News archive

On 24 September, it’s time for the most energizing event of the year - the KI Fun Run at Campus Flemingsberg! Whether you walk, jog, or run you’ll be part of our shared challenge: to beat previous year’s total distance. Registration is now open!

The Swedish government is introducing new migration rules for doctoral students and researchers. The rules will take effect on 11 June 2026.

The ARC Junior Retreat 2026 was held on 2 June at Högberga Gård, Lidingö. A group of 27 doctoral students, postdocs, research assistants and visiting junior researchers attended the one-day event.

A new doctoral thesis from Karolinska Institutet shows that the health outcomes of children conceived with assisted reproductive technology (ART) are generally reassuring, although certain combinations of specific methods were found to be linked to a slightly increased risk of rare conditions. The findings alleviate concerns about the safety of ART and can support better counseling as well as informed decision making among patients and clinicians.

A new doctoral thesis from Karolinska Institutet shows that RNA can influence how cells repair damage to their DNA. The findings contribute to a better understanding of processes that are important in diseases such as cancer and may be relevant for future treatment development.

Each year, more than 6,000 Swedes are diagnosed with melanoma. Melanoma is a form of skin cancer that, if detected late, can be fatal. Not all melanomas behave in the same way. A new doctoral thesis from Karolinska Institutet investigates why some patients have poorer outcomes than others and whether certain markers in tumor tissue can help us predict who is at risk.

By combining multiple types of analysis, researchers can better understand why treatments work differently in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). This is shown in a new doctoral thesis from Karolinska Institutet.

Melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin cancer and can be difficult to treat in advanced stages. In a new doctoral thesis from Karolinska Institutet, Ellen Heurlin shows that radiotherapy combined with modern drug treatments provides clear clinical benefit in advanced melanoma. The results demonstrate good local tumor control, especially with stereotactic techniques, and few serious side effects. The most promising results were observed when radiotherapy was combined with immunotherapy.

Okan Gültekin, a postdoctoral researcher at Karolinska Institutet, has been awarded an international grant from the Cancer Foundation to develop an AI-based tool for the treatment of advanced ovarian cancer. The project brings together expertise from Sweden, Finland and the UK.

A new doctoral thesis from Karolinska Institutet shows that the blood test PEth can play an important role in the management of hypertension. By providing a more objective picture of alcohol consumption, the test can facilitate dialogue between physician and patient, identify hazardous alcohol use, and provide valuable insights—provided that the method is used with transparency and a non-judgmental approach.

The Pediatric Research Foundation at Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital has awarded grants to 18 PhD students at Karolinska Institutet – the highest number ever. The research focuses on diseases and conditions in children that often do not receive much attention.

Join the NeurotechEU Doctoral Network - A European network empowering the next generation of interdisciplinary researchers.

The NVS Doctoral Student Council plays a central role as a link between the department and its doctoral students. Through engagement, representation in various forums, and close collaboration, the council contributes to increased transparency, participation, and influence in doctoral education.

Treatment with so-called BTK inhibitors has improved the prognosis for people with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). At the same time, these drugs affect the immune system and may cause side effects over time. This is shown in a new doctoral thesis from Karolinska Institutet.

The choice of technique in thoracic aortic surgery can affect the risk of complications and treatment outcomes. On June 5, 2026, Erik Braatz will defend his doctoral thesis "Perfusion and surgical management in patients with thoracic aortic disease" in which he has investigated how thoracic aortic surgery can become even safer.

A new doctoral thesis from Karolinska Institutet shows that brief questionnaires may be used to aid the assessment of persistent physical symptoms in primary care, and that internet-delivered therapy can be beneficial for patients with pronounced symptoms and distress.

This thesis explores how diverse sleep features relate to biological markers of aging and Alzheimer’s risk, revealing strong links between poor sleep and key indicators of cognitive decline.

People with post-COVID conditions may experience persistent impairments in physical and mental health long after the infection. A new doctoral dissertation at Karolinska Institutet follows developments over time and examines whether individually tailored rehabilitation can support recovery.

An abstract from Karolinska Institutet has been selected as one of the top ten at the European Renal Association (ERA) Congress 2026 in Glasgow, from among 3,172 submitted entries. The study highlights how even small variations within the normal range of albuminuria are associated with adverse clinical outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease.

The sun glittered over Stockholm City Hall and the waters of Lake Mälaren as 143 doctoral graduates and two honorary doctors were conferred in the Blue Hall on Friday 24 April. During the ceremony, they received their hats and were celebrated with strings, singing and a cannon salute, before the festivities continued with a banquet in the Golden Hall.

An anterior cruciate ligament injury is a serious knee injury that often affects young, physically active people. On April 30, Dzan Rizvanovic will defend his thesis "Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: rationale for graft choice and treatment of associated injuries" in which he has investigated how treatment choice affects outcomes after ACL reconstruction.

Hi Johanna Danielsson, PhD student at the Division of Physiotherapy. On April 17 you will defend your thesis ”Targeting low physical fitness in older adults with colorectal cancer : a personalized approach to preoperative exercise”. What is the main focus of your thesis?

Most people with thyroid disease benefit from established treatments, but not all. In his thesis, Fredric Hedberg has studied treatments used when standard therapy is insufficient in hyper- and hypothyroidism; iodine solution (Lugol’s solution) and combination therapy with the thyroid hormone T3. The results contribute to increased knowledge about these treatments.

Many older adults in Sweden help care for partners, relatives or friends, but those who provide the most intensive support often face challenges that affect their own health. This is shown in new doctoral thesis from Karolinska Institutet.

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?

Many women with breast cancer receive endocrine therapy, also known as anti-hormonal therapy, to reduce the risk of the disease returning. However, for a significant group, the treatment does not work as intended. A new doctoral thesis from Karolinska Institutet maps tumours from patients who have experienced a relapse in their disease despite ongoing endocrine therapy, to understand why the treatment fails and how these patients can be identified earlier.

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?