Inauguration ceremony 2023
On Thursday 12 October 2023, 17 new professors were inaugurated at Karolinska Institutet in solemn forms in Aula Medica. In addition, we gave our new adjunct and visiting professors a warm welcome, and honoured recipients of several academic awards. The professors' inauguration ceremony is one of the highlights of the academic year. Articles on this page are published in the booklet 'From Cell to Society 2023', which was distributed at the ceremony.
Our new professors
Many routes to better health for the world’s children
Tobias Alfvén researches to improve the health of the world’s children. His research ranges from studies on clinical improvements to organisational issues on how to conduct development collaborations in society.
Studying mechanisms and mutations of the immune system
Peter Bergman is charting mechanisms of the nonspecific immune system and the genetics behind immunodeficiency diseases. His research on endogenous antibiotics can give rise to new treatments to combat multidrug-resistant bacteria.
Maps the organs' own immune system
The immune system of individual organs may be something entirely different from the immune system that circulates the blood. Niklas Björkstöm is conducting research into the immune system of, among other things, the liver and the uterus.
A better understanding of heart failure with MR
Marcus Carlsson is using magnetic resonance imaging in cases of heart failure – to understand the disease better in all its forms and to match the right treatment to the right patient.
Studying metastases and resistance in lung cancer
The survival rate in lung cancer has increased considerably, albeit from low levels. Oncologist Simon Ekman wants to contribute to better treatments in the future by studying two problems in lung cancer: drug resistance and brain metastases.
Researching ultrasound to improve gynaecological diagnostics
Ultrasound has evolved into a very powerful medical imaging technique. Elisabeth Epstein researches how it can improve diagnostics for gynaecological diseases, including cancer.
Changing the view on placebo and long-term pain
Karin Jensen uses brain imaging to understand why chronic pain occurs and what happens in the body when placebo, the patient's positive expectations, affect the outcome of a treatment.
Studying the costs of dementia
Dementia diseases cost society around SEK 80 billion per year, according to Linus Jönsson’s calculations. With his research on health economics, he hopes to help make the utilisation of healthcare resources as effective as possible.
Researching ethics as a basis for clinical decisions
In his research, Ulrik Kihlbom dissects ethical healthcare issues, often those concerning the patient perspective and powers of decision-making, as a means of improving healthcare guidelines.
Creating 3D models for drug development
Volker Lauschke uses three-dimensional models of human organs to study drug candidates and disease mechanisms. The models are called spheroids and when combined can provide answers as to how organs influence each other in health and disease.
Studying the role of the immune system in cancer
Treatments that boost the immune system help some cancer patients, but not others. Andreas Lundqvist researches the causes of these differences in order to help make existing therapies more effective and to enable the development of new ones.
Studying the sense of smell and its significance to health
The human sense of smell is both well-developed and important to our health. Johan Lundström is trying to unpack a sense that has long been neglected by science.
More organs for transplantation with gentler techniques
Gabriel Oniscu is increasing access to organs for transplantation by using a technique that makes it possible to preserve, evaluate and improve organs outside the body before they are transplanted into the recipient.
Old drug proved more effective against MS
Anders Svenningsson has laid the groundwork for the evidence-based use of the substance rituximab in the treatment of MS, leading to better health for the patients and lower costs for society.
Studying ADHD, digital media and mental health problems
Computer games and social media are designed to draw us in and keep us engaged – something that can be particularly difficult for people with neuropsychiatric disorders. Lisa B. Thorell researches ADHD and the link between digital media and mental health problems.
Studying health and quality of life after malformations of the gut
Advanced surgery saves the life of children born with serious malformations of the gastrointestinal tract. Tomas Wester researches the risk of residual problems and the health outcomes for these patients.
Studying stroke- and dementia-related speech disorders
Dementia and stroke often cause problems with speaking and swallowing. Speech and language pathologist Per Östberg researches ways to improve our understanding of these problems and facilitate their treatment.
We also celebrate
New Adjunct Professors
New Visiting Professors and Foreign Adjunct Professors
Awardees of 2023
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.
