João Campagnolo
Image:
Private

João Campagnolo

My Research Stay at Visual Intelligence: João Campagnolo

João Campagnolo is a PhD Candidate in the Neuroscience Department of the University of Copenhagen (KU). He visited SFI Visual Intelligence in Tromsø from April to May 2025.

My Research Stay at Visual Intelligence: João Campagnolo

João Campagnolo is a PhD Candidate in the Neuroscience Department of the University of Copenhagen (KU). He visited SFI Visual Intelligence in Tromsø from April to May 2025.

By Petter Bjørklund, Communications Advisor at SFI Visual Intelligence

Tell us about your PhD project

My PhD thesis investigates the neural correlates of stress resilience in zebrafish larvae (Danio rerio), using both ex vivo and in vivo brain recordings to compare stress-resilient and stress-vulnerable individuals.

Why did you choose Tromsø and Visual Intelligence for your research stay?

To make sense of this high-dimensional neural data, I needed robust computational tools and fresh perspectives on pattern analysis, which is where the Visual Intelligence group comes in. One of my PhD supervisors suggested that I ought to visit Professor Benjamin Ricaud in Tromsø, as he would be able to leverage graph theory to describe the functional networks that underly stress resilience. I couldn’t resist the possibility of briefly moving to a place this exotic, while working with a ML-focused group.

What has been the outcome of your research stay?

Working with graphs was not just technically useful—it was genuinely exciting. This experience reaffirmed my interest in mathematical approaches to neuroscience, and I’m eager to continue exploring graph-based methods in future analyses of neural activity.

How was life in Tromsø?

When I arrived in Tromsø in April, I found a welcoming community of researchers—with a broad range of backgrounds and interests. The surroundings were just as enthralling: I saw the northern lights for the first time, got to commute by skis, tried the local “delicacies” (one can skip the "brunost"), and learn about the arctic culture.

I am incredibly grateful to everyone at UiT who made this stay possible, and I sincerely hope this marks the beginning of ongoing collaboration between us.

Latest news

Visual Intelligence Days 2026 was a success!

September 25, 2026

100 researchers, user partners and invited guests gathered in Oslo, Norway for the Visual Intelligence Days: the centre's annual conference for sharing knowledge and updates on the latest research and innovations.

Sciencenorway.no: Four reasons why you should not blindly trust artificial intelligence

September 19, 2026

Why should we think twice before using AI as a therapist, romantic partner, or to help out with homework? AI expert Elisabeth Wetzer explains (Popular science article on sciencenorway.no / forskning.no).

Associate Professor Kristoffer Wickstrøm interviewed by NRK Radio

September 18, 2026

Associate Professor Kristoffer Wickstrøm was interviewed by Norsk rikskringkasting (NRK) about the ongoing debate on whether to halt current and future AI development

Visual Intelligence well represented at Arendalsuka 2026

August 13, 2026

Visual Intelligence gathered experts from Norwegian politics, research council, industry, the public sector, and academia to discuss the value of Norwegian AI competence and Norwegian-developed models.

Two Visual Intelligence-authored papers accepted for MICCAI 2026

June 17, 2026

Visual Intelligence will be well represented at MICCAI 2026, one of the leading AI conferences on medical imaging and computer assisted intervention, with two accepted research papers.

Visual Intelligence represented at the Datacloud Global Congress' Talent in Tech programme

June 8, 2026

PhD Candidates Solveig Thrun and Christian Salomonsen attended the Datacloud Global Congress' Talent in Tech programme, which invited emerging talent to a unique programme designed to inspire, educate, and connect young professionals with senior leaders from global tech giants.

Kyst og Fjord: Råfisklaget tester AI-teknologi for å knipe syndere

June 2, 2026

En ny AI-løsning utviklet ved UiT kan gjøre det enklere å avdekke feilrapportering og ulovlig fiske. Nå skal Norges Råfisklag teste teknologien i praktisk bruk (News article on kystogfjord.no)

Geo365.no: Norges nye seismikkekspert

May 28, 2026

En ny, åpent tilgjengelig KI-modell kan endre hvordan geologer tolker seismikk. Den norske grunnmodellen lover raskere analyser, lavere terskel for innovasjon og nye måter å forstå undergrunnen på.