Lene A. Hagen studied Optometry and Vision Science at Buskerud University College, Kongsberg, Norway. She graduated in 1996, and she has worked as an optometrist for three years and as a sales manager in Carl Zeiss for two years. She has worked as a teacher in middle school and at the department as a lecturer and postgrad researcher. She completed a Master of Philosophy in Visual Science in 2011. She received a 5-year PhD fellowship in August 2014 to undertake postgraduate research in the Colour Vision and Retinal Imaging Laboratory with professor Rigmor C. Baraas. 