Two new assistant professors at GPH
Congratulations to Elena Raffetti and Sibylle Herzig van Wees at GPH who have been awarded funding by the Committee for Research for Assistant Professor positions. In a short interview, they share what this opportunity means to them and how they balance their teaching responsibilities with their research.
Elena Raffetti
What does your new Assistant Professorship mean to you and what are you most looking forward to?
"This Assistant Professorship grant at Karolinska Institutet represents both the culmination of years of collaborative work and a springboard for the next phase of my career. I still remember standing on the 5th floor of Aula Medica before my interview, looking out over KI, it was a moment of reflection, seeing not just the work we had done but also the vibrant research community I have been part of. It’s a tremendous privilege, and a great responsibility, to shape a research agenda in health data science and climate impacts, mentor students and postdocs, and actively contribute to the academic community. I’m especially excited to focus on how climate factors and extremes impact population health, adaptation mechanisms, and future scenarios, with a particular focus on vulnerable groups such as pregnant women. I’m deeply grateful for the support I’ve received over the years and for all the collaborations that continue to shape this work."
How do you perceive the balance between research and teaching in your new position?
"Just last week, I received an email with the subject line “Your student from KI” and it completely made my week. It was from a former student from the Master programme at KI who had just attended my talk in Munich and wanted to reconnect. That moment reminded me why teaching and research need to inform and enhance each other. I’m committed to guiding students in studying the impacts of climate factors and extremes on population health through an interdisciplinary lens, going far beyond traditional boundaries. I genuinely care about my students, their development, and their aspirations, and I see my role as not just teaching but helping them grow into individuals who can make a real impact."
Sibylle Herzig van Weese
What does your new Assistant Professorship mean to you, and what are you most looking forward to?
"My new Assistant Professor role means a great deal to me. It not only marks a continuation of my role but also provides greater funding security—something I much appreciate amid the uncertainties of global health funding.
I am excited to continue my work, particularly towards strengthening HPV vaccine confidence and uptake globally, alongside the brilliant collaborators and mentors who have been instrumental in this journey. This includes my partnership with Professor Falade and his team in Nigeria, as well as the invaluable peer-support of Carina King, Anna Kågesten, and many others, all of whom have played a crucial role in securing this funding."
How do you perceive the balance between research and teaching in your new position?
"Balancing research and teaching is an important and rewarding aspect of my role as an Assistant Professor. While research drives innovation and discovery, teaching plays a crucial role in shaping the next generation of global health practitioners and scholars.
I am particularly motivated to contribute to the new Master’s in Global Health programme, working alongside a dynamic faculty to create an engaging and impactful learning environment. In today’s rapidly evolving landscape—marked by AI advancements, complex health challenges, and global uncertainties—it is more important than ever to ensure that education remains forward-thinking and equips students with the skills to navigate these complexities.
Finding the right balance between research and teaching enables me to stay connected to both the next generation shaping the future and the evidence that guides it."