Anna Beronius takes over Karolinska Institutet's renowned toxicology programme
After several years as deputy programme director, Anna Beronius has now taken over responsibility for the Master’s Programme in Toxicology at the Institute of Environmental Medicine (IMM).
When Anna Beronius took up the role of programme director in August, it was not an entirely new task awaiting her. Since 2019, she has been deputy programme director and has worked closely with her predecessor, Annika Hanberg, who now continues as deputy programme director.
“It is both exciting and an honour to take over such a highly regarded programme. When I meet colleagues internationally, I notice that many are familiar with the programme. We also receive very positive feedback from employers who have hired our alumni,” says Anna Beronius.
A programme with a 50-year history
The Master’s Programme in Toxicology has a long history. It was one of the first toxicology programmes in the world when it was launched in 1976 by Anders Bergendorff. Annika Hanberg took over as programme director in 2006, and during her time it became an international master’s programme.
Today, students come from different parts of the world. Creating a sense of community and inclusion among students with different experiences and backgrounds is an important part of the programme.
Anna Beronius has just returned from the programme’s retreat on Finnhamn in the Stockholm archipelago, where teachers and new students had the opportunity to get to know each other and discuss issues relating to diversity, experiences, expectations and their upcoming studies at the programme.
“We have found that it is important to talk about these issues together right at the start of the programme, in order to build understanding, a sense of belonging and a safe study environment. The students also bring knowledge and perspectives from different parts of the world, which enrich the programme.
Collaboration and understanding run like a thread throughout the programme. Students should not only gain a solid knowledge of toxicology, but also develop the ability to work with others – something that is important for their future professional lives.
Toxicology is evolving
Toxicology is a field that is constantly evolving. A key focus right now is the development of new methods that can reduce and, in the long term, replace the use of animals in research and toxicity testing. This creates new opportunities, but also requires knowledge of new methods and how the results can be used.
Developments in this specific subject area now have a clear place in the master’s programme. The new curriculum includes the course Next Generation Toxicology, among others.
– We are constantly working to ensure that the programme reflects the latest research and methodological developments. Today’s students need to be able to understand and assess new types of toxicological data and meet new toxicological challenges. We prepare them for that.
Toxicology for a sustainable future
One issue that Anna Beronius particularly wants to highlight is the importance of toxicology for sustainable development. Toxicologists work across a broad field, including pharmaceuticals, chemicals, food and the working environment. What they have in common is the need for knowledge so that chemical substances and products can be used safely and sustainably.
– I want us to place toxicology even more clearly in a sustainability context. Toxicological knowledge is important so that society can make safe and sustainable choices, and many of our students are strongly engaged in issues relating to the future and sustainability.
Anna Beronius is herself an alumna of the Toxicology Programme and is now Associate Professor of Toxicology and research group leader at IMM. She had not expected education to become such an important part of her work.
– But I genuinely think teaching is both very enjoyable and meaningful. Research is, of course, one way to make a difference, but there is something special about a student saying that the programme has given them new perspectives or opened up new opportunities in life. That feeling can be more valuable than yet another published article.
She particularly emphasises that the programme’s success is the result of a shared effort.
– We have a fantastic team of teachers, course leaders, programme management and education administrators. That is the foundation of the programme’s high quality and satisfied students.
This year there is also an extra reason to bring the team together – and many former students. On 24 October, the master’s programme in toxicology will celebrate its 50th anniversary with seminars and a party attended by more than 200 alumni and teachers from different countries.