Lopez Cervantes, Juan Pablo; Shigdel, Rajesh; Accordini, S. et al. (2022). Parental TB associated with offspring asthma and rhinitis. (external link)
• Vogt, Elinor Margrethe Chelsom; Real, Francisco Gomez; Husebye, Eystein Sverre et al. (2022). Premature menopause and autoimmune primary ovarian insufficiency in two international multi-center cohorts. (external link)
• Triebner, Kai Philipp; Markevych, Iana; Bertelsen, Randi Jacobsen et al. (2022). Lifelong exposure to residential greenspace and the premenstrual syndrome: A population-based study of Northern European women. (external link)
• Jögi, Nils Oskar; Kitaba, Negusse; Storaas, Torgeir et al. (2022). Ascaris exposure and its association with lung function, asthma, and DNA methylation in Northern Europe. (external link)
• Abouelhana, Hesham Amin Mohamed; Šantl-Temkiv, Tina; Cramer, Christine et al. (2022). Cow Farmers’ Homes Host More Diverse Airborne Bacterial Communities Than Pig Farmers’ Homes and Suburban Homes. (external link)
• Kuiper, Ingrid Nordeide; Svanes, Cecilie; Markevych, Iana et al. (2021). Lifelong exposure to air pollution and greenness in relation to asthma, rhinitis and lung function in adulthood. (external link)
• Carlsen, Oda Cecilie; Gudmundsdóttir, Hrefna Katrín; Bains, Karen Eline Stensby et al. (2021). Physical activity in pregnancy: a Norwegian-Swedish mother-child birth cohort study. (external link)
• Wang, Juan; Janson, Christer; Jõgi, Rain et al. (2021). A prospective study on the role of smoking, environmental tobacco smoke, indoor painting and living in old or new buildings on asthma, rhinitis and respiratory symptoms. (external link)
• Tjalvin, Gro; Svanes, Øistein; Igland, Jannicke et al. (2021). Maternal preconception occupational exposure to cleaning products and disinfectants and offspring asthma. (external link)
• Accordini, Simone; Calciano, Lucia; Johannessen, Ane et al. (2021). Prenatal and prepubertal exposures to tobacco smoke in men may cause lower lung function in future offspring: a three-generation study using a causal modelling approach. (external link)
• Vindenes, Hilde Kristin; Svanes, Cecilie; Lygre, Stein Håkon Låstad et al. (2021). Exposure to environmental phenols and parabens, and relation to body mass index, eczema and respiratory outcomes in the Norwegian RHINESSA study. (external link)
• Pape, Kathrine; Svanes, Cecilie; Sejbaek, Camilla Sandal et al. (2020). Parental occupational exposure pre- and post-conception and development of asthma in offspring. (external link)
• Timm, Signe; Svanes, Cecilie; Frydenberg, Morten et al. (2020). Does parental farm upbringing influence the risk of asthma in offspring? A three-generation study.. (external link)
• Kuiper, Ingrid Nordeide; Markevych, Iana; Accordini, Simone et al. (2020). Associations of preconception exposure to air pollution and greenness with offspring asthma and hay fever. (external link)
• Knudsen, Gerd Toril Mørkve; Dharmage, Shyamali C.; Janson, Christer et al. (2020). Parents’ smoking onset before conception as related to body mass index and fat mass in adult offspring: Findings from the RHINESSA generation study. (external link)
• Pape, Kathrine; Svanes, Cecilie; Malinovschi, Andrei et al. (2019). Agreement of offspring-reported parental smoking status: the RHINESSA generation study. (external link)
• Johannessen, Ane; Lønnebotn, Marianne; Calciano, Lucia et al. (2019). Being overweight in childhood, puberty, or early adulthood: Changing asthma risk in the next generation?. (external link)
