Tove Ragna Reksten came to Oklahoma from Norway in June 2016 to work as a postdoctoral research scientist at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. She holds a PhD in Immunology and her research is on genetic aspects of Sjögren’s syndrome, an autoimmune rheumatic disease.
She joined Bergenhus Rotary Club (D2250) in 2013 after nearly nine years as a member of Bergen Rotaract, with short-term memberships in Uppsala Rotaract (Sweden) and Braunschweig-Wolfsburg Rotaract (Germany) during her studies abroad.
Tove Ragna served as president in her Rotaract club for two terms, and as District Rotaract Representative for another two terms; she was secretary and later vice president in the Norwegian Rotaract MDIO, held the proxy as International Representative on several European Rotaract Meetings, and represented Rotaract in the D2250 Rotary District Board.
She was District Speaker and Coordinator for ShelterBox Norway, served on the ShelterBox Norway Board of Trustees and represented ShelterBox Norway in the European Affiliation between 2010 and 2012. She is currently a visiting Rotarian in Bricktown RC, using this unique opportunity in Oklahoma to improve quality of life for patients through her research and for the public through the numerous Rotary volunteer opportunities.