News archive

Universidad Miguel Hernandez de Elche will organise a workshop on science communication, specifically focusing on the poster.

Genetic markers may be the key to more precise surveillance programs for individuals with the hereditary cancer syndrome Li-Fraumeni. In a new doctoral thesis from Karolinska Institutet, Alexander Sun Zhang shows how tailored follow-up strategies can reduce the burden on patients, particularly children. These findings have already influenced the Swedish national guidelines.

Are you studying medicine, biomedicine, or life sciences at KI and curious about the future of brain research?

Ahead of the spring term, two new presidents have taken over at KI’s student unions: Medicinska Föreningen (MF) and Odontologiska Föreningen (OF). Meet Linnea Ammer Jansson and Alexander Suei and learn about their priorities, motivations, and what they hope to achieve this year.

The most common way to treat cancer with radiation is with photon beams, which are light-like beams. The technology now allows radiation to be aimed very precisely at the tumor. This protects healthy tissue but demands extreme precision. Small errors in measurements, machines, or software can lead to slightly high or low doses. This thesis examines several areas where such errors may arise.

Hi Alexander Kvist, doctoral student at the Division of Physiotherapy. On March 6 you will defend your thesis ”Evaluating complex walking in aging and neurological disease : from motor behavior to brain activity”. What is the main focus of the thesis?

Since May 2025, Alexandra Kambler and Ingrid Öberg have been working as student and doctoral ombudspersons at the Medical Students’ Association. Their role is to make it easier for KI students to access support in time, prevent problems from escalating, and contribute to clearer and safer processes throughout their studies.

Breast cancer tumours can contain different cell types and structures, which may influence how the disease develops and responds to treatment. In a new thesis from Karolinska Institutet, Qiao Yang at the department of oncology pathology uses computer based methods and multi omics data to map this variation in large, untreated breast tumours. The findings may help support more comprehensive diagnostic strategies and inform future treatment decisions.

On 14–15 February, KI’s system for plagiarism checking of theses, iThenticate, will (as previously announced) receive a new interface with partly new features.

Cancer is complex and hard to treat, with many forms that change over time. This makes treatment complicated: a drug may help one patient but not another. Developing new cancer drugs is also slow and costly, often taking years and failing before reaching patients. This thesis explores how advanced laboratory models and artificial intelligence could make the process faster.

Time to brush up on your search skills? What does a predator journal look like? What are the requirements for research data? We have filled the calendar with KIB Talks on topics we know and want to share.

On February 14-15, KI's system for plagiarism detection in theses, iThenticate, will get a new interface with some new features. Inactive accounts will be deleted during the transition to the new interface.

On the 28 April the 1st Doctoral Education Day is organized at KI - an inspiring day for PhD students, supervisors, postdocs or junior/senior faculty. Registration is now open!

Breast cancer ecotypes represent unique combinations of three key factors: the internal states of tumor cells, the local tumor microenvironment, and the overall immune response. Together, these elements reflects the complex interaction between the patient, the tumor, and the treatment. This thesis investigates how tumors change during pre-surgery therapy, known as neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NAT).

The University of Toronto invites doctoral students and post-doctoral fellows at KI to apply to the summer course “Summer in Design” given by “Medicine in Design” given the 8-17th of June 2026.

Hi Cecilia Johnsson, doctoral student at the Division of Occupational Therapy. On January 16 you will defend your thesis ”Complex paths of lifestyle change in stroke prevention : unveiling seeds and processes of engaging occupations”. What is the main focus of the thesis?

Anorexia nervosa is widely recognized as one of the most severe and complex eating disorders. In a new doctoral thesis from Karolinska Institutet, Jingjing Xu, PhD student at the Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, investigates the biological mechanisms underlying this condition.

Are you a researcher or PhD student at Karolinska Institutet who wants to sharpen your communication skills and disseminate your research to a broad international audience? Then you are welcome to join a presentation on how to write popular science articles for The Conversation, a news platform that KI collaborates with.

A new doctoral thesis by Giorgi Beridze, recently published at Karolinska Institutet, sheds light on the relationship between multimorbidity and kidney health in older adults. The research explores how kidney function is ascertained in older adults, how chronic diseases cluster into patterns and how these patterns influence kidney function and the risk of developing albuminuria—a condition marked by the presence of protein in urine, often an early sign of kidney damage.

Exercise is known for the positive effects on metabolic diseases, partly because of the release of circulating extracellular vesicles (EVs) that mediate intercellular communication and organ crosstalk. In a new doctoral thesis from Karolinska Institutet, Zhenghao Wang, doctoral student at the Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, explores the molecular composition and biofunction of exercise-induced EVs, focusing on their role in health benefits and pancreatic β-cell protection.

“10 minutes of your time can make both funders, and local as well as international collaborators find you – instead of them choosing someone else.”

Hi Anahita Amirpour, doctoral student at the Division of Nursing. On November 20 you will defend your thesis "Assessment and identification of cognitive changes after surgery in older adults". What is the main focus of the thesis?

How can students develop the skills and strategies needed to navigate a world where generative AI is becoming an increasingly common part of their studies? That was the question the Karolinska Institutet University Library (KIB) was tasked with answering resulting in a new web resource on AI. Developed using user experience (UX) methodologies and agile work practices, the resource has been designed to meet the authentic needs of KI students.

Infective endocarditis following valve surgery is a rare but life-threatening infection. In a new doctoral thesis from Karolinska Institutet, PhD student Lisa Bearpark from the Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery investigates which patient groups are at particular risk for infective endocarditis.

