Jarone Pinhassi in the lab with his colleagues

Jarone Pinhassi elected member of The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences

Jarone Pinhassi, professor of microbiology and research leader for Linnaeus University’s cutting-edge research environment within ecology and evolution, has been elected as a member of The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.

The main task of The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences is to promote science and strengthen the influence of science in society. It is also the academy that every year awards the Nobel Prize in physics, chemistry, and economic sciences.

"This is a great honour for me as well as for Linnaeus University. It is proof that long-term research within a few particularly strong fields pays off", says Jarone Pinhassi.

You have been elected in the class for biological sciences, what are your thoughts on your commission?

"Within the class, there is broad work with questions relating to science; for instance, environmental issues, energy issues, research policy, and questions concerning school. I'm looking forward to contributing with my knowledge within marine biology and microbiology to questions like these".

What are you hoping to achieve in the years ahead with your research and as a member of the academy?

"The objective of the research we carry out in my research group is to understand how bacteria regulate the cycle of carbon and other nutrients in the ocean. Microorganisms have a great impact on, for instance, our oceans' ability to absorb carbon dioxide produced by us humans through the combustion of fossil fuels. In addition, they also have a key role in how oceans respond to hypertrophication and climate changes. As a member of the academy, I hope to work for an increased understanding of how bacteria and their ecology affect the ocean as well as us humans".