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SEK 49 million from Swedish Research Council

04 December 2020

Therese Ekstrand Amaya

Six LiU researchers will receive almost SEK 49 million from the Swedish Research Council’s latest round of funding. The projects concern areas such as epigenetics, mega coal-fired power plants, rehabilitation in conflict zones and tuberculosis.

A big building in sunset, there is warm light coming from the windows, on the ground outside there is a bit of snow. Photographer: Magnus Johansson

Three researchers have been awarded consolidator grants, which give distinguished young researchers the opportunity to consolidate their research and expand and diversify their work as independent researchers.

This year the Swedish Research Council will award almost SEK 27 million in consolidator grants, and LiU is one of the universities that will receive the highest amount, after Karolinska Institutet and the University of Gothenburg.

Three researchers are to be awarded SEK 12 million each, over a six-year period:

  • Magnus Jonsson, Department of Science and Technology (ITN), for the project “Variable organic hyperbolic nano-antennae”.
  • Anna Storm, Department of Thematic Studies (TEMA), for the project “Nuclear nature”.
  • Anita Öst, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (BKV), for the project “Epigenetic programming of the next generation’s metabolic health – is the metabolism of sperm a part of it?”

The following researchers are to receive funding for development research:

Joyanto Routh, Department of Thematic Studies (TEMA), is to receive SEK 4.5 million for the project “Coal-power based economies in developing countries: An evaluation of environment, health and economy of mega coal-fired power plants”. The project will be carried out near the India-Bangladesh border, and aims to foster cleaner energy, better air quality and development in accordance with the UN’s global sustainable development goals.

Robert Blomgran, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (BKV), will also receive a grant of SEK 4.5 million. His project explores new ways to strengthen and activate macrophages for an increased control and destruction of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which can make the treatment of tuberculosis faster and more efficient. The clinical studies, which will be carried out in Ethiopia and Sweden are aimed especially at tuberculosis patients who also suffer from a parasitic worm infection and whose macrophage function is highly reduced.

Andreas Wladis, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (BKV), will receive a grant of approx. SEK 3.9 million. His project concerns the rehabilitation of people with disabilities in conflict zones. In these regions there is a great need for studies, guidelines and rehabilitation programmes, and the aim of the project is to investigate post-amputation rehabilitation in various war zones.


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