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Two new Wallenberg Scholars at LiU

26 March 2024

Anders Törneholm

Researchers Feng Gao and Daniel Västfjäll at Linköping University have been appointed as new Wallenberg Scholars. In addition, six LiU researchers will have their  scholar periods extended. Each researcher receives between SEK 18 and 20 million for five years for their research.

Daniel Västfjäll.
As a Wallenberg Scholar Professor Daniel Västfjäll wanst to answer the questions of how you can increase the willingness to help others in need or get people to change their behaviour to save the environment. Magnus Johansson
“Our goal is to give prominent researchers in Sweden free means where they choose what they want to do research on. We hope that this will enable bold and pioneering research,” says Peter Wallenberg Jr, Chairman of the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation.

In total, the foundation grants SEK 2.1 billion to 118 of Sweden’s best senior researchers. Eight of them are at LiU, of which two are brand new.

Organic semiconductors

Feng Gao.
Feng Gao, professor at the Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, is a new Wallenberg Scholar.Magnus Johansson

Feng Gao, Professor of Optoelectronics at the Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology.

Semiconductors are a type of material used in almost all electronics. But today’s silicon-based semiconductors have limitations where organic semiconductors can offer new opportunities. Feng Gao will take on the challenges that exist before organic semiconductors can be used for energy conversion and in technology that mimics brain function.

“Organic semiconductors offer a wide range of properties that can increase the number of applications and functions of semiconductor-based components that in turn can promote the transformation to a more sustainable society,” says Feng Gao.

Selfless behaviour

Daniel Västfjäll.
Daniel Västfjäll, professor at the Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, is a new Wallenberg Scholar.Magnus Johansson

Daniel Västfjäll, Professor of Cognitive Psychology at the Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning.

How can you increase the willingness to help others in need or get people to change their behaviour to save the environment? These are some of the questions that Daniel wants to answer as a Wallenberg Scholar.

“I hope my research can help people make more effective everyday choices that are positive for their own well-being and that have a positive effect on the environment – a win-win situation,” he says.

Daniel Västfjäll’s goal is to identify the emotions that can make us act more environmentally friendly and caring toward our fellow human beings. In this way, he hopes to be able to find more effective measures to increase that kind of positive behaviour. By combining the latest social science methods at the intersection of economics and psychology, he will test a new approach to achieve his goal.

Extensions

The six LiU researchers who will receive an extension of their Wallenberg Scholar period are Johanna Rosén, Professor of Materials Physics, Magnus Berggren, Professor of Organic Electronics, Igor Abrikosov, Professor of Theoretical Physics, Olle Inganäs, Professor Emeritus of Biomolecular and Organic Electronics, Erik G. Larsson, Professor of Communication Systems, and Anders Ynnerman, Professor of Scientific Visualisation.

New Wallenberg Scholars

Photo of Feng Gao

Feng Gao

Professor
Photo of Daniel Västfjäll

Daniel Västfjäll

Deputy Head of Department, Professor

Extensions as Wallenberg Scholars

Photo of Johanna Rosén

Johanna Rosén

Deputy Head of Department, Professor, Head of Division, Head of Unit

Photo of Magnus Berggren

Magnus Berggren

Professor

Photo of Igor Abrikosov

Igor Abrikosov

Professor, Head of Division, Head of Unit

Olle Inganäs
Photo of Erik G. Larsson

Erik G. Larsson

Professor, Head of Division

Photo of Anders Ynnerman

Anders Ynnerman

Professor, Head of Division

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