56 million from Tromsø Research Foundation to three UiT projects

From 2024, Tromsø Research Foundation (TFS), supported by philanthropist Trond Mohn, has allocated funds to research and education projects at UiT under the umbrella term thematic initiatives.

The allocations are awarded to projects established at UiT or led by UiT in collaboration with the University of Bergen. The projects address challenges faced by both Northern Norway and society at large.

During TFS's annual event on 26 May, three new projects were awarded a total of 55.8 million kroner. The projects focus on research into cancer treatment, methods for producing fusion power, and creating new arenas for research and education in interdisciplinary mathematics.

Portrait photo — Developing a method for targeted cancer treatment: Professor at UiT, Inigo Zubizarreta Martinez. Foto: Jørn Berger Nyvoll / UiT

Developing targeted cancer treatment

One of the recipients is the research project Novel Radiotheranostic Systems for Precision Cancer Medicine, abbreviated as THERACAN. The project aims to develop new technology that could enable more effective treatment for patients with late-stage metastatic cancer. The project receives 10.3 million kroner from TFS, while the Norwegian Cancer Society contributes an additional two million kroner.

The leader of the research project is Professor Inigo Zubizarreta Martinez from the Department of Clinical Medicine at the Faculty of Health Sciences. He explains that the treatment technology falls within a field called Targeted Radionuclide Therapy (TRT). The researchers utilise "molecular profiling," which makes it possible to perform targeted treatment and simultaneous diagnosis of a specific tumour with a specific cancer type.

"It’s like developing 'missiles' that can be directed at the enemy (tumours), and we load them with radioactivity. This radioactivity allows us to visualise whether the 'missile' reaches its target on one hand, and whether the tumour lesions are eliminated on the other," says Martinez.

TFS’ Thematic Initiatives

The Trond Mohn Foundation and Tromsø Research Foundation (TFS) have, since 2023, collaborated on a dedicated UiT initiative.
Funding is allocated to research and education projects at UiT under the umbrella term "thematic initiatives."
The annual financial framework is 45–50 million kroner.
Co-funding from UiT amounts to 50 percent.
The projects address challenges faced by both Northern Norway and society at large.
They must be established at UiT or led by UiT in collaboration with the University of Bergen.
Funding for thematic initiatives is awarded in odd-numbered years.

Using this method, both primary tumours and metastases can be treated without causing damage to healthy normal tissue.

International collaboration

The local collaborators in the project include the University Hospital of North Norway (UNN) and the PET Centre. The project involves interdisciplinary cooperation among molecular biologists, radiation physicists, radiologists, chemists, and oncologists, among others.

At the national level, the research group collaborates with the National Competence Network for Personalised Medicine (NorPreM) and the University of Oslo. Internationally, they work with research communities in Denmark, the Netherlands, France, and the United States.

"In the long term, we hope that our efforts, together with the contributions of other laboratories around the world, will lead to longer survival rates or even the possibility of curing patients suffering from late-stage cancer," says Martinez.

One man hands another a bouquet. — Aiming to transform the global energy sector with new technology: UiT Professor Odd Erik Garcia, with Trond Mohn (left). Foto: Jørn Berger Nyvoll / UiT

Fusion with magnets and lasers

Another research project, called FUSENOW – Fusion Research Center Norway, aims to contribute to the development of reactors that simulate the Sun's energy production. If successful, this could become a viable alternative to nuclear power and power plants based on coal and gas.

The project seeks to address unresolved challenges in fusion research, particularly those related to heating plasma and hydrogen as a source of fusion energy. This is being explored through two methods: magnetic confinement and lasers.

The project has received 20 million kroner from TFS. The project leader is Professor Odd Erik Garcia from the Department of Physics and Technology at the Faculty of Science and Technology, and the Centre Leader for DYNAMO.

When fusion energy is fully developed and ready for commercial use, it will represent one of the greatest technological breakthroughs of modern times.

At the FUSENOW Centre, researchers from both UiT and the University of Bergen are working on both approaches. UiT focuses on the magnetic confinement of extremely hot gases, known as plasma. The researchers analyse turbulent flows at the edge of fusion reactors.

"To ensure the reactor walls have a long lifespan and do not require frequent replacement, it is crucial to understand and describe this turbulence. We achieve this through advanced analysis of experimental measurement data from our international collaborators, combined with mathematical and statistical modelling as well as numerical simulations on supercomputers," explains Garcia.

Garcia believes that investing in fusion technology research is an investment in a more sustainable energy future.

"When fusion energy is fully developed and ready for commercial use, it will represent one of the greatest technological breakthroughs of modern times. The technology has the potential to transform the energy sector and provide significant benefits for both society and various industries," states Garcia.

Aiming to build a vibrant mathematics community

The third recipient is the Lie-Størmer Center, which has received 25.5 million kroner to further develop the centre's research and teaching activities.

The centre's co-director, Cordian Riener, Professor of Mathematics and Vice-Dean for Research Education at the Faculty of Science and Technology, highlights that he and his colleague, Professor Hans Z. Munthe-Kaas, have spent six years building a platform where excellent research, internationally anchored education, and active dissemination are closely intertwined.

"We aim to combine groundbreaking research with strong international networks and visiting research programmes – and to build vibrant communities where mathematics is developed in both depth and breadth," emphasises Riener.

two people sitting and performing music. — Emma Berge Sangolt and Roger Amundsen, who make up the duo Soul & Strings, performed music during the annual event. Foto: Jørn Berger Nyvoll / UiT

Riener explains that he hopes to make Tromsø a vibrant meeting place for mathematicians from around the world.

"We want to show that mathematics is not only useful but also deeply human – a path to insight, wonder, and connections across disciplines and borders. We present mathematics as both a tool and a cultural treasure – to society, schools, and the curious public. Thanks to the funding from TFS, we now have an important opportunity to further strengthen the research pillar," Riener adds.

One of the centre's goals is for interdisciplinary knowledge and expertise to benefit applied research, which could create ripple effects for industry and business.

We want to show that mathematics is not only useful but also deeply human – a path to insight, wonder, and connections across disciplines and borders.

The Lie-Størmer Centre has this year received funding from the state budget to establish the research school Mathesis. In the long term, they aspire for this initiative to become the foundation of a permanent research centre.

Opening doors and enriching

Jan-Gunnar Winther, Pro-Rector for Research and Development at UiT, believes the new allocations highlight that UiT's research communities can play a significant role in addressing societal challenges.

"First and foremost, I want to congratulate the talented researchers who have succeeded in a highly competitive process. The projects represent groundbreaking research and have the potential to solve major societal challenges," he says.

Winther believes the allocations will pave the way for new growth in emerging academic branches, both nationally and internationally.

"From the university leadership's perspective, we hope these allocations will open new doors for research communities with international ambitions. We also hope that their research efforts will inspire and enrich other colleagues at UiT. I wish them the best of luck with this important work," Winther adds.

Bredesen, Kim kim.bredesen@uit.no Rådgiver

Published: 27.05.25 14:00 Updated: 28.05.25 09:44

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