• Knudsen, Gerd Toril Mørkve; Rezwan, FI; Johannessen, Ane et al. (2019). Epigenome-wide association of father's smoking with offspring DNA methylation: A hypothesis-generating study. (external link)
• Jögi, Nils Oskar; Olsen, Robin Kleppe; Svanes, Cecilie et al. (2019). Prevalence of allergic sensitization to storage mites in Northern Europe. (external link)
• Königstein, Karsten; Infanger, Denis; Bertelsen, Randi Jacobsen et al. (2019). Is atopic sensitization associated with indicators of early vascular ageing in adolescents?. (external link)
• Wang, Juan; Pindus, Mihkel; Janson, Christer et al. (2019). Dampness, mould, onset and remission of adult respiratory symptoms, asthma and rhinitis. (external link)
• Timm, Signe; Frydenberg, Morten; Abramson, Michael J. et al. (2019). Asthma and selective migration from farming environments in a three-generation cohort study. (external link)
• Jögi, Nils Oskar; Svanes, Cecilie; Siiak, Silver Peeter et al. (2018). Zoonotic helminth exposure and risk of allergic diseases: A study of two generations in Norway. (external link)
• Perez Barrionuevo, Antonio Manuel; Gomez Real, Francisco; Igland, Jannicke et al. (2018). Periodontal Health status and lung function in two Norwegian cohorts. (external link)
• Svanes, Øistein; Bertelsen, Randi Jacobsen; Lygre, Stein Håkon Låstad et al. (2018). Cleaning at home and at work in relation to lung function decline and airway obstruction. (external link)
• Kuiper, Ingrid Nordeide; Svanes, Cecilie; Benediktsdóttir, Bryndís et al. (2018). Agreement in reporting of asthma by parents or offspring - the RHINESSA generation study. (external link)
• Accordini, Simone; Calciano, Lucia; Johannessen, Ane et al. (2018). A three-generation study on the association of tobacco smoking with asthma. (external link)
• Skulstad, Svein Magne; Igland, Jannicke; Johannessen, Ane et al. (2017). Validation of maternal reported pregnancy and birth characteristics against the Medical Birth Registry of Norway. (external link)
• Bertelsen, Randi Jacobsen; Rava, Marta; Carsin, Anne Elie et al. (2017). Clinical markers of asthma and IgE assessed in parents before conception predict asthma and hayfever in the offspring. (external link)
• Norbäck, Dan; Zock, JP; Plana, E et al. (2017). Building dampness and mold in European homes in relation to climate, building characteristics and socio-economic status: The European Community Respiratory Health Survey ECRHS II. (external link)
• Vindenes, Hilde Kristin; Svanes, Cecilie; Lygre, Stein Håkon Låstad et al. (2017). Prevalence of, and work-related risk factors for, hand eczema in a Norwegian general population (The HUNT Study). (external link)
• Triebner, Kai; Johannessen, Ane; Puggini, Luca et al. (2016). Menopause as a predictor of new-onset asthma: A longitudinal Northern European population study. (external link)
• Gíslason, Þórarinn; Bertelsen, Randi Jacobsen; Gomez Real, Francisco et al. (2016). Self-reported exposure to traffic pollution in relation to daytime sleepiness and habitual snoring: a questionnaire study in seven North-European cities. (external link)
• Svanes, Cecilie; Koplin, Jennifer; Skulstad, Svein Magne et al. (2016). Father’s environment before conception and asthma risk in his children: a multi-generation analysis of the Respiratory Health In Northern Europe study. (external link)
• Gomez Real, Francisco; Barrionuevo, Laura Perez; Franklin, K. et al. (2016). The Association of gum bleeding With respiratory Health in a population based study from Northern Europe. (external link)
