Cheryl Marie Cordeiro

CHERYL MARIE CORDEIRO | view CV

Born in Singapore with a Eurasian heritage of Portuguese and Chinese ancestry, my journey has taken me from the vibrant city-state of Singapore to the Nordic landscapes of Sweden and Norway, and across many places in between. My academic path began in Singapore, where I earned a Master of Science in Information Studies from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and a Master of Arts in English Language from the National University of Singapore (NUS). In 1999, I represented Singapore at the Miss Universe Pageant in Trinidad and Tobago, an experience that opened a window into international public communication and led to ambassadorial work with the Singapore Tourism Board.

In 2002, I moved to Sweden to pursue a PhD in General Linguistics at the University of Gothenburg. My doctoral research examined cultural and managerial dynamics in Swedish-Asian corporate relations, combining discourse analysis with cross-cultural business perspectives. This foundation continues to shape how I understand communication, culture, institutions, and collaboration across borders.

I am currently a Researcher with the Division of Environment and Natural Resources at the Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO). My work supports organisation-level positioning for EU and international research and innovation projects, with a focus on identifying, scoping, and developing opportunities in circular economy, nutrient recovery, sustainable water systems, and bioeconomy transitions.

My role sits at the interface of science, policy, and international project development. I work with research leaders, technical experts, public authorities, industry partners, and stakeholder networks to translate strategic policy priorities into fundable project concepts, robust consortium structures, and coherent implementation frameworks. This includes aligning research ideas with Horizon Europe, EU Missions, the EU Green Deal, circular economy strategies, and environmental policy frameworks.

Before joining NIBIO, I worked at RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, where I contributed to the development and coordination of three major EU-funded projects, securing more than €21 million in funding: CiNURGi, an EU Interreg Baltic Sea Region core project on circular nutrient recovery; iCOSHELLs, a Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Action under EU Mission Soil; and FERTITEC, a Horizon Europe Coordination and Support Action for sustainable fertiliser technologies.

Prior to RISE, I spent several years in Northern Norway, living in Tromsø from 2018 to 2022. As a Scientist at Nofima, I worked on sustainable seafood value chains, market access, food safety, and consumer-oriented research. Living in Tromsø, often called the “Paris of the North,” offered a unique perspective on Arctic life, from the midnight sun to the northern lights, all of which became part of my experiences and writing.

My professional background spans academia, applied research, executive education, and international project development. I have worked with organisations and institutions in Sweden, Norway, Singapore, and wider European and Asian contexts, including the University of Gothenburg, ABB Corporate Research, Nofima, RISE, and NIBIO. Across these roles, my work has been shaped by a long-standing interest in communication, culture, sustainability, innovation, and the practical conditions that make international collaboration possible.

At cmariec.com, I write about culture, travel, food, sustainability, and everyday life through the lens of these personal and professional journeys. The blog reflects my continuing curiosity about how places, people, landscapes, and traditions shape ways of living and thinking. Whether exploring the Nordic seasons, revisiting Southeast Asian culinary memories, reflecting on travel, or engaging with ideas of circular economy and sustainable living, I continue to find inspiration in the dynamic interplay of nature, heritage, and innovation.

Cheryl Marie Cordeiro | PhD MSc MA
ACADEMIC REFLECTIONS | CV
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