Marcela Pekna

Marcela Pekna is a Professor of Neuroimmunology at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden, since 2017. She also holds a Conjoint Professorship at The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Australia, since 2013. Her academic career encompasses roles as Associate Professor (Docent) in Medical Biochemistry at the University of Gothenburg since 1999 and leadership as Laboratory Director since 1995.

• Education: MD (Cum Eminentia) from Charles University, Prague (1990); DrMedSc (PhD) in Clinical Immunology from Uppsala University (1993).

Her research focuses on neuroimmunology, neuroscience, immunology, translational medicine, and neurology, with a specific emphasis on developing novel brain repair strategies. She has served as a doctoral thesis examiner, chaired 10 PhD thesis committees, and mentored 4 PhD students and 12 postdoctoral researchers.

• Scientific Awards: Three-year scholarship from the Swedish Society for Medical Research (1995–1998).

Pekna actively contributes to academic leadership as Deputy MC member for Sweden in the European COST Action EuroCellNet, a steering board member at Stroke Centre West (UG), and Peter Eriksson’s Foundation for Brain Research. She has organized international symposia on neurochemistry, brain plasticity, and CNS diseases.