Kristina Johnell

Kristina Johnell

Professor | Head of department

My research focuses on real‑world evidence to improve pharmacological treatment for older patients. The goal is long‑term impact on quality and sustainability in health care for an ageing population.

Telephone: +46852482413
Visiting address: Nobelsväg 12a, 17165 Solna
Postal address: C8 Medicinsk epidemiologi och biostatistik, C8 MEB Johnell, 171 77 Stockholm
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About me

  • Candidate in KI’s academic election 2026 – the role of Dean/Vice Dean for Research

    I am deeply honoured to be one of the candidates for Dean of Research. Karolinska Institutet (KI) is an outstanding university and a workplace I am very proud of, and representing KI as Dean for Research would be a significant responsibility.

    I am approaching the end of my second term (≥7 years) as Head of the Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics (MEB). In addition, I have served as Head/Deputy Head of Department and as a member of the management teams at two departments at KI (NVS and MEB) continuously since 2015. During my years in leadership roles at KI, I have worked to promote excellence in research, with a particular focus on fostering collaborations across disciplines and ensuring high scientific integrity.

    I have extensive experience in strategic leadership, including the development of research environments, “big data, ” infrastructures, resource allocation, and support for researchers at all career stages. By combining an analytical approach with an inclusive leadership style, I aim to create conditions for innovation, collaboration, and long-term excellence to develop in parallel.

    As Dean for Research, I would like to contribute to:

    • Strengthening KI’s international competitiveness through strategic investments in groundbreaking research collaborations within KI and with external partners
    • Developing research structures that enable researchers to reach their full potential, with a particular focus on junior researchers and interdisciplinary collaborations
    • Ensuring that KI’s research strategy aligns with international challenges and promotes scientific influence

    I have always been driven by strengthening people and teams, and I see this as an opportunity to make a difference at a strategic level. KI needs to ensure that existing talent within our university is given opportunities to develop, alongside external recruitment of new researchers.

    An active collegial governance ensures that KI’s key strategic decisions are grounded in broad expertise and experience, thereby enhancing the quality and legitimacy across our departments and operations. This role as dean/vice dean is a chance to shape the future of medical research together with colleagues, to strengthen the collegial governance and contribute to KI's vision to promote knowledge about life and strive towards better health for everyone.

    Answers to three questions addressed to the candidates for the position of Dean/Deputy Dean:

    What motivates you to be a candidate?

    I am motivated by the opportunity to leverage my long leadership experience together with my focus on scientific quality and relevance to strengthen KI’s research and development in the important collegial structure. By combining an analytical approach with an inclusive leadership style, I aim to create conditions for innovation, collaboration, and long-term excellence to develop in parallel. I have always been driven by strengthening people and teams, and I see this as an opportunity to make a difference at a strategic level.

    Which issues or areas do you want to prioritise during your time in the role?

    • Strengthen KI’s international competitiveness through strategic investments in groundbreaking research collaborations within KI and with external partners
    • Develop research structures that enable researchers to reach their full potential, with a particular focus on junior researchers and interdisciplinary collaborations
    • Ensure that KI’s research strategy aligns with international challenges and promotes scientific influence

    How do you want to work to encourage cooperation and participation within KI?

    My strength lies in actively listening and motivating others, which enhances both quality and engagement. I believe in creating a collegial culture of dynamic collaboration and participation through openness, inclusiveness, and forward-looking goals. I see this role as an opportunity to work together with colleagues to shape the future of medical research and contribute to KI's vision to promote knowledge about life and strive towards better health for everyone.

    Background
     
    I am the Head of the Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics (MEB) and Professor of Geriatric Pharmacoepidemiology at Karolinska Institutet (KI).


    I have scientific, pedagogical and leadership commitments:

    • My scientific work has resulted in around 200 articles, 2 book chapters, and several reports and popular science presentations.
    • Since 2008, 16 PhD students have completed their studies under my supervision. I am currently the main supervisor of 1 PhD student and co-supervisor of 3 PhD students.
    • Since 2006, as principal investigator, I have received funding from the European Union (Horizon 2020: EIT Health), the Swedish Research Council, the Swedish Council for Working Life and Social Research, and several other funding bodies.
    • I have teaching experience in geriatric pharmacology and geriatric pharmacoepidemiology at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels, as well as in continuing education for healthcare professionals and various non-academic organisations.
    • Since 2019, I serve as the Head of Department (“prefekt”) of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics (MEB), with approximately 280 co-workers.
    • From 2015 to 2018, I was the Deputy Head of the Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society (NVS), with around 520 co-workers.
    • From 2014 to 2018, I was the Division Head of the Aging Research Center (ARC), comprising about 80 co-workers.
    My current and past memberships in steering groups, committees, and boards include roles such as chair, co-chair, and panel member in review panels at:
    the Swedish Research Council; Chair of the Special Interest Group (SIG) in Geriatric Pharmacoepidemiology within the International Society for Pharmacoepidemiology (ISPE); member of the External Expert Advisory Board for Joint Action Prevent Cancer and other Non-Communicable Diseases (JA-PreventNCD), a European Union–funded consortium; member of the Scientific Advisory Board for the Data Analysis and Real World Interrogation Network (DARWIN EU®), under the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the European Medicines Regulatory Network; Scientific Advisory Board for GREG – Testing, improving, and co-creating Guidance and Tools for Real World Evidence Generation and Use for Decision-Making in Europe funded by the EU Innovative Health Initiative Joint Undertaking; Chair of the National E-Infrastructure on Aging Research (NEAR) Steering Board; member of the strategic management group for Stockholm’s biobank infrastructure; evaluation panels for the Swiss National Science Foundation, the Austrian Science Fund, the Foundation for Polish Science, and the Norwegian Health Association; Chair of the Centre for Pharmacoepidemiology Steering Group; member of the Steering Board for the Aging Theme at Karolinska University Hospital; member of the Executive Management Team at the Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society; member of the Executive Board for the Strategic Research Program in Epidemiology (SFO Epi); the Nomination Assembly at KI; the Center for Alzheimer Research; the Academic Center for Geriodontics; and the Ethical Review Board.

Research

  • My research focuses on real‑world evidence to improve pharmacological treatment for older patients. Advanced register‑based analyses are used to generate decision‑relevant knowledge on medication use in ageing populations. The goal is long‑term impact on quality and sustainability in health care for an ageing population. 

    My major research field is geriatric pharmacoepidemiology, with a specific focus on:

    • Personalised drug therapy
    • Inappropriate medication use in older people
    • Adverse drug events in older adults
    • Pharmacological treatment in people with dementia
    • Drug treatment among frail older adults and at the end of life
    • Translational research on medications
    • Inequalities in medication use among older people
    • Decision support for medication treatment in older patients
    • Register-based pharmacoepidemiology

Articles

All other publications

Grants

Employments

  • Professor, Geriatric epidemiology, Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, 2019-
  • Professor, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, 2016-2018

Degrees and Education

  • Docent, Karolinska Institutet, 2010
  • Doctor Of Philosophy, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, 2005
  • Licentiate Degree, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, 2004
  • MSc Pharm (licensed pharmacist), Pharmacy, Uppsala University, 2002

Leadership and responsibility assignments

  • Head of department, C8 Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, 2019-

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