Wallenberg Scholars 2024

The Wallenberg Scholar program focuses on Sweden’s leading senior researchers.

It was implemented because researchers need long-term funding without the distraction of pressure to secure external grants in order to carry out world-class research. 

The program was initiated in 2009. The idea was to provide leading researchers with the freedom and resources to motivate them to stay in Sweden.

The grant can be freely used for research for five years with no restrictions. 
121 Wallenberg Scholars was appointed in 2024.

Natural Science

Susanne Aalto, Professor in radio astronomy 
Chalmers University of Technology

Massive black holes revealing the dance of the galaxies

Igor Abrikosov, Professor of theoretical physics
Linköping University

Experiment serves as base for a predictive theory of metastable materials

Per Ahlberg, Professor of evolutionary organismal biology
Uppsala University

Ancient footprints rewrite the history of evolution

Leif Andersson, Professor of functional genomics
Uppsala University

The genetic diversity of animals – a researcher’s gold mine

Siv Andersson, Professor of molecular evolutionary biology
Uppsala University

Bee bacteria working as vitamin factories

Magnus Berggren, Professor of organic electronics
Linköping University

Creating new research fields using organic electronics

Robert Berman, Professor in mathematics
Chalmers University of Technology

Mathematics that describes the universe's geometric structure

Rishikesh Bhalerao, Professor in plant cell and molecular biology
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

Research in brief: How do trees know when spring is coming and it's time to let the buds burst?

Oliver Billker, Professor in biotechnology
Umeå University

Research in brief: Close-up studies of parasite-mosquito interaction next step in malaria fight

Annica Black-Schaffer, Professor of quantum matter theory
Uppsala University

Open systems may lead to improved superconductivity

Petter Brändén, Professor of mathematics
KTH Royal Institute of Technology

Searching for a theory of negative dependence

Marie Dacke, Professor of sensory biology
Lund University

Dung beetles’ navigational skills offer potential for robots of the future

Kimberly Dick Thelander, Professor in physics
Lund University

Studying new materials while they build themselves

Georgios Dimitroglou Rizell, Associate professor in mathematics
Uppsala University 

 

Studying the spaces where Hamilton’s equations live

David Drew, Professor in biochemistry
Stockholm University

Revealing how the cell uptakes sugar

Tobias Ekholm, Professor of mathematics
Uppsala University

Wilder geometry shedding new light on string theory

Annica Ekman, Professor of meteorology
Stockholm University

Research in brief: Studying clouds in warmer polar climates

Johan Elf, Professor in physical biology
Uppsala University

How life works – down to the last detail

Olle Eriksson, Professor of theoretical magnetism
Uppsala University

The quest for magnetic materials of the future

Andrew Ewing, Professor of analytical chemistry
University of Gothenburg

Creating new ways to understand communication between brain cells

Sara Hallin, Professor in soil microbiology
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

Nitrogen cycling provides new insights on climate change

Gunnar von Heijne, Professor of theoretical chemistry
Stockholm University

The forces behind protein folding

Susanne Höfner, Professor of theoretical astrophysics
Uppsala University

Origins of building blocks of life in the universe

Martin Högbom, Professor of structural biochemistry
Stockholm University

Understanding nature’s chemistry

Fredrik Höök, Professor of biological physics 
Chalmers University of Technology

Learning how viruses enter cells

Mattias Jakobsson, Professor of genetics
Uppsala University 

Moving the cradle of humankind

Martin Jakobsson, Professor of marine geology and geophysics 
Stockholm University

Using AI to predict the retreat of glaciers

Emil Johansson Bergholtz, Professor of theoretical physics
Stockholm University

Research in brief: Topological physics explaining the quantum world

Ville Kaila, Professor of Biochemistry
Stockholm University

Mapping energy conversion in cells

Kirsten Kraiberg Knudsen, Professor of astronomy
Chalmers University of Technology

Seeking the origins of galaxies at the far end of the Universe

Tuuli Lappalainen, Professor in gene technology
KTH Royal Institute of Technology

Seeking the answer to human genetic diversity

Josefin Larsson, Professor in astrophysics
KTH Royal Institute of Technology

Stellar explosions

Hjalmar Laudon, Professor of forest landscape biogeochemistry
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

Forest growth slowing due to water shortage

 

Anne L'Huillier, Professor of atomic physics
Lund University

The world’s shortest light pulses – and what they can do

Erik Lindahl, Professor of biophysics
Stockholm University

Research in brief: Examine structure and function of membrane proteins

Floriana Lombardi, Professor in quantum device physics
Chalmers University of Technology

Solving the mystery of high-temperature superconductors

Joakim Lundeberg, Professor of molecular biotechnology
KTH Royal Institute of Technology

