معرفی
Gabriella Edfeldt is a Researcher at Karolinska Institutet's Department of Women's and Children's Health, Stockholm, where she contributes to the Reproductive endocrinology and metabolism research group led by Angelica Lindén Hirschberg. Previously a Postdoctoral Researcher (2021-2024) in the Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, she holds a PhD in Medicine (2020) from Karolinska Institutet with thesis work on epithelial barrier protection in HIV susceptibility.
Her educational background includes:
- PhD in Medicine, Karolinska Institutet (2020)
Edfeldt's research centers on mucosal immunology and microbiome dynamics in the female reproductive tract, with emphasis on HIV susceptibility mechanisms. She investigates how hormonal contraceptives like depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) alter cervical epithelial integrity and immune cell distribution, while exploring vaginal microbiome interactions with host immunity in conditions ranging from HIV to vulvovaginal candidiasis. Her work bridges basic immunology and clinical reproductive health through multi-omics approaches and translational studies.
Analysis of her 15 most recent publications (2018-2025) reveals consistent focus on cervical/vaginal microenvironment alterations in HIV infection, HPV-related dysplasia, and contraceptive use. Key patterns include epithelial barrier disruption as an HIV susceptibility factor, neutrophil-driven immune responses in fungal infections, and tissue-specific microbiome communities influencing mucosal immunity. Her Kenyan cohort studies with sex workers highlight real-world implications for women's health in high-risk populations.
As an active collaborator in the Kristina Broliden research group, Edfeldt contributes to projects examining microbiome-immune interactions across body sites. Her work appears in high-impact journals including PLOS Pathogens, Journal of Infectious Diseases, and Microbiome, demonstrating technical expertise in mucosal immunology and microbial ecology.
