Thomas Winkler is an Associate Professor at the Division of Micro and Nanosystems, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden, and collaborates with TU Braunschweig, Germany. His research focuses on solving life science challenges using microsystems tools, particularly in neuropsychiatric disorders like schizophrenia. He develops organ-on-chip models, engineered microfluidic platforms, and biosensors for point-of-care diagnostics. Winkler leads an interdisciplinary ERC-funded team addressing metabolic coupling in neurovascular units and oxidative stress biomarkers. Key achievements include the ERC Starting Grant (2023) and work on electrochemical sensors for clozapine monitoring. He teaches courses such as Microsystem Technology (EK2350) and supervises PhD and postdoctoral researchers. Current projects include machine learning-guided robotic organoid maturation and electrochemical technology development for the CHIPzophrenia initiative. His lab actively seeks talent through open positions in Stockholm and Braunschweig. Scientific awards include the ERC Starting Grant and Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Fellowship. Research spans sensor development, microfabrication, and biomaterials, with a focus on translating lab technologies to clinical applications. Collaborations bridge engineering and life sciences, emphasizing personalized mental healthcare solutions.
Brinton Seashore-Ludlow is an Associate Professor at the Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institute (KI), where he serves as team leader in Olli Kallioniemi's research group and group leader of the biology team at Chemical Biology Consortium Sweden (CBCS), SciLifeLab's national infrastructure. PhD in Biochemistry, KTH Royal Institute of Technology (2012) MSc in Chemical Biology, California Institute of Technology (2007) BA in Biochemistry, Macalester College (2001) His research bridges precision medicine and cancer biology through: Developing ex vivo patient-derived models for drug response prediction Molecular determinants of therapeutic efficacy Integration of high-content imaging with translational studies Focus on ovarian, breast, and pediatric cancers AI-driven analysis of drug sensitivity data Recent articles demonstrate: 3D tumor spheroid platforms for drug testing Epigenetic regulators in neuroblastoma Microfluidics for high-throughput assays Cancer-stroma interactions in treatment resistance Clinical validation of precision diagnostics He co-organizes the Overview Course in Cancer Drug Discovery at KI and leads projects funded by the Swedish Childhood Cancer Foundation.
Lars Lund is a Professor/Senior Physician at Karolinska Institutet's Department of Medicine, Solna, leading research on heart failure mechanisms and clinical management. He specializes in heart failure with reduced and preserved ejection fraction (HFrEF/HFpEF), focusing on translational research, clinical trials, and registry-based studies. His work bridges molecular biology, epidemiology, and clinical practice, aiming to improve treatment strategies and patient outcomes. Key affiliations include the Swedish Heart Failure Registry (SwedeHF) and leadership of the Heart Failure Research Group. Education: Economics (College of Charleston, USA), Medicine (Duke University), Molecular Biology PhD (Karolinska Institutet, 2005). Roles: Professor of Cardiology since 2018, Associate Professor (2011–2018), and clinical training at Columbia University and Karolinska University Hospital. Research interests include new treatments for HFrEF, mechanisms of HFpEF, and optimization of guideline-directed therapy. His team investigates drug repurposing, biomarkers, and quality of life in heart failure patients. Notable grants include the Swedish Research Council-funded SPIRRIT-HFpEF trial and studies on inotropic therapies. Recent publications emphasize clinical trial design, registry analyses, and therapeutic gaps in heart failure subtypes. He was recognized as a Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher in 2024 for impactful contributions to cardiology. Advises over 10 PhD students and leads multi-institutional collaborations in Europe and globally. His lab focuses on translational research, bridging basic science and clinical application in heart failure management.