Developing new methods for earlier diagnosis of prostate cancer

Richard Neutze, Professor of biochemistry
University of Gothenburg

Imaging the brain’s complex information flow

Thomas Nyström, Professor of microbiology
University of Gothenburg

Yeast’s clean-up abilities provide insights into ageing

Peter Oppeneer, Professor of physics 
Uppsala University

Research in brief: Theory for ultrafast out-of-equilibrium quantum dynamic processes

Dan Petersen, Associate Professor in mathematics
Stockholm University

Using algebraic geometry to study abstract spaces

Jarone Pinhassi, Professor of marine microbiology
Linnaeus University

How bacteria use solar energy to grow

Stephanie Reimann, Professor of mathematical physics
Lund University

Testing quantum theories with ultracold droplets

Ilona Riipinen, Professor of atmospheric sciences
Stockholm University

Improving climate models by learning more about aerosol particles

Anna Rising, Professor of veterinary medicine biochemistry
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

Artificial spider silk – a potential super material of the future

Johanna Rosén, Professor in materials physics
Linköping University

Spotlight on the environment as new materials take shape

Johannes Rousk, Professor of Soil Microbiology
Lund University

Hidden soil life impacts climate change

Markus Schmid, Professor in plant physiology
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

How plants respond to climate change

Karin Schönning, Professor of physics
Uppsala University 

Hyperons shedding light on great mysteries of the universe

Sara Strandberg, Professor in particle physics
Stockholm University

Measuring the Higgs Boson 

Ilaria Testa, Associate professor in applied physics 
KTH Royal Institute of Technology

Research in brief: Smart microscopes discover ephemeral biology

Tobias Uller, Professor of evolutionary ecology
Lund University

Research in brief: The hunt for evolution’s accelerator

David Wardle, professor of soil and plant ecology
Umeå University

Researching to save ecosystems

Witlef Wieczorek, Professor of Physics 
Chalmers University of Technology

How far do the laws of quantum physics stretch?

Fredrik Viklund, Professor in mathematics
KTH Royal Institute of Technology

New mathematics for the random details of nature

 

Pernilla Wittung-Stafshede, Professor of biological chemistry
Chalmers University of Technology

Taking new approaches in the fight against dementia

Xiaodong Zou, Professor of structural chemistry
Stockholm University

Revolutionary close-ups of the building blocks of life

Johan Åkerman, Professor of experimental physics
University of Gothenburg

Building machines to solve our most complex problems

Johan Åqvist, Professor of theoretical chemistry
Uppsala University

Simulating living conditions in extreme environments

Technology and physics

Peter Andrekson, Professor of photonics
Chalmers University of Technology

Broadband to Mars with a new optical amplifier

Per Delsing, Professor of experimental physics
Chalmers University of Technology

An ear to the quantum world

Vanya Darakchieva, Professor of semiconductor materials
Lund University

Semiconductor bandgap key to future green electronics

Tünde Fülöp, Professor of physics
Professor of physics

Research in brief: Creating and controlling beams in plasmas

Feng Gao, Professor of optoelectronics
Linköping University

Research in brief: He tackles a key challenge of organic semiconductors for future technologies

Hans Hertz, Professor of biomedical physics
KTH Royal Institute of Technology

Imaging the smallest detail

Olle Inganäs, Professor of biomolecular and organic electronics
Linköping University

Attractive solar cells and wooden batteries inspired by nature

Karl Henrik Johansson, Professor of networked control
KTH Royal Institute of Technology

Coming to terms with self-driving vehicles

Kurt Johansson, Professor of mathematics
KTH Royal Institute of Technology

Explaining patterns in our world

Dejan Kostic, Professor of internetworking 
KTH Royal Institute of Technology

Democratizing the use of AI

Danica Kragic Jensfelt, Professor of computer science, specializing in computer vision and robotics
KTH Royal Institute of Technology

Robots interacting with people

Erik G. Larsson, Professor of communications systems
Linköping University

The technology beyond 5G

Heiner Linke, Professor of nanophysics 
Lund University

Understanding and recreating the world’s smallest motors

Amy Loutfi, Professor of computer science 
Örebro University

Research in brief: Curiosity and play to enhance AI’s learning ability

Christian Müller, Professor of polymer technology
Chalmers University of Technology

Turning textiles into power generators

 

Andrei Sabelfeld, Professor in cybersecurity
Chalmers University of Technology

Securing our digital world

Andreas Strömbergsson, Professor of mathematics
Uppsala University

Shedding new light on classical problems

Maria Strömme, Professor of nanotechnology
Uppsala University

Harvesting drinking water from the air 

Anders Ynnerman, Professor of scientific visualization
Linköping University

Visualisation: an unmatched research tool and disseminator of knowledge

Medicine and medical technology

Christer Betsholtz, Professor of vascular biology
Uppsala University

Mapping the cells of blood vessels

Anna Blom, Professor of medical protein chemistry
Lund University

Versatile immune protein provides protection against diabetes

Petter Brodin, Professor of immunology
Karolinska institutet

Research in brief: Hoping to prevent allergy and autoimmune disease 

Fredrik Bäckhed, Professor of molecular medicine
University of Gothenburg

Revealing the role played by gut microbiota in human health

Marie Carlén, Professor of neuronal networks
Karolinska Institutet

Learning more about the brain

Gonçalo Castelo-Branco, Professor of glial cell biolog
Karolinska Institutet

Research in brief: Aiming at new insights into disease mechanisms in MS

Felipe Cava, Professor in infection biology
Umeå University

Research in brief: Discovering new bacterial weaknesses to combat antibiotic resistance