• Bertelsen, Randi Jacobsen; Jensen, Elizabeth T.; Ringel-Kulka, Tamar (2016). Use of probiotics and prebiotics in infant feeding. (external link)
• Bertelsen, Randi Jacobsen; Svanes, Øistein; Madsen, Anne Mette et al. (2016). Pulmonary illness as a consequence of occupational exposure to shrimp shell powder. (external link)
• Dratva, Julia; Bertelsen, Randi Jacobsen; Janson, Christer et al. (2016). Validation of self-reported figural drawing scales against anthropometric measurements in adults. (external link)
• Guidry, Virginia T.; Longnecker, Matthew P.; Aase, Heidi et al. (2015). Measurement of total and free urinary phenol and paraben concentrations over the course of pregnancy: assessing reliability and contamination of specimens in the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study. (external link)
• Svanes, Øistein; Skorge, Trude Duelien; Johannessen, Ane et al. (2015). Respiratory health in cleaners in Northern Europe: Is susceptibility established in early life?. (external link)
• Bertelsen, Randi Jacobsen; Fæste, Christiane Kruse; Granum, Berit et al. (2014). Food allergens in mattress dust in Norwegian homes - a potentially important source of allergen exposure. (external link)
• Bertelsen, Randi Jacobsen; Engel, Stephanie M.; Jusko, Todd A. et al. (2014). Reliability of triclosan measures in repeated urine samples from Norwegian pregnant women. (external link)
• Bertelsen, Randi Jacobsen; Brantsæter, Anne Lise; Magnus, Maria Christine et al. (2014). Probiotic milk consumption in pregnancy and infancy and subsequent childhood allergic diseases. (external link)
• Hoppin, Jane A.; Jaramillo, Renee; London, Stephanie J. et al. (2013). Phthalate Exposure and Allergy in the US Population: Results from NHANES 2005-2006. (external link)
• Bertelsen, Randi Jacobsen; Carlsen, Karin C. Lødrup; Calafat, Antonia M. et al. (2013). Urinary biomarkers for phthalates associated with asthma in Norwegian children. (external link)
• Bertelsen, Randi Jacobsen; Longnecker, M P; Løvik, Martinus et al. (2013). Triclosan exposure and allergic sensitization in Norwegian children. (external link)
• Bølling, Anette Kocbach; Holme, Jørn Andreas; Bornehag, Carl Gustaf et al. (2013). Pulmonary phthalate exposure and asthma - is PPAR a plausible mechanistic link?. (external link)
• Munthe-Kaas, Monica Cheng; Bertelsen, Randi Jacobsen; Torjussen, Tale Mæhre et al. (2012). Pet keeping and tobacco exposure influence CD14 methylation in childhood. (external link)
• Bertelsen, Randi Jacobsen; Carlsen, KCL; Granum, Berit et al. (2010). Do allergic families avoid keeping furry pets?. (external link)
• Bertelsen, Randi Jacobsen; Carlsen, Karin C. Lødrup; Carlsen, Kai-Håkon (2010). Rhinitis in children: Co-morbidities and phenotypes. (external link)
• Bertelsen, Randi Jacobsen; Instanes, Christine; Granum, Berit et al. (2010). Gender differences in indoor allergen exposure and association with current rhinitis. (external link)
• Bertelsen, Randi Jacobsen; Lødrup Carlsen, KC; Carlsen, Kai-Håkon et al. (2010). Childhood asthma and early life exposure to indoor allergens, endotoxin and beta(1,3)-glucans. (external link)
• Madsen, Christian; Hoek, Gerard; Oftedal, Bente Margaret et al. (2007). Modeling the intra-urban variability of outdoor traffic pollution in Oslo, Norway - A GA(2)LEN project. (external link)
• Rostad, Hans; Naalsund, Anne; Strand, T.E. et al. (2005). Results of pulmonary resection for lung cancer in Norway, patients older than 70 years. (external link)