Paul O'Callaghan is a Researcher at Uppsala University's Department of Medical Cell Biology within the Faculty of Medicine. His work spans multiple disciplines at the intersection of cell biology, neuroscience, and biomedical engineering. Based at the BMC campus in Uppsala, he maintains an active research program with publications spanning from 2008 to the present, demonstrating sustained scholarly productivity. Dr. O'Callaghan's research interests focus on cellular mechanisms relevant to neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer's disease, with emphasis on amyloid-beta pathology, heparan sulfate proteoglycans, and glial cell biology. His recent work has expanded into biomedical engineering applications including bioprinting, microfluidics, and biomaterials for neural applications. His publication record reveals a trajectory from fundamental cell biology toward translational applications, with consistent focus on cellular signaling mechanisms. O'Callaghan's recent publications (2021-2024) demonstrate a shift toward more engineering-focused approaches to biological problems, including 3D bioprinting, microfluidic cell culture systems, and biomaterial testing. His work maintains strong connections to both fundamental cell biology questions and potential clinical applications, particularly in neurodegenerative disease and cancer research. He leads his own research group within the Department of Medical Cell Biology, collaborating extensively with colleagues across Uppsala University including Johan Kreuger, Olle Eriksson, and other researchers in related fields. His work appears in high-impact journals across cell biology, neuroscience, and biomaterials disciplines.
Thomas Gustafsson is a Professor of Clinical Physiology and Senior Physician at Karolinska Institutet, Sweden. He leads the Division of Clinical Physiology within the Department of Laboratory Medicine. His roles include clinician at Karolinska University Hospital and educator across multiple programs at KI, focusing on physiology and clinical physiology training. Education: Medical degree (1994), PhD in Clinical Physiology (2005), and appointment as Professor (2019). Research focuses on skeletal muscle, cardiovascular health, aging, and non-communicable diseases, combining clinical, molecular, and physiological approaches. Key areas include muscle aging mechanisms, heart failure, and hormone therapy effects on body composition. Recent articles emphasize post-COVID-19 muscle dysfunction, transgender health biomarkers, and exercise-induced cardiac adaptations. Active grants include longitudinal studies on muscle aging and pericyte roles in ischemic muscle. Supervised over 14 students, with a focus on translational physiology and clinical research. Labs/Teams: Head of the Division of Clinical Physiology, leading projects on muscle physiology and cardiovascular health. Collaborations include clinical and molecular studies with international teams.
Olli-Pekka Kallioniemi is a Professor of Molecular Precision Medicine and Director of Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab) at Karolinska Institutet. He leads the Precision Cancer Medicine research group within the Department of Oncology-Pathology, focusing on translational research to improve cancer treatment through ex vivo drug testing and multi-omics profiling. His work bridges laboratory discoveries with clinical applications, emphasizing actionable insights for personalized therapy. Research Interests: Dr. Kallioniemi’s group develops functional precision medicine approaches to identify therapeutic vulnerabilities in cancers like AML, ovarian, prostate, and renal cancers. Techniques include patient-derived 2D/3D cell models, organoids, and comprehensive genomic/drug-response profiling. Their work progresses through three translational phases: model feasibility (Phase I), representativity optimization (Phase II), and clinical actionability (Phase III). Selected Achievements: - Directed 75 million SEK in grants from the Swedish Cancer Society (2022) - Pioneered functional drug testing platforms for solid tumors and hematologic malignancies - Coordinated multi-institutional collaborations between Karolinska Institutet and the Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland Labs/Teams: His group operates at SciLifeLab (Stockholm) and the Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (Helsinki), with sub-teams like the Functional Systems Oncology group led by Dr. Tom Erkers. Core personnel include postdoctoral researchers, PhD students, and clinical assistants.
Andres Salumets is a Professor of Reproductive Medicine at the Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet. His research focuses on molecular mechanisms underlying reproductive health, including endometrial biology, assisted reproduction technologies, and environmental influences on fertility. He leads studies on uterine fluid extracellular vesicles, genomic analysis of reproductive disorders, and the impact of endocrine disruptors on reproductive tissues. Salumets collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to translate findings into clinical applications, such as improving non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) and developing probiotics for male reproductive health. His work integrates cutting-edge technologies like AI-driven histology analysis, single-cell RNA sequencing, and genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Key research areas include polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, and recurrent implantation failure (RIF). Recent studies explore phthalate effects on endometrial cells and novel therapies for breast cancer using natural extracts. Salumets' research bridges basic science with clinical practice, aiming to enhance assisted reproduction outcomes and address global infertility challenges.
