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This year, the Landénska Foundation’s scholarship amounts to SEK 240,000. First awarded in 2022, the scholarship is designated for a medical student in their fifth semester or later at the Sahlgrenska Academy. The funding comes from the Landén Fund, managed by the Sahlgrenska Academy following a 1960 donation from the Landén sisters—Lizzie, Annie, and Eva. Previously, the fund supported travel grants for students conducting thesis work abroad.

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What was your initial reaction when you received the news, and what will the scholarship mean for you?
“The scholarship means the world to me and my research—it allows me to dedicate myself fully to a project I’m truly passionate about and deeply believe in. It also paves the way for continued research through PhD studies. I happened to be with some of my lab colleagues when I got the news, so we all shared a big group hug.”

What is your research project about?
“This project builds on our earlier research analyzing circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). We’re investigating whether ctDNA can be used as a reliable biomarker to closely monitor treatment response and catch relapses early in pediatric cancer patients. Our research group has been working in this field for quite some time, and the results so far are very promising.”

Robert’s project is part of Martin Dalin’s research group, in which he plays an active role. The scholarship he received is directly tied to this specific research.

“That said, one of the key challenges has been applying this method to children with Hodgkin lymphoma. These patients often have tumors that contain very little actual tumor cells, making traditional biopsies less effective. As a result, children with Hodgkin lymphoma have often been excluded from larger genetic studies. However, recent studies have shown that their blood samples often contain significantly more tumor DNA than the tumor mass itself. So, I want to explore whether we can develop personalized ctDNA panels directly from a blood sample instead of relying on biopsies. If it works, this could open up a whole new monitoring approach for these patients.”

Our hope: fewer children overtreated and earlier detection of relapse

What practical impact do you hope your research will have?
"The hope is that, in the future, patients with Hodgkin lymphoma will be able to benefit from customized treatment and monitoring. It would be fantastic if, with a simple blood test, we could create personalized biomarkers based on each individual’s tumor-specific genetic fingerprint!" ”

"Ultimately, the goal is to reduce overtreatment with radiation and chemotherapy in children, detect relapse much earlier, and treat as effectively as possible. In short: fewer side effects and more survivors." 

Why do you want to become a physician, and what do you hope to contribute in your future dual role as physician and researcher?  
“I chose to become a physician because I wanted to combine my interests in biology and medicine with my love for connecting with people. For me, it offers the best of both worlds: being there for patients in the moment while also exploring how we can improve care over the long term." 

“In my future role as both a physician and researcher, I hope to help bridge the gap between clinical practice and scientific research, ultimately improving cancer care. A major inspiration for me has been my supervisor, Martin Dalin, who truly embodies this dual role as a pediatric oncologist and research leader.”  

International research collaborations, including Harvard Medical School
You seem to be involved in exciting research projects both in Sweden and abroad. Tell us more—how do they connect?

“In 2023, I took a one-year break from my medical studies to do research at Harvard Medical School (HMS) and Boston Children’s Hospital. There, I joined Dr. Felix Dietlein’s research group. The project I’m working on involves using bioinformatics to genetically categorize children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and explore whether there are common features among those patients who have previously been difficult to classify genetically.”

"The projects are connected in that the genetic material we analyze at HMS comes from the same patients enrolled in Martin Dalin’s ctDNA study."   Both projects use genetic analysis in different ways to potentially improve clinical outcomes for children with cancer. Although the projects are independent, my supervisors have collaborated closely to make this research opportunity possible for me."

“Personally, my time in the U.S. was incredibly enriching. I gained valuable insights into new research methods and got the chance to work in a truly international environment where researchers from all over the world collaborate closely.”
 

Text: Susanne Lj Westergren