Five recipients of this year’s silver medals
Three people are to receive Karolinska Institutet’s Grand Silver Medal, and a further two KI’s Silver Medal. These two classes of medal are awarded to people who have made tremendous or excellent efforts, respectively, in support of KI’s activities during their careers, and will be presented at this October’s installation ceremony.
Karolinska Institutet has been awarding medals since 2010 to people who have made exceptional contributions to KI and to research, education and the wider society in general.
“This year’s medallists represent an impressive breadth of medical research, education and clinical development,” says KI vice president Martin Bergö. “Their work has meant a great deal both to KI and to the national and international community.”
Three people are to receive KI’s Grand Silver Medal for tremendous contributions: Gert Auer, Ann Langius-Eklöf and Mona Ståhle. Lena Nilsson-Wikmar and Arne Östman are to receive KI’s Silver Medal for excellent contributions.
“The medallists combine scientific excellence with active citizenship and many years of devotion to research, education and patient benefit,” Professor Bergö says. “They are all very worthy recipients of KI’s medals.”
Recipients of KI’s Grand Silver Medal, 2026
Gert Auer – “Groundbreaking contributions to cancer diagnostics and molecular analysis”
Professor emeritus Gert Auer is to be awarded the Grand Silver Medal for his longstanding and internally renowned contributions to cancer diagnostics and molecular analysis.
He has been a powerful motivator of developments in clinical cytopathology in Region Stockholm and a pioneer of quantitative DNA and protein analyses.
Gert Auer’s research has contributed to the development of modern diagnostics and solid tumour treatment, and has established genomic instability as a crucial prognostic factor in the field of cancer.
Ann Langius-Eklöf – “Pioneering work in nursing research and education”
Professor Ann Langius-Eklöf is to be awarded the Grand Silver Medal for her significant contributions to research and education in the field of nursing.
Her research on patient-reported outcomes, symptom management and person-centred care has garnered considerable international attention and been instrumental to the development of nursing programmes at KI.
Ann Langius-Eklöf has also built a strong research environment and supervised a great many doctoral students and researchers.
Mona Ståhle – “Globally leading research in psoriasis and dermatology”
Professor Mona Ståhle is to be awarded the Grand Silver Medal for her outstanding contributions to research, education and outreach activities in the field of dermatology.
She has been an international pioneer in research into psoriasis as a systemic inflammatory disease and has been a central figure in the development of modern biological treatments in Swedish psoriasis care.
By virtue of her research and international partnerships, Mona Ståhle has greatly enhanced KI’s position in dermatological research
Recipient of KI’s Silver Medal, 2026
Lena Nilsson-Wikmar – “Outstanding pedagogical leadership and development of physiotherapy”
Professor emerita Lena Nilsson-Wikmar is to receive the Silver Medal for her important contributions to education, pedagogical leadership and physiotherapy research.
For over 40 years at KI, Lena Nilsson-Wikmar has driven the development of interprofessional learning, pedagogical innovation and research-based education.
Her research in the field of women’s health and pregnancy-related pain has been of significance both at home and abroad.
Arne Östman – “Important work in translational cancer research”
Professor Arne Östman is to receive the Silver Medal for his longstanding and important work in the field of translational cancer research.
His research on the tumour microenvironment and stroma biology has led to a deeper understanding of cancer development and the therapeutic response.
Arne Östman has also built an internationally leading research environment and held several positions of strategic leadership at KI.