Leonie Saft

Leonie Saft is a Senior Consultant in Clinical Pathology and Team Leader of the Division of Hematopathology and Flow Cytometry at Karolinska University Laboratory, Solna. She is affiliated to Research at the Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet (2023–2026), and holds a Clinical Assistant position at the same department (2024). Since 2024, she has been a Visiting Professor at Semmelweis University, Budapest, teaching in the medical program. She earned medical degrees from Philipps University Marburg/USA, Goethe University Frankfurt, and the University of Texas Medical Branch, followed by a PhD (2013) and Docent in Pathology (2025) at Karolinska Institutet.

• Medical Degrees: Philipps University Marburg (1988/89), Goethe University Frankfurt (1989–1994), University of Texas Medical Branch (1994–1995)
• PhD: Karolinska Institutet, Department of Medicine, Huddinge (2013)
• Docent: Karolinska Institutet (2025)

Her research focuses on Medical Genetics and Genomics, particularly in Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS), Lymphoma, Pediatric Leukemia, and AI-based Bone Marrow Diagnostics. Recent publications emphasize flow cytometry applications in MDS, genomic characterization of pediatric leukemias, and AI tool implementation in routine diagnostics. She has contributed to European LeukemiaNet MDS Flow Working Group guidelines and multicenter studies on MDS and acute leukemias.

Grants and Roles: Local Principal Investigator in bilateral lymphoma precursor research and holder of a Clinical Fellowship (2022–2024) from CIMV, Linköping University, for AI tool development in bone marrow diagnostics. She has participated in clinical trials like HEAT-AML and Nordic NMDSG08A, and served as a reference pathologist for the Nordic MDS Group.

Teaching: Active since 2001 at Karolinska Institutet (undergraduate and graduate levels), Course Leader for specialist training, and international course instructor. As a Visiting Professor, she contributes to Semmelweis University's medical curriculum.

Labs and Teams: Leads the Hematopathology and Flow Cytometry division at Karolinska University Laboratory. Collaborates within Genomic Medicine Sweden (GMS) and the European LeukemiaNet International MDS-Flow Cytometry Working Group.