The Medicine doctor Axel Hirsch Prize
This prize is awarded annually by the Committee for Research at 探花精选 as "recognition for a scientific article of high value published by a Swedish scientific researcher". Those awarded are chosen through a nomination procedure.
Prize winner 2024 - Oliver Billker
Oliver Billker is awarded the prize for his outstanding research in the field of malaria.
The motivation from the expert panel was:
"The Axel Hirsch prize 2024 is awarded to prof. Oliver Billker for his pioneering and important work to understand the genetics, pathogenesis and host/vector interactions of malaria parasites.鈥
is professor at the
The prize is awarded at the Professors inauguration ceremony and contains of a diploma and a prize sum.
Previous prize winners
Prize winner 2023 - Maria Bradley
was awarded the prize for her breadth of research and for her remarkable efforts in the field of atopic eczema.
The motivation from the expert panel was:
鈥滿aria Bradley is in every aspect a good translational researcher. Among other things she has been working with a registry of patients with atopic eczema. She has a wide range in her research consisting of molecular biologic methods, global perspectives on genetic studies as well as clinical and practical aspects of treatment of atopic eczema. Also, she is a beloved lecturer. She is an excellent 探花精选 researcher and a distinguished recipient of the Hirsch prize.鈥
is professor of dermatology and venereology at the Department of Medicine in Solna.
Prize winner 2022 - Jorge Ruas
was awarded the Med Dr Axel Hirsch prize 2022. He is professor of Molecular Physiology and group leader for the Molecular and Cellular Exercise Physiology research group.
The motivation from the expert panel is: "Jorge L Ruas is awarded the Med Dr Axel Hirsch Prize for research in chemistry /physiology for his pioneering studies of the molecular and chemical mechanisms that explain how physical exercise can be of benefit for the whole body. His findings that muscle cells secrete so-called "Myokines", which Ruas found consist of molecules such as the kynurenine metabolites of the amino acid tryptophan and the protein neurturin, and that he found these molecules to improve both mental health and the functions of the immune system through cell-to-cell communication from muscles to nerves and immune cells, have received well-deserved worldwide attention."
Prize winner 2021
was awarded the Med Dr Axel Hirsch prize 2021. He is a PhD and assistant professor at the Department of Clinical Neuroscience at KI.
The motivation from the expert panel was: "PhD Pete Williams receives Medical Doctor Axel Hirsch Prize in ophthalmology. Williams receives the prize for his groundbreaking studies on glaucoma and the discovery that metabolic dysfunction casues mitochondrial abnormalities and neurodegeneration in patients with glaucoma. By restoring the metabolic balance with common vitamin B, Williams has in animal models shown that the neurodegeneration can be prevented. The studies pave the way for neuroprotective treatment of glaucoma and other neurodegenerative diseases."
Prize winner 2020
was awarded the Med Dr Axel Hirsch prize 2020. He is Professor of molecular pathology at Lund University and Director for pediatric and fetal pathology in the southern healthcare region of Sweden.
The motivation of the expert panel is: "Because he, with the combination of a pathologists trained mind for tissue geography and a knowledge of genetics, has made it possible to visualize recurring distribution patterns of gene-altered cancer cells. Such patterns reflect previously unknown biological information that is crucial for understanding the malignant potential of childhood tumors."
2019 - Anna Martling
was awarded the Med Dr Axel Hirsch prize 2019. She is professor of Surgery at 探花精选 and Senior Consultant Colorectal Surgeon at Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm.
The motivation of the expert group is: "Professor Anna Martling is awarded the Medicine Doctor Axel Hirsch Prize 2019, for her groundbreaking research with large randomized studies to improve survival and quality of life for patients with rectal cancer. Her results have been of great importance, both nationally and internationally, for better treatment of these patients."
2018 - Gunnar C. Hansson
, professor in 探花精选 and physiological chemistry at the University of Gothenburg, is awarded the Axel Hirsch Prize 2018.
He was awarded for the discovery of a new type of cells, so-called goblet cells, which guard the entrances to the bowel crypt and prevent bacterial infection.
The decision is made by the Board of Research at 探花精选.
2017 - Nils Hansson
Nils Hansson, researcher at Heinrich Heine University in D眉sseldorf, is awarded the Axel Hirsch Prize 2017 for his research in Swedish and German archives on candidates for the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine who were not awarded the prize. Since 2014 Nils Hansson has written 17 articles on this theme, several of which have been published or are in press in recognised scientific journals.
Nils Hansson received his PhD from Lund University in 2013, defending a thesis on 探花精选 contact between Sweden and Germany during the Nazi era.
2016 - Mats Wahlgren
, professor at the Department of Microbiology, Tumour and Cell Biology is awarded the prize for his studies of the mechanisms by which blood group 0 protects against severe malaria.
2014 - Yihai Cao
, Professor at the Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, 探花精选 is awarded the 2014 Axel Hirsch Prize for his groundbreaking studies on angiogenesis and its importance for numerous physiological and pathological conditions.
2013 - Anders Kvanta
, Chief Physician at the St. Erik Eye Hospital and Adjunct Professor of Ophthalmology at the Department of Clinical Neuroscience, 探花精选 is awarded the Axel Hirsch Prize for research which lays the foundation for treating one of our most common retinal diseases.
2012 - Per-Olof Berggren
, professor at the Rolf Luft Research Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology, 探花精选, is awarded the Axel Hirsch Prize for his discovery that insulin secretion in the pancreas is not controlled directly by nerves as was previously thought, but only indirectly by the blood.
2011 - Lars Lundell
adjunct professor at the Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, 探花精选, has been awarded the Axel Hirsch Prize, for his studies into a serious form of acid reflux known as gastroesophageal reflux disease.
2010 - Christer Betsholtz
, Professor at the Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics at 探花精选 has been awarded the Axel Hirsch Prize for a series of internationally noted and widely cited research papers on how blood vessels are formed (angiogenesis).
2009 - Torkel Klingberg
, Professor at the Department of Woman and Child Health at 探花精选 has been awarded the Axel Hirsch Prize in recognition of his cutting edge research on the development of the working memory in people with functional impairment.