Sara Arroyo Muhr

I am a tumor biologist and Scientific Lead at the International Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Reference Center, Karolinska Institutet.

My research focuses on HPV-associated cancers, combining molecular biology, next-generation sequencing, and machine learning to improve cancer prevention, diagnostics, and screening strategies.

I oversee the Global HPV LabNet, a worldwide network of national HPV reference laboratories working with standardization and quality assurance in HPV diagnostics.

I coordinate research and implementation initiatives related to cervical cancer prevention, including Sweden’s cervical cancer elimination program, and contribute to international projects such as HPV self-sampling in conflict-affected settings.

Molecular virology, biomarkers, genomics, transcriptomics, epigenetics, machine learning, cancer screening, and molecular diagnostics.

Competence

Infections and cancer, tumor biology, genomics, molecular diagnostics, microbiology, and pharmacology. These areas form the basis of my teaching and research activities.

Current teaching activity

I have completed formal pedagogical training for university-level teaching. My teaching experience includes both undergraduate and graduate education, covering courses in molecular diagnostics, microbiology and genomics. At Karolinska Institutet, I teach within the Biomedical and Medical programs and have contributed to several Master’s level courses. I also participate in international teaching activities.

My teaching roles include lecturer, Problem-Based Learning (PBL) tutor, and seminar tutor. I supervise Biomedical Bachelor’s degree projects and serve as supervisor and co-supervisor for PhD students. In addition, I am the Educational Lead at the Center for Cervical Cancer Elimination (CCCE), where I contribute to the development and coordination of educational activities related to cervical cancer prevention, HPV, and molecular diagnostics.

In my role as Scientific Lead at the International HPV Reference Center, I am involved in the development of online educational resources and digital learning modules designed to support global training and capacity building: https://www.hpvcenter.se/e-learning-resources/