About Cancer Research KI

Cancer Research KI serves as an overarching umbrella organisation for cancer research at Karolinska Institutet, conducted by some 250 research groups at multiple campuses and departments. The overall goal is to generate new scientific discoveries that can be rapidly translated into clinical practice for the benefit of patients and society.

Background

In 2009 the Swedish Government designated in the Government Bill on Research Policy that 20 strategic research areas were to be prioritized; Cancer was one area. Cancer is represented nationally by three programmes: Cancer Research KI (formerly StratCan) at Karolinska Institutet, U-CAN (Universities of Uppsala & Umeå) and BioCare (Universities of Lund & Gothenburg).

Cancer as a strategic research area is motivated by the fact that cancer is one of the world's most common diseases and a major cause of death. In Sweden it is expected that cancer incidence will continue to rise and that cancer prevalence will double by 2030. New research strategies aiming at effective prevention and improved treatment are therefore urgently needed.

Organisation

Cancer Research KI was formed 2019 as the Strategic Research Programme in Cancer (StratCan) and the KICancer network joined forces. The programme is supported by the government through the strategic initiatives.

Cancer Research KI Steering Board:

Cancer research KI executive board members are holding positions at active cancers research departments involved in clinical, pre-clinical and epidemiological research at the southern and northern campus of Karolinska Insitutet, some members hold dual affiliations both at the Karolinska Institutet and the Karolinska University Hospital as reflected in the present list of members.

Two of the Cancer Research KI members are also members of the Board for the Cancer Theme at the Karolinska University hospital. 

Jonas Bergh M.D., Ph.D., F.R.C.P. (London, UK), Professor

Director Cancer Research KI

Department of Oncology-Pahtology, K7

Senior consultant in oncology, Cancer Theme, Breast Cancer Centre, Karolinska University Hospital. (Northern Campus)

Kamila Czene, Ph.D., Professor

Co-Director Cancer Research KI

Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics (MEB), C8, (Northern Campus)

Urban Lendahl, Ph.D., Professor

Co-Director Cancer Research KI

Department of Cell and Molecular Biology (CMB), C5, (Southern Campus)

Martin Bergö, Ph.D., Professor

Cancer Research KI Executive Board Member

Department of Biosciences and Nutrition (BioNut), H2, (Southern Campus)

Lisa Westerberg, Ph.D., Senior Researcher

Cancer Research KI Executive Board Member

Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), C1, (Northern Campus)

Yvonne Wengström, R.N., Professor

Cancer Research KI Executive Board Member

Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society (NVS), H1, (Southern Campus)

Director of Nursing Theme Cancer

Ingemar Ernberg, MD, PhD, Senior Professor

Cancer Research KI Executive Board Member

Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), C1, (Northern Campus)

Hans-Gustaf Ljunggren, M.D., Ph.D., Professor

Cancer Research KI Executive Board Member

Department of Medicine, Huddinge (MedH), H7, (Southern Campus)

Bertrand Joseph, Ph.D., Professor

Cancer Research KI Executive Board Member

Institute of Environmental Medicine (IMM), C6, (Northern Campus)

Klas Blomgren, M.D., Ph.D., Professor

Cancer Research KI Executive Board Member

Department of Women's and Children's Health (KBH), K6, (Northern Campus)

Senior Consultant at Department of Pediatric Oncology Karolinska University Hospital

Eva Hellström Lindberg, M.D., Ph.D., Professor

Cancer Research KI Executive Board Member

Department of Medicine, Huddinge (MedH), H7, (Southern Campus)

Senior Consultant in Haematology

Randall Johnson, Ph.D., Professor

Cancer Research KI Executive Board Member

Department of Cell and Molecular Biology (CMB), C5, (Northern Campus)

Olli-Pekka Kallioniemi, M.D., Ph.D., Professor

Cancer Research KI Executive Board Member

Department of Oncology-Pathology (OnkPat), K7, (Northern Camous)

Director at the Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab)

Maria Kasper, Ph.D., Group Leader

Cancer Research KI Executive Board Member

Department of Biosciences and Nutrition (BioNut), H2, (Southern Campus)

Sonia Lain, Ph.D., Professor

Cancer Research KI Executive Board Member

Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), C1, (Northern Campus)

Andreas Lundqvist, PhD, Group Leader

Cancer Research KI Executive Board Member

Department of Oncology-Pathology (OnkPat), K7, (Northern Campus)

Olof Akre M.D., Ph.D.

Adjunct Cancer Research KI Executive Board Member

Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery (MMK), K1, (Northern Campus)

Acting head of Department of Pelvic Cancer at Karolinska University Hospital

Patrik Rossi, MD, Ph.D.

Ex officio Cancer Research KI Executive Board Member

Acting Managing Director, Cancer Theme Karolinska University Hospital (Northern and Southern Campus)

Nick Tobin, Ph.D., Assoc. Prof.

Cancer Research KI Executive Board Junior Faculty representative

Department of Oncology-Pathology (OnkPat), K7, (Northern Campus)

Amineh Ghaderi

Cancer Research KI Executive Board Ph.D. student representative

Department of Oncology-Pathology (OnkPat), K7, (Northern Campus)

Johanna Furuhjelm, Ph.D.

Administrative Director Cancer Research KI

Department of Oncology-Pathology (OnkPat), K7, (Northern Campus)