⭐ Kirstine Berg-Sørensen is Associate Professor at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU). She graduated with a Ph.D. from Aarhus University.

⭐ Kirstine has been a member of the KIF Board from 1999 to 2004

Brief description of your work:

I work in the interdisciplinary field of biological physics, and lead a small research group which we call “Magnetic Resonance by Optics”. In particular, we investigate nanodiamonds as sensors inside live, single cells from the immune system. The nanodiamonds are taken up by the cells and thereafter handled with a single beam optical trap (aka optical tweezers). Further, since the nanodiamonds also carry a so-called color defect, a nitrogen-vacancy center, properties inside the cell that can couple to the electron spin of the color defect can be measured – sensed. What is special about the nitrogen-vacancy center in diamond is that the spin-properties can be read out optically, and since spin-1 – spin-1 transitions are involved, magnetic resonance can be probed. I want to couple the nanodiamond based sensing of cellular constituents with the mechanical properties of the cells, in situations where a link between the two is hypothesized.

In my group, I have at present two splendid young women working with me, as postdoc and PhD student, respectively.

What is the best career advice you ever got?

Focus on what brings you forward but keep enjoying.

In celebration of KIF’s 30 Anniversary in 2022, we present a lineup of short profiles of some of the former board members who have helped build and shape KIF over the years. These women are excellent role models who show some of the many careers that are possible with a physics background.