Professor Stefano Romeo leads the Human Translational Genetics group at Karolinska Institutet's Department of Medicine, Huddinge, where his research bridges genetics, metabolism, and clinical medicine to address metabolic diseases. His work focuses on uncovering genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying liver diseases, diabetes, and cardiovascular conditions through innovative translational approaches. Professor Romeo's research has significantly advanced our understanding of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), identifying key genetic variants including PNPLA3 and MBOAT7 genes. He pioneered the development of multilineage 3D in vitro models for fatty liver disease and discovered a protective genetic variant in the PSD3 gene. His landmark achievement is the identification of two distinct MASLD types with different cardiometabolic risk profiles using compartmentalized polygenic risk scores, which has major implications for targeted treatment approaches. In cardiovascular research, Professor Romeo has developed machine learning algorithms for diagnosing familial hypercholesterolemia and elucidated the role of lipoprotein(a) as an independent cardiovascular risk factor. His integrated approach combines genomics, bioinformatics, molecular biology, and clinical investigations to translate discoveries into practical applications. Research Focus Areas: Genetic basis of metabolic liver diseases Cardiometabolic risk stratification 3D disease modeling and therapeutic testing Polygenic risk scoring for precision medicine Molecular pathways in lipid metabolism Professor Romeo's work has resulted in numerous high-impact publications in journals including Nature Medicine and Journal of Hepatology, demonstrating his leadership in translating genetic insights into improved disease prediction, prevention, and therapeutic outcomes for patients with metabolic disorders.
Magnus Sköld is a Professor/Senior Physician at Karolinska Institutet, leading the Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) Research Group within the Department of Medicine, Solna. His primary affiliation is with Karolinska Institutet, a renowned medical university. He has held his professorship since 2007 and previously served as Director of Studies at KI from 2005 to 2017. Sköld's research focuses on chronic respiratory disorders, including Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) , pulmonary fibrosis , and autoimmune/inflammatory mechanisms . His group explores these conditions through clinical studies, patient cohort analyses, and translational approaches combining immunohistochemistry, omics technologies, and molecular biology. Key projects include: Establishing a national IPF registry and biobank in Sweden, Investigating COPD in never-smokers using the SCAPIS cohort, Linking upper and lower airway pathologies, Studying post-COVID-19 lung outcomes using AI-driven imaging. His work is funded by grants from the Swedish Heart-Lung Foundation, ALF Medicine, and industry collaborations (e.g., Boehringer Ingelheim). He advises PhD students like Lisa Carlson (2021) and mentors researchers in inflammation, pulmonary fibrosis, and COPD mechanisms. Sköld's research also addresses translational challenges, such as developing biomarkers and therapeutic targets for IPF. He collaborates with international teams on projects like the SCAPIS study and imaging-based AI applications for diagnostics.
Muhammet S. Toprak is a Professor of Materials Chemistry at KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden, leading the Nanochemistry Research Group within the Bio-Opto-Nano Physics (BON) department. His research focuses on nanoscale material design, high-throughput synthesis methodologies, and advanced characterization techniques for energy and biomedical applications. He holds a PhD from KTH and conducted postdoctoral research at UC Santa Barbara. His academic roles include teaching courses like Chemistry of Nanomaterials and Nanothermodynamics . Toprak's academic journey includes a B.Sc. and M.Sc. from Middle East Technical University (Turkey) and a Docent title (2009) before becoming a full Professor (2015). His work spans nanomaterials for thermoelectrics, biomedical imaging, and sustainable materials processing. Key research areas include bismuth chalcogenides, magnetic-core nanocomposites, and X-ray fluorescent nanoparticles for diagnostic applications. His group emphasizes scalable synthesis routes and green chemistry principles. Notable projects include developing thermoelectric materials for energy harvesting and designing multifunctional nanoprobes for bioimaging. He collaborates internationally on nanotoxicology studies and material characterization standards. Toprak oversees the KTH Nanochemistry Lab and contributes to initiatives like SPFIT (Swedish Platform for Functional Imaging Technologies). His teaching integrates advanced nanotechnology concepts with practical laboratory training in nanomaterials analysis and device fabrication.
