Our people

José is an associate professor and principal investigator of the Department of Bioscience and Nutrition at Karolinska Institute (KI). He did his doctorate in obstetrics and gynecology at the Karolinska University Hospital. He previously worked with transgenesis, embryo manipulation and embryology at the Biotechnology Center, KI.

With a specialisation in cytogenetics, José worked during his doctorate with a pioneering project that culminated in a clinical program of pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PDG). He also participated in the development and implementation of the derivation laboratory of human stem cells of embryonic origin. This was the first laboratory and bank for human embryonic stem cells in Scandinavia.

His line of research is within the stem cell and translational medicine area, but José has also published numerous articles in the area of ​​tumorigenesis and genetic stability of stem cells during the process of culture and differentiation. He has extensive teaching experience related to his experience in the cultivation, differentiation and cellular reprogramming.

Ivan is a senior researcher and associate professor in Molecular Endocrinology at Karolinska Institutet (KI) Sweden. He did his PhD in redox biology and biochemistry at the KI and has since focused on the role of sex hormones in cell proliferation, differentiation, and neurodegeneration. After conducting postdoctoral studies at the Friedrich Miescher Institute in Basel, Switzerland, he was recruited back to KI by prof. Jan-Åke Gustafsson, a pioneer in sex hormone signalling, to develop stem cell based models of neurological diseases.

Ivan has supervised numerous students and postdocs as well as performed and organised teaching at the pre- and postgraduate level. He also participates in several international research projects related to his area of ​​work.

Mukesh has a PhD in life science and specialised in neuroscience. He has extensive experience in regenerative medicine and currently works as a researcher at Karolinska Institute. Mukesh has previously participated in several national and intergovernmental scientific projects during his stay in India. He also completed extensive education at the British Columbia University of Canada, Semmelweis of Budapest and the University of Hong Kong.

Mukesh has received several national and international contributions for active participation in international project schools and also made study visit to the headquarters of StemCell Technologies Inc. Canada. He is active in teaching and an expert in stem cell culture, differentiation and 3D in vitro model development. He has also developed protocols for the cultivation of "organoids" as models of diseases, toxicity and comparative physiological studies.

Frida's research has always centered on understanding the cellular and molecular regulators that define stem cells, which to her, is the single most fascinating component of human biology. As key factors in development and the maintenance of mature tissues, stem cells have the potential to both cure and cause human disease, with particular relevance to cancer. For over 10 years, Frida has carried out research across multiple disciplines and publishing over 16 peer-reviewed articles in the fields of stem cell biology, cancer and hematology.

Now, as an independent investigator at Karolinska Institutet, her research centers on investigating the role of another aberrant epitranscriptomic (RNA) event, RNA methylation (m6A), in normal versus malignant (pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia) stem cell maintenance leading to the emergence of pre-leukemic clones that have gained survival and proliferative advantages. Hopefully, this will facilitate development of stem cell-based diagnostic assays for clinical use and translational applications for cancer and regenerative medicine. These research efforts will help deepen our understanding of the fundamental molecular mechanisms driving stem cell evolution.

Irena is inspired by products that improve our quality of life. She began her career in medical technology consulting, helping fertility clinics in both developed and developing countries access assisted reproductive technologies used to treat thousands of couples across the globe. Over the years, she has supported innovation projects within a number of industries covering consumer goods, life science, healthcare, medical education and venture capital.

Irena holds a BSc in Management and an MSc in Strategic Marketing from Imperial College London. Before pursuing business, she studied Commercial Law at Södertörn University and later Cognitive, Behavioural, Developmental and Social Psychology at Stockholm University.