Maria Petersson

Maria Petersson is a Senior Lecturer and Docent at Karolinska Institutet's Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, where she leads the Experimental and Clinical Neuroendocrinology research group. Her work focuses on advancing knowledge of pathophysiological mechanisms in endocrine disorders to improve patient diagnostics, treatment, and care.

Her educational background includes:

• Associate Professor in Experimental Endocrinology, Karolinska Institutet (2004)
• Doctoral Degree in Medicine, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet (1999)
• Medical Degree, Karolinska Institutet (1996)

Dr. Petersson's research interests span neuroendocrinology with particular emphasis on hypothalamic-pituitary axis disorders, adrenal diseases, thyroid conditions, endocrine pancreas function, bone metabolism, and neuroendocrine tumors. Her laboratory has made significant contributions to understanding oxytocin's physiological effects, pituitary disease epidemiology, and rare endocrine disorders. She employs both clinical epidemiological approaches and molecular techniques to investigate disease mechanisms.

Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on pituitary disorders (particularly acromegaly and Cushing's disease), Prader-Willi syndrome, and the physiological effects of oxytocin. Her research combines Swedish nationwide registry studies with molecular investigations, establishing her as a leading figure in clinical neuroendocrinology. The work often involves multi-center collaborations across Nordic countries.

Dr. Petersson actively mentors doctoral students and has supervised numerous dissertations in endocrinology. Her research group includes multiple doctoral students working on various aspects of endocrine disorders, including pituitary diseases, adrenal conditions, and metabolic bone diseases.

The Experimental and Clinical Neuroendocrinology group operates within Karolinska University Hospital Solna, conducting both clinical studies and laboratory research. The team collaborates with other specialists in the department to advance understanding of endocrine diseases and improve patient outcomes through translational research.