Trung Nghia Vu is a Principal Researcher at the Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden. His research group focuses on developing and applying statistical and bioinformatics methods for molecular biology and medicine, with particular emphasis on cancer genomics and pharmacogenomics. Dr. Vu received his PhD from the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at the University of Antwerp, Belgium (2009-2014), following an MSc in Computer Engineering from Korea Aerospace University (2006-2008) and a BSc in Technology from Vietnam National University in Hanoi (2000-2004). His research focuses on developing statistical and bioinformatics methodologies for analyzing high-throughput omics data, with specific interests in single-cell sequencing analysis, characterization of cancer omics, and pharmacogenomics. His group has developed 20 statistical and bioinformatics tools available through Biostat Wiki Primary research areas include gene/isoform quantification, detection of abnormal RNAs, single-cell RNA-seq analysis, and drug response prediction Current projects focus on breast cancer and Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) Analysis of Dr. Vu's recent publications reveals a strong focus on cancer genomics, particularly in AML and breast cancer. His work bridges computational biology with clinical applications, developing methods for spatial transcriptomics, drug synergy prediction, and circular RNA analysis. The research demonstrates a clear trajectory toward precision medicine applications, with increasing emphasis on personalized drug response prediction and pathway activation modeling. Dr. Vu actively supervises multiple students and researchers, including both completed PhD students (Quang Thinh Trac, Lu Pan, Wenjiang Deng) and ongoing supervisees (Gulser Caliskan, Meghana Alugunoolla, Yuying Li, Aron Arzoomand). His research is supported by significant grants from the Swedish Research Council, CancerFonden, and Karolinska Institutet. He leads the Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics research group at Karolinska Institutet, which collaborates with international clinical and systems-biology researchers. The group maintains active development of bioinformatics tools and maintains the Biostat Wiki platform for academic use. Dr. Vu also contributes to teaching through master's and doctoral courses in biostatistics and R programming at Karolinska Institutet.
Jenny Schelin is a Senior Lecturer at Lund University's Faculty of Engineering (LTH), holding dual appointments at the Division of Biotechnology and Applied Microbiology within the Department of Chemistry and the Academic Development Unit. She also serves as Programme Director for the Pharmaceutical Technology Master's program and is a Profile Area Member for LTH's Food and Bio initiative. Her research focuses on food safety and food-borne virulence, particularly examining how pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus survive and produce toxins in food matrices and production environments. With expertise in microbial cultivation, detection methods, and risk analysis, her work targets increasing food safety while reducing waste in circular food systems. Recent publications demonstrate strong interdisciplinary connections between microbiology, packaging engineering, and sustainable agriculture. Her 15 most recent publications (2016-2024) reveal consistent focus areas: food safety risk assessment (43% of fingerprint), Staphylococcus aureus research (78%), and food waste reduction (66%). The work spans from fundamental microbiology to applied engineering solutions, with growing emphasis on sustainable packaging and circular food production systems since 2020. Lecturer of the year 2021 Teacher of the year 2019 Excellent Teaching Practitioner (ETP) 2014 Pedagogic Prize from Student Union (TLTH) 2012 As Educational Developer and Programme Director, she coordinates courses in packaging materials and the Erasmus Mundus Master in Food Innovation and Product Design. She chairs Sweden's National Network for Food Microbiology and serves as secretary for 'Livsmedelskollegiet', maintaining active national collaborations with food companies and international research partnerships. Current projects include FORCE (Center for Food Resilience), Siametics (sialic acid derivatives research), and Fermented Food innovation environments.
