Meet the team

I have been a postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Medicine Solna, division of Cardiovascular Medicine, since February 2024. I am originally from Porto (Portugal), where I graduated in biochemistry, and obtained my PhD at the University of Geneva. My background is in cardiovascular diseases, with a special focus on the role of smooth muscle cells in atherosclerosis.  As chair of KIPA, and speaking on behalf of everyone at the KIPA board, our goal is to defend postdoc's best interests and make their stay at KI as positive and fruitful as possible, both at the professional and personal level. Feel free to contact me for any question.

I am a postdoctoral researcher at the Aging Research Center since September 2023. I joined KIPA in April 2024 and my role as secretary is to assist the Chair and Vice-Chairs and to take care of organizational matters. In my job, I study the interrelations between neuroimaging, cognitive and olfactory markers in normal aging and dementia. Previously, I obtained a doctoral degree in Neurosciences at the University of Barcelona. My doctoral studies were focused on the impact of sleep disturbances and biological sex on Parkinson's disease brain atrophy and cognitive phenotypes.

I am a postdoctoral researcher at the Aging Research Center (KI Solna), where I’ve been exploring the fascinating field of aging epidemiology since January 2023. My work mainly focuses on understanding how older adults use the healthcare system, particularly in terms of hospitalization, institutionalization, and mortality. My academic journey began in Nursing, which I studied in Rome (Italy).  Beyond research, I’m excited to contribute to KIPA as the new treasurer, fostering collaboration and growth within our postdoc community.

Francisco:

I am a postdoctoral researcher working in the field of artificial intelligence and digital pathology for precision medicine at the Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Karolinska Institute. My expertise is computer vision and unsupervised machine learning which I use to help us understand breast cancer pathology images to aid in selecting adequate treatment plans. As the president of KIPA, my mission is to provide all KI postdocs with a platform that they can use to improve their careers, work environment, living situation, and social life. My personal goal is to help postdocs maximize their potential during their time at Karolinska. Feel free to email me if you need anything or just want to talk. When I am not in the lab you can find me on the tennis courts or at the BBQ grill.

Mariano:

I am a postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Laboratory Medicine in Huddinge, where my research focuses on liquid biopsy approaches for cancer detection, with particular interest in microbiome biology, cancer, and extracellular vesicles. My work integrates genomic and microbial signals to develop minimally invasive biomarkers for cancer and disease progression. Within KIPA, I serve as Vice-Chair of Career Development (2025-2026). I care deeply about fairness and equity and strive to create a respectful, supportive environment where people feel valued. My aim is to support postdocs in navigating career development, well-being, and professional growth during their time at KI. Outside the lab, I enjoy traveling, science fiction, and music.

Cristina:

Postdoc at KI since 2023, in the Neuroscience department.

Zeynep:

In August 2025, I joined Karolinska Institutet as a postdoctoral fellow in Onur Dagliyan’s lab within the Division of Molecular Neurobiology. I am originally from Turkey, and I obtained my PhD in Neurobiology from the Biozentrum at the University of Basel, Switzerland. My background is in neurobiology, focusing on synapse-type-specific, activity-dependent molecular mechanisms that regulate brain function, such as memory encoding. I enjoy developing new tools to answer challenging questions and understand the mysteries of the brain. Outside the lab, I enjoy music and am an enthusiastic drummer. I love experimenting with cooking across different cuisines, spending time in nature while traveling, and swimming in the sea whenever possible.
In my role as Vice Chair for Advocacy and Representation at KIPA, I work to advance postdoctoral interests, amplify our voices in institutional discussions, and contribute to initiatives that improve working conditions, career development, and inclusion across KI.

I am a postdoctoral researcher at the Center for Molecular Biology (CMB), Karolinska Institutet, since June 2025. My doctoral research focused on therapy-induced senescence in glioblastoma, with a background in cancer and cell biology. As a postdoc, I now study senescence in adipose tissue and its implications in cancer.

I am equally passionate about education and teaching, with experience working with students from grade 6 to master’s level. As KPK representative from KIPA, I aim to bring a postdoc perspective to doctoral course planning and support meaningful, relevant training for doctoral students.

Ana:

I am a postdoctoral researcher at KTH and Scilifelab, affiliated with KI, and I have been developing new lipid nanoparticles as a treatment for neurological disorders. I hold a BSc in Biochemistry and an MSc in Molecular Genetics and Biomedicine from NOVA University Lisbon. I recently earned my PhD from the University of Porto, during which I also completed a second MSc in Economics and Management. I joined KIPA in January 2026 and am part of the KI Stockholm Trio Liaison, facilitating collaboration between KI, KTH, and Stockholm University. If you do not find me at KI, KTH, or SciLifeLab, I am likely traveling the world to surf and practice yoga with great views.

Konstantinos:

As a Stockholm Trio Liaison, I serve as the primary link between the KI Postdoc Association and our colleagues at Stockholm University. My role is to foster collaboration, promote cross-institutional events and resources, and ensure the KI postdoc voice is represented in the wider Stockholm academic community. My key goals include enhancing joint event visibility and improving information flow on Trio-wide opportunities.

​I joined Karolinska Institutet in 2024 as a postdoctoral researcher in the Division of Molecular Neurobiology (MBB). My research focuses on the intricate ways the brain encodes the sensation of pain within neural activity. Specifically, I work to identify the basic mechanisms by which drugs modify these representations to either induce pain suppression or, conversely, lead to over sensitization.

​As the Diversity and Inclusion Officer for KIPA, my mission is driven by the belief that a truly inclusive academic environment is not a passive default, but the result of intentional work and active engagement. Having moved from India to pursue my career in Europe, I have seen how vital it is to ensure a rich diversity of voices are heard. My goal is to ensure that postdocs from all walks of life feel included, appreciated, and unencumbered, allowing everyone to focus on what they do best. I am here to advocate for a community where everyone feels they belong!

Jone:

I joined Karolinska Institutet as a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Neuroscience in August 2025. My main research interest has always been Parkinson’s disease. My work focuses on understanding the neural mechanisms underlying Parkinson’s, with a particular emphasis on basal ganglia circuits and motor symptoms.

As part of the Community Building team at KIPA, I am committed to helping create a welcoming and connected postdoc community. Moving to a new country and starting a new position can be challenging, and having opportunities to meet people and build connections is essential! Through social events and shared activities, we aim to make the postdoc experience at KI more enjoyable and supportive for everyone.

Paola:

I have been a postdoctoral researcher in the Integrative Physiology group at the Karolinska Institute since January 2025. I am originally from northern Spain, where I completed my PhD at the University of Oviedo, specializing in miRNAs and inter-tissue communication during exercise. My current project focuses on elucidating the role of non-coding RNAs in metabolic health, with a particular interest in muscle gain mass and plasticity in patients with type 2 diabetes. I joined KIPA as Vice President of Community Building in 2026 to organize and promote events that help postdocs meet new people and discuss common topics. I firmly believe that forging new connections when moving to a new country is essential for making this stage of life memorable. Therefore, we are here to help you!. 

Aleksandra:

In May 2024, I joined Karolinska Institutet as a postdoctoral fellow in Amir Saei's lab within the Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology. Originally from Poland, I earned my PhD from Jagiellonian University in Krakow. During my doctoral studies, I explored a novel mechanism by which the oral pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis manipulates host immune responses. As a postdoc at KI, I have shifted my focus towards cancer biology, investigating how dysbiotic gut microbiome and its metabolites promote colon cancer. Outside of the lab, I am an enthusiastic sports and travel lover, with a particular passion for paddleboarding and snowboarding. I enjoy capturing drone footage and photography during my adventures, which I have found useful for managing KIPA's social media platforms, such as Instagram and Facebook, in my role as the new Vice Chair for Communication. In this position, my goal is to keep postdocs informed about our events, initiatives, and other opportunities at KI.  

Ali:

;)