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About

Geir Johnsen is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of marine science and autonomous robotics, whose work has fundamentally advanced how scientists observe and sample the ocean. His research focuses on adaptive robotic ocean sampling, underwater vehicle systems, and bio-optical sensing of marine organisms, with particular emphasis on coastal and Arctic environments. Johnsen's most influential contributions center on developing intelligent, AI-driven frameworks for robotic ocean exploration. His work on adaptive sampling of phytoplankton using autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) has garnered significant attention, with key papers accumulating over 90 and 55 citations respectively, demonstrating real-world impact on oceanographic methodology. By coupling robotic platforms with ocean models, he has enabled far more efficient characterization of complex coastal processes such as upwelling and internal waves. Beyond open-ocean applications, Johnsen has applied underwater robotics to compelling problems including Arctic shipwreck archaeology — notably mapping the historic vessel *Figaro* in Svalbard — and environmental monitoring in Norwegian fjords. His development of hyperspectral imaging as a taxonomic tool for pigmented marine organisms further reflects his interdisciplinary reach. Through sustained collaboration with institutions like NTNU, Johnsen has helped establish Norway as a leader in applied underwater robotics for environmental science.