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Experiences from her work as a psychologist in child and adolescent psychiatry sparked a growing research interest in how support for young children and their parents can be improved. When the opportunity to pursue doctoral studies arose, Anna Edenius decided to take the step into research and will soon defend her thesis.

Why do women and men develop Alzheimer’s disease differently? In her thesis, Aphrodite Demetriou, PhD student the Division of Neurogeriatrics, NVS, explores how sex hormones, particularly estrogen, may influence the development of the disease. Using both animal models and miniature human brain models grown from stem cells, she has uncovered new insights that could contribute to more personalised treatments for Alzheimer’s disease in the future.

In a new thesis, Callum Regan, PhD student at the Divsion of Physiotherapy, NVS, explores how physical activity and sedentary behaviour affect disease risk, and how a personalised mobile app can support healthier habits. The findings highlight the benefits of daily activity for cardiovascular and overall health.

Organised by "Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, in collaboration with Karolinska Institutet and Boğaziçi Üniversitesi, this Autumn School offers scientific and technical training in microsurgical techniques.

Francesca Grassi from Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine (HERM) at the Department of Medicine, Huddinge (MedH) is defending her thesis titled: "Targeting DCPS in acute myeloid leukemia : from target validation to biomarker-driven patient stratification", on 2 September 2026. Main supervisor is Julian Walfridsson.

Discover how wearable neurotechnology is transforming neuroscience, healthcare, and human-computer interaction. In this hands-on international hackathon, you will collaborate with participants from different disciplines, explore cutting-edge brain monitoring technologies, and develop innovative solutions to real-world challenges using EEG and fNIRS.

In her thesis, the researcher shows that activation of the oestrogen receptor ERβ reduces Alzheimer’s-related changes in the brain and improves memory. The results also highlight important sex differences that may have implications for future treatments and clinical studies.

New doctoral student at the Division of Physiotherapy.

The universities of Bonn, Reykjavík and Radboud are pleased to invite applications for the Joint NeurotechEU Business Winter School - From Research to use case: Translating neurotechnology into real-world impact.

The NeurotechEU Winter School on Smart Sleep, organised by the Medical University of Innsbruck, will take place from 15th to 18th February 2027 at the MUI campus in Innsbruck, Austria.

StratNeuro has established a Student Council to strengthen the connection between StratNeuro and the neuroscience PhD students at KI. This initiative was presented at the PhD Student Day at the StratNeuro Retreat 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.

On 28 April, more than 400 participants gathered for Doctoral Education Day at Aula Medica in Solna. The day attracted doctoral students and supervisors, with representation from across KI as well as international participants.

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.

On 16 June, Hayley French will defend her thesis "Schizophrenia and Copy Number Variation Syndromes: From Genetic Risk to Cell Type-Specific Mechanisms". Meet her in this short interview.

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.

A new doctoral thesis from Karolinska Institutet shows that the balance system can be assessed during the first months of life. Using new, child-friendly methods, healthcare services can detect vestibular dysfunction in children with hearing impairment at an earlier stage and offer targeted habilitation.

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.

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

In a new thesis from Karolinska Institutet, PhD student Xiaoyi Ji investigated the generalisation and robustness of AI models for computational prostate cancer pathology across multiple sources of variation and examined possible strategies for improvement.

Most breast cancer patients in Uganda and Ethiopia are diagnosed too late, and many lack access to life-saving treatment. Tove Ekdahl Hjelm defends her thesis "Early-onset breast cancer in East Africa: Genetics, tumor characteristics and clinical management" on June 5, where she highlights deficiencies in access to adequate care, but also that more lives can be saved.

Texts for cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) that were culturally adapted using AI were perceived as equally relevant and acceptable as texts adapted by a psychologist. The findings, published in JMIR Formative Research, suggest that AI could help make evidence-based psychological treatments more accessible to refugees and migrants.

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.

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.

The Swedish Developmental Biology Organization (SWEDBO) has awarded Sandra de Haan at Karolinska Institutet its prize for the best doctoral thesis. The thesis focuses on how the inner ear develops and provides new knowledge about how cells in the cochlea are organised.

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?

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.

Many common diseases and other complex traits, such as heart disease, diabetes, and psychiatric disorders, are influenced by a very large number of genetic variants, each with only a small effect. They are also shaped by environmental and lifestyle factors, which makes their causes highly complex. By analyzing genetic data from very large groups of people across the whole genome, researchers can identify these small genetic signals and better understand how they contribute to health and disease.

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

Taking place from 24 August to 4 September 2026, this 4 ECTS Blended Intensive Programme combines online and on-site learning, focusing on exploring cutting-edge developments at the intersection of neuroscience, robotics, and digital health. This course is jointly organized by Boğaziçi University, Université de Lille, Radboud University, Universidad Miguel Hernández and Reykjavik University.

The application deadline for the Summer School in Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback has been extended. Taking place from 21 May to 17 June 2026, this 4 ECTS Blended Intensive Programme combines online and on-site learning, focusing on applied psychophysiology, heart rate variability (HRV), self-regulation, and biofeedback. This course is organized by Reykjavik University, in collaboration with Karolinska Institutet and Radboud University.

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.

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.

An external review panel has assessed that doctoral education at Karolinska Institutet is characterised by ambition and academic excellence. The external review was initiated by the Committee for Doctoral Education.

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental condition that affects how the brain develops and functions. It’s usually noticed in childhood, and more than half of those diagnosed keep experiencing symptoms as adults. Medicines for ADHD can reduce these symptoms, but lasting benefits depend on continuing the medication regularly.

The call will open on 23 February 2026 and close on 23 March 2026 at 14:00. Apply via Prisma.

Taking place from 21 May to 17 June 2026, this Summer School combines online and on-site learning to introduce the field of Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback (4 ECTS Blended Intensive Programme). This course is organized by Reykjavik University, in collaboration with Karolinska Institutet and Radboud University.

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?

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.

The prize is intended for newly graduated PhDs, or alternatively doctoral candidates in the final year of their doctoral studies. To be eligible for nomination, candidates must not have reached the age of 32 at the time of nomination.

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.

The information below is intended for those who require a Green Light for their KID application.

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.

“Journées CORTICO 2026”, the symposium in the fields of Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI), Neurotechnology and Cognitive Neuroscience, will take place on May 18-20, 2026, at the University of Lille, France.