Academic lecture

• Bertelsen, Randi Jacobsen; Abouelhana, Hesham Amin Mohamed (2023). Association between indoor bacterial communities, lung function and airway inflammation. (external link)
• Bertelsen, Randi Jacobsen; Fæste, Christiane Kruse; Granum, Berit et al. (2013). Food Allergens in Mattress Dust in Norwegian Homes: a Significant Source of Allergen Exposure?. (external link)

Abstract

• Røsland, Anders; Bunæs, Dagmar Fosså; Drengenes, Christine et al. (2022). The association between periodontitis and pulmonary function based on the Malmö offspring dental study (MODS). (external link)
• Lønnebotn, Marianne; Calciano, Lucia; Johannessen, Ane et al. (2017). Late Breaking Abstract- Mothers' preconception overweight and offspring asthma. (external link)
• Bertelsen, Randi Jacobsen; Fæste, Christiane Kruse; Granum, Berit et al. (2013). Food allergens in mattress dust in Norwegian homes: a significant source of allergen exposure?. (external link)
• Bertelsen, Randi Jacobsen; Brantsæter, Anne Lise; Haugen, Alice Margaretha et al. (2013). Maternal Probiotic Intake and Respiratory and Allergy Outcomes in Early Childhood. (external link)
• Jacobsen, Randi; Lødrup Carlsen, K; Carlsen, K et al. (2009). Early life exposure to cat allergens increase the risk of late childhood asthma in a community with low levels of in-door allergens. (external link)
• Jacobsen, Randi; Lødrup Carlsen, K; Mowinckel, P et al. (2008). Do allergic families avoid having furry pets when children are small?. (external link)

Academic literature review

• López Cervantes, Juan Pablo; Lønnebotn, Marianne; Jögi, Nils Oskar et al. (2021). The Exposome Approach in Allergies and Lung Diseases: Is It Time to Define a Preconception Exposome?. (external link)
• Svanes, Cecilie; Bertelsen, Randi Jacobsen; Accordini, Simone et al. (2021). Exposures during the prepuberty period and future offspring's health: evidence from human cohort studies. (external link)

Letter to the editor

• Timm, Signe; Schlünssen, Vivi; Benediktsdóttir, Bryndís et al. (2019). Offspring Reports on Parental Place of Upbringing: Is It Valid?. (external link)

Short communication

• Tjalvin, Gro; Svanes, Øistein; Bertelsen, Randi Jacobsen et al. (2018). Hypersensitivity pneumonitis in fish processing workers diagnosed by inhalation challenge. (external link)

Popular scientific article

• Svanes, Øistein; Skorge, Trude Duelien; Bertelsen, Randi Jacobsen et al. (2014). Astma og renholdsarbeidere: Resultater fra RHINE-studien.. (external link)

Doctoral dissertation

• Bertelsen, Randi Jacobsen; Løvik, Martinus; Granum, Berit et al. (2010). The indoor environment and childhood allergic diseases; the importance of allergens and microbial components. (external link)

See a complete overview of publications in Cristin.

Publication statistics

• 47 publications in international peer-reviewed journals; h-index: 18, Citations: 808 (Web of science)
• 9 publications in Norwegian journals for health personnel (4 as first- or single author)
• Book chapter: Jensen ET, Bertelsen RJ, Ringel Kulka T. “The Microbiota of the Gastrointestinal Tract in Infancy”, book chapter in “The Microbiota in Gastrointestinal Pathophysiology: Implications for Human Health, Prebiotics, Probiotics and Dysbiosis” 1^st Edition November 2016. Elsevier. ISBN: 9780128040249.
• 10 popular science interviews (newspapers, TV, radio)

Many of Randi J Bertelsen's publications are Open Access, and her updated publication record can be found at: 

ResearcherID

Orcid

Scopus

Google Scholar Citations

ResearchGate

 