Would you like to expand your research network and gain new experience at another top institution in Europe?

Hi Kajsa Söderhielm, dcotoral student at the Division of Occupational therapy. On October 24 oktober you will defend your thesis ”Supporting person-centred, team-based stroke rehabilitation with ICT : implementation and evaluation of F@ce 2.0”. What is the main focus of the thesis?

Hi Melissa Kotte, doctoral student at the Division of Nursing. On October 24, you will defend your thesis ”Reaching cancer survivors where they are : effects and experiences of live-remote exercise”. What is the main focus of the thesis?

Are you studying medicine, biomedicine, or life sciences at KI and interested in the ethical, legal, and social dimensions of AI and big data?

Apply for KI collaboration awards for doctoral students in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh, University College London (UCL), Imperial College London or King’s College London, 2025/2026.

Hi Magdalena Fresk, doctoral student at the Division of Family Medicine and Primary Care . On October 10 you will defend your thesis ”International classification of functioning, disability and health in the sickness certification process” What is the main focus of the thesis?

With the new KI RIMS report Biosketch, KI researchers can quickly produce a summary with a photo and short biography based on their profile page. The need for a uniform and easily accessible short CV has been highlighted by the International Relations Office, which often shares researcher profiles in connection with international visits and collaborations. The hope is that the biosketch report will simplify the work of both researchers and international coordinators.

Once again, the Aging Research Center (ARC) at Karolinska Institutet (KI) will host the course titled "Societal and Life-course Perspectives on Inequalities in Aging" this fall semester. The course is arranged in partnership with the Swedish National Graduate School on Ageing and Health (SWEAH, Lund University) and brings together students from various universities throughout Sweden.

KI University Library has developed a new digital resource with advice and recommendations on how generative AI tools can be used effectively and responsibly in studies.

On 2 June 2025, a group of 19 doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers from ARC came together for a one-day retreat at the Skepparholmen conference venue in Nacka. The retreat theme was visual communication in research.

Hi Vilma Alanko, doctoral student at the Division of Clinical Geriatrics. On June 13 you will defend your thesis ”Translational studies on biological signatures, risk profiles, and prevention of dementia.” What is the main focus of the thesis?

Together with the International Vaccine Institute (IVI), KI organises a vaccinology course titled "Vaccines in a Changing World: Innovation and Access".

After cycling 90 kilometres through sunshine, hail and beech forests, Pernilla Alencar Siljehag arrived in Tomelilla with tired legs and a heart full of impressions. Together with the initiator Oskar Jonsson, she has cycled a leg of the tandem tour that takes researchers around southern Sweden to give lectures on ageing and health. She shares her reflections on the conversations along the way, the audience at the library, and why research journeys are sometimes at their best when on two wheels.

Karolinska Institutet will participate in a national follow-up of study support for students with disablilities.

Within the national quality assurance system, universities are responsible for initiating and organising external reviews of their educational programmes. KI has decided that all education must undergo an external review every eight years, and this year it is the doctoral education’s turn. KI has only one doctoral education, in medical science, so all departments are affected.

The tandem tour is a popular science initiative where researchers cycle through southern Sweden, giving lectures on ageing and health at libraries and community centres. The aim is to reach a broader audience, foster dialogue, and spark interest in the role of research in society. The tour, organised in collaboration with the graduate school SWEAH, runs from 4–27 May 2025 and is made possible thanks to support from the Sten K Johnson Foundation.

Hi Anna Rennie, doctoral student at the Division of Clinical Geriatrics. On June 9 you will defend your thesis ”Does white matter matter? Neuroimaging in dementia with Lewy bodies and related conditions.” What is the main focus of the thesis?

Hi there Clare Tazzeo! You will defend your thesis entitled "Investigating the interplay between frailty and healthcare utilization in older adults" on 26 May 2025. Could you tell us a little more?

Dental professionals find it difficult to identify patients with severe dental anxiety. At the same time, patients are reluctant to talk about their fears and hope that the staff will understand anyway. This dilemma is described in a new thesis presented at the Department of Odontology at Karolinska Institutet.

Robin Juthberg, PhD student at the Orthopaedic research group, the Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, will defend his thesis "Advancing neuromuscular electrical stimulation optimizing comfort and hemodynamic efficiency" on May 16th 2025. Main Supervisor is Paul Ackermann.

KI as part of the NeurotechEU alliance is pleased to inform that there are 3 course fee waivers available for the RU Summer School on Entrepreneurship in Neuroscience and Neurotechnology (Online).

On March 1st, Kristina Aspvall took over as the new Director of Research school for clinicians in psychiatry.

Helene Lindfors, PhD student at the Endocrine Surgery research group, the Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, will defend her thesis "Tumor burden, thyroglobulin and Ki-67 as prognostic indicators in papillary thyroid cancer" on April 2025.
Main supervisor is Ivan Shabo.

On March 11th, 2025, StratNeuro partnered with The Cell at Forskaren to host a dynamic and engaging event as part of Brain Awareness Week (March 10–16, 2025).

Hi Elin Uzunel, doctoral student at the Division of Family Medicine and Primary Care, NVS. On March 14, you will defend your thesis ”Fragility fractures, self-rated health and treatment with a spinal orthosis in older women in primary health care”. What is the main focus of the thesis?

Simon Svedman from the research group Orthopaedics at the Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, will defend his thesis "Acute Achilles tendon rupture : predictors for outcome and plan for intervention" on 14 March 2025.

Main supervisor is Paul Ackermann.