KI's president made honorary doctor at leading US university

Harriet Wallberg-Henriksson, president of Karolinska Institutet, is to be made an honorary doctor of science by the University of Minnesota, USA - one of the highest ranked universities in the world - in recognition of her success at having intensified and deepened the relationship between the two universities. She received the degree on 30 April at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA.

Karolinska Institutet accounts for over 40 per cent of the medical academic research in Sweden. The partnership between Karolinska Institutet and the University of Minnesota has been ongoing for over two decades, but since Professor Wallberg-Henriksson took office as president in 2004, it has grown more intensive and broad-based. The Mayo Clinic, one of the USA's most prestigious medical clinics, is also now involved in part of this collaboration.

"Our partnership with the University of Minnesota comprises research programmes in a wide range of medical specialist areas, and exchange programmes at Bachelor and Doctoral level," says Professor Wallberg-Henriksson. "Now we've added the postdoctoral level to it. The first postdoc positions will be advertised in a few months' time."

Professor Wallberg-Henriksson is a doctor of medicine and a professor of physiology, with a special interest in diabetes research. She holds several important posts over and above the presidency of Karolinska Institutet, including as member of the Nobel Assembly, which awards the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine every year, and of the Swedish governments Science Policy Council.

Professor Wallberg-Henriksson received her honorary doctorate on Friday 30 April 2010 at the University of Minnesota.

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