10 Representative Publications

1. Jõgi NO, Svanes C, Siiak SP, Logan E, Holloway JW, Igland J, Johannessen A, Levin M, Real FG, Schlunssen V, Horsnell WGC, Bertelsen RJ (2018) Zoonotic helminth exposure and risk of allergic diseases: A study of two generations in Norway. Clin Exp Allergy; 48(1):66-77. Citations: 12. First study to describe prevalence of zoonotic helminth exposure in Norway.
2. Svanes Ø, Bertelsen RJ, Lygre SHL, Carsin AE, Antó JM, Forsberg B, García-García JM, Gullón JA, Heinrich J, Holm M, Kogevinas M, Urrutia I, Leynaert B, Moratalla JM, Le Moual N, Lytras T, Norbäck D, Nowak D, Olivieri M, Pin I, Probst-Hensch N, Schlünssen V, Sigsgaard T, Skorge TD, Villani S, Jarvis D, Zock JP, Svanes C (2018) Cleaning at Home and at Work in Relation to Lung Function Decline and Airway Obstruction. American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine; 197(9):1157-1163 IF: Citations: 32. Co-supervisor for Ø Svanes; this paper report important association between cleaning and accelerated lung function decline. This paper gained a lot of attention in the press throughout the world.
3. Pérez Barrionuevo AM, Gómez Real F, Igland J, Johannessen A, Omenaas E, Franklin KA, Pérez Barrionuevo L, Åstrøm AN, Svanes C, Bertelsen RJ (2018) Periodontal health status and lung function in two Norwegian cohorts. PLoS One; 13(1):e0191410 Citations: 5. An important paper which lay the groundwork for the ongoing research topic in the ERC and RCN funded projects on association between oral microbiome and respiratory health.
4. Bertelsen RJ, Rava M, Casin AE, Accordini S, Benediktsdottir B, Dratva J, Franklin KA, Heinrich J, Holm M, Janson C, Johannessen A, Jarvis DL, Jogi R, Leyneart B, Norback D, Omenaas ER, Raherison C, Sánchez-Ramos JL, Schlunssen V, Sigsgaard T, Dharmage SC, Svanes C (2017) Parental asthmatic and allergic activity before conception predicts asthma and allergy in the offspring. Clin Exp Allergy; 47(5): 627-638. Citations: 8. Highlighted as Editor’s choice selection (May 2017 Edition)
5. Vindenes HK, Svanes C, Lygre SH, Hollund BE, Langhammer A, Bertelsen RJ (2017). Prevalence of and work-related risk factors for hand eczema in a Norwegian general population (HUNT3). Contact Dermatits; 77(4):214-223. Citations: 10. This is the first paper on chemical exposures and hand eczema in a general population in Norway.
6. Bertelsen RJ, Jensen ET, Ringel-Kulka T (2016). Use of probiotics and prebiotics in infant feeding. Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol; 30(1):39-48. Citations: 57. Personal invitation for specialty edition
7. Bertelsen RJ, Brantsæter AL, Magnus M, Haugen M, Myhre R, Jacobsson B, Longnecker MP, Meltzer HM, London SJ (2014) Probiotic milk consumption in pregnancy and infancy and subsequent childhood allergic disease. J Allergy Clin Immunol 133(1):165-171. Citations: 103. 
8. Bertelsen RJ, Lødrup-Carlsen KC, Calafat AM, Hoppin JA, Haland G, Mowinckel P, Carlsen KH, Løvik M (2013). Urinary Biomarkers for Phthalates Associated with Asthma in Norwegian Children. Environ Health Perspect 121(2):251-256. Featured as a Science Selection in the February Issue of EHP: http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/2013/02/121-a59/ Citations: 143. I finished this paper as a visiting postdoctoral-fellow at NIEHS. I was invited to contribute with a podcast on phthalates and asthma in Environmental Health Perspective.
9. Bertelsen RJ, Longnecker MP, Løvik M, Calafat AM, Carlsen K‐H, London SJ, Lødrup Carlsen KC. Triclosan exposure and allergic sensitization in Norwegian children (2013) Allergy; 68 (1): 84-91. Citations: 89. This publication gained a lot of attention in national and international media during a time when triclosan was being phased out due to fear of that effect on development of antibiotic resistance bacteria
10. Bertelsen RJ, Carlsen KCL, Carlsen K-H, Granum B, Doekes G, Håland G, Mowinckel P, Løvik M. Childhood asthma and early life exposure to indoor allergens, endotoxin and ß(1,3)-glucans (2010). Clin Exp Allergy; 40 (2): 307-316. Citations: 59. This paper attracted a lot of media attention and also lead to a television-interview (The Norwegian National Broadcasting channel). 

