Annika Östman Wernerson: A year of progress, challenges and hope – thank you for 2025

All this knowledge lies at the heart of new therapies for autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes, MS and rheumatism, for cancer and for preventing the rejection of transplanted organs. What a wonderful contribution to that which we are all endeavouring to do here – create the necessary conditions for cutting-edge medical education and research.

This year, our university has seen both successes and challenges. As I look back on 2025, some things stick out more than others. 

Developments in the USA

Developments in the USA have had ramifications both for the country as a research nation and for our own country’s research and education; research projects have been suspended, and there is much uncertainty about what the future will hold. Is there any point for individual researchers or research groups to enter a long-term collaboration with their US colleagues? Or for students or members of the KI staff to travel to the USA to develop their careers? 

KI is continuing to forge links with universities and partners across the Pond – and we remain optimistic about the continuing discussion on research funding in the EU and conditions for medical research in both Sweden and the Union.

Reflections on the past year

The surprise of the year was the huge response KI had in our recruitment drive for 20 assistant professors. Our call for excellent researchers with the potential to be future leaders in their field drew in over 2,700 applications.

The contribution of the year was, of course, made by all of you who are seeking knowledge and who use your different skills to help improve the health of all. Here, I would like to salute the collective KI: undergraduates, doctoral students, teachers/researchers and administration, all of whom help strengthen our university in its pursuit of this goal.

My wish for 2026 is for the advances we are seeing in precision medicine to continue. I also hope for better opportunities to use patient and health data in medical research, for even closer cooperation with Region Stockholm, and for the application-to-place ratio for our programmes to remain high – and to continue to train tomorrow’s health progressional through education of the highest quality.

Looking around the world, however, I am hoping for a strengthening rather than a weakening of democratic principles and free international collaboration, not least so that we may continue to safeguard and stand up for academic freedom. 

Another of my greatest wishes is the release of Ahmadreza Djalali. It has been almost ten years since he was imprisoned in Iran under horrific conditions without any legal protection. May 2026 be the year in which he is reunited at last with his family in Sweden.

Thank you and holiday greetings 

With that, let me wish all of you a wonderful Christmas break and much-needed recuperation ahead of the new year. You all contribute to the KI that is us, and that will persevere again next year in our worthy mission as a medical university, both at home and around the world. A big thank you to all for your hard work this year.