Hans C. Bernstein is a professor in Microalgae and Microbiome Engineering at UiT The Arctic University of Norway. He has significantly contributed to molecular microbial ecology and bioengineering, with a focus on Arctic marine ecosystems and biotechnological developments for environmental sustainability. Bernstein leads the Microalgae and Microbiomes Research Group (M2RG), synthesizing academic and industrial research to address sustainability challenges. Bernstein has spearheaded major projects in microbial carbon capture, sequestration, and utilization, notably through the ARC – The Arctic Centre for Sustainable Energy, where he utilizes marine and terrestrial ecosystems as inspiration for biotechnological innovation in carbon capture, sequestration and utilzation. His group has advanced the understanding of marine microbiomes, exploring how marine diatoms interact in complex communities and adapt to changing CO2 levels, thus influencing carbon cycling and potential sequestration strategies in the Arctic. Additionally, Bernstein has enhanced the development of microbial synthetic biology tools, enabling the creation of microbial communities tailored for optimal performance in Arctic industrial settings. His work involves integrating engineered genetic circuits within marine microbiomes to enhance their ecological and biotechnological functions in industrial bioreactors and future microbial biofactories. Bernstein's efforts underscore his commitment to integrating ecological principles with advanced engineering to address climate change and sustainability. He also dedicates significant effort to mentoring early-career scientists and fostering global collaborative networks, focusing on empowering a new generation of researchers to merge engineering with ecology for improved environmental and societal outcomes. Through outreach initiatives, such as the PHOTOSYNTECH PhD training school, Bernstein promotes knowledge sharing and innovation, driving the development of ecosystem-inspired solutions.