2021 Researcher project "Oral health in adults: predictors, social gradients and correlation with cardiovascular health in women and men" - WP PI - Research Council of Norway; project owner: Oral Health Centre of Expertice/TKVestland

2019 ERC Starting Grant: “Oral bacteria as determinants for respiratory health” - Principal investigator (PI) - European Research Council (ERC); Project owner: University of Bergen

2018 Researcher project: “Oral and Environmental Microbiome, Endotoxin and Lung Health; the ‘United Airways’ concept extended” - PI - Research Council of Norway; Project owner: University of Bergen

2017 Reseracher project: “Housedust mite prevalence in Western Norway” - PI - The Norwegian Asthma and Allergy Foundation; Project owner: Haukeland University Hospital

Awards

2018  Kronprins Haakons Research Award for Asthma and Allergy Research; the Norwegian Asthma and Allergy Foundation, Oslo, Norway (5 000 Euro); annual prize for special merits in the field

https://www.naaf.no/tjenester/prosjektstotte/forskningsfondet-for-astma-og-allergi/kronprins-haakons-forskningspris-for-astma-og-allergi/kronprins-haakons-forskningspris-for-astma-og-allergi-2018/

2011   Fulbright Fellowship from the U.S.-Norway Fulbright Foundation for Educational Exchange for research in Medical Sciences at NIEHS/NIH, North Carolina, USA

2010  Voksentoppen Research Award within paediatric allergology and pulmonology awarded for outstanding research within paediatric respiratory medicine and allergology; Voksentoppen, Oslo University Hospital, Norway (5 000 Euro); annual prize for special merits in the field

Commision of trust/Professional Commitments

2021-    Appointed member, representative for the Faculty of Medicine at the EU forum at UiB2019 -  Vice Chair, Management Committee, COST Action CA18131: Statistical and machine learning techniques in human microbiome studies

2018-   Member, Scientific Advisory Board: Leibniz ScienceCampus for Evolutionary Medicine of the Lung (EvoLung), Germany. http://evolung.fz-borstel.de/index.php

2017 -  Associate editor, International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health (Elsevier)

2015 -  Founding member, International Society for Children's Health and the Environment

2014-   Committee member of the National Committee for Medical and Health Research Ethics (NEM), appointed by the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research

2013-   Member, working group for recommended technical standards for indoor environment: «Anbefalte faglige normer for inneklima» Rapport 2013: 7, NIPH, Norway

2011-   Norwegian representative, WHO expert meeting on Environmental Health Inequalities in Europe; Bonn, Germany. Report contribution: Environmental Health Inequalities in Europe; Assessment report; WHO 2012; ISBN: 978 92 890 0260 8

Organization of international conferences

Organiser – Seminar: “Analyses of the human microbiome; challenges and opportunities”, invited international and national speakers (35 participants), University of Bergen, Norway (3^rd March 2019)

Organiser - 31^st annual conference of the International Society for Environmental Epidemiology (ISEE 2019), Proposing and organizing symposium: “Interaction between environmental chemicals and toxicants and the human microbiome” (50 participants), Utrecht, the Netherlands

Chair of meeting planning committee - ISCHE. Name of event: “The Future of Children’s Environmental Health – Translating Knowledge into Action” (70 participants), Cuernavaca, Mexico (January 5-10, 2016).