Mikael Hedeland is a full Professor at the Department of Medicinal Chemistry (Analytical Pharmaceutical Chemistry), Uppsala University , where he has worked since 1999. He holds a PharmD and was appointed Docent (associate professor) in 2007. Visiting Professor (2013) Adjunct Professor (2015) Full Professor (2018) His research focuses on bioanalysis of drugs and metabolites using chromatography-mass spectrometry , with applications in doping control , pharmacokinetics , and mass spectrometry methods for botulinum neurotoxin detection . He leads multidisciplinary collaborations with experts in biopharmaceutics , veterinary medicine , and environmental toxicology . Recent publications emphasize LC-MS/MS method development for PROTACs , lipidomics in cancer therapy , and metabolomics of arginine derivatives in pregnancy complications . His work includes environmental biodegradation studies using Trametes versicolor and chiral separations via supercritical fluid chromatography .
Oliver Billker is a Professor at the Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, and serves as Manager of the Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS) research group. His research focuses on understanding the biology of malaria parasites and their interactions with mosquitoes, particularly investigating genetic mechanisms and transmission pathways. His work combines cutting-edge genomic tools, CRISPR screening, and single-cell technologies to uncover new insights into parasite development and host-pathogen interactions. Research interests include malaria parasite genetics, drug resistance mechanisms, mosquito vector biology, and the application of genomic approaches to identify novel drug and vaccine targets. Key achievements include the discovery of essential genes for transmission and the development of high-throughput genetic screening platforms for Plasmodium species. Notable awards include the Hirsch Prize and election as EMBO Member. His lab, the Oliver Billker Lab, collaborates internationally to advance malaria research. Recent grants include multi-million SEK investments for basic research at Umeå University and contributions to global initiatives like the Malaria Cell Atlas. Awards: Hirsch Prize EMBO Membership Grants/Projects: VR funding for basic research (2024) Nordic collaboration grants Malaria Cell Atlas initiative Labs/Teams: Oliver Billker Lab Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS) His research bridges fundamental biology and translational medicine, aiming to combat malaria through innovative approaches in genomics and systems biology.
Daniel Aili is a Professor and Head of Unit at Linköping University, affiliated with the Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology within the Faculty of Science and Engineering. His research focuses on the design and development of functional nanoscale materials for biomedical applications, particularly through molecular self-assembly processes. PhD in Molecular Physics, Linköping University (2008) MSc in Engineering Biology, Linköping University (2003) Postdoctoral training at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (2010–2011) Postdoc in Prof. Molly Stevens' lab, Imperial College London, UK (2009–2010) His research interests lie at the intersection of soft materials, nanotechnology, and biomedicine. He specializes in creating bioresponsive and biointeractive materials using self-assembly techniques. His work spans biosensors, drug delivery systems, regenerative medicine, and wound healing technologies. A key focus is on hydrogels and bioinks that mimic the extracellular matrix, enabling 3D and 4D bioprinting of tissue-like structures. Recent publications highlight advancements in nanocellulose-based wound dressings with infection-sensing capabilities, controlled antimicrobial release, and high-density biofabrication for skin regeneration. These studies reflect a strong trend toward translational biomaterials that bridge fundamental science with clinical applications, particularly in diagnostics and regenerative therapies. Daniel Aili has received numerous scientific honors, including: ERC Consolidator Grant Wallenberg Academy Fellow (with prolongation) Future Research Leader by the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research AkzoNobel Nordic Prize for Surface and Colloid Chemistry (2012) Ingvar Carlsson Award (2012) Arnbergska Prize from the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences (2013) He leads the Laboratory of Molecular Materials and has secured major grants from the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research (SSF), and the European Commission (Horizon 2020). He mentors several PhD students and contributes to large collaborative projects such as the SSF MED-X initiative HEALiX. His lab develops innovative materials that can grow artificial tissues, test cancer drugs, and create smart wound dressings that detect infection—contributing significantly to reducing animal testing and advancing personalized medicine. Daniel Aili’s research group operates within the interdisciplinary research environment Advanced Functional Materials (AFM) at Linköping University. The team combines expertise in biophysics, bioengineering, polymer chemistry, and materials science to push the boundaries of biomimetic material design. Their work on dynamic hydrogels and modular bioinks enables real-time control over cell behavior and tissue formation, positioning them at the forefront of next-generation regenerative therapies.
