Markus Heilig is a Professor of Psychiatry and Head of the Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (BKV) at Linköping University. He serves as Director of the Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience (CSAN), integrating basic and clinical neuroscience to address addictive and affective disorders. His work bridges neuropharmacology, molecular psychiatry, and clinical trials. Linköping University (Current) Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience (CSAN) (Director) Wallenberg Center for Molecular Medicine (Collaborator) His research focuses on alcohol dependence mechanisms, stress-neurotransmitter interactions (e.g., CRF, substance P, endocannabinoids), and personalized medicine approaches. Using animal models and human neuroimaging (fMRI), his lab explores epigenetic changes in frontal lobe and amygdala neurons that drive compulsive alcohol use. Recent publications highlight his work on endocannabinoid modulation for PTSD treatment, neural correlates of reward choices, and pharmacological interventions targeting GABA and opioid receptors. His studies often combine brain imaging, behavioral analysis, and pharmacology. Scientific awards include the 2019 Wallenberg Clinical Scholar grant and 2017 CAN/Nordic Drugs prizes. Heilig's research is supported by Vetenskapsrådet (SEK 57 million center funding) and international donations like the Andrew J. Bock Memorial Fund.
Dr. Juan Pablo Lopez is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet (Sweden) , leading research on stress-related psychiatric disorders. He earned undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Biology (Florida International University), a PhD in Psychiatry (McGill University), and postdoctoral training at the Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry in Munich. His work combines single-cell transcriptomics behavioral mouse models automated behavioral tracking viral-mediated gene manipulations to study stress susceptibility, resilience, and antidepressant mechanisms. Research interests include: Neurobiology of stress and trauma Molecular mechanisms in psychiatric disorders Developmental neuroendocrinology Sex differences in stress response Neural circuits of depression His recent work analyzes how stress exposure during development influences lifelong mental health and treatment outcomes. Scientific accolades include 2023 ECNP Rising Star Award ERC Starting Grant (2023) Swedish Research Council Starting Grant (VR, MH-12) StratNeuro Startup Funding He leads the Lopez Lab, which collaborates with international groups through the NeSTED network (Neuropharmacology and Stress/Trauma Exposure during Development).
Anders Backlund is Professor of Pharmacognosy at Uppsala University's Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, with dual institutional roles including Garden Director at Uppsala Linnaean Gardens. His work bridges pharmaceutical sciences and botanical heritage through the university's historic gardens. His research centers on pharmacognosy and natural products chemistry, with pioneering development of the ChemGPS-NP platform for chemical space navigation. This computational tool maps biological activity in chemical property space, enabling prediction of pharmacological effects and mechanisms of action. His work spans plant metabolomics, evolutionary chemography, and drug discovery from natural sources including marine organisms, fungi, and medicinal plants. Recent publications (2019-2023) demonstrate strong continuity in applying ChemGPS-NP to diverse problems: predicting membrane permeability of Alpinia galanga constituents (2022), evaluating Ononis isoflavonoids for CNS targeting (2022), and decoding multi-functional bioactivities in Maca (2021). His work increasingly integrates computational prediction with experimental validation across anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, and antimicrobial domains. As Garden Director of Uppsala Linnaean Gardens, he maintains institutional connections to botanical heritage while advancing modern pharmacognosy. His dual roles exemplify the integration of historical plant knowledge with contemporary drug discovery methodologies.
Professor Maria Eriksdotter is a leading academic in geriatrics and dementia research at the Karolinska Institutet , holding the Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society . She also serves as a Senior Consultant in Themes Inflammation and Ageing at Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge and previously as Dean of KI South (2019–2023). Her work spans translational research, clinical trials, and national registry development, with a focus on Alzheimer's disease, cholinergic therapies, and aging. Her research group pioneered NGF cell therapy for Alzheimer's patients, demonstrating safety and cognitive stabilization in clinical trials. She chairs the SveDem registry , tracking over 100,000 dementia patients to refine diagnostics and care. Studies from SveDem revealed mortality reduction with cholinesterase inhibitors and highlighted pandemic-era diagnostic delays. Recent publications analyze dementia subtypes , comorbidities , and precision medicine in neurodegeneration. Her work intersects neuroimaging , epidemiology , and public health policy , addressing ageism and improving geriatric care systems. Collaborations span Karolinska University Hospital , NSGene Inc , and international institutions.
