Researcher in cod genetics receives royal grant
Researcher Ellika Faust at the Department of Marine Sciences has received a grant with a royal touch. On 19 May, she was awarded SEK 100,000 for her research on cod genetics by none other than King Carl XVI Gustaf.
“He clearly has an interest in the issue – that was obvious,” says Ellika Faust.
It was a ceremonial afternoon at the Royal Palace in Stockholm, where Ellika Faust received the scholarship from a foundation chaired by King Carl XVI Gustaf.
The King himself was present and shook hands with all the grant recipients.
“It was a little nerve-racking at first, but also great fun. I feel very honoured to receive the grant. And the King was very pleasant, so it became easy to relax quite quickly,” says Ellika Faust, who was the only recipient from the University of Gothenburg.
Researching the genetics of cod
Faust completed her PhD at the University of Gothenburg in 2022 with a thesis on wrasse and has since held, among other positions, a postdoctoral role in Switzerland. She has now returned to the Department of Marine Sciences, where she researches commercially important fish species such as cod and mackerel.
Her focus is on Swedish coastal waters, where many previously large populations of predatory fish have declined dramatically.
“I received the scholarship for my work on the genetic mapping of local cod populations. That is what my research is about,” says Ellika Faust.
The foundation awarding the funding was established in connection with the King’s fiftieth birthday. Among its aims is to support research that contributes to the sustainable use of natural resources. The funding is intended primarily for younger researchers working in Sweden.
A reverse birthday present
On the King’s birthday, 30 April, it was announced publicly that Ellika Faust was one of 14 young researchers to receive the scholarship this year – with the formal presentation taking place on 19 May, directly from royal hands.
“The King seemed genuinely interested in what I research and clearly engaged with the issue,” says Ellika Faust.
How did that show?
“Well, when I received the scholarship, he asked whether there was any cod left to research, and I had to answer that yes, there certainly is.”
What will you use the money for?
“The funding will go into my research projects. It will be a tremendous contribution both to the research itself and to helping me share more about what I do with the public and in other contexts,” says Ellika Faust.
Text: Mikael Andersson
Established to mark the 50th birthday of King Carl XVI Gustaf on the initiative of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, the Royal Swedish Academy of Agriculture and Forestry, the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences, and the Swedish Employers’ Confederation (now the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise).
Its purpose is to support research, technological development and entrepreneurship that contribute to the sustainable use of natural resources and the conservation of biodiversity.
