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 Annual Report 2025

March 31, 2026

The Visual Intelligence Annual Report 2025, highlighting the centre's progress, activities, achieved innovations, staff, funding, and publications for 2025, is now available to read on our websites.

Visual Intelligence strengthens ties with Pioneer Centre for AI in EHR-related research

March 26, 2026

Visual Intelligence researchers contributed to the Pioneer Centre for AI workshop on Electronic Health Records research. The aim was to strengthen ties between the two centres on EHR-related research.

Nordlys: Her blir KI-studentene grillet av sin «egen» teknologi

March 24, 2026

Tre av studentene i sivilingeniør i Kunstig Intelligens ved UiT skal delta i NM i KI. Slik gikk det da de ble intervjuet ved hjelp av kunstig intelligens (News article on nordlys.no).

My Research Stay at Visual Intelligence: Rami Al-Belmpeisi

March 15, 2026

Rami Al-Belmpeisi is a PhD Research Fellow in the Visual Computing section at DTU Compute, Technical University of Denmark. He visited Visual Intelligence in Tromsø from November 2025 to February 2026.

Visual Intelligence inspires future students at the UiT Open Day

March 12, 2026

Visual Intelligence researchers came to the UiT Open Day to inform the students about UiT's study programme, and inspire them to pursue AI-related studies and career paths.

Dagsavisen: Hun lærer kunstig intelligens å forstå medisinske bilder

March 4, 2026

Elisabeth Wetzer forsker på hvordan maskiner kan lære å analysere medisinske bilder – og samtidig forstå hva legene faktisk ser etter (Norwegian news article on dagsavisen.no)

My Research Stay at Visual Intelligence: Artur Radzivil

February 12, 2026

Artur Radzivil is a PhD Research Fellow at Vilnius Gediminas Technical University. He visited Visual Intelligence in Oslo from September to November 2025.

Centre Director Robert Jenssen meets Norwegian Minister of Research and Higher Education, Sigrun Aasland

February 6, 2026

Centre Director Robert Jenssen met with Sigrun Aasland, Norwegian Minister of Research and Higher Education, alongside UiT and Aker Nscale representatives to give an update on Aker Nscale's AI Giga Factory in Narvik, Norway.

Visual Intelligence represented at Arctic Frontiers 2026

February 4, 2026

Visual Intelligence was represented by Centre Director Robert Jenssen, Associate Professor Kristoffer Wickstrøm, and VI Alumna Sara Björk at the Arctic Frontiers side session "How can AI and satellite collaboration strengthen Arctic resilience?".

Petter Tømmeraas visits Visual Intelligence in Tromsø

February 3, 2026

Petter Tømmeraas, Director of Data Center Services at Aker Nscale, visited SFI Visual Intelligence to learn more about our research projects and AI startups established by former UiT students.