World-leading scientist employed at Karolinska Institutet

An internationally leading scientist in the field of Molecular Biology, Dr. Randall S Johnson, has been appointed Professor at the medical university Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden. In his new capacity as Professor in Molecular Biology and the Biology of Hypoxia at the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Dr. Johnson will develop existing collaborations with top researchers at Karolinska Institutet.

One priority is to conduct internationally competitive research, stretching over several years, in studying mechanisms of hypoxia and their relations to the spreading of cancer at cellular level. Hypoxia describes a pathological condition in which a tissue in the body is deprived of adequate oxygen supply.

“We are happy to welcome Professor Johnson to our university, and looking forward to benefit from his front-line competence in his scientific field”, says Martin Ingvar, Dean of Research. “We hope that his presence here will strengthen our academic competence, and inspire post-graduate students in their research projects.”

Randall S Johnson’s broad academic background includes a BS in Molecular Biology and a BA in Swedish language and literature from the University of Washington. He received his PhD in Genetics at Harvard University and conducted post-doctoral work at the University of California, San Francisco. He will hold the appointment at Karolinska Institutet concurrently with his present position in the Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience at the University of Cambridge.

His innovative research concerning the biology of hypoxia has made him an international authority in this field. Over the years, he has produced a great number of scientific papers in a number of top-ranked scientific publications and hosted many high-profiled international conferences. He is also the holder of several patents concerning various cellular mechanisms. “I am honoured by this opportunity at Karolinska Institutet, and feel excited about the prospect of gathering additional insights in cellular mechanisms that help tumours grow”, Randall S Johnson says. “We are convinced that the recruitment of Professor Johnson to our university is an important step towards making Karolinska Institutet one of the world’s front-line centres of excellence in research on the cellular mechanisms of hypoxia”, declares Martin Ingvar.