From Italy to KI – Paolo wants to contribute to future cancer treatments
Paolo Ceriani has always been interested in science, but when his mother was diagnosed with cancer, that interest took a new direction. He wanted to understand the disease on a deeper level and later began studying Biomedicine at Karolinska Institutet. Before moving to Sweden, he had only visited the country once – on a road trip from Italy through northern Sweden.
Can you tell us how you ended up studying the Biomedicine programme at KI?
“I come from a small town called Barzio in northern Italy. When my mother was diagnosed with cancer, I started reading about the disease to understand it better. When she passed away, when I was only 20 years old, it became clear to me that I wanted to study biomedicine and contribute to future treatments and research,” says Paolo Ceriani.
He continues:
“Two years earlier, I had been on a road trip from Italy to Abisko, and during the trip, we also visited Stockholm. I immediately fell in love with the city and was already familiar with Karolinska Institutet, so it naturally became my first choice.”
What does a typical day look like for you as a biomedicine student?
“A typical day is a good mix of lectures and laboratory work. In addition to classes, we spend time in the lab applying what we learn through experiments and analyses. I really appreciate this balance because it makes the subjects more practical and engaging.”
“I also think there is enough time to review lectures, stay organized, and maintain interests outside the university. KI supports that balance very well.”
What do you think of the programme – has it lived up to your expectations?
“Absolutely. The programme has lived up to my expectations and, in many ways, exceeded them. What I have appreciated most is the opportunity to gain extensive hands-on laboratory experience and work closely with research. The combination of high-quality teaching, an international environment, and close exposure to leading biomedical research has made the programme incredibly rewarding and provided me with a strong foundation for the future.”
What would you like to do after graduation?
“My dream is to continue researching oncology and pathology, areas I have been able to explore in depth during the programme. I am particularly interested in immunotherapy and would like to work with research related to these types of treatments.”
“In the future, I would also be very interested in pursuing doctoral studies at Karolinska Institutet and contributing to its research environment.”
“At the same time, I am passionate about making research more accessible to the public. Today, I run a platform where I share and explain my research findings, and that is something I would very much like to continue developing in the future.”
What do you enjoy doing when you are not in the lab?
“I love nature and enjoy climbing and cycling. I grew up in a small village in Italy, close to nature, so it has always been a big part of my life. I also think there are many beautiful places here in Stockholm, especially Tyresta National Park. In my free time, I enjoy staying active through exercise, travelling, and cooking. I also spend a lot of time with my girlfriend, whom I live with in Solna.”
Awards for studies in the life sciences
- During his first year on the Biomedicine programme, Paolo was ranked among the top ten Italian life science students of 2025 through Nova 111’s student list.
- The same year, he received the Italian Excellence Award for his research contributions at Karolinska Institutet.