Jeanine Olsen awarded honorary doctorate from University of Gothenburg

Jeanine Olsen, Emeritus Professor in marine evolutionary biology at the Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE), has been awarded an honorary doctorate at the University of Gothenburg. During her scientific career, Jeanine Olsen has collaborated closely with the University of Gothenburg in her research on different species of brown algae and seagrass. Among other things, she led the mapping of the eelgrass genome.

Besides her research, Olsen has always been strongly committed to diversity and the promotion of more women in science. She was also involved in the first round of Rosalind Franklin Fellows at FSE.

The title of Honorary Doctor is the highest recognition that a university can award. The doctorate was awarded during the annual graduation ceremony of the University of Gothenburg for PhD and Master students, this year including two honorary doctorates. Olsen received a laurel wreath and a diploma, together with commemorative ring and hat. The ceremony took place at the end of March.

This is the third honorary doctorate for a professor of the Faculty of Science and Engineering in one year. Earlier, Professors Verpoorte and Feringa were awarded an honorary doctorate from respectively Tampere University and Bratislava University.