Inauguration ceremony 2022
On Thursday, 13 October 2022, 21 new professors were inaugurated at Karolinska Institutet in solemn forms in Aula Medica. In addition, we gave our new adjunct professors a warm welcome and we honored recipients of several academic awards. The professors' inauguration ceremony is one of the highlights of the academic year of our university. The articles on this page is published in the booklet 'From Cell to Society 2022', which was distributed in connection to the ceremony.
Our new professors
Researching ageing in people with haemophilia
Thanks to modern treatments, people with haemophilia live a normal life. But what will decades of medication mean for them as they reach old age? Jovan Antović researches blood clotting and haemophilia, especially in relation to elderly health.
Getting the right cancer drug to patients with PET
The range of cancer therapies is growing quickly, but it is often hard to know in advance which drug will help a particular patient. Rimma Axelsson uses PET imaging to select patients for effective targeted treatment.
Establishing optometric education and research
Rune Brautaset has modernised optometry studies at KI and laid the groundwork for an optometric research environment at the university. He is currently researching how neurodegenerative diseases can be detected in the retina.
Studying neuronal activity in real-time
The prefrontal cortex is the centre for advanced cerebral function – it is here our impressions of the world are formed, plans forged and decisions made. By studying the real-time activity of neurons, Marie Carlén maps the functions of the prefrontal cortex.
Researching health effects of nitrogen oxides
Mattias Carlström researches the beneficial effects of nitric oxide on the body, including the cardiovascular system and kidneys, in order to understand the biological mechanisms and pave the way for the clinical use of different forms of nitrate that can increase concentrations of nitric oxide.
His findings shed light on MS
Gonçalo Castelo-Branco investigates the cells that produce myelin, the vital insulation that ensheathes our nerve cells. He has made unexpected findings that might help to explain what causes MS and eventually give rise to novel treatments.
Molecular pathologist focusing on cancer and pedagogy
Katalin Dobra researches cancer of the lungs, especially the part played by the protein Syndecan 1. Education is an important aspect of her professorship and she is in charge of the pathology module of the new medical programme.
Transporting drugs using endogenous vesicles
Transporting drugs to the right place and into the right cells is a major challenge. Samir EL Andaloussi researches how tiny vesicles called exosomes, which naturally transport material between cells, can be used for this purpose.
More accurate diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer
While prostate cancer claims many lives, overtreatment is also a significant problem. Martin Eklund develops methods of individualising diagnosis and treatment to reduce fatalities and overtreatment.
From patients’ stigma to early detection of cancer
Lars E Eriksson researches earlier detection of lung cancer through the charting of early symptoms and biomarkers. He also researches organisational issues in healthcare as well as stigma and quality of life in patients with chronic infections like HIV.
Finding the right treatment with precision pathology
Johan Hartman is developing new diagnostic methods for predicting therapeutic responses and judging relapse risk in cancer. The methods range from patient-derived three-dimensional tumour models to AI-aided risk assessment.
Preventing hereditary cardiac arrest
Inherited heart diseases may present with no forewarning. A young person with no previous signs of disease can suddenly suffer a cardiac arrest while out on a run or playing football. Kristina Haugaa’s research aims to prevent such events.
New life-saving methods for cardiac arrest
Jacob Hollenberg conducts research to increase the survival rate after cardiac arrest. He leads the KI Center for resuscitation science, which develops and studies new innovative methods and treatments along the entire cardiac care pathway.
Studying the importance of oral health
Pedagogical issues, in both dental education and dental care, are along with patients’ experiences of periodontitis two main themes in Annsofi Johannsen’s research. She is also head of KI’s dental hygiene programme.
Researching medical education and driving educational development
Good health in the future through the development and application of the best possible medical education is the guiding star for Anna Kiessling’s work – for both research and quality work at Karolinska Institutet.
New ways of treating retinal diseases
Anders Kvanta researches cell and gene therapies for diseases of the retina that currently lack effective treatments. His discovery that the pathologic formation of new blood vessels in the retina is attributable to the growth factor VEGF has saved the eyesight of millions of people.
Developing online CBT for somatic diseases
Brjánn Ljótsson researches cognitive behavioural therapy , CBT. He has helped to develop and establish online CBT, and researches how CBT can improve the lives of people with physical disease.
eHealth tools against overweight in children and pregnant women
Marie Löf’s research covers ways of improving health and reducing overweight and obesity in pregnant women and children. She develops apps that help individuals and families to make vital changes in their dietary and exercise habits.
Studying the battle between cell and virus
Gerald McInerney researches the molecular-level battle between human cells and viruses. He is also a teacher who is passionate about developing the study of virology at KI.
Previously unknown immune cells provide clues to IBD and asthma
Jenny Mjösberg researches innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), a previously unknown part of the immune system. She wants to understand the part they play in different kinds of inflammatory disease, and ultimately contribute to new, improved therapies.
Laying the groundwork for clinical improvements in abdominal surgery
Anders Thorell’s research evaluates techniques of gastrointestinal surgery, leading to new clinical recommendations. He also studies mechanisms behind the effects of weight-loss surgery.
We also celebrate
New Adjunct Professors
Awardees of 2022
Learn more
Academic ceremonies
Karolinska Institutet arranges various academic ceremonies each year. Activities include conferring of doctor's degrees, professorial awards and academic prizes.
How professors are made at KI
Since 2011 universities and institutions of higher education in Sweden have had greater freedom to decide themselves on the appointment of a professor. KI has chosen to expose professorships to competition and has abolished the right to be promoted.
