Harriet Wallberg is Professor of Physiology at Karolinska Institutet and a licensed Physician, specialized in Clinical Physiology. Beyond her position as Professor, she has served as Vice Chancellor of Karolinska Institutet and has had several assignments as special investigator for the Government of Sweden. She has also served as University Chancellor, with the responsibility of quality assurance of higher education institutions in the country.

Harriet Wallberg was Vice Chancellor of Karolinska Institutet, Sweden's largest medical university, between 2004 and 2012. During her tenure she was responsible for a successful and well-known fundraising campaign, which resulted in support for state-of-the-art research and education at Karolinska Institutet as well as the construction of the new auditorium “Aula Medica” on the main campus.

As University Chancellor between 2014 and 2016, Harriet Wallberg investigated and prepared a proposal for the Swedish Government aiming at strengthening the quality assurance at the Swedish Higher Educational institutions. Her work resulted in the Governments Skrivelse 2015/16:76, ”Kvalitetssäkring av högre utbildning”, which remains the system in use for quality assurance of higher education.

Harriet Wallberg's research activities are focused on the pathophysiology of the chronic disease, type 2-diabetes, and how different lifestyle factors affect health and well-being. She has studied how the circadian rhythm affect glucose control in individuals with type 2-diabetes, as well as the positive effects of physical activity on health.

 

Throughout the years, Harriet Wallberg has received honorary doctorates (doctor honoris causa) from several international universities, and she has been honoured with H. M. the King’s Medal for her distinguished achievements in medical education and research.

Harriet Wallberg is a member of the Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet, which is the awarding organization for the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.