Honorary Doctors
Every year, Karolinska Institutet confers honorary doctorates to individuals for vital scientific achievements or significant contributions to the university or humanity at large. Karolinska Institutet appointed its first Honorary Doctors of Medicine and Odontology in 1910 and 1949 respectively. Between 1910-2024, 325 appointments were made.
Eligible to nominate are all employees of KI, as well as visiting scientists affiliated to KI.
Nominations can be made for:
- scientific achievements, especially those with a relationship to Karolinska Institutet
- significant contributions to the university and its activities
- significant contributions to the world, to Sweden or to society within the areas of interest of Karolinska Institutet.
Who already is a doctor in medicine at a Swedish university, or has been awarded an honorary doctorate in medicine at a Swedish university cannot be appointed honorary doctor in medicine at another Swedish university. Please also note that previous years’ nominations must be renewed.
Only a small number of the nominees will receive honorary doctorates and therefore the proponents should not contact the nominees before the decision is made.
Honorary Doctors 2026 - Timo Sorsa and Charles Perou
Karolinska Institutet has decided to appoint Timo Sorsa Professor of Periodontology at University of Helsinki and one of the world’s most highly cited researchers in oral health and Charles “Chuck” Perou Professor of Genetics at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a pioneer in modern cancer research as honorary doctors. They will be conferred at a ceremony at Stockholm City Hall on 24 April this year.
Timo Sorsa has demonstrated how oral health is linked to overall systemic health. His research focuses on how inflammation in the oral cavity such as periodontitis can be associated with serious diseases including diabetes cardiovascular disease and cancer. He has maintained close collaboration with Karolinska Institutet where he has served as an affiliated researcher and supervised doctoral students which has strengthened the university’s international research profile.
Charles Perou has contributed to transforming the understanding and treatment of breast cancer by identifying distinct molecular subtypes of the disease. This discovery has been of major importance as it demonstrated that breast cancer is not a single disease but comprises several biologically distinct forms that may require different treatment strategies. This has led to more targeted therapies and improved patient outcomes both in Sweden and internationally.
His work has also had a significant impact on cancer research at Karolinska Institutet and has been a driving force in the advancement of precision medicine.
The new honorary doctors will be conferred at a ceremony at Stockholm City Hall on 24 April this year.