With start 2021, SWEDBO biannually awards the best PhD thesis in Developmental Biology in Scandinavia. The prize is a personal prize aimed to recognise the best thesis in Developmental biology, Stem Cell Biology, Cell/Tissue Regeneration or related areas.
The research needs to be conducted at a Swedish, Norwegian or Danish University. See open call below.
Winner of the 2023-2025 SWEDBO Best Thesis Award
Dr. Sandra de Haan, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, receives the prize for her outstanding research on the development of the inner ear. Her thesis work uncovered previously unrecognised lineage restrictions and compartmentalization in the cochlea using elegant high-throughput in utero barcode-based lineage tracing. In parallel, the work also uncovered novel cellular and molecular phenotypes arising in the inner ear of an Alagille syndrome mouse model. Overall, this PhD thesis paves the way for novel regenerative treatments for congenital and acquired hearing loss.
This year’s prize include:
- 5000 SEK
- An invited speaker slot at the 5th Nordic Meeting on Developmental Biology, Stem Cells and Regeneration, Norway, 26th-28th August, 2026.
- Free registration, free accommodation, and travel contribution to attend the 5th Nordic Meeting on Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration.
- Diploma
Previous awardees
The SWEDBO 2022 best thesis award
Dr. Margherita Zamboni, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology Karolinska Institutet, receives the prize for her outstanding research on novel mechanisms of adult neurogenesis, including the identification of lineage plasticity and astrocytes as source of new neurons. The thesis engaged the reader through crystal clear and logic language while describing intricate experiments. Her work deserves great attention as it may pave the way for novel regenerative treatments for injury or disease in the central nervous system.
This year’s prize include:
- 5000 SEK
- An invited speaker slot at the 4th Nordic Meeting on Developmental Biology, Stem Cells and Regeneration, Norway, 28th-30th May, 2024.
- Free registration, travel and accommodation to attend the 4th Nordic Meeting on Developmental Biology, Stem Cells and Regeneration.
- Diploma
The SWEDBO 2021 best thesis award
Dr. Haohao Wu, Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, was awarded the prize for her outstanding research regarding the
“intricate identification of distinct sensory neuron classes”, that “significantly improved our understanding of the role of developmental versus activity dependent cell identity determination for the acquisition of appropriate proprioception”. She was also awarded for her ability to successfully “convey the importance of her research findings and her courage to challenge long-standing dogmas”.
The 2021 year’s prize include:
- 5000 SEK
- An invited speaker slot at the 3rd Nordic Meeting on Developmental Biology, Stem Cells and Regeneration, Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen. October 6th-7th, 2022.
- Free registration, travel and accommodation to attend the 3rd Nordic Meeting on Developmental Biology, Stem Cells and Regeneration.
- Diploma