Jens Carlsson is a Professor at Uppsala University, affiliated with the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and the Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab) . His research focuses on computational biochemistry , particularly G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) , using physics-based modeling to advance structure-based drug design . Academic rank: Full Professor (since 2022) Key methodologies: Molecular dynamics simulations, docking, free energy calculations Research themes: GPCR ligand interactions, virtual chemical space screening, allosteric modulators Recent work (2025) highlights AI-driven discovery of brain disease therapeutics and DNA repair inhibitors , while 2024 projects explore AlphaFold applications in TAAR1 agonist design . His group has received Swedish Research Council grants (3.6M SEK, 6M SEK) and industry collaborations . Scientific awards include the Göran Gustafsson Prize (2016), Excellence Prize in Molecular Design (2022), and Ingvar Carlsson Award (2012). Key students include PhD candidates Mariama Jaiteh and Pierre Matricon , with postdocs like Nicolas Panel and Duy Duc Vo .
Sara Liin is a Senior Associate Professor at Linköping University, affiliated with the Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences within the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Her research focuses on ion channel dysfunction in cardiac arrhythmias, particularly exploring polyunsaturated fatty acids and endocannabinoids as therapeutic avenues. She holds a PhD in Neurobiology (2011) and a Master in Medical Biology (2005). Her work emphasizes understanding how genetic mutations in cardiac ion channels lead to arrhythmias and developing targeted treatments. Recent studies highlight the role of estrogen in exacerbating arrhythmia risk and the potential of endocannabinoids like ARA-S to rescue mutant channels. Liin has secured grants totaling SEK 64 million and leads a research group investigating lipid-channel interactions and drug development strategies. Key achievements include the Eric K Fernström award (2021) and collaborative projects with institutions like the University of Miami and SciLifeLab. Her lab, part of the Division of Cell and Neurobiology, explores translational applications of ion channel research to combat heart rhythm disorders.
Marie Carlén is a Professor of Neuronal Networks at the Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, where she leads the Neural Circuits of Cognition research group. Her work focuses on the prefrontal cortex (PFC), a brain region central to cognitive functions such as attention, decision-making, working memory, and goal-directed behavior. She employs cutting-edge techniques including optogenetics, large-scale electrophysiology, calcium imaging, and circuit tracing in rodent models to unravel the cellular and circuit mechanisms underlying cognition and their disruption in psychiatric disorders. Her academic journey began with a Ph.D. in medicine from Karolinska Institutet in 2005, followed by postdoctoral training at MIT’s Picower Institute under Professor Li-Huei Tsai. She returned to Karolinska Institutet in 2010 and was promoted to full Professor in 2022. She is also a Docent (2017) and has held prestigious fellowships including ERC Starting Grant and Wallenberg Scholar (2019, 2024). Marie Carlén's research spans systems and cellular neuroscience, with a strong emphasis on inhibitory interneurons (especially parvalbumin-expressing cells), neural oscillations, and PFC-striatum interactions. Her recent publications reveal a consistent focus on decoding prefrontal circuit dynamics, the role of specific neuron types in cognition, and comparative brain architecture. She collaborates extensively with her partner, Konstantinos Meletis, also a KI researcher. She has been recognized with numerous scientific honors: Member, Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet (2025–) Member, The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences (2024–) Wallenberg Scholar (2024, 2019) ERC Starting Grant (2013) Wallenberg Academy Fellow (2012) NARSAD Young Investigator Awards (2010, 2008) She actively mentors students and researchers, with open applications welcomed to her lab. Her work is supported by major grants, including from the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, enabling high-risk, high-reward research in brain function and disease. Her lab investigates the functional definition of the prefrontal cortex across species, develops novel tools for neural recording, and explores circuit imbalances in conditions like autism and schizophrenia. She is a strong advocate for ethical animal research and promotes gender equality in science.
Marianne Carlsson is a Professor in the Department of Nursing at the University of Gävle, Sweden. Her research focuses on health sciences, particularly in geriatrics, aphasia rehabilitation, nursing education, and equity in healthcare. She has made significant contributions to developing assessment tools like the Nurse Professional Competence (NPC) Scale and PHASE-Proxy scale. Professor at University of Gävle Research areas: Health sciences, Nursing, Geriatrics Her recent publications span 2012-2022, addressing topics in chronic disease management , communication disorders , educational reforms , and health equity . She has extensively studied gender dynamics in nursing education and telephone triage practices. Notable works include: Validation of nursing competence scales Quality of life assessments in aging populations Family impact in aphasia care
Martin Ingvar is a Senior Professor at Karolinska Institutet's Department of Clinical Neuroscience, affiliated with the Pain and Brain Imaging research group led by Karin Jensen. He holds a Medical Degree from Lund University (1984) and a Doctor of Medical Science degree (1982), specializing in experimental neurological research. His research focuses on knowledge processes in healthcare, integrating cognitive science, information theory, and medical informatics to develop clinical information systems that enhance patient care. He leads the Vinnova Demonstrator project (2023–2027) on multi-use health data and has held prominent roles such as Dean of Research at Karolinska Institutet (2010–2013) and Board Chair of Swelife (2013–2017). Ingvar’s academic career includes leadership positions like Deputy Head and Head of the Department of Clinical Neuroscience (2004–2010), and directorships of facilities like the Karolinska MR Center (1998–2022). His grants span topics like psychiatric prediction systems, chronic pain mechanisms, and healthcare data innovation. He has contributed to over 400 publications, emphasizing brain imaging, psychiatric disorders, and health informatics. Key contributions include pioneering work on the National MEG Center and advancing integrative medicine. His research bridges clinical neuroscience with societal health challenges, emphasizing data-driven solutions for healthcare systems.
Håkan Fischer is a Professor of Human Biological Psychology at Stockholm University, where he has served as Head of the Department of Psychobiology and Epidemiology since 2011. He also holds an associate professor position at Karolinska Institutet, is affiliated with the Aging Research Center and Stockholm University Brain Imaging Centre, and is a faculty member at Digital Futures at the Royal Institute of Technology. Since September 2025, he has additionally served as a visiting professor at Linköping University. Fischer has established himself as a leading researcher in emotional and cognitive processing, with particular expertise in socio-emotional aspects across the lifespan. Fischer earned his PhD in psychology from Uppsala University in 1998, followed by postdoctoral research at Harvard Medical School (1999-2001). He then worked at the Aging Research Center at Karolinska Institutet before joining Stockholm University in 2011. His academic journey includes a sabbatical year (2021-2022) at the University of Florida's Department of Psychology. Fischer is actively involved in university governance as a member of the Swedish Research Council's Subject Council for Humanities and Social Sciences (2023-present) and represents Stockholm University in multiple international collaborations. Håkan Fischer's research primarily focuses on investigating intra- and interindividual differences in affective, cognitive, social and perceptual processing, with special emphasis on age-related differences in adults. His laboratory employs advanced neuroimaging techniques including fMRI, PET, and fNIRS to examine brain function, while also utilizing structural imaging methods like T1-weighted imaging, DTI, and perfusion imaging to study brain structure. Fischer advocates for single-subject small-N designs to better understand emotional and cognitive mechanisms. His current research lines include socio-emotional perception and recognition, oxytocin effects on socio-emotional processing across the lifespan, and AI development for interpersonal communication analysis. Analysis of Fischer's recent publications reveals a strong focus on emotion recognition across populations, neurobiological mechanisms of socio-emotional processing, and methodological innovations. His work consistently integrates behavioral testing, neuroimaging, and genetic analysis to provide comprehensive insights. The increasing incorporation of AI approaches demonstrates his adaptation to emerging technological advances in psychological research. Fischer has published 136 peer-reviewed articles with over 12,200 citations and a Google Scholar h-index of 53. Fischer has received consistent funding since 2002 from prestigious sources including the Swedish Research Council, Wallenberg Foundation, STINT, Riksbankens Jubileumsfond, and Konung Gustav V och Drottning Victorias stiftelse. He currently leads nine funded research projects (two as principal investigator totaling 6.9 million SEK, seven as co-applicant totaling 24.8 million SEK) spanning multiple international collaborations in Sweden, Germany, and the USA. As an educator, Fischer leads the basic course in Cognitive Neuroscience and the master's course in Emotion Psychology and Affective Neuroscience. He regularly teaches at both undergraduate and advanced levels, primarily in biological psychology, cognitive neuroscience, and emotion psychology. Fischer currently supervises six doctoral students (one as main supervisor, four as assistant supervisor) and has mentored graduate students since 2002. Håkan Fischer leads a dynamic research laboratory that investigates emotional, social, perceptual, and cognitive processing. The lab examines how intraindividual variations across stimuli and time, as well as interindividual differences in age, gender, genetics, personality, and sleep deprivation affect these processes. His lab maintains active national and international collaborations with researchers at Stockholm University, Uppsala University, Karolinska Institutet, University of Florida, and University of Gothenburg, creating a robust interdisciplinary research environment focused on translating basic neuroscience into practical applications.
Armita Törngren Golkar is an Associate Professor at Stockholm University's Department of Psychology and an affiliated researcher at Karolinska Institutet. Her work focuses on emotion regulation and learning mechanisms, particularly fear and safety learning through direct experience and social transmission. PhD in Psychology (2013) from Karolinska Institutet Postdoctoral Fellow at Karolinska Institutets emotionlab (2013-2015) Swedish Research Council International Postdoctoral Grant (2015-2018) Research Interests : Dr. Golkar's lab investigates how aversive experiences shape emotional learning through behavioral, psychophysiological, and fMRI approaches. Key areas include social threat transmission, fear extinction mechanisms, and neurodevelopmental factors in anxiety disorders. Her work bridges experimental psychology with clinical applications, exploring both individual and intergroup dynamics in emotional processing. Scientific Achievements : Recipient of the Wallenberg Academy Fellow grant (2021), Outstanding Young Researcher in Psychology award (2015), and Best Thesis of the Year recognition (2013). Her publications in journals like PNAS and Psychological Science demonstrate cross-disciplinary impact in cognitive neuroscience and social psychology.
Kristoffer N. T. Månsson is an Associate Professor at Karolinska Institutet with a 6-year Assistant Professor position. He leads the Neuroimage Affective Treatment and Individual Variability (NATIV) Lab and collaborates with institutions including Dartmouth College, Max Planck Institute, and Babeș-Bolyai University. His roles include Senior Research Specialist (on leave), Study Director at Karolinska's Psychiatry Research School, and KIRI Fellow. His research focuses on Neural variability as a predictive biomarker for psychiatric treatment outcomes Neuroplasticity in anxiety and depression Integration of biological measures in mental health studies Computational psychiatry and machine learning applications Neuroimaging of oxytocin effects and inflammation Recent work explores rapid brain morphological changes and personalized CBT approaches. Article Trends (2022-2025) : Analyzed neural variability for treatment prediction, oxytocin's neural effects, and inflammation-brain interactions. Key methodologies include fMRI , structural MRI , and machine learning across anxiety, depression, and insomnia studies. Scientific Awards Somerfeld-Ziskind Research Award (2023 honorable mention) Aaron T Beck Scholarship (2013) Best Talk at Alpine Brain Imaging Meeting (2020) KIRI Fellowship (2022) Education & Career : PhD in Clinical Psychology (2016) from Linköping University. Postdoctoral fellowships at Max Planck Institute (2019-2021) and Stockholm University (2017-2019). Current grants from Swedish Research Council, EU, and CIMED fund studies on CBT, neural variability, and child mental health.
Professor Peter Larsson is affiliated with Linköping University's Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, part of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. He holds a position within the Division of Cell and Neurobiology, focusing on ion channel research with clinical applications. His work bridges basic science and translational medicine, particularly in cardiac electrophysiology and neurobiological mechanisms. Education: Not explicitly detailed in provided texts. Research Interests: Larsson's research centers on ion channel dysfunction in disease states, including arrhythmias and epilepsy. He investigates lipid-channel interactions, drug mechanisms (e.g., propofol's effects on epilepsy), and genetic mutations' impact on cardiac and neuronal ion channels. His recent breakthrough demonstrated propofol's ability to restore function in epilepsy-linked ion channels, published in Nature . Publications Trends: Recent work emphasizes translational drug discovery and understanding channelopathies, with contributions to eLife , British Journal of Pharmacology , and Nature . Key themes include SCN5A mutation characterization, endocannabinoid therapy for cardiac channels, and PUFA effects on potassium channels. Awards/Grants: No specific honors or grants mentioned in available texts. Advising: No listed advisees found. His research group appears focused on collaborative projects involving multiple institutions. Labs/Teams: Active in the Division of Cell and Neurobiology, part of a multidisciplinary environment studying cellular structure/function and sensory systems.
Emanuela Santini is a Principal Researcher at the Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet since 2022, with a PhD in Neuroscience from Karolinska Institutet (2009). Her research focuses on autism spectrum disorders, Parkinson's disease, and signaling pathways like mTOR and eIF4E, often using mouse models to study synaptic plasticity, dopamine neurotransmission, and translational control. Employment: Principal Researcher, Karolinska Institutet (2022–present) Education: PhD in Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet (2009) Her work examines the molecular basis of neurological conditions, particularly how dysregulated protein synthesis and signaling cascades contribute to autism and Parkinson's disease. She investigates mechanisms underlying Levodopa-induced dyskinesia, fear memory extinction, and synaptic dysfunction in genetic models. The 15 most recent publications highlight her interest in autism spectrum disorders, striatal signaling, and translational control pathways. Key trends include mTOR hyperactivity in ASD models, dopamine-neuron maturation during critical periods, and autophagy's role in movement disorders. Grants from the Swedish Research Council (2023) and StratNeuro bridging grants (2022) support her research. Collaborations with institutions like University of Coimbra and researchers such as Eric Klann and Gilberto Fisone demonstrate her academic network. She participates in neuroscience outreach and was acknowledged in a doctoral thesis defense (2025) as part of the academic community.
Simon Cervenka is a Professor of Psychiatry at Uppsala University and a Senior Physician at Uppsala Academic Hospital , specializing in Psychosis Research and Preventive Psychiatry . His career spans clinical practice, academic research, and teaching, with a focus on understanding early psychosis progression and developing preventive interventions. MD from Uppsala University (1999) PhD from Karolinska Institutet (2008) Specialist in Psychiatry (2009) Associate Professor at Karolinska Institutet (2016) Professor at Uppsala University (2021) His research investigates psychotic disorders through multidisciplinary approaches, including neuroinflammation , dopamine receptor mapping , and biomarker discovery in cerebrospinal fluid and blood. Key findings include complement system dysregulation and immune activation in early psychosis. Recent publications emphasize transdiagnostic risk prediction , longitudinal healthcare utilization patterns , and neurochemical heterogeneity in psychiatric conditions. He has contributed extensively to PET imaging methodology, particularly in dopamine and glial marker studies . His work bridges clinical psychiatry, neuroimaging, and immunopsychiatry, aiming to improve early detection , preventive strategies , and personalized treatment for psychosis and related disorders. He collaborates with institutions like Karolinska Institutet and participates in ENIGMA Consortium projects.
