Johan Svantesson Sjöberg is in his second year at Lund University, pursuing a BS in Molecular Biology. He has worked with the SENSFAI team since 2008, and is currently a volunteer on the Project Development Committee.

His first project with SENSFAI was working with a partner to write a review paper on the characteristics, formation and pathophysiology of the cross-link glucosepane. After more than half a year of work, their project was published in the peer-reviewed journal "Rejuvenation Research" in April or 2009.

"I think it's really exciting that, in the near future, we have a chance of being able to do something significant about problems like aging, when I found out about the masters programme in bioinformatics at Lund University, I thought it would be a good way to combine molecular biology with my interest in computers."

You can read the text of our interview below:

What field of interest are you studying at Lund University?

Currently, I have completed the first year (of three) of a B.Sc. in molecular biology. After that, I'm planning on studying for a two-year M.Sc. in bioinformatics, and then I would like to continue with Ph.D. studies, hopefully related to protein modelling or something similar. Neither of my parents were academics, so this is a journey into a new and exciting world for me. So far I'm really enjoying it!

How did you become interested in molecular biology and the SENS platform?

My interest for life extension research was awakened during my second year of gymnasium (Swedish equivalent to high school, three years). At the time, I was studying arts to become an architect. I have always been interested in science, but it wasn't until then that I started considering it as a career path. So I took some extra courses during my third year of gymnasium and attended a preparatory year at the college of Borås, and after that I was ready for university studies.

And your plans after graduation?

My long-term plan is probably to stay at Lund University as a researcher, and perhaps teaching as a lector or (eventually) professor. During the two years I've spent at Lund University so far, I've fallen in love with it, and I could very well imagine staying here for the rest of my career. I'm open to suggestions, though - for example, if I happen to come across an innovative idea during my research, I might start a company based on it.

What led you to become involved with SENS?

After learning about life extension research and the Immortality Institute, in 2007 I found out about the Methuselah Foundation, as it was called then. My first involvement with the SENSFAI (named MFURI back then) was in 2008, when I and Sven Bulterijs did a project on the cross-link glucosepane (see next question below). After that, I have been working as a SENSFAI volunteer, writing project proposals for student projects.

What motivates you to work with the SENSFAI?

An important part of what motivates me is personal interest, since I feel that the SENS strategy is the most promising way to combat the aging process. Another source of motivation is the fact that my involvement with SENSFAI is probably good for my career since, among other things, it allows me to gain experience with things like writing projects and publishing papers. SENSFAI is also a good way to meet great people and make new friends, and that's never a bad thing!

What are you currently working towards with the SENSFAI?

My current involvement with SENSFAI is volunteer work. I'm in the Project Development Committee which, as the name suggests, develops projects for students to work with. I have an idea for a lab project that I might be able to work with this summer, assuming I have enough time to write a project and grant proposal soon.

Do you think you involvement with SENSFAI will influence your future career? How so?

Yes, definitely - partly because it allows me to gain experience with writing projects and publishing papers, and partly because I can establish contacts with active researchers within the field of life extension.

Do you volunteer or work with any other groups?

Currently I am president of the student union of science (called "Luna") at Lund University. As president of Luna, I am representing the science students of Lund University in discussions and decisions within the Faculty of Science, e.g. by being in the faculty board, presidium, and Council of Education. I also organize and keep track of all of Luna's student volunteers.

I have a number of other positions within Luna as well, and after my term of office ends in July this year I will continue to be involved with Luna for the rest of my studies at Lund University. I think student unions fulfill a very important role in voicing the students' opinions in discussions with their respective universities. It's also a good way for me to gain personal contacts with a lot of professors and other university staff around here - might be good for the future, you never know...