Our team
Our team has 16 members + alumni with backgrounds in biosciences and clinical medicine. We have previously worked in academic laboratories, hospitals and private companies.
Our laboratory officially started in January 2019 at the Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway located in Oslo, the capital of Norway.
Current team
Administration & leadership
Emma Haapaniemi
Group Leader
Writing (grants, permit applications, papers)
45%
Helping the team with their projects
40%
Practising clinical medicine
15%
Emma is the founder of the group and her main project is to keep the lab funded. She has previously worked in genetics, high-throughput biology, different paediatrics departments and emergency rooms across Southern Finland.
For her education she went to the University of Eastern Finland (MD), University of Helsinki (PhD) and Karolinska Institute (Postdoc).
Her favourite pastimes include riding and petting horses (although she rarely does it nowadays).
Anna Komisarczuk
Deputy Group Leader
Planning and performing experiments
60%
Supervision
20%
Data analysis and writing
20%
Anna’s main project at the Haapaniemi Lab focuses on optimising and evaluating the prime editing system (pegRNA) in cell lines. She has experience in molecular biology, genomics, and medical genetics from roles at the University of Bergen, University of Oslo, and Oslo University Hospital.
Anna holds a Master’s in Biotechnology from Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Poland, a PhD in Gene Regulation from the University of Bergen, Norway, and has completed a Postdoc at Sydney University, Australia. She has also worked as a researcher at the University of Bergen and Oslo University Hospital.
In her free time, Anna enjoys bonsai making, scuba diving, and reading.
Monika Szymańska
Lab Manager
Lab maintenance
60%
Performing experiments
20%
Writing, reading
20%
Monika’s role is to keep the lab organised. She has previously worked in molecular biology and immunology at the Department of Pathology at Oslo University Hospital.
She has a master’s degree in molecular biology from the University of Gdansk, Poland, and a PhD in cell biology from the University of Oslo, Norway. She has held Postdoc and researcher positions at Oslo University Hospital.
On her free time Monika likes knitting, listening to audiobooks (fantasy and crime stories) and walking her dog, Watson.
Dalila Sabrine Hedhili
Research Intern
Lab experiments
60%
Planning experiments and data analysis
30%
Other lab tasks
10%
Dalila works with Shiva on the CARMIL-2 deficiency project, focusing on T-cell immunophenotyping via flow cytometry and gaining experience in CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing.
During her MSc at UNIGE in Mirco Schmolke’s group, she studied host-pathogen interactions, particularly the molecular interface between Influenza A virus protein PB1-F2 and human inflammasome NLRP3. Her BSc internship at Charles-Nicolle Hospital in Tunis involved studying the WT1 gene in Wilms tumor cases.
Dalila holds a BSc in Biotechnology from ISBST, Tunisia, and an MSc in Biology from UNIGE. She enjoys travelling and quality time with family and friends in her free time.
Anniken Solveig Matheson Sollano
Research Intern
Planning and performing experiments
50%
Reading papers and writing
25%
Data analysis
25%
Anniken works closely with Shiva and Frida on the project focused on CRISPR editing in T cells for precise gene correction in STAT1 and CARMIL 2 diseases.
While working at Haapaniemi Lab, Anniken is currently also studying towards a BSc in Biological Sciences.
Outside of work and studies, Anniken enjoys horseriding and painting.
Senior scientists
Shiva Dahal-Koirala
Senior Scientist
Planning, executing experiments and data analysis
70%
Literature
25%
Other tasks
5%
At Haapaniemi Lab, Shiva works with the CRISPR gene editing platform for STAT1 GOF disease.
Her previous work experience includes working as Postdoc and Researcher at the Department of Immunology, University of
Oslo, where she investigated T cell immunology in celiac disease.
Shiva has a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy from Kathmandu University, Nepal, a Master’s degree in Molecular Biosciences from the University of Oslo, and a PhD in Immunology from the University of Oslo.
Outside of work, Shiva enjoys crocheting, cooking and hiking.
Mohammad Arabpour
Senior Scientist
Supporting teams with projects, DOE, project dev
34%
Planning and performing experiments
33%
Supervision, writing, data analysis, Grant writing
33%
Mohammad’s main project at Haapaniemi Lab involves using the CRISPR Cas 9 technology to develop long knock-in solutions for immunotherapy applications.
Mohammad has a PhD and has previously worked in Immunology, Immunotherapy, vaccine development and gene therapy solutions for liver fibrosis. His favourite pastimes include sailing, cycling and jogging.
Cecilia Fahlquist-Hagert
Senior Scientist
Planning, executing experiments and data analysis
70%
Literature, grant writing
25%
Other
5%
Cecilia is one of the Senior Scientists at Haapaniemi Lab and works on our Stem Cell project.
She has previously worked in a Post-doc position at Aarhus University and has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from the University of Linköping. She got her PhD at the University of Turku in close collaboration with Karolinska Institute.
In her free time, Cecilia enjoys swimming and spending quality time with her friends and family.
PhD candidates
Katariina Mamia
PhD Student
Planning and executing experiments
70%
Data analysis & literature
20%
Other
10%
Katariina’s main project involves evaluating the safety and efficacy of different CRISPR systems in patient peripheral immune cells.
She has previously worked in inflammasome biology at the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Science.
Katariina has a Master’s Degree in Biomedical Science (Karolinska Institutet). When she’s not at work, she is either hiking, travelling or daydreaming.
Pavel Kopčil
PhD Student
Planning and performing experiments
70%
Reading papers
15%
Other lab work
15%
Pavel optimises CRISPR-based tools for precise gene correction in hematopoietic stem cells, developing methodologies and in vivo platforms for future transplantation of gene-edited cells into immunodeficient mice.
Previously, he worked in a human epigenetics lab at Charles University, Czech Republic, focusing on miRNA, DNA methylation, CRISPR/dCas9, and NGS. He holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Molecular Biology and Medical Genetics from Masaryk University, Czech Republic, and completed an ERASMUS+ internship at Aarhus University, Denmark.
Pavel enjoys playing the cello, reading fantasy and sci-fi, travelling, cooking, brewing beer, exploring Viking history, and visiting specialty coffee cafes.
Oline Eriksen Rio
PhD Student
Lab experiments
60%
Planning experiments and data analysis
30%
Reading, writing and other tasks
10%
Oline’s main project involves large-scale CRISPR guide screening for gene editing of primary immunodeficiency disorders with different patient-specific mutations.
She has previously worked in cancer genomics and diagnostics at Haukeland University Hospital.
She has a Bachelor’s degree in Human Genetics from Trinity College Dublin and a Master’s degree in Biomedicine from the University of Bergen.
Her favourite pastimes include knitting, watching TV, going to quizzes and spending time with friends.
Carolina Wieczorek Ervik
PhD Student
Experiments and analysing data
50%
Reading papers and writing
40%
Other lab work
10%
Carolina focuses on translating optimised CRISPR editing protocols for primary immunodeficiency diseases (PIDDs).
Previously, she worked as a Research Assistant at the Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Gothenburg University, and as a GMP Cell Production Associate at Takara Bio Europe. She holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Medical Biology from Linköping University and completed internships and scholarships at Gothenburg University.
In her spare time, Carolina enjoys gaming and spending time with her Doberman, Scooby, and her three cats.
Frida Høsøien Haugen
PhD Student
Planning and executing experiments
60%
Data analysis and writing
20%
Literature and other
20%
Frida’s project is focused on the CRISPR gene editing platform in T cells for precise gene correction in STAT1 GOF and CARMIL2 LOF disease, evaluating efficacy, safety and functionality for future clinical translation.
Previously, she worked as a Scientist at Zelluna Immunotherapy, developing allogeneic cell therapy for solid tumours using engineered TCRs and NK cells. She holds BSc/MSc degrees in Biotechnology and a BSc in Chemistry from NMBU, completing her master’s thesis at Haapaniemi Lab on optimising CRISPR-Cas9 editing in primary cells.
Frida enjoys nature, spending time with her Eurasier dog, and with good friends.
Master students
Henriette N. Myrland
Master’s student
Planning and performing experiments
70%
Reading papers and writing
20%
Data analysis
10%
Henriette’s main project is using CRISPR to generate a rat sleep-deprivation model. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from NMBU in Ås, and is currently taking her Master’s Degree in Biotechnology with a specialisation in Molecular Biology.
On her free time, Henriette enjoys working out, reading fantasy and playing video games.
Associated members
Hans Christian Erichsen
Senior consultant, pediatric immunology
Seeing & choosing patients for research projects
60%
Supervision & adding clinical relevance to projects
25%
Planning clinical trials
15%
Hans Christian oversees the clinical pediatric immunology at Oslo University Hospital (Rikshospitalet) and has, since September 2022, worked part-time in the lab.
He completed his MD and PhD degrees at Oslo University Hospital and had a research stay at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Maryland, Bethesda.
Kornel Labun
Bioinformatics Analyst & Automation Specialist
Data analysis
40%
Programming
40%
Writing and reading
20%
Kornel leverages his expertise in data analysis, machine learning, and software development to drive CRISPR data analysis at Haapaniemi Lab. With experience from the University of Bergen, Sonat Consulting AS, and Voucherify, he excels in developing custom bioinformatics pipelines that streamline workflows, automate tasks, and accelerate discoveries.
Kornel holds a PhD in Computational Biology from the University of Bergen and an MSc Eng in Biotechnology from the Silesian University of Technology. In his free time, he enjoys jujitsu, chess, and reading.
Marion Hallapera
Web Designer
Web design
20%
Copywriting and content support
50%
Site maintenance and improvements
30%
Marion is a Web Designer at her freelance business, Mythwood Creative, and manages the hosting, maintenance, design and content support for the Haapaniemi Lab website.
Marion is also a Psychology student (BSc) and, in her free time, enjoys creative writing, reading and working on various digital design projects.
Alumni
Inkeri worked on her master’s thesis while keeping edited primary T cells alive and happy. From time to time she optimised editing in reporter cell lines.
New position: MD-PhD student, University of Oulu, Finland
Kathrin helped Zhuokun with screening and studying the CRISPR system in cell lines.
New position: Technician, Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, Germany
While at Haapaniemi Lab, Bas helped Zhuokun with screening and studying the CRISPR system in cell lines.
New position: Data manager, UMC Utrecht, The Netherlands
Carola focused on identifying CRISPR-Cas9 off-target effects while working on her Final Degree Project, and assisted PhD students while learning new techniques.
New position: Competes in horse jumping
Lisa focused on identifying off-target effects of the CRISPR-Cas9 system, and helped Monika set up Cas9WT protein production to produce our own Cas9WT.
New position: Technician, BOKU University, Austria
Ganna’s main project was to validate CRISPR screening results, with the goal of making the system more efficient and accurate.
New position: Postdoctoral associate, John Doench lab at Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, USA
Sigrid’s work involved improving precise CRISPR editing by local chromatin modulation.
New position: Research assistant, Rasmus Bak lab, Aarhus University, Denmark
Nail’s work focused on developing CRISPR gene editing platform for STAT1 GOF disease.
New position: Researcher, Adaptimmune Therapeutics, UK
Oda’s main role was optimising a custom CRISPR platform in RPE1 cells and testing a custom platform in PBMCs for her master project.
New position: Researcher, Artbio, Norway
Jacob used novel factors to improve precise editing outcomes in hematopoietic stem cells for animal and clinical applications. He also supported animal experiments.
New position: Engineer, Nextera AS, Norway
