Jessica Alm

I am Strategic Process Leader in Defense-Related Medicine at KI, with a focus to develop a platform for research and education in collaboration with the Swedish Armed Forces.

I also serve as Expert Coordinator for laboratory and diagnostic surge capacity at the Centre for Health Crises, and as Head of Unit at the National Pandemic Center (NPC) , Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC) at Karolinska Institutet. My background is as a researcher with broad experience in regenerative medicine, bone biology and infectious disease diagnostics.

I have a research-intensive and interdisciplinary background, with a Master’s degree in Cell Biology from Åbo Akademi University and a PhD in Orthopedics and Traumatology from the University of Turku, Finland. I have long-standing experience in translational research, including work in regenerative medicine, bone biology, cell therapies, autoimmune diseases, and diagnostics. My academic career includes international research stays at Harvard Medical School and Boston University, as well as positions in research groups at Karolinska Institutet.

In my current role, I am part of the development of KI’s work within defense-related medicine in close collaboration with the Swedish Armed Forces. A key focus is to establish a platform for research and education in this field, utilizing the full breadth of KI’s medical and scientific expertise.

At the National Pandemic Center (NPC) , I have played a central role in establishing large-scale PCR diagnostics as part of Sweden’s national COVID-19 testing efforts, and the development of one of the country’s largest sequencing platforms for whole-genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2. My responsibilities have included development and implementation of automated laboratory workflows, robust systems for traceability and quality assurance, as well as personnel leadership.

I am a member of several scientific networks and expert groups, including serving as Sweden’s national representative to NATO-STO panel for human factors and medicine (HFM), and as a member of the reference group for the Swedish Research Council’s national program on viruses and pandemics . I am also an editorial board member for BMJ Military Health and a supervisor at both master’s and doctoral levels.

I am happy to answer any questions you might have on the ongoing activities I’m involved in.