Lena Claesson-Welsh, Professor of medical biochemistry
Uppsala University

Strengthened blood vessels: a key to better health

Patrik Ernfors, Professor of tissue biology
Karolinska Institutet 

Helping to cure chronic pain

Maria Falkenberg, Professor of biomedical laboratory science
University of Gothenburg

Disease and ageing due to mitochondrial DNA

Jonas Frisén, Professor of stem cell research
Karolinska Institutet

Research into formation of new neurons may prolong life

Thomas Helleday, Professor of chemical biology
Karolinska Institutet

Research in brief: Catalytic medicines as future treatments?  

Jens Hjerling Leffler, Associate Professor of neuroscience
Karolinska Institutet

Adolescent brain development and the risk of schizophrenia

Sten Eirik Jacobsen, Professor of stem cell biology and regenerative medicine
Karolinska Institutet

Revealing the secrets of blood formation

Randall Johnson, Professor of molecular physiology and pathology
Karolinska Institutet

Controlling the immune system to improve cancer therapies 

Gunilla Karlsson Hedestam, Professor of vaccine immunology 
Karolinska Institutet

Unique catalog of gene variations for targeted medical interventions

Nils-Göran Larsson, Professor of mitochondrial genetics
Karolinska Institutet

The role played by mitochondria in disease

 

Kerstin Lindblad-Toh, Professor of comparative genomics
Uppsala University

Learning about human diseases from canine DNA

Sten Linnarsson, Professor of molecular systems biology
Karolinska Institutet

How the brain is built

Ruth Palmer, Professor of molecular cell biology
University og Gothenburg

Spotlight on a key molecule to cure children’s cancer

 

Qiang Pan-Hammarström, Professor of clinical immunology
Karolinska Institutet

Research in brief: Seeking the causes of antibody deficiency and lymphoma

Mia Phillipson, Professor in physiology
Uppsala University

Unknown functions of the immune system

Joanna Rorbach, Associate Professor of molecular biology
Karolinska Institutet

Protein manufacture in the cell powerhouse

Rickard Sandberg, Professor of molecular genetics
Karolinska Institutet

Research in brief: Studies of synapses reveal more about brain development

Kirsty Spalding, Professor in adipocyte biology
Karolinska Institutet

Research in brief: The effect of fat cells on tumour growth can provide clues to improved cancer therapy

Camilla Svensson, Professor in cellular and molecular pain physiology
Karolinska Institutet

Turning the spotlight on chronic pain

Juleen Zierath, Professor of clinical integrative physiology
Karolinska Institutet

Research in brief: Finding out how the circadian rhythm affects type 2 diabetes

Henrik Zetterberg, Professor in neurochemistry
University of Gothenburg 

Blood tests helping in the hunt for anti-dementia drugs

Social science and humanities

Virginia Dignum, Professor in responsible AI
Umeå University

Research in brief: The future of AI – a balance between technology and ethics

Anna Dreber Almenberg, Professor of economics
Stockholm School of Economics

What scientific findings can we trust?

Martin Dribe, Professor of economic history
Lund University

Research in brief: Unequal lives: From Pre-Industrial society to Welfare Era

Tore Ellingsen, Professor of economics 
Stockholm School of Economics

The role of duty in successful societies

Hanne Fjelde, Professor of Peace and Conflict Research
Uppsala University

Present-day threats to democracy

Helen Frowe, Professor of philosophy
Stockholm University

Exploring the ethics of deterrence

Mia Liinason, Professor of gender studies 
Lund University

Research in brief: Struggle over gender in a populist era

Alexander Ljungqvist, Professor of entrepreneurial finance
Stockholm School of Economics

Fewer listed companies may impact consumers

Oksana Mont, Professor in Sustainable Consumption Governance
Lund University

She wants to explore how companies can operate in a growth-independent economy

Lars Nyberg, Professor of neuroscience
Umeå University

Exercise good for memory

Jonas Tallberg, Professor of political science
Stockholm University

New understanding of international cooperation through the ages

Lotta Vikström, Professor of history
Umeå University

Impairment a barrier to finding work and a partner

Daniel Västfjäll, Professor of cognitive psychology
Linköping University

Research in brief: What can make us more thoughtful?

Maria Ågren, Professor of history
Uppsala University

Historical court records provide new insights into male and female work