New Scientific Representatives in place at Karolinska Institutet
Karolinska Institutet has its new Scientific Representatives in place. They assumed their roles in February and provide support and guidance to researchers at all career stages on matters related to research ethics, good research practice, and the handling of suspected deviations. As a neutral and independent resource, they play a central role in KI’s efforts to promote a transparent and responsible research culture, and their advisory work is grounded in integrity, discretion, and mutual trust.
KI has established a collective of Scientific Representatives, enabling consultation among the representatives, quality assurance of cases, and an efficient distribution of assignments within each departmental group. This approach contributes to a coherent, supportive, and preventive ethics culture at KI. Each Scientific Representative has one departmental group as their main area of responsibility, but the distribution of responsibilities can be adjusted when needed for individual cases. Current matters handled by the representatives may concern, for example, publications, authorship, or research collaborations, and the representatives meet regularly to share experiences and discuss common challenges and opportunities.
“We are pleased that the new Scientific Representatives now are in place and able to offer support to our researchers. They play a central role in KI’s efforts to safeguard good research practice,” says Catarina Almqvist Malmros, Chair of KI’s Committee for Ethics and Good Research Practice.
Area of responsibility - KI Campus Solna
Giulia Gaudenzi, Assistant Professor
Department of Global Public Health
e-mail: giulia.gaudenzi@ki.se
Giulia Gaudenzi has an interdisciplinary background with a PhD from KI and a Master’s degree in Medical Law and Ethics from the University of Edinburgh. She has extensive experience in international research consortia, ethical review processes, and Good Clinical Practice‑related procedures within global health and clinical studies. Her background also includes deep‑tech entrepreneurship and work with IP and data‑protection issues, providing a strong foundation in research ethics and responsible innovation.
Area of responsibility - KI Campus North
Claes Frostell, Professor, senior
Department of molecular medicine and surgery
E-mail: claes.frostell@ki.se
Claes Frostell is a specialist in anesthesiology and intensive care and is affiliated with the Department of Clinical Sciences, Danderyd Hospital. He has had a long research career in perioperative medicine, sepsis, and intensive care, with extensive publications in national and international journals. He has previously served as a Scientific Representative at KI since 2019 and will continue in this role through 2026.
Jan Zedenius, Professor, senior
Department of molecular medicine and suergery
E-mail: jan.zedenius@ki.se
Jan Zedenius has extensive experience in leadership roles within healthcare, including positions as head of department, research group leader, and chief medical officer, where he has worked with complex communication and conflict‑resolution situations. He has formal expertise in incident analysis, with a focus on investigating deviations and organizational communication failures. With nearly two decades as scientific secretary and advisor at the Swedish Cancer Society, he also has in‑depth experience in research ethics, misconduct issues, and research communication.
Claes Frostell and Jan Zedenius share responsibility for KI Campus North.
Area of responsibility - KI Campus South
Sari Ponzer, Professor, senior
Departmetn of clinical science research and education, Södersjukhuset
e-mail: sari.ponzer@ki.se
Sari Ponzer has extensive experience from senior leadership roles at both Karolinska Institutet and Region Stockholm, including positions as head of department, Director of Research, Development and Education, head of division, and dean. For many years, she has worked with research ethics, mentorship of colleagues, and support in ethics‑related matters, particularly within clinical research. Her broad experience, integrity, and strong trust within clinical operations make her well suited for assignments related to good research practice and ethical advisory functions at KI.