SciLifeLab welcomes our new Vice Head of Operations, Maria Thuveson
We are happy to welcome Maria Thuveson, our new Vice Head of Operations, at site Uppsala! Maria brings extensive scientific expertise and leadership experience to the role. She will be employed at Uppsala University and will contribute to strengthening SciLifeLab’s operational excellence and strategic development, starting February 2026. In this interview you can learn more about Maria, her vision for the future. her favourite way to sped a winter day and much more.
Hello and welcome to SciLifeLab, Maria! Could you tell us about your vision and how you will take on this position?
I think it’s a lot about continuing the fantastic work that Sandra, Erika, my predecessor Jenny, and all the employees have established so far. And then I also must get to know the organization, talk to people, and get an insight into and understanding of everything that is done within SciLifeLab. Of course, there will be things that can be developed or changed or modified, we live in a changing world and need to constantly adapt and improve.
Right now, you still work at the Swedish Research Council. Could you highlight one thing from this experience, what will be beneficial for SciLifeLab?
After almost 20 years at the Swedish Research Council, I think there is a lot that I can bring to SciLifLab. It’s hard to choose one thing, but something that I find particularly important is the “Values of the Swedish Public Sector” (Den statliga värdegrunden) which consists of six fundamental principles – democracy, legality, objectivity, freedom of opinion, respect and efficiency and service.
What’s your favorite way to spend a day off during the winter?
Well, my favorite day in general, I would say, is a skiing day on the marshes in Orsa on a winter morning when the snow is hard. However, I have torn my Achilles tendon – not only once, but twice and have had reconstruction of the tendon and muscles with the help of a skilled surgeon and my own spare parts. So, this winter I am spending a day off eating sweets